Open Access Research Article
AUTONOMOUS DRONES IN INDIA: TOWARDS A RISK-BASED LIABILITY FRAMEWORK
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The increasing deployment of
autonomous drones in India is creating new legal questions concerning
responsibility for accidents and other forms of harm. India's existing drone
regulatory framework has established important requirements governing the manufacture,
registration, operation and safety of unmanned aircraft systems, while
initiatives such as DigitalSky, UAS traffic management and incentives for
domestic manufacturing have sought to facilitate the responsible growth of the
sector. However, increasing autonomy challenges the traditional assumption that
the operator should bear primary responsibility for every consequence arising
from a drone's operation.
This article examines whether India's
existing aviation-law framework adequately addresses liability arising from
autonomous drone operations. It analyses the potential responsibility of
operators, owners, manufacturers and software developers and considers the
extent to which existing principles of negligence, product liability, insurance
and causation can address technologically complex accidents. The article
further examines risk-based regulatory approaches adopted in the European Union
and the United States. It argues that India should adopt a proportionate and
shared liability framework based on the degree of autonomy, operational risk,
control and contribution to the harm. Such a framework should be supported by
appropriate insurance requirements, preservation of flight and system data, and
clear compliance standards. The proposed approach seeks to protect victims
while providing regulatory certainty that encourages technological innovation,
domestic manufacturing and the continued development of India's autonomous
drone ecosystem.
Published Paper
Author Details
Authors: AKSHAT PANDEY
Registration ID: 1013152 | Published Paper ID: IJLRA13152
Year: Sep-2026 | Volume: 3 | Issue: 6
Approved ISSN: 2582-6433 | Country: Delhi, India
Page No.: 763-777
Article Information
AUTONOMOUS DRONES IN INDIA: TOWARDS A RISK-BASED LIABILITY FRAMEWORK
Authors: AKSHAT PANDEY
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Volume 3
- Issue 6
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- AbbreviationIJLRA
- ISSN2582-6433
- AccessOpen Access
- LicenseCC 4.0
All research articles published in International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis are open access and available to read, download and share, subject to proper citation of the original work.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis.