Lok Sabha Question No. 3430 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-12
Subject: Safety Norms for Aero-Sports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3430

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  12th March 2026 )

## SAFETY NORMS FOR AERO-SPORTS

3430.    SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY SHRI ANURAG SINGH THAKUR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  prescribed  uniform  national  safety  standards for  aero-sports  such  as  paragliding  and  skydiving  covering  pilot  licensing, equipment certification, passenger insurance, operator accreditation and mechanisms to monitor compliance and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  GAGAN  is  being  leveraged  for  navigation  accuracy,  pilot tracking, distress alerts and emergency response for adventure aviation activities at  locations  such  as  Bir  Billing  and  Kullu-Manali  and  during  international events including the Paragliding World Cup held at Panchgani in February 2026 and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the current status of operationalisation of the Air Sports Federation of India under the National Air Sports Policy, 2022;
- (d)  the  number  of  accidents,  fatalities  and  serious  injuries  reported  in  aerosports including paragliding and skydiving during the last three years, activitywise; and
- (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to prevent such accidents in the States such  as  Himachal  Pradesh  and  Uttarakhand  including  improved  weather forecasting  and  real-time  advisories,  crowd  and  launch-site  regulation,  interagency coordination and strengthened accountability of pilots and operators?

## ANSWER

Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) The National Air Sports Guidelines, 2023 (NASG- 2023) have been issued by  the  Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation.  It  establishes  a  national  framework  for  air sports  through  the  Air  Sports  Federation  of  India  (ASFI).  NASG  outlines  the governance structure, safety, security, registration, flight permission along with provisions of penalty, suspension and cancellation for non-compliances in Air Sports activities such as paragliding and skydiving.

DGCA  oversees  safety  requirements  and  licensing  for  DGCA-  regulated categories such as gliders, micro-lights, Light Sport Aircraft (LSA), gyroplanes, balloons, drones, powered hang gliders, in accordance with the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements issued thereunder.

- (b) GAGAN implemented by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) as a Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) is primarily designed for use of civil aviation sector providing required guidance for suitable equipped aircrafts and crew.
- (c)  National  Air  Sports  Guidelines 2023 have since replaced the National Air Sports Policy 2022. Air Sports Federation of India (ASFI) has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Secretary (Civil Aviation) in accordance with NASG 2023.
- (d)At  present,  accident  and  incident  data  relating  to  aero-sports  activities  are largely maintained at State level. The accidents, fatalities, and serious injuries in air  sports  are  not  mandatorily  reported  to  the  Directorate  General  of  Civil Aviation.
- (e) To enhance safety and prevent accidents in Air Sports activities, including in States such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken several steps such as:-
- i. DGCA has advised all State Governments to ensure effective implementation of the provisions of the National Air Sports Guidelines, 2023 (NASG-2023) and to disseminate the guidelines to district authorities for enforcement of necessary safety  measures.  DGCA  has  also  engaged  with  State  authorities  to  sensitize them on key safety requirements prior to the grant of permissions for Air Sports activities.
- ii.  States  have  been  advised  to  issue  or  update  comprehensive  State-level guidelines  for  paragliding  and  other  Air  Sports,  covering  aspects  such  as verification  of  aircraft/equipment  maintenance,  pilot  licensing  and  ratings, launch-site regulation, crowd management, inter-agency coordination, accident and  incident  reporting  mechanisms,  rescue  arrangements  and  compensation framework.
- iii. DGCA has constituted a Committee to draft comprehensive Air Sports Rules covering  safety,  training,  airworthiness,  licensing,  oversight  and  enforcement for all Air Sports activities, including paragliding.
- iv.  The  Aero  Club  of  India  (ACI  -NAC  India),  the  Air  Sports  Federation  of India  (ASFI)  and  DGCA  are  actively  engaging  with  State  Governments  and Union Territories to facilitate alignment of air sports activities with nationally prescribed standards relating to safety, licensing, accreditation and oversight.