Parliament Question: Regional connectivity and aircraft maintenance

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2577 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16th March 2026 REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE 2577. DR. SIKANDER KUMAR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the specific roadmap and timelines for establishing indigenous aircraft manufacturing ecosystem and the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for regional transport aircraft as highlighted in Union Budget 2026-27; (b) the details of Basic Customs Duty exemptions provided for aircraft components and maintenance, repair and overhaul raw materials and the projected reduction in the $1.5 billion annual foreign exchange outflow due to overseas maintenance; and (c) the steps being taken to address 50 per cent vacancy in technical positions at Directorate General of Civil Aviation to ensure safety oversight as India becomes the world's third- largest aviation market? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) and (b) The Government has taken several steps over the years for establishing indigenous aircraft manufacturing and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) ecosystem in the country. The Union Budget 2026-27 includes the following measures: i. Nil Basic Customs Duty (BCD) has been provided for components or parts including engines, of aircraft for manufacture of aircraft and for manufacture of parts for manufacturing the said aircraft. ii. BCD exemption for parts, testing equipment, tools and tool-kits for MRO of aircraft, components or parts of aircraft has been extended till 31st March, 2028. iii. Nil BCD has also been provided for raw materials for manufacture of parts of aircraft for maintenance, repair, or overhauling of aircraft or their components or parts including engines, when imported by Public Sector Units under the Ministry of Defence. (c) Out of 1063 sanctioned technical posts in Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), 426 technical posts were created during the period 2022 to 2024 as a part of the restructuring of DGCA. This was done keeping in view, inter-alia, the current & futuristic expansion of the sector and enhanced role of DGCA as a safety regulator. As a part of recruitment exercise, 167 candidates have been selected/recommended, out of which offer of appointments havealready been issued to 106 candidates. Further, 42 candidates have been requested from the reserve panel with the recruiting agency. ******