The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) brought a new Drone Training Circular into effect on 13 May 2026, replacing the 2022 circular that governs authorisation of Remote Pilot Training Organisations.
According to a legal briefing on the change, the 2024 and 2026 revisions professionalised the instructor workforce by drawing a clear line between RPC Instructors and Master Instructors. Master Instructors must now have trained at least 100 successful pilot candidates. The system now runs on the eGCA portal, which manages instructor associations and lets candidates apply for their pilot certificate within seven days of completing training. The 2026 circular also extends the validity of RPTO authorisations.
Regulatory watch: The draft Civil Drone (Promotion and Regulation) Bill, 2025, released for consultation in September 2025, would eventually replace the current rules and includes provisions on beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. Until it becomes law, the Drone Rules 2021 remain in force.
What it means for RPTOs and pilots: Instructor qualifications and record-keeping matter more than ever. Structured digital records help RPTOs stay audit-ready.
Sources: Sigma Chambers, Drone Law Brief (May 2026); Kodainya drone law guide (May 2026).
