Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021

Current Context: The Ministry of Civil Aviation had published Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Rules, 2021.

• These rules involved various paperwork, permissions for every drone flight, and very few ‘free to fly’ green zones were available.
• These rules were adopted by academia, Startups, end-users, and other stakeholders. For these rules, the GOI had received feedback and in this regard, the GOI decided to repeal the UAS Rules, 2021.
• Therefore the GOI has replaced the UAS Rules, 2021 with the Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021. Following are some major features of Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021.

1. Quantum of fee reduced to nominal levels and now it is delinked with the size of the drone.
2. Now there won’t be a requirement for any permission to operate in green zones.
3. The yellow zone was reduced from 45 km to 12 km from the airport perimeter.
4. There is not any requirement for security clearance before the issuance of any registration or license. Also, no requirement of a Type Certificate, unique identification number, and remote pilot license by R&D units to operate drones in their own or rented premises, which are located in a green zone.
5. The digital sky platform must display an interactive airspace map with green, yellow, and red zones within 30 days of publication of these rules.
6. Coverage of drones under Drone Rules, 2021 is set to 500 kg. Initially, this was 300 kg. This will cover drone taxis also.
7. The penalty for violating these rules is reduced to Rs 1 lakh.
8. The Drones which are in India on or before 30 Nov 2021 will be issued a unique identification number through the digital sky platform. These drones will have a DAN, a GST-paid invoice, and will be termed under the DGCA-approved drones list.
9. The Drone promotion council will be framed by GOI in partnership with academia, startups, and other stakeholders. This will provide growth-oriented regulatory.
10. The drones which are designed for research or recreation purposes are termed as nano and model drones. These drones are exempt from type certification.

• Static Part: 
• Union Minister of Civil Aviation: Jyotiraditya M. Scindia.

Question: 

Q.1 As per Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021 which are set up by replacing with Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Rules, 2021, Yellow zone reduced from 45 km to ____ km from the airport perimeter?
a. 22 km
b. 35 km
c. 12 km
d. 25 km