The Punjab government just grounded your drones. Effective today, the Punjab Home Department has officially banned all outdoor drone flying across the province for 30 days.
The government imposed this sweeping restriction under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898. According to a provincial spokesperson, escalating security concerns triggered this immediate clampdown. Officials aim to ensure public safety, maintain law and order, and aggressively protect both public and private property.
However, the government has not banned everything completely. You can still fly small drones indoors. Operations inside covered halls and marquees remain perfectly legal.
But there is a catch. Event organizers must shoulder the entire responsibility. Consequently, they must personally ensure the safe and lawful use of all drones operating within their premises.
Meanwhile, commercial operators and content creators who absolutely need to fly outdoors have one narrow option. The government has constituted a special committee equipped with the power to grant specific exemptions. Therefore, anyone wanting to operate a drone in open areas must apply for and secure a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) directly from this new committee.
Unsurprisingly, this new restriction does not apply to the state. Intelligence agencies and law enforcement institutions remain fully exempt from the ban while performing their official duties.
Expect zero tolerance if you violate these rules. The Home Department has already directed district administrations and police authorities to strictly enforce these drone ban orders across all of Punjab. The government has made it clear that safeguarding the public and maintaining law and order remains its absolute top priority.
