Small (2–25 kg) and medium (25–150 kg) are the classes an RPC covers; most training and most commercial work is in the small class.

How long is the RPC valid?

Ten years from issue, after which it is renewed through Digital Sky.

Is there a DGCA exam I book myself?

No. The theory and practical assessments are conducted by the RPTO under DGCA's syllabus, and the RPTO uploads your result to Digital Sky.

Get a DGCA drone Remote Pilot Certificate in India

Train at a DGCA-authorised RPTO, pass its theory and flying assessment, and receive a 10-year Remote Pilot Certificate through the Digital Sky platform.

Time: 5–10 days of training · certificate on Digital Sky within a couple of weeks of passing
Cost: ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 for training · ₹100 for the RPC on Digital Sky (plus any medical and insurance)
Reviewed: 5 Sept 2026; 6 steps · 15 checks

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Under the Drone Rules 2021, anyone flying a drone above the nano class — or any drone for commercial work — needs a Remote Pilot Certificate. Unlike the US, there is no self-booked exam: you train and are assessed at a DGCA-authorised training organisation, and the certificate is issued digitally.

Register on Digital Sky

Create an account on digitalsky.dgca.gov.in as a Remote Pilot.
Complete the profile with ID and address proof; keep the account credentials, as the RPC lands here.

Pick a DGCA-authorised RPTO

Use only the current DGCA list of authorised RPTOs; verify the organisation's authorisation number on the DGCA site.
Compare the class covered (small vs small + medium), batch dates, and the inclusive price. Training runs roughly ₹50,000–₹1,00,000 depending on the city and the class.
Ask what the practical assessment includes and how many flight hours you get — the numbers vary a lot between schools.

Complete the training

Theory: regulations, Digital Sky, airspace zones, basic aerodynamics, weather, emergency procedures, and the drone's systems.
Simulator and flying: pre-flight checks, hover, patterns, emergency handling, and a supervised solo.
Log your hours; the RPTO keeps a record and DGCA can audit it.

Pass the RPTO's assessment

A written test on the DGCA syllabus and a flying assessment with an RPTO instructor.
On passing, the RPTO uploads your training record and result to Digital Sky.

Receive the RPC

Apply for the Remote Pilot Certificate on Digital Sky (fee ₹100 at the time of review) once the RPTO's upload shows against your profile.
Download the RPC; it is valid for 10 years.

Fly legally

Register your drone (Unique Identification Number) on Digital Sky unless it is a nano drone for personal use.
Check the airspace map before every flight: green is free, yellow needs permission, red is off limits.
Keep the RPC, UIN and insurance details with you on every job.

Questions

What classes exist?: Small (2–25 kg) and medium (25–150 kg) are the classes an RPC covers; most training and most commercial work is in the small class.
How long is the RPC valid?: Ten years from issue, after which it is renewed through Digital Sky.
Is there a DGCA exam I book myself?: No. The theory and practical assessments are conducted by the RPTO under DGCA's syllabus, and the RPTO uploads your result to Digital Sky.

Sources

The numbers above come from these pages. If a fee or date here disagrees with the source, the source wins.

Report an outdated step

Get a DGCA drone Remote Pilot Certificate in India

Register on Digital Sky

Pick a DGCA-authorised RPTO

Complete the training

Pass the RPTO's assessment

Receive the RPC

Fly legally

Questions

Sources

See also

Get an FAA Part 107 drone pilot certificate

1Register on Digital Sky

2Pick a DGCA-authorised RPTO

3Complete the training

4Pass the RPTO's assessment

5Receive the RPC

6Fly legally

Questions

Sources

See also

Get an FAA Part 107 drone pilot certificate

Register on Digital Sky

Pick a DGCA-authorised RPTO

Complete the training

Pass the RPTO's assessment

Receive the RPC

Fly legally