DGCA Flags Recurring Technical Defects in 377 Aircraft During 2025
Aviation regulator conducted thousands of inspections and audits; government says surveillance and staffing have been strengthened to enhance safety oversight.
New Delhi, Feb 06 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) identified recurring technical defects in 377 aircraft during 2025, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Lok Sabha on Thursday, underscoring the regulator’s intensified safety oversight across the sector.
In a written response, Mohol said the findings emerged from a wide surveillance programme that included 3,890 inspections, 56 regulatory audits, 84 checks on foreign aircraft, and 492 ramp inspections aimed at verifying adherence to operational and safety norms.
The Minister noted that the affected planes were part of a total fleet of 754 aircraft operated by scheduled carriers. Airline-specific details have been shared separately in an annexure, with data updated till February 3.
Apart from scheduled monitoring, the watchdog also carried out surprise evaluations to detect lapses. These involved 874 spot inspections and 550 night checks designed to scrutinise maintenance practices and operational preparedness without prior warning.
Addressing concerns over staffing, the government said the number of sanctioned technical posts at the DGCA has been expanded from 637 in 2022 to 1,063 following a restructuring exercise intended to reinforce regulatory capacity.
To modernise enforcement, the regulator has mandated the use of the eGCA portal for surveillance processes, including the issuance and closure of deficiency reports and enforcement actions under Circular No. 1/2025 issued in July last year.
On regional connectivity, Mohol informed the House that no domestic airline has proposed services to or from Singrauli Airport in the Winter Schedule 2025.
He added that the DGCA’s surveillance framework is guided by procedures outlined in its official manual, which is publicly accessible on the regulator’s website.
