Drones

Types

• Photography and videography drone — high-quality camera with gimbal, for events, real estate and inspection photos.
• Mapping and survey drone — supports planned flight paths and accurate geotagged imagery for land and construction surveys.
• Agricultural spraying drone — carries a liquid tank for crop spraying; larger and needs trained operators.
• Inspection drone — thermal or zoom camera for solar plants, towers, roofs and pipelines.
• Training and micro drone — small and low cost for learning and school programmes.

What to check before buying

• Flight time per battery and number of batteries supplied.
• Camera resolution, gimbal stability and any thermal or multispectral sensor.
• Payload capacity and range for the tasks you plan.
• Compliance with the Drone Rules in force: weight category, registration, operator requirements and no-fly zones via the official Digital Sky platform. Ask the supplier which of these apply to the model.
• Software for mission planning and data processing, and whether a licence is needed.
• After-sales service, spare parts such as propellers and batteries, warranty, training and GST invoice.

Common brands include DJI, Autel, Parrot and Indian makers such as ideaForge.

Who buys them

Survey and construction contractors, agriculture businesses, media firms, utilities, schools and colleges, NGOs, police and government departments.

Frequently asked questions

What flight time do I need?

Most drones fly 20 to 40 minutes per battery. For survey work, plan on several batteries and a charging setup.

Do I need permission to fly?

Rules depend on drone weight, location and use. Confirm current requirements with the supplier and the regulator before flying.

Which drone for crop spraying?

Choose a purpose-built spraying drone with the tank size suited to your acreage, and make sure operator training is included.