Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) has formed a panel to draft a comprehensive drone policy for the capital, with a mandate to consider operational rules and safety frameworks for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The announcement stated that the panel will review existing regulations and propose city specific measures while coordinating with central agencies. The initiative is intended to address safety, privacy and airspace management concerns as drone use expands across public and commercial domains.

Members of the committee are to include officials from relevant departments, law enforcement and technical experts, and the panel is expected to consult industry stakeholders and civil society to ensure balanced outcomes. It will examine licensing norms, restrictions on sensitive zones, and mechanisms for incident reporting and enforcement. The process aims to harmonise local needs with national regulations and to create clear guidelines for operators of small and large unmanned systems.

Officials have been asked to prepare an initial draft within a defined timeframe and to outline compliance requirements, technical standards and penalties for breaches that could endanger public safety. The panel is also expected to propose measures for integration of drone operations with existing air traffic systems and to recommend technology solutions for monitoring and geofencing in urban settings. Attention will be paid to privacy safeguards and public awareness campaigns to promote responsible use.

The GNCTD will seek coordination with central authorities and aviation regulators to ensure that city level measures are compatible with national policy and safety standards. The panel is set to submit recommendations that could shape commercial and civic drone applications, including emergency response, surveillance and delivery services, while attempting to mitigate risks. Stakeholder engagement and iterative review are expected to underpin the policy drafting process ahead of formal adoption. A public consultation phase will follow the draft.