Nepal Drone Regulations 2025 — Complete CAAN Guide
Everything you need to know about flying drones legally in Nepal in 2025: CAAN registration, Remote ID, pilot licensing, no-fly zones, and real-world lessons from GarudX's 8+ years of operations.
If you want to fly a drone in Nepal in 2025, you need to understand the regulatory framework set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN). This guide covers everything — registration, licensing, restricted zones, and what GarudX has learned from 8+ years of commercial operations across the country.
The CAAN Drone Framework: An Overview
Nepal's drone regulations are governed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal under the Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR). CAAN classifies drones into three categories based on All-Up Weight (AUW): micro (under 250g), mini (250g–2kg), and standard (over 2kg). The classification determines your regulatory obligations.
As of 2025, all drones above 250g require mandatory registration with CAAN before any commercial or recreational flight. The registration process involves submitting the drone's serial number, owner identification, and proof of insurance. Registration fees vary by category and are renewed annually.
Drone Registration: Step-by-Step
To register your drone with CAAN, you need to: (1) Create an account on the CAAN online portal. (2) Submit your drone's make, model, and serial number. (3) Provide a copy of your citizenship or passport. (4) Pay the registration fee (NPR 500–5,000 depending on category). (5) Receive your registration certificate and display number.
Registration is not optional — flying an unregistered drone above 250g is a punishable offense under Nepal's aviation law, with fines up to NPR 50,000 and potential confiscation of equipment.
The Remote ID Problem
Remote ID — the ability for drones to broadcast their identity and location in real time — is a major gap in Nepal's current framework. While CAAN has announced plans to mandate Remote ID compliance by 2026, the technical infrastructure (ground receivers, software integration) is still being developed.
For commercial operators like GarudX, this creates a grey area. We voluntarily broadcast our identification data on all commercial missions, but there is currently no enforcement mechanism for smaller operators. This is a known vulnerability in Nepal's airspace management that CAAN is actively working to address.
Pilot Licensing Requirements
Commercial drone operations in Nepal require a Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) issued by CAAN. To obtain an RPC, you must: (1) Be at least 18 years old. (2) Pass a written examination covering aviation theory, weather, regulations, and emergency procedures. (3) Complete a minimum of 10 hours of supervised flight training. (4) Pass a practical flight test with a CAAN examiner. (5) Hold a valid medical certificate.
The RPC is valid for 2 years and requires a refresher examination for renewal. Recreational pilots flying micro-category drones (under 250g) do not require an RPC, but must still follow all other regulations.
No-Fly Zones in Nepal
Nepal has extensive no-fly zones that drone pilots must know. Permanent no-fly zones include: all areas within 5km of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA); military installations and restricted government zones; national parks and wildlife reserves (without special permit); and all areas above 8,000m altitude without CAAN special authorization.
Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are frequently issued for VIP movements, national events, and disaster response operations. GarudX always checks the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) system before any mission, and we recommend all commercial operators do the same.
Our Experience: 8+ Years of CAAN Compliance
When GarudX began operations in 2018, Nepal had almost no formal drone regulations. We watched the framework develop in real time — and in some cases, our operations helped inform policy. Our Nepal Police life-jacket drop deployment in 2024 required three layers of special authorization from CAAN, the Nepal Police headquarters, and the local district administration.
The regulatory environment has improved significantly since 2018, but bureaucratic delays remain a real operational challenge. A standard commercial permit can take 2–4 weeks to process. For time-sensitive missions — disaster response, urgent surveys — this is a major bottleneck that we hope CAAN will streamline.
What GarudX Recommends for 2025
Register all drones above 250g immediately. Obtain your Remote Pilot Certificate before starting any commercial operations. Always file flight plans with CAAN for operations in controlled airspace. Invest in quality equipment with reliable fail-safes — CAAN increasingly scrutinizes the technical specifications of drones used in commercial operations. And stay updated: Nepal's drone regulations are evolving rapidly, and what was compliant in 2023 may not be sufficient in 2026.
For operators navigating this landscape, GarudX offers regulatory consultation and permit management as part of our training and professional services. We have established relationships with CAAN and can significantly reduce the time and complexity of the approval process.
The drone industry in Nepal has incredible potential — the country's geography, from Terai plains to Himalayan summits, makes it one of the most diverse UAV operating environments in the world. A clear, efficient regulatory framework is the foundation that will allow that potential to be realized.
