- WPC-ETA for drone is required just like for other electronic wireless products.
- This license is valid for as long as the drone model is manufactured without modification.
Before discussing 'WPC - ETA FOR DRONE', let's understand what is meant by Drone?
Drone here means Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) only.
Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA)
It is an unmanned aircraft, which is piloted from a remote pilot station. A remotely piloted aircraft, its associated remote pilot station(s), command and control links and any other components forms a Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
Civilian Usage of RPA
RPA is used for still photography as well as motion picture both still and motion picture in full HD. It can capture picture and video in vertical, Oblique (high and low) as well as Combination (360o ).
Drone-types used for Civilian Purposes
- Small: Greater than 2 kg and less than or equal to 25 kg including payload. Or
- Medium: Greater than 25 kg and less than or equal to 150 kg including payload.
Documents needed for civilian usage
- Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunication for operating in de-licensed frequency band(s).
- UIN/ UOAP, as applicable from DGCA.
- Security Clearance from MHA.
- Valid NPNT or ‘No Permission – No Take-off”.
Who Can Operate RPA
Remote pilot shall have attained 18 years of age, having passed 10th exam in English, and undergone ground/ practical training from any DGCA approved Flying Training Organization (FTO).
WPC - ETA for Drone: Why needed?
Only when Drone like other Wireless and Bluetooth IT and Electronic products, operate on unlicensed frequency bands & meet human safety requirements - can be imported in India.
Procedure of getting the WPC ETA approval for drone differs based on whether the manufacturer is domestic or foreign:
- 1For foreign manufacturer, only an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) can apply.
- 2For a domestic manufacturer, ETA is required if the drone manufactured works in delicensed bands.
Who can apply
Manufacturers and Importers of drones that work in delicensed bands.
Documents required
- 1Copy of CIN/LLPIN/PAN
- 2Identity Proof of the Authorised contact Person/Signatory
- 3Authorization from the Manufacturing agency & Indian Agency irrespective of their Authorized Signatories
- 4Undertaking from Manufacturing Agency & Indian Agency that have not applied earlier
- 5Authorization cum Agreement from the Manufacturing Agency to the Indian Agency on their letterhead duly signed by the Authorized Signatory of both the Agencies stamped with date and place
- 6Final Test Certificate signed by Authorized Signatory of the test lab, indicating the compliance parameters
- 7The RF Test report carried out on the Drone, from an Accredited test laboratory; each page of the report shall be initialled and authenticated by both the parties
- 8Accreditation Certificate of the Accredit Test Lab
- 9RF Technical Specification Sheet of the Equipment/Drone published by the Manufacturer having all the technical parameters
- 10Copy of the National or International Standards, under which the testing laboratory has conducted the tests and issued the test report
- 11National or International Standards, under which the Safety/Security requirements for the Radio Equipment met; Copy of such Certificate
Approval applicability/trigger
Applicable to equipment’s operating within technical parameters in the licenced exempted frequency bands and is restricted under DGFT (such as RPAs, UAV, Radars, Jammers, etc).
Validity
This license is valid for as long as the drone-model is manufactured without modification.
Average Time taken to get this
25-30 working days
HOW TO OBTAIN WPC - ETA for Drone
Application can be made online at: SaralSanchar Portal
About Saral Sanchar Portal
'SARALSANCHAR'( Simplified Application For Registration and Licenses) a Web based unified Portal, for Issuing of various types of Licenses and Registration certificates is part of various Digital initiatives being taken by Department of Telecommunications.
The Portal in its present form covers receipt of applications from applicants for issue of new Unified Licenses and WPC Licenses.
Relevant Act and Rules
FAQ
Q1: Does one need to check while purchasing one drone if it is operating in de-licensed frequency band & should one still require ETA from WPC Wing, DoT?
Answer: ETA from WPC Wing is required for all wireless equipment working in de-licensed frequency band(s) in India. So, even while purchasing locally enquiring about ETA and obtaining a copy from the seller or manufacturer of RPA is required to be uploaded while applying for UIN.
Q2. What are the requirements for import of Drones (with or without camera) in India?
Answer: Anyone importing RPAS in India is required by law to obtain Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunication for operating in de-licensed frequency band(s).
WPC - ETA for Drone once obtained is valid only for a particular make and model.
The applicant, other than Nano category, shall apply to DGCA along with ETA for import clearance. Based upon the import clearance issued by DGCA, DGFT shall issue license for import of RPAS.
Q3: Does one need Import license for standalone Antenna from WPC?
Answer: There is no-requirement of Import license for standalone Antenna and other RF accessories.
As already stated, import license from WPC Wing is required only for RF transmitter/ receiver / transceiver; No import license / NOC is required from WPC wing for import of any standalone RF antenna / other RF accessories such as cables connector, battery etc.; however, for import of RF Amplifier import licence from WPC Wing is required. Similarly, if the product is not a Radio Frequency (RF) device, such as audio transmitter, optical fiber equipment etc., question of WPC Import license/ NOC does not arise.