India’s civil aviation sector is expanding rapidly, but the country’s top regulatory bodies are falling behind in the most crucial area: manpower.
Nearly half of all posts at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are vacant, while the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) report vacancy rates of 37 per cent.
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According to government data presented in the Lok Sabha, 814 out of 1,692 sanctioned posts at DGCA are unfilled. BCAS has 224 vacancies out of 598, and AAI has a shortfall of 9,502 against its total sanctioned strength of 25,730.
These gaps are not just numbers on paper. They create real, dangerous consequences. With fewer inspectors and technical personnel, the frequency and depth of safety audits, airline inspections, and pilot evaluations are compromised.
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Licensing delays, missed simulator checks, and unchecked maintenance practices become increasingly likely. In aviation, even a single missed step can snowball into catastrophe.
The problem is worsened by India’s fast-paced aviation growth. New airlines, increased air traffic, and complex airspace management demand a stronger, not weaker, oversight mechanism. However, the existing system is stretched thin, depending on contract-based consultants and slow hiring processes.
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Officials claim safety remains the top priority, but the sheer scale of unfilled posts undermines any such assurance. No amount of dedication can substitute for a system that lacks capacity.
The margin for error in aviation is virtually zero. Staff shortages introduce an unacceptable level of risk. If not addressed urgently, these gaps could result in more frequent and potentially fatal accidents. In civil aviation, understaffing is not just inefficiency — it’s a threat to human life.
