Organization Setup

Located at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan at the Safdarjung Airport in New Delhi, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is responsible for formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of the Civil Aviation sector in the country. It is responsible for the administration of the Aircraft Act, 1934, Aircraft Rules, 1937 and various other legislations pertaining to the aviation sector in the country. This Ministry exercises administrative control over attached and autonomous organizations like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi and affiliated Public Sector Undertakings like Airports Authority of India and Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited. The Commission of Railway Safety, which is responsible for safety in rail travel and operations in terms of the provisions of the Railways Act, 1989 also comes under the administrative control of this Ministry.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is the regulatory body in the field of Civil Aviation, primarily dealing with safety issues. It is responsible for regulation of air transport services to/from/within India and for enforcement of civil air regulations, air safety, and airworthiness standards. The DGCA also co-ordinates all regulatory functions with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Private operators were allowed to provide air transport services. However, no foreign airline could directly or indirectly hold equity in a domestic airline company. By 1995, several private airlines had ventured into the aviation business and accounted for more than 10 percent of the domestic air traffic. Today, Indian aviation industry is dominated by private airlines and these include low cost carriers, who have made air travel affordable. The Government nationalized nine airline companies vide the Air Corporations Act, 1953. These government-owned airlines dominated Indian aviation industry till the mid-1990s. In April 1990, the Government adopted open-sky policy and allowed air taxi- operators to operate flights from any airport, both on a charter and a non charter basis and to decide their own flight schedules, cargo and passenger fares. As part of its open sky policy in 1994, the Indian Government ended the monopoly of IA and AI in the air transport services. Private operators were allowed to provide air transport services. However, no foreign airline could directly or indirectly hold equity in a domestic airline company. By 1995, several private airlines had ventured into the aviation business and accounted for more than 10 percent of the domestic air traffic. Today, Indian aviation industry is dominated by private airlines and these include low cost carriers, who have made air travel affordable.

• Registration of civil aircraft.
• Formulation of standards of airworthiness for civil aircraft registered in India and grant of certificates of airworthiness to such aircraft.
• Licensing of pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers and flight engineers, and conducting examinations and checks for that purpose.
• Licensing of air traffic controllers.
• Certification of aerodromes and CNS/ATM facilities.
• Granting of Air Operator's Certificates to Indian carriers and regulation of air transport services operating to/from/within/over India by Indian and foreign operators, including clearance of scheduled and non-scheduled flights of such operators.
• Conducting investigation into accidents/incidents and taking accident prevention measures including formulation of implementation of Safety Aviation Management programmes.
• Carrying out amendments to the Aircraft Act, the Aircraft Rules and the Civil Aviation Requirements for complying with the amendments to ICAO Annexes, and initiating proposals for amendment to any other Act or for passing a new Act in order to give effect to an international Convention or amendment to an existing Convention.
• Coordination at national level for flexi-use of air space by civil and military air traffic agencies and interaction with ICAO for provision of more air routes for civil use through Indian air space.
• Keeping a check on aircraft noise and engine emissions in accordance with ICAO Annex 16 and collaborating with the environmental authorities in this matter, if required.
• Promoting indigenous design and manufacture of aircraft and aircraft components by acting as a catalytic agent.
• Approving training programmes of operators for carriage of dangerous goods, issuing authorizations for carriage of dangerous goods, etc.

Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) AERA, was established by the Government of India vide notification No. GSR 317(E) dated 12th May 2009 as a statutory body of Government of India. The Parliament of India enacted an Act called “The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008” (hereinafter to be referred as the “Act”). The said Act envisages the establishment of a statutory authority called the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (hereinafter referred to as the “AERA”) to regulate tariff for the aeronautical services, determine other airport charges for services rendered at major airports and to monitor the performance standards of such airports. The provisions of the said Act came into force w.e.f. 1st September, 2009.

The functions of AERA, in respect of major airports, are specified in section 13 of the Act, which are as below:

• To determine the tariff for aeronautical services taking into consideration the capital expenditure incurred and timely investment in the improvement of airport facilities.
• The cost for improving efficiency.
• Economic and viable operation of major airports.
• The concession offered by the Central Government in any agreement or memorandum of understanding or otherwise, and
• Any other factor which may be relevant for the purpose of the Act.
• Determine the amount of the development fees.
• Determine the amount of the passengers’ service fee levied under Rule 88 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 made under the Aircraft Act, 1934.
• Monitor the set performance standards relating to quality, continuity and reliability of service as may be specified by the Central Government or any authority authorized by it in this behalf.
• Call for any such information as may be necessary to determine the tariff for aeronautical services, and
• Perform such other functions relating to tariff, as may be entrusted to it by the Central Government or as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act.

Today, Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India plays a vital role in fostering a healthy competition amongst all Major Airports, encouraging investment in airport facilities, protection of reasonable interests of users, operation of efficient, economic and viable airports through regulations of tariff for aeronautical services/activities and also monitors performance standards at Major Airports.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) was initially set up as a Cell in the DGCA in January 1978 on the recommendation of the Pande Committee. The BCAS was reorganized into an independent department under the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 1st April, 1987. The main responsibilities of BCAS include laying down standards and measures with respect to security of civil flights at international and domestic airports in India. BCAS Head quarter is located at "A" Wing, I-III floor, Janpath Bhavan, Janpath, New Delhi-110001. It has got four Regional Offices located at International airports i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.

