**Executive Summary**
This document is the response from the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2290 regarding manpower shortages in aviation regulatory bodies, specifically the DGCA and BCAS. The response details the number of sanctioned and vacant posts and measures taken to address these shortages. The question was scheduled to be answered on February 12, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA):**
* Total sanctioned posts: 1630.
* Vacant posts: 787.
* 441 posts (426 technical and 15 non-technical) created between 2022 and 2024 to address future expansion.
* Recent actions to strengthen manpower:
* 15 officers/officials and 9 Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) joined.
* Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) for 31 officers completed.
* 164 technical officers, 1 FOI, and 3 stenographers selected to join.
* Direct Recruitment (DR) proposal for 94 posts is at various stages.
* **Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS):**
* Total sanctioned posts: 598.
* Vacant posts: 230.
* 84 posts created in 2024 to maintain effective supervision.
* **General:**
* The manpower shortfall has not impacted the functioning of these organizations.
* Recruitment methods are pursued to ensure timely manpower availability.
* Short-term contractual hiring is used to address interim vacancies due to factors like inadequate response to advertisements.
* Structure and continuous capacity building framework is in place for training of officers.
* Training programs are updated with evolving international standards and technological advancements.
**Impact Analysis**
**DGCA Employees**
* **Impact:** Increased manpower and the filling of vacant positions may reduce workload and improve operational efficiency. Career advancement opportunities may arise through completed DPCs.
* **Action Required:** Existing employees may be required to mentor new hires and adapt to new team members.
**BCAS Employees**
* **Impact:** Increased manpower due to newly created posts can improve supervision and reduce workload.
* **Action Required:** BCAS employees may be involved in onboarding new team members and adjusting workflows to accommodate the increase in staff.
**Ministry of Civil Aviation**
* **Impact:** The Ministry is responsible for overseeing the manpower strategies of DGCA and BCAS.
* **Action Required:** The Ministry needs to continue monitoring the effectiveness of recruitment efforts and training programs to ensure adequate staffing levels and competency within DGCA and BCAS.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The Indian governmental regulatory body for civil aviation, responsible for the safety, security and regulation of air transport services.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the civil aviation sector in India.
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS): An attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. BCAS is the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2290
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th February 2026 )
SHORTAGE OF MANPOWER IN AVIATION REGULATORY BODIES
2290. SHRI KAMAKHYA PRASAD TASA
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the details and the total number of technical and operational posts currently vacant in
all major Aviation Regulatory Bodies;
(b) whether this shortage of manpower has an impact on the frequency and thoroughness
safety audits, inspections and surveillance programmes conducted by these bodies and if
so, the details thereof; and
(c) the specific steps being taken by the Government to attract, train and retain highly
specialised and technical personnel required for these critical roles?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (c) The total number of sanctioned posts in Directorate General of Civil Aviation
(DGCA) is 1630. Out of 1630 posts, 441 posts (426 technical Posts and 15 non-technical
posts) have been created during the period 2022 to 2024 keeping in view of future
expansion of civil aviation as part of restructuring of DGCA. The number of vacant posts
in DGCA is 787. In last 4 months, following steps have been taken to strengthen
manpower in DGCA:
i. 15 officers/officials and 09 Flight Operations Inspector (FoIs) have joined.
ii. DPC for 31 officers completed.
iii. 164 Technical officers, 1 FoI and 3 stenographer have been selected to join.
iv. DR proposal for 94 posts of different cadres is at various stages.
The total number of sanctioned posts in BCAS is 598, out of which 230 posts are vacant.
Keeping in view of effective supervision, additional 84 posts have been created in 2024.
The shortfall has not impacted the functioning of these organizations. Further, all methods
of recruitment are pursued vigorously in order to ensure timely and continuous
availability of requisite manpower. To meet requirements in the interregnum due to
vacancies arising from reasons like inadequate response to advertisements, non-joining
of selected candidates, insufficient response to deputation posts and others, efforts are
made to recruit persons through short terms contractual hiring.Structure and continuous capacity building framework has been put in place for training
of the officers of regulator. The training programmes are updated with evolving
international standards, technological advancements and industry best practices.
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