DGCA, BCAS, and AAI face 4,291 vacancies, but functioning unaffected: Govt

The Indian government has reported that over 4,200 positions are vacant at aviation regulators DGCA, BCAS, and AAI, but the shortfall has not impacted their functioning. Despite the vacancies, the government has created new posts in recent times, including 823 at DGCA and 84 at BCAS. Efforts are being made to recruit personnel through short-term contractual hiring.

The Indian aviation sector faces a significant staffing gap, with over 4,200 positions vacant at aviation regulators DGCA, BCAS, and AAI. Despite this, the government has assured that operations remain unaffected, and active recruitment efforts are underway to address the shortfall and maintain surveillance standards.

The DGCA, BCAS, and AAI have a combined total of 4,291 vacant positions, but the shortfall has not impacted their functioning. The government has created new posts in recent times, including 823 at DGCA and 84 at BCAS. Efforts are being made to recruit personnel through short-term contractual hiring to meet the requirements during the vacancies.

The DGCA, for instance, has a total of 1,644 sanctioned positions, out of which 823 are vacant. The DGCA has also created 441 posts, including 426 technical positions, between 2022 and 2024, raising the total technical posts to 1,063. Similarly, BCAS has created 84 operational posts in 2024, and AAI has created 840 posts of Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) recently.

The government has stated that all methods of recruitment are pursued vigorously to ensure timely and continuous availability of requisite manpower. The shortfall has not impacted the surveillance plans, which are undertaken regularly as a part of the Annual Surveillance Plan published on the DGCA's website.

The government is actively addressing the staffing gap through various recruitment methods, including contractual hiring, to maintain operational efficiency and safety standards in the aviation sector.

References:
[1] https://www.business-standard.com/news-ani/national/dgca-withdraws-window-shade-advisory-photography-ban-remains-at-iaf-airports-125072000034_1.html
[2] https://m.economictimes.com/jobs/government-jobs/dgca-bcas-aai-have-4291-vacant-posts-shortfall-not-impacting-their-functioning-govt/articleshow/122815864.cms
[3] https://www.sanskritiias.com/current-affairs/aviation-safety-and-related-issues-in-india