India to launch National Aviation Safety Centre
Flying safer: At the Asia-Pacific Accident Investigation Group meet in New Delhi, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the Centre and new ICAO-aligned audit courses at RGNAU will strengthen India’s safety framework.
| Photo Credit:
RAJU V/THE HINDU
India will establish a National Aviation Safety Centre to strengthen its aviation safety ecosystem through capacity building, institutional reforms, and international collaboration, a senior government official said.
Speaking at the inauguration of the four-day Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting and workshop at Vigyan Bhawan, Union Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha said the move reflects India’s commitment to reinforcing its aviation safety framework and aligning it with global standards.
Government to double DGCA, AAIB manpower; launch ICAO audit courses
Alongside the Centre, the Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to launch Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) auditor courses at the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU).
Besides, Sinha pointed out that the government plans to double the manpower of both the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) to meet growing safety oversight requirements.
He underlined that the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, would further enhance the statutory powers and operational efficiency of both the DGCA and the AAIB.
India hosts Asia-Pacific Accident Investigation Group meet for the first time
The APAC-AIG meet is being hosted in India for the first time and is being organised by the AAIB from October 28 to 31.
Meanwhile, GVG Yugandhar, Director-General, AAIB, highlighted India’s active engagement with ICAO safety initiatives, including a paper on preventing Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents and participation in the investigation into clear air turbulence involving Singapore Airlines.
He urged investigators to focus on reducing global accident numbers through comprehensive investigations and effective safety recommendations, and to offer India’s aviation laboratories for defect analysis to member states.
According to Stuart Godley, Chairman of ICAO APAC-AIG, the meeting fosters cooperation, information exchange, and harmonisation of investigative practices across the region.
India’s ICAO safety score climbs to 85%; aviation sector eyes safer, faster growth
In a message to the meeting, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu noted that India’s effective implementation score under ICAO’s safety oversight improved to 85 per cent in 2025 from 70 per cent in 2018, boosting its global rank from 112 to 55.
With plans to expand India’s airport network to 350–400 airports by 2047, Naidu said the aviation sector stands at a defining moment — balancing rapid growth with the imperative to uphold the highest safety standards.
Published on October 28, 2025
