DGCA's Controversial New Directive for Pilots

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced a new rule requiring commercial pilots to undergo medical examinations exclusively at Indian Air Force (IAF) centres, replacing the previous system that allowed tests at approved private hospitals. This move has raised concerns among airlines about potential pilot shortages and increased insurance costs.

Why the Change?

According to senior regulatory officials, the decision was prompted by an incident where a co-pilot suffered a fatal cardiac arrest post-flight, with investigations revealing undisclosed pre-existing conditions. "There was suspicion that some were falsifying records to pass their medicals," an official stated.

Airlines' Concerns Over Military Medical Standards

Aviation executives fear that the strict criteria used by military doctors could deem many pilots unfit, disrupting flight operations due to the IAF's limited capacity and lengthy processing times. Differences between military and commercial pilot medical standards are at the heart of these worries.

Also Read: 'Altered or forged records..': DGCA warned Air India Express of delays in Airbus engine fixes; months before AI 171 Dreamliner crash

The Global Context and Future Implications

With India emerging as the third-largest domestic aviation market, the need for over 30,000 pilots in the coming years underscores the urgency for revising the medical examination process to align with global standards, separate from defense establishments.