DGCA New Medical Rules for Pilots Create Turmoil in Indian Aviation Sector

DGCA New Medical Rules for Pilots

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced new medical guidelines for commercial pilots, sparking widespread concern and resistance within India’s aviation industry. As per the revised rules, all medical examinations for pilots must now be conducted only at Indian Air Force (IAF) boarding centres, replacing the earlier practice of allowing tests at authorized private hospitals.

DGCA Medical Exam Rule Change: What’s New?

In response to recent aviation safety incidents — including the tragic Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 and a pilot collapsing before take-off in Bengaluru — the DGCA has decided to implement stricter health assessments. The objective is to ensure the physical and mental fitness of pilots, with the tests now following military-level medical standards.

Limited IAF Centres Cause Operational Concerns

Currently, there are only three IAF boarding centres in India — located in Delhi, Jorhat, and Bengaluru. This limited access is raising serious operational challenges:

Pilots will need to travel long distances during their off-duty hours for medical appointments.
The new process is expected to increase time, cost, and logistical burden on both pilots and airlines.

Industry Reaction: Fear of Pilot Shortage & Higher Costs

Airlines and pilot associations have strongly objected to the new policy:

Fear of Mass Disqualifications: Since IAF medical standards are more rigorous, many commercial pilots may be medically disqualified, leading to a shortage of qualified pilots.
Impact on Flight Operations: The already strained pilot workforce may not be able to meet operational demand.
Rising Insurance Costs: Stricter medical requirements could lead to higher insurance premiums for airlines.

ALPA India Opposes the New Medical Directive

The Airline Pilots Association of India (ALPA India) has voiced strong opposition to the move, arguing that the policy change:

Adds undue stress and travel burden on pilots,
Risks further layoffs in a time of personnel shortage,
And could negatively affect flight schedules and passenger service quality.

Why Did DGCA Enforce This Rule?

The DGCA’s decision follows multiple health-related incidents involving pilots in recent months. In particular:

The Air India crash in Ahmedabad, where only one out of 242 passengers survived, raised serious concerns.
A pilot collapsed in Bengaluru just before a Delhi-bound flight, leading to delays and emergency crew replacement.

These events pushed authorities to tighten regulations to avoid future tragedies and ensure passenger safety through enhanced pilot health checks.

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Sri Lakshmi

Srilakshmi a bilingual content writer with 5 years of experience in Telugu and English news writing. Passionate about storytelling and trending topics, Srilakshmi delivers accurate and engaging content for readers worldwide.