Picture Credits: HOK
INDIA: India’s key aviation bodies are facing a growing human resource crunch, with nearly half of their sanctioned posts lying vacant. The staffing shortfall is particularly severe at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with nearly 48% of its positions currently vacant.
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are also operating with 37% vacancies, according to official data.
As per data shared by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in the Lok Sabha, 814 out of the 1,692 approved posts at the DGCA remain unfilled. In the case of BCAS, 224 positions remain vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 598. As of March 31 this year, 9,502 positions remain vacant out of the Airports Authority of India’s total sanctioned +strength of 25,730 posts.
This ongoing staffing gap comes at a time when India’s aviation market is expanding rapidly, placing greater pressure on regulatory and safety agencies to perform efficiently with reduced workforce strength.
In a written response to the Lower House, the minister stated that 441 new positions were established at the DGCA as part of a restructuring exercise concluded between 2022 and 2024. The process of filling up the posts involves framing of recruitment rules and the action by the recruiting agencies like Union Public Services Commission (UPSC) and Staff Selection Commission (SSC). “The recruitment is a continuous process and posts are filled up according to the prescribed procedure” the minister said and added that BCAS is a deputation-based organisation.
To address the staffing gap temporarily, the DGCA has hired 107 contractual personnel, including consultants, Young Professionals, and Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs), while BCAS has onboarded 14 consultants.
Additionally, AAI has outlined plans to recruit 1,098 executives during the current financial year ending March 31, 2026. A budgetary provision of ₹61.48 crore has been earmarked for recruitment and manpower expansion under the FY 2025–26 estimates.
As India cements its place as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world, ensuring full staffing across its regulatory framework is key to sustaining growth, safety, and service quality.
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