Lok Sabha Question No. 4580 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-19
Subject: Airline  Regulatory Oversight
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4580

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  19th March 2026 )

## AIRLINE REGULATORY OVERSIGHT

4580.    SMT PRATIMA MONDAL Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether it is true that the regulatory supervision by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is adequately staffed and institutionally independent keeping in view the recent operational disruptions and safety-related incidents and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of  the  transparent  and objective  criteria  applied  in granting  No Objection Certificates to newly proposed private airlines;

(c)  whether  independent  financial  and  safety  audits  were  conducted  prior  to their approval and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of the monitoring mechanism in place to assess financial stress among  airlines  to  prevent  sudden  service  collapses  affecting  passengers  and employees?

## ANSWER

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

(a):  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 current & future expansion of civil aviation sector and enhanced role of DGCA as a safety regulator.

As a part of recruitment exercise, 167 candidates have already been selected/recommended,  out  of  which  offer  of  appointments  have  also  been issued to 106 candidates. Replacement of 42 candidates (Airworthiness Officers) from reserve panel has been requested from UPSC.

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.

(b) to (d): Ministry of Civil Aviation grants No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to eligible applicants for setting up airlines in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) which lay down the prescribed eligibility  conditions  and  procedural  requirements.  Applications  are  submitted and  processed  through  the  e-Sahaj  Single  Window  Digital  Platform,  a  digital system for civil aviation-related approvals. NOCs are granted after examination of applications in accordance with the provisions of the applicable CAR and the prescribed procedures under the e-Sahaj system.

There are no safety audits prior to issue of NOC. Safety audits are only carried out after the issue of Air Operator Permit (AOP).

With  the  repeal  of  Air  Corporation  Act  in  March  1994,  the  Indian  domestic aviation has been deregulated. The financial and operational decisions, including  resource  mobilization,  and  debt  restructuring,  are  managed  by  the respective airlines based on commercial considerations.

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