Parliament Question: Shortage of Staff in DGCA

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3266 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th March 2026 ) SHORTAGE OF STAFF IN DGCA 3266. SHRI K E PRAKASH Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has taken note of the explicit warning issued by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture regarding chronic vacancies reportedly exceeding fifty per cent in key regulatory and operational posts in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Committee's observation that such shortages could compromise safety oversight and if so, the details thereof; (b) the remedial steps taken by the Government to fill these long-pending vacancies and to strengthen DGCA's manpower at senior technical and safety- critical levels in light of the Committee's concerns about the weakened regulatory capacity of DGCA; (c) the timeline within which all critical posts in DGCA, flagged by the Committee as essential for effective safety regulation, would be filled; and (d) whether a fast-track recruitment mechanism has been adopted for the said purpose and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (d): The total number of sanctioned posts of Group 'A' Technical Officers in Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is 1063. Out of 1063 posts, 426 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. In last few months, following steps have been taken to strengthen technical manpower in DGCA: (i) 22 Group 'A' Technical Officers and 14 FOIs (total 36 officers) have joined DGCA since June, 2025.(ii) Offers of appointment have been issued to 106 candidates. (iii) Offers to other selected 58 candidates are under scrutiny and likely to be issued. (iv) Replacement of 42 candidates (Airworthiness Officers) from reserve panel has been requested from UPSC. (v) DR Proposal for 82 posts of different technical cadres for vacancy year 2026 is at various stages of process. (vi) 50 Group 'A' Technical officers have been promoted. (vii) DPC proposal for 18 posts at various stages (DPC held for 08 and for 10 posts at various stages). 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. ******