• Laying down Aviation Security Standards in accordance with Annex 17 to Chicago Convention of ICAO for airport operators, airlines operators, and their security agencies responsible for implementing AVSEC measures.
• Monitoring the implementation of security rules and regulations and carrying out survey of security needs.
• Ensure that the persons implementing security controls are appropriately trained and possess all competencies required to perform their duties.
• Planning and coordination of Aviation security matters.
• Surprise/Dummy checks to test professional efficiency and alertness of security staff.
• Mock exercise to test efficacy of Contingency Plans and operational preparedness of the various agencies.

Section 7 of the Aircraft Act 1934 empowers the Government of India to make rules for investigation of accidents arising out of or in the course of the navigation in or over India of any aircraft, or anywhere of aircraft registered in India. As per the Act and in conformity with Article 26 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, earlier the Air Safety Directorate of DGCA was carrying out the duties and responsibilities regarding investigation of aircraft accident and incidents. This was governed by the Aircraft Rules 1937.

In accordance with Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and to provide independence of investigation function from the regulatory function, the Government of India decided to establish a Bureau independent of the DGCA.

Based on ICAO SARPs and the Indian Civil Aviation scenario in mind, the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2012 were formulated and notified through a Gazette Notification. In accordance with these Rules and for the purposes of carrying out investigation into accidents, serious incidents and incidents; the Government of India set up a Bureau in the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 30th July 2012, known as the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India.

In accordance with ICAO Annex 13, Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2012 were amended in 2017 and AAIB was designated as an “Attached Office” of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Presently, Investigation work is being carried out as per amended Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules 2017 read with the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Amendment rules, 2021. AAIB has been mandated for immediate and unrestricted access to all relevant evidence from any agency / organisation without seeking prior consent from judicial bodies or other Government authorities.

The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) , working under the administrative control of the Ministry of Civil Aviation of the Government of India, deals with matters pertaining to safety of rail travel and train operation and is charged with certain statutory functions as laid down in the Railways Act (1989), which are of an inspectorial, investigatory & advisory nature. The Commission functions according to certain rules viz. statutory investigation into accidents rules framed under the Railways Act and executive instructions issued from time to time. The most important duties of the Commission is to ensure that any new Railway line to be opened for passenger traffic should conform to the standards and specifications prescribed by the Ministry of Railways and the new line is safe in all respects for carrying of passenger traffic. This is also applicable to other works such as gauge conversion, doubling of lines and electrification of existing lines. Commission also conducts statutory inquiry into serious train accidents occurring on the Indian Railways and makes recommendations for improving safety on the Railways in India.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) was formed on 1st April 1995 by merging the International Airports Authority of India and the National Airports Authority with a view to accelerate the integrated development, expansion, and modernization of the operational, terminal and cargo facilities at the airports in the country conforming to international standards.

• Design, Development, Operation and Maintenance of international and domestic airports and civil enclaves.
• Control and Management of the Indian airspace extending beyond the territorial limits of the country, as accepted by ICAO.
• Construction, Modification and Management of passenger terminals.
• Development and Management of cargo terminals at international and domestic airports.
• Provision of passenger facilities and information system at the passenger terminals at airports
• Expansion and strengthening of operation area, viz. Runways, Aprons, Taxiway etc.
• Provision of visual aids.
• Provision of Communication and Navigation aids, viz. ILS, DVOR, DME, Radar etc.

The Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd. (PHHL) is one of the leading helicopter companies in India and is known for its reliable helicopter operations. Its objective is to provide helicopter support services to the Oil Sector for its off-shore exploration operations, services in remote and hilly areas as well as charter services for promotion of travel and tourism. The Registered Office of the Company is located at New Delhi and its Regional offices are at Mumbai and New Delhi. PHHL is the first ISO 9001: 2000 certified Aviation Company in India. Pawan Hans has played a vital role in the growth story of the Helicopter Industry in India.

AI Assets Holding Limited (AIAHL) is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV ) formed by Government of India with an aim to provide unified Asset Holding Services as stated in Object Clauses of its Memorandum of Association.The objects to be pursued by the company on its incorporation are  1. To acquire from Air India Ltd. its a shares held in:(i) Air India Air Transport Services Ltd.,(ii) Air India Engineering Services Ltd.,(iii) Airline Allied Services Ltd., and(iv) Hotel Corporation of India Ltd.

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (a Central University) is India’s first National Aviation University established under act of Parliament, 2013. The University campus is fully operational at Fursatganj Airfield under the direct administrative control Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. Our aim is to become “UGC of Aviation in India”.

NAU is co-located with Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (aka National Flying Academy) which is imparts Commercial Pilot Training for over 35 years and has a fleet of 24 aircraft. That makes it a unique combination of a University and a Flying Training Organization complimenting each other, very few such combination in the world.

RGNAU has full time University Officers and their contact details are given below:

Acting Vice Chancellor : NA 
Acting Registrar : Smt Garima Singh

Address:

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University 
(under Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India) 
Fursatganj Airfield, Amethi, UP 229302 
Phone: +91 535 270 4901 
Website: www.rgnau.ac.in
Delhi (Office) 
Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, 
Aurobindo Marg, Opp Safdarjung Airport 
New Delhi