Parliament Question: Staff Shortage in Aviation Safety Regulatory Bodies

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6346 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd April 2026 ) STAFF SHORTAGE IN AVIATION SAFETY REGULATORY BODIES 6346. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the shortage of manpower in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is affecting the timely completion of safety audits, licensing, surveillance, and enforcement functions, including compliance with ICAO and other international aviation safety standards and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; (b) the number of airline, airport, and aviation safety audits and inspections that were either delayed or not conducted during the last three years due to staff inadequacies; and (c) whether the Government has prepared a time-bound action plan to fill vacant positions, modernize recruitment practices, and strengthen institutional capacity in both DGCA and BCAS and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) and (b) The shortfall in manpower requirements has not impacted the safety audit, inspections and surveillance plans which are undertaken regularly as a part of Annual Surveillance Plan and is published on website of DGCA.; ; (c) 426 technical posts have been created during the period 2022 to 2024 as part of the restructuring of DGCA, keeping in view, inter-alia, the current & futuristic expansion of the sector and enhanced role of DGCA as a safety regulator. Further, as part of recruitment exercise, 167 candidates have already been selected/recommended, out of which offer of appointments have also been issued to 106 candidates. Further, 42 candidates have also been requested from the reserve panel with the recruiting agency. Additionally, recruitment proposals for 82 posts has been sent to UPSC.;; ; The recruitment process of filling these positions involve multiple stages and all methods of recruitment are vigorously pursued. 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. ******