Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) often captures attention through futuristic aircraft designs, but its real foundation lies in regulation. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a critical step by initiating work on a regulatory framework for eVTOL operations—signalling that India intends to approach urban and regional air mobility with seriousness and foresight.
Rather than rushing into demonstrations, regulators are focusing on fundamentals: airworthiness certification, pilot licensing, vertiport standards, integration with existing ATC systems, and coordination with Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM). This methodical approach mirrors India’s successful drone policy journey—clear rules first, scale later.
For India, eVTOLs are not a luxury experiment. They have the potential to complement helicopters in dense urban corridors, connect suburbs to city centres, and eventually reduce congestion while improving energy efficiency. Importantly, AAM aligns with Viksit Bharat objectives—smart cities, sustainable transport, and equitable access to mobility.
For industry stakeholders, regulatory clarity is the real green signal. OEMs, battery manufacturers, software providers, training academies, and infrastructure developers now have the confidence to plan Indian trials, partnerships, and manufacturing footprints. India’s existing helicopter ecosystem—pilots, maintenance engineers, heliports—creates a natural bridge to early AAM adoption.
India is not chasing hype. It is quietly building the regulatory runway for the next era of flight.