Airlines Regulators Run at Half Strength amid Air Safety Concerns
DGCA
Nearly 53% Vacancies in DGCA Raise Safety Concerns Amid Aviation Boom
By KUMAR VIKRAM
NEW DELHI, JULY 25, 2025 – As India races ahead in expanding its aviation sector, a stark contradiction looms—massive vacancies persist in critical aviation oversight bodies. Despite the rapid growth in air passenger traffic and aggressive airport infrastructure expansion, more than 53% of sanctioned posts in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) remain vacant.
The situation is equally concerning in the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), with nearly 35% vacancies, and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) reporting nearly 17% shortfall.
A closer look at the vacancy crisis in India’s civil aviation sector reveals a concerning picture across key institutions. In the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the country’s apex aviation safety regulator, out of 1,644 sanctioned posts, only 821 have been filled, leaving 823 positions—or over 53%—vacant.
The Ministry has informed about the creation of 426 additional technical posts between 2022 and 2024. Similarly, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), responsible for aviation security, has 598 sanctioned posts, of which only 368 are filled, resulting in 230 vacancies, accounting for 35% of its total capacity.
The agency did add 84 operational posts in 2024 as part of a restructuring effort. The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which manages aviation infrastructure, shows a relatively better staffing picture, yet still has 9,477 vacancies out of 25,730 sanctioned posts—amounting to a 17% shortfall. As per the data, 840 new posts for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) were recently approved to meet growing demand.
India’s domestic air traffic is rebounding strongly post-pandemic, with new airports being commissioned and air routes being added under the UDAN scheme.
Yet, the country’s top aviation regulatory and operational bodies are functioning with dangerously lean manpower—raising alarm bells over aviation safety, regulatory oversight, and security preparedness.
While the Ministry of Civil Aviation claims that the shortage has “not impacted functioning,” experts argue that such gaps can undermine supervision, delay safety audits, and overburden existing staff.
The issue becomes more alarming in light of recent aviation incidents, including helicopter crashes in Uttarakhand and an Air India accident in Ahmedabad. Though the government has not directly linked these to staffing gaps, questions are being raised about whether inadequate surveillance and audit capabilities are compromising safety.
To bridge these gaps, the Ministry reports steps like short-term contractual hiring to handle interim shortages, vigorous pursuit of all recruitment channels and continuous oversight through surveillance, unannounced inspections, and audits.
Moreover, the ministry informed that DGCA also adheres to international safety standards and regularly updates its regulations in line with ICAO and EASA norms.
A Snapshot of the Vacant Positions:
DGCA (India’s aviation safety regulator): Sanctioned Posts: 1,644; Filled: 821; Vacant: 823 (53%). Notably, 426 technical posts were created between 2022–24.
BCAS (Responsible for aviation security): Sanctioned Posts: 598; Filled: 368; Vacant: 230 (35%). The agency added 84 operational posts in 2024 during a restructuring exercise.
AAI (Airports Authority managing infrastructure): Sanctioned Posts: 25,730; Filled: 16,253; and Vacant: 9,477 (17%). Recently, 840 new posts for Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) were sanctioned.
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