Indian Pilots Urge PM to Create Autonomous Civil Aviation Authority

The Federation of Indian Pilots has formally urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to establish an autonomous, statutory Civil Aviation Authority to replace the current Directorate General of Civil Aviation, arguing that India's regulatory framework must be reformed to keep pace with the nation's rapid aviation growth. In a detailed proposal sent to the Prime Minister's Office on August 7, the pilots' body outlined how the existing structure limits safety oversight and administrative efficiency.

The proposal, authored by FIP President Captain C.S. Randhawa, contends that the DGCA, as an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, lacks the independence needed to regulate the world's third-largest domestic aviation market. The federation points to constrained financial powers, limited administrative autonomy, and government recruitment rules as key obstacles. These limitations, the FIP argues, hinder the regulator's ability to hire and retain specialized professionals such as airline captains, airworthiness engineers, and fatigue risk management experts, whose expertise is critical for modern aviation safety.

The call for reform comes as India's aviation sector has expanded...