Is it legal to use drones for photography in public spaces?

Using drones for photography in public places is legal in India if operators follow the Drone Rules, 2021. Drones are classified by weight; nano drones are mostly exempt but must respect no-fly zones and privacy laws.

The rules require real-time tracking and a “no permission, no takeoff” policy for most drones. 

The 2017 Supreme Court ruling in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India recognized privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21.

This judgment indirectly supports privacy protections in drone use, and courts may rely on it in cases involving drone-related privacy disputes.