**Executive Summary**
On April 6, 2026, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish India’s first indigenous Testing Centre for aviation security equipment. This partnership aims to advance "Atmanirbharta" (self-reliance) by providing independent evaluation and certification for Full Body Scanners and other screening technologies. The initiative focuses on creating a robust regulatory framework and indigenous "Bharat Standards" to enhance the security of India's rapidly growing aviation sector.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Institutional Framework and Infrastructure**
* Establishment of a dedicated indigenous Testing Centre at RRU for the trial, performance evaluation, and certification of Full Body Scanners (FBS) and other airport security equipment.
* Development of state-of-the-art testing laboratories at RRU, aligned with global benchmarks, to conduct safety and interoperability assessments.
* Creation of a formal cooperation framework combining the regulatory authority of BCAS with the technical expertise of RRU.
**Testing and Certification Standards**
* Implementation of an independent evaluation and verification process for equipment supplied by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
* Development of "Bharat Standards" for aviation security equipment to facilitate local manufacturing and align with international practices such as TSA (USA) and ECAC (Europe).
* Establishment of an institutionalized accreditation framework to ensure only equipment meeting specific technical benchmarks is deployed in critical security environments.
**Research, Innovation, and Capacity Building**
* Promotion of continuous research to refine testing methodologies and deployment protocols in response to evolving security threats.
* Launch of specialized training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing activities to develop professional expertise in aviation security technologies.
* Facilitation of national and international collaborations to align India’s certification ecosystem with global best practices.
**Impact Analysis**
**Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS)**
**Impact**
BCAS gains a scientifically rigorous mechanism for regulatory support, allowing for more precise oversight of security equipment specifications and performance.
**Action Required**
Issue directives for equipment trials and utilize assessment reports from the Testing Centre for regulatory considerations and deployment decisions.
**Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU)**
**Impact**
RRU becomes a central technical hub for aviation security certification, research, and professional training in India.
**Action Required**
Establish and maintain the Testing Centre and laboratories; conduct impartial evaluations and submit robust assessment reports to BCAS.
**Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)**
**Impact**
Local manufacturers will receive indigenous testing support, reducing reliance on foreign certification and facilitating the development of equipment that meets "Bharat Standards."
**Action Required**
Submit equipment for independent evaluation and verification; align manufacturing processes with the new accreditation framework.
**Aviation Sector (Airports and Cargo Operations)**
**Impact**
The sector benefits from a more resilient and future-ready security ecosystem capable of managing high passenger footfall and increasing cargo volumes with certified, high-standard technology.
**Action Required**
Adopt the highest standards of technology and professional competence in line with the new security benchmarks and BCAS operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS): The national regulatory body for civil aviation security in India and the lead signatory of the MoU responsible for equipment certification directives.
Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU): An institution of national security importance tasked with establishing and maintaining state-of-the-art laboratories for aviation security equipment testing.
Indigenous Aviation Security Equipment Testing Centre: The primary facility established under the MoU to conduct trials, performance evaluations, and certification for security equipment like Full Body Scanners.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: The central government’s self-reliance initiative which serves as the overarching policy framework for localizing aviation security technology and standards.
Ram Mohan Naidu: Union Minister of Civil Aviation who oversaw the MoU signing and outlined the strategic vision for indigenous aviation security certification.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu
oversees BCAS–RRU MoU to Advance
Atmanirbharta in Aviation Security
RRU and BCAS Sign MoU to establish India’s Indigenous
Aviation Security Equipment Testing Centre
Posted On: 06 APR 2026 8:24PM by PIB Delhi
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) today signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment and operation of a dedicated indigenous
Testing Centre for conducting trials, performance evaluation and certification of Full Body Scanners
(FBS) and other security screening equipment used at Indian airports.
The MoU was signed in New Delhi, in the presence of Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister
of Civil Aviation; Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Shri Rajesh Nirwan,
DG, BCAS and Dr. Bimal Patel, Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Raksha University.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said, “Today’s MoU between BCAS and Rashtriya
Raksha University is a natural extension of the NDA Government’s twin focus on security research and
capacity building. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, strengthening
security through focused research, innovation and capacity building has remained a core priority. It is
primarily about building an Atma-Nirbhar Bharat, Atma-Surakshit Bharat!”
Highlighting the legacy and institutional strength of RRU, he added, “With a clear mandate of ‘Rastriya
Surkasha Sarvopari’, the Rastriya Raksha University was established in 2010 by Prime Minister Shri
Narendra Modi back then serving as CM of Gujarat. And under the able guidance of Home Minister Shri
Amit Shah, it has emerged as one of the most prestigious institutions globally in its domain.”
The partnership creates a formal institutional framework for cooperation between BCAS and RRU in the
areas of testing, certification, research, training and standards development relating to aviation security
equipment. It is aimed at strengthening India’s aviation security ecosystem through a credible,
independent and scientifically rigorous mechanism for assessment and regulatory support.
Under the MoU, RRU, in collaboration with BCAS, will establish and maintain a dedicated Testing Centre
for conducting trials of Full Body Scanners and other aviation security equipment in accordance with
directives issued by BCAS. The Centre will undertake independent evaluation, verification and
certification of the specifications and performance of equipment supplied by Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs), and submit impartial and scientifically robust assessment reports for regulatory
consideration.Underscoring the focus on Atmanirbharta in aviation security, the Minister stated, “I see the highlight of
this association is definitely the focus on building Atmanirbharta in aviation security equipment. While
aligning with foreign certification practices, we should now aim to emerge as a global hub for aviation
security certification. Importantly, by providing testing support to Indian OEMs, we can facilitate the
development of Bharat Standards.”
Shri Ram Mohan Naidu further added, “I strongly believe that by combining the regulatory authority of
BCAS with the technical prowess of RRU, we will build an indigenous ecosystem for security equipment
certification, which will resonate with international practices such as those overseen by the TSA in the
United States and ECAC in Europe.”
The MoU also provides for the establishment of state-of-the-art testing laboratories at RRU, aligned with
global standards, to carry out rigorous performance, safety and interoperability assessments. This will
support the development of an institutionalised accreditation framework to ensure that only equipment
meeting prescribed technical and operational benchmarks is considered for deployment in critical aviation
security environments.
The MoU further envisages cooperation in academics, research, extension and training programmes for
mutual benefit. It includes capacity-building initiatives through workshops, specialised training
programmes and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at developing professional expertise in testing,
accreditation and emerging aviation security technologies.
The partnership will also promote research and innovation in the field of aviation security, enabling
continuous refinement of testing methodologies, accreditation criteria and deployment protocols in
response to evolving threat scenarios and technological developments. It will additionally facilitate
national and international collaborations to align India’s testing and certification ecosystem with global
best practices.
Highlighting the rapid growth of the aviation sector, the Minister mentioned, “We all are witness to the
revolutionary growth that is happening in the civil aviation sector. Airports in the country have more than
doubled from 74 in 2014 to 165 today. Every hour, our airports are handling 250 to 300 aircraft
movements and catering to a massive footfall of about 40-45,000 passengers every hour! And not only
passengers, air cargo too has seen a staggering leap in volumes by almost 50% over the last 10-12 years.
So, it is very important to adopt the highest standards of technology and highest standards of professional
competence in the operations of BCAS. And this MoU between BCAS & RRU is a step forward in that
direction towards building a future-ready and resilient aviation security ecosystem.”*****
Divyanshu Kumar
(Release ID: 2249474) Visitor Counter : 362
Read this release in: Gujarati