# 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.

- **Section:** Licences & certifications · **Region:** India · **Difficulty:** medium
- **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)
- **You end up with:** A DGCA Remote Pilot Certificate for the small (and optionally medium) class, valid 10 years
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-09-05 · **Canonical:** https://for.do/p/dgca-drone-rpc-india/

## Before you start

- Age 18–65, passed class 10 or equivalent
- A Digital Sky account (digitalsky.dgca.gov.in) with your identity documents
- A DGCA-specified medical fitness self-declaration or certificate as your RPTO requires

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.

## 1. 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.

## 2. 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.

## 3. 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.

## 4. 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.

## 5. 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.

## 6. 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.

## Where people get this wrong

- Training at an outfit that is not on DGCA's RPTO list. Only an authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation can conduct the assessment that leads to an RPC; a 'drone course' certificate from anyone else is not a licence.
- Assuming nano drones need it. Nano drones (up to 250 g) flown for non-commercial purposes do not need an RPC; anything heavier, or any commercial use, does.
- Flying in a red or yellow zone. Digital Sky's airspace map is authoritative; yellow zones need permission from the airport/ATC and red zones need central government permission.

## 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.

## Tools used

- [Digital Sky (DGCA)](https://find.do/t/digital-sky/) (official) — India's drone platform — pilot certificates, drone registration and the airspace map.

## Sources

- [Zbotic — How to get a DGCA drone pilot licence in India (2026)](https://zbotic.in/how-to-get-a-dgca-drone-pilot-license-in-india-2026/)
- [Drone Pathshala — DGCA drone certificate explained](https://dronepathshala.in/blog/dgca-drone-certificate-explained-eligibility-cost-validity-benefits/)
- [Digital Sky (DGCA)](https://digitalsky.dgca.gov.in)