Parliament Question: Adverse impact on the aviation sector due to the vacant posts in DGCA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3383 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23rd March 2026 ADVERSE IMPACT ON THE AVIATION SECTOR DUE TO THE VACANT POSTS IN DGCA 3383. SHRI RAMJI LAL SUMAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the number of posts currently vacant in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the number of technical posts out of these posts; (b) the details of accidents involving chartered planes, helicopters and large civilian aircraft during the last five years; (c) whether it is a fact that the rate of accidents involving chartered planes and helicopters has increased; and (d) whether it is also a fact that the DGCA gives less emphasis on the safety of small aircraft in the country? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a): The total number of sanctioned posts in Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is 1630. Out of 1630 posts, 441 posts have been created during the period 2022 to 2024 keeping in view of current and future expansion of civil aviation and enhanced role of DGCA as a safety regulator. 525 Group 'A' Technical Posts are vacant in DGCA. In last few months, as a part of recruitment exercise, 167 candidates have already been selected/recommended, out of which offer of appointments have also been issued to 106 candidates. Replacement of 42 candidates (Airworthiness Officers) from reserve panel has been requested from UPSC. DR Proposal for 82 posts of different technical cadres for vacancy year 2026 is at various stages of process. Recruitment in DGCA is a continuous process. To meet requirements in the interregnum, vacancies are managed by recruiting persons through short terms contractual hiring. Further, the shortfall in manpower has not impacted the safety functions of DGCA.(b) & (c): Details are attached at Annexure. (d): DGCA has a systematic safety oversight mechanism for monitoring compliance of Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) encompassing all aircraft and airport operators. The safety oversight process includes regulatory audits, night surveillances, ramp inspections, spot check and special audits. DGCA publishes Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) on its website. Findings of audits, surveillances & spot checks are followed up with concerned operator for compliance. Further, the compliance of action taken by operator is verified during next audit/surveillance. In case of any violations/ non-compliance to regulations detected during audit/surveillance, enforcement action including financial penalty is imposed by DGCA. ******Annexure (b): Number of accident involving scheduled operator, Non-Scheduled Operator's Permit (NSOP) fixed wing and helicopter for the last five years are as under:- Type of 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 operator Scheduled 04 01 00 00 01 Operator NSOP 02 00 02 00 01 Fixed Wing Helicopter 00 03 02 03 04 (c): Rate of accident involving NSOP fixed wing per 10,000 departures and rate of accident involving helicopters per 10,000 flying hours for the last five years is as under:- Type of 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 operator NSOP 0.69 0 0.57 0 0.27 Fixed Wing Helicopter 0 0.35 0.23 0.33 0.53 *****