Directorate General of Civil Aviation

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is India’s principal civil aviation safety regulator and an attached office of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Its mandate is to regulate civil air transport, oversee operational safety and airworthiness, and enforce aviation law and technical standards.

Statutory basis and jurisdiction

The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 provides for the constitution of DGCA and assigns it safety oversight and regulatory functions under the Act and its rules. Its jurisdiction covers civil aircraft operations and air transport services operating within, to or from India, subject to the applicable legal framework.

Core regulatory mandate

• DGCA registers civil aircraft and prescribes and enforces airworthiness standards, including certification and continuing airworthiness requirements.
• It licenses or approves aviation personnel and organisations, including pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, operators and maintenance organisations.
• It certifies and supervises aerodromes and air operators, conducts inspections and safety surveillance, and monitors compliance with operating requirements.
• It issues technical directions, including Civil Aviation Requirements, and coordinates India’s civil aviation regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organization.
• It may take enforcement action, including suspension or cancellation of licences, certificates or approvals, according to law and prescribed procedure.

Institutional boundaries

DGCA’s central concern is civil aviation safety and technical regulation. Aviation security is primarily assigned to the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, while independent aircraft accident investigation is assigned to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.