DG Division

Subjects and functions allocated to the Division:

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) administration including recruitment, promotion, deputation and other service matters like creation of posts, framing of Recruitment Rules, engagement of consultants, disciplinary proceedings, foreign deputation, and budgetary matters.etc.
• Policy and operational matters related to aviation safety, No-Fly List, airfares, fog-related matters, airline safety reviews, Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), Rule 3B appeals, Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) matters, complaints relating to pilots, airlines, crew and staff, Air Suvidha, Passenger Charter and wet leasing of aircraft.
• Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) administration and finance which includes creation of posts, recruitment rules, appointment and promotion proposals for Group A officers, confirmation, resignation, foreign deputation, engagement of consultants, disciplinary proceedings, and budgetary matters. The Section also handles matters concerning accident and incident investigations and AAIB safety recommendations.
• Policy and Legislative matters: Administration and examination of legislative provisions on Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 including the various rules framed thereunder viz proposed Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules, 2026, Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions caused by Buildings and Trees etc.) Rules, 2026, Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 and the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025.
• Other matters: court cases, audit paragraphs, legal matters, VIP references and Parliamentary matters. 

Acts:

• Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 - The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 provides the overarching legislative framework for the regulation and development of civil aviation in India. It defines the powers and functions of the Central Government and designated aviation authorities and provides for the formulation of rules and regulations for implementation of its provisions.

  Division’s role: Administration and examination of the legislative provisions. Notification date: 11 December 2024.

Rules:

• Aircraft Rules, 1937 - The Aircraft Rules, 1937 provide the detailed regulatory framework for civil aviation in India, covering aircraft registration and marking, personnel licensing, airworthiness, aircraft operations, aerodrome licensing, air transport services, aviation safety and investigation of accidents and incidents. Following the enactment of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, the Rules continue in force under Section 43(2) of the Adhiniyam, to the extent applicable, until superseded or replaced by new rules.

  Division’s role: Administration and examination of the legislative provisions. Notification date: 23 March 1937.

• Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules, 2026 - These Rules regulate the carriage of dangerous goods by air and prescribe the associated safety and regulatory requirements for their transportation.

  Division’s role: Administration and examination of the legislative provisions. Notification date: 17 February 2026.

• Aircraft (Demolition of Obstructions caused by Buildings and Trees etc.) Rules, 2026 - These Rules provide the framework for dealing with obstructions caused by buildings, trees and other structures that may affect aviation safety, including procedures for removal of obstructions, hearings, appeals and enforcement.

  Division’s role: Administration and examination of the legislative provisions. Notification date: 31 March 2026.

• Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Rules, 2025 - These Rules prescribe the framework for notification and investigation of aircraft accidents and incidents, preparation and publication of investigation reports, and issuance of safety recommendations.

  Division’s role: Administration and examination of the legislative provisions. Notification date: 7 November 2025.

• Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025 -These Rules prescribe the requirements and procedures relating to examinations, grant of Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificates and Licences, applicable fees and appeals.

  Division’s role: Administration and examination of the legislative provisions. Notification date: 25 June 2025.

Proposed rules:

• The proposed Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 seeks to replace the Aircraft Rules, 1937 through a restructured and consolidated regulatory framework governing civil aviation, including licensing, airworthiness, aircraft operations and other regulatory requirements. The new Rules are intended to provide an updated framework under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.

The Section primarily performs administrative, financial, legislative and policy functions. 

• Administrative proposal processing for DGCA and AAIB - examination and submission of establishment proposals, personnel and financial cases to the competent authority.
• Policy and legislative coordination for DGCA, AAIB, other government organisations and aviation stakeholders, examination of policy issues and preparation of rule-making and related proposals.
• Appeal processing: for eligible appellants in matters within the Ministry’s appellate jurisdiction.
• Representations and complaints: for passengers, pilots, airlines, crew, examination, referral.

• Appeals under Rule 3B, Aircraft Rules, 1937: Division examines the appeals filed under the said Rule. 

  Competent authority: Secretary (Civil Aviation).

• Extension of Foreign Aircraft Temporary Admission (FATA); The Division examines proposals for extension of the validity of permission granted under the Foreign Aircraft Temporary Admission (FATA) Policy.

  Competent authority: Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation (HMCA)

• Rule 3B appeals: Written appeal addressed to the Secretary (Civil Aviation).
• Extension of Foreign Aircraft Temporary Admission (FATA): Letter addressed to the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation (HMCA) or Secretary (CA). 

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Senior officers supervising the DG Section include the Joint Secretary (Aviation), Director, and Under Secretary in-charge of the section at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, New Delhi.

Representation and coordination in inter-ministerial committees, aviation safety review panels, and incident/accident monitoring committees.

Maintenance and submission of annual administrative reports, Parliament question replies, audit observation compliance files, and safety recommendation tracking documents.

Handling public and stakeholder grievances routed through CPGRAMS, VIP references, and direct representations related to civil aviation administrative delays or regulatory matters.

Execution of emergency operational directives, coordination during crisis management in civil aviation, and special clearances under extraordinary statutory exemptions.