India's aviation sector is facing a significant challenge with its regulatory and security bodies grappling with severe staff shortages, raising concerns about safety and operational efficiency. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) all report substantial vacancy rates.

The DGCA, the primary aviation safety regulator, is critically understaffed. A parliamentary report in August 2025 called the shortage an "existential threat" to aviation safety. As of July 2025, the DGCA had over 50% of its sanctioned staff strength vacant, with 823 out of 1,644 posts unfilled. Another report stated that nearly 48% of its 1,063 sanctioned posts—510 positions—are vacant. These vacancies include vital roles such as flight operations inspectors, airworthiness officers, and air safety officers, who are responsible for ensuring safety through audits and compliance checks. The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, however, has stated that the shortfall will not adversely affect the functioning of the aviation watchdog.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which manages air traffic control, also faces a significant staffing deficit. The AAI has a 30% vacancy rate among air traffic controllers, leading to overworked staff and routine disregard for duty-time limits, a practice the parliamentary panel has labeled as "deeply troubling". As of February 2026, there are 1,667 vacancies pertaining to direct recruitment (executive) posts at AAI. To address this, AAI has expedited recruitment, redeployed staff at operationally sensitive airports, and created additional ATCO posts.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), responsible for setting and enforcing aviation security standards, is also facing a staffing crisis. A Right to Information (RTI) response revealed that the BCAS has had vacancy rates exceeding 30% for four consecutive years. As of June 30, 2025, only 371 positions were filled out of a sanctioned strength of 598, leaving 227 posts vacant. Such understaffing could hamper critical functions, from emergency response to routine inspections. At the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), 11 positions are vacant.

The reasons for these shortages vary. Inadequate response to advertisements, non-joining of selected candidates, insufficient service in the feeder cadre for promotion, and insufficient response to deputation posts all contribute to the problem.

The Indian aviation sector is experiencing rapid growth, with passenger traffic set to nearly double by 2030. As the world's third-largest domestic aviation market, it handles 2.87 million aircraft movements yearly, employs 7.7 million people, and contributes 1.5% to India's GDP. The widening gap between the industry's growth and the capacity of its regulatory bodies poses risks to aviation safety.

The government is taking steps to address these shortages. Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu informed Parliament that 190 new hires are expected at DGCA by October 2025, with the goal of filling 90% of vacancies soon. The government is also considering creating a dedicated cadre to tackle staff shortages in the DGCA and granting the DGCA greater independence from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.