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There are close to 38,000 drones operating in India and 39,000 DGCA-certified drone pilots as of Feb 2026, according to data released by PIB. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune Stay updated with the latest Pune news. Download the TOI App.
We invite organisations seeking certification support to engage with ARAI and embark on their certification journey with confidence,” Reji Mathai, director, ARAI, said. Pune: The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has started certification services for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), providing assessment and certification to drone manufacturers. Operating under the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CSUAS) administered by the Quality Council of India (QCI) on behalf of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ARAI is authorised to evaluate platforms against the requirements that support DGCA type certification. “India’s drone ecosystem is entering a phase of growth and technological innovation, creating new opportunities across sectors. Our objective is to enable a safe, compliant, and innovation-driven drone ecosystem. ARAI’s certification follows the scheme’s two-stage evaluation methodology. The first stage involves document verification, covering design data, technical specifications, safety and security. The second stage covers physical and flight evaluation, in which the submitted drone is examined and subjected to flight testing to confirm performance, stability and adherence to the applicable classification. Drones are classified as micro, small, medium, and large. After the testing, a Statement of Conformity is issued to DGCA, forming the basis for type certification and eventual allotment of a Unique Identification Number (UIN) to compliant platforms. Manufacturers can access certification procedures, application formats, evaluation criteria, applicable fee structures, and technical guidance documents through ARAI’s dedicated UAS certification portal. Drones are being used in agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, mining, disaster management and defence sectors. This has created a need for certification body that can evaluate design, build quality, and flight performance against evolving airworthiness, safety, and cybersecurity requirements.