Why in the news?
- DGCA issued show cause notice to IndiGo Airline company on their large scale operation disruptions recently.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- What is it?: DGCA is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India, which is responsible for air safety, airworthiness, licensing, and aviation regulation.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA)
- Key Functions:
- Regulation and Safety oversight
- Licensing of pilots, aircraft engineers, air traffic controllers, flight dispatchers, etc.
- Certifies aircraft, aircraft components, and maintenance organizations.
- Grants permits to airlines (scheduled/non-scheduled).
- Conducts preliminary investigations into aircraft accidents/incidents within India.
- Recent Initiatives:
- eGCA Portal: Digital platform for licensing, approvals, and services to enhance transparency.
- Strict Safety Oversight after ICAO audits and FAA assessments.
- Implementation of Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) for drones, safety, training, and operations.
Source: The Hindu