How is DGCA’s new safety surveillance strengthening India’s aviation standards?

• DGCA’s new surveillance uses audits, ramp inspections, and data to boost aviation safety.
• India’s 85.49% ICAO score in 2023 shows strong safety standards for global credibility.
• Manpower shortages and inconsistent regional oversight challenge DGCA’s safety efforts.

Aviation is a sector experiencing rapid growth and fierce competition, with aviation safety being one of the most non-negotiable aspects. Recognising this, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revamped its surveillance programme, a move that signals a serious, structured push to not just meet but exceed global compliance standards.

The timing is critical. India is now the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, with forecasts suggesting it could overtake the UK globally by 2026. Yet, growth without stringent safety oversight could risk reputation, investor confidence, and even ICAO compliance ratings, a risk the DGCA clearly intends to neutralise.

Is DGCA’s new ‘Surveillance Strategy’ proactive or reactive?

The DGCA’s latest surveillance model represents a shift from reactive enforcement (acting after incidents) to proactive safety assurance. The programme is structured around:

• Focused Safety Audits: Targeting airlines, airports, maintenance organisations, and training institutions based on risk profiling. Entities with previous safety findings or rapid expansion trajectories face more frequent audits.
• Ramp Inspections Intensified: Random, unannounced ramp inspections at key metro and tier-2 airports have been doubled. Aircraft technical documentation, crew readiness, and maintenance records are closely scrutinised, particularly for airlines expanding fleets aggressively.
• Data-Driven Risk Assessment: Surveillance planning is now powered by real-time data, allowing DGCA to prioritise inspections based on operational complexity, route patterns, and historical compliance records rather than fixed schedules.

This more dynamic model is in line with global best practices, including ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

Why ICAO Rankings matter more than ever

In 2023, India’s Effective Implementation (EI) score from ICAO touched 85.49%, a major leap from the 69.95% achieved in 2018 placing India among the top 50 countries globally in aviation safety standards, ahead of major emerging markets like China and Indonesia.

However, ICAO continuously monitors member states, especially those with high traffic growth. Slippage in safety oversight could invite Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs), a reputational blow that could impact bilateral agreements, insurance premiums, and airline financing costs.

Therefore, the DGCA’s new surveillance programme isn’t just about compliance; it’s about strategic credibility. Maintaining and improving India’s global standing directly supports airline expansion plans, MRO growth, and airport privatisation efforts.

Challenges Ahead: Keeping Pace with Growth

Despite these advances, challenges remain:

• Manpower Crunch: DGCA’s inspector-to-aircraft ratio still lags behind that of developed nations. More technical personnel recruitment is urgently needed.
• Standardisation across regions: Consistency in surveillance quality between metro and regional airports remains a work-in-progress.
• Private operator monitoring: As smaller airlines and helicopter operators scale operations under the regional connectivity push (UDAN scheme), the DGCA must ensure that new entrants maintain robust safety standards.

India’s aviation trajectory is steep, and with the DGCA’s sharpened surveillance framework, the sector is better positioned to climb higher safely. The regulator’s clear message is this: growth is welcome, but only when safety soars alongside it.