India to Establish National Aviation Safety Centre to Bolster Air Safety

India Unveils National Aviation Safety Centre Initiative

India is set to establish a national aviation safety centre, a significant move aimed at strengthening the country's aviation safety framework. The announcement was made by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, during the inaugural session of the 13th Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting held in New Delhi. This marks the first time India has hosted this crucial regional gathering. The centre will be modeled on global best practices and is designed to train aircraft accident investigators and other aviation professionals, representing a long-term vision to build world-class safety infrastructure and human capital.

Enhancing Training and Regulatory Capacity

The new national aviation safety centre will be the first institution of its kind in the region, focusing on comprehensive training for investigators and aviation professionals. This initiative underscores India's commitment to improving safety oversight mechanisms and ensuring regulatory compliance within its rapidly expanding aviation sector. To support this, the Ministry of Civil Aviation plans to double the manpower of both the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). This expansion is critical to address the increasing demands of safety oversight as air passenger numbers and aircraft fleets continue to grow.

Adherence to International Standards and Global Collaboration

The establishment of the centre is a strategic step towards aligning India's aviation safety protocols with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards. As part of this effort, Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) auditor courses will be introduced at the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU). These courses aim to develop domestic auditing capabilities and foster greater cooperation with international aviation safety agencies. Furthermore, India has pledged to offer its advanced laboratories for defect investigations to other member states, promoting a collaborative approach to aviation safety globally.

Aviation Growth and Improved Safety Oversight

This initiative comes at a time of significant growth in India's air traffic and airport infrastructure. The government's emphasis on maintaining rigorous safety standards is evident in the country's improved global safety oversight rank, which rose from 112th to 55th place. India's ICAO safety implementation score also saw a notable increase, reaching 85% in 2025 from 70% in 2018. The Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, further reinforces this commitment by enhancing the statutory powers and operational efficiency of key regulatory bodies, ensuring that India's skies remain among the safest in the world.