India rebukes its aviation watchdog over conflict-of-interest lapses: Report
The ministry said 51 DGCA officials disclosed 59 relatives in aviation, raising concerns that officers could shield conflicts from oversight.
- On Wednesday, India's Ministry of Civil Aviation reprimanded the Directorate General of Civil Aviation for failing to prevent officials from using influence to place relatives in aviation jobs, government documents show.
- As of January 31 this year, 51 DGCA officials disclosed 59 relatives working in the sector, up from 33 officials disclosing 41 relatives a year earlier, sparking ministry concern over accountability gaps.
- In August 2025, the ministry rejected a DGCA proposal involving an assistant director's sister at Air India, stating, "Sister comes under the purview of family," and warning that "influence/involvement of officer can't be ruled out."
- The ministry remains concerned about the "potential for regulatory influence," fearing officers might withhold disclosures; one official was discovered to have around 12 relatives in the sector only after retirement.
- Conflict-of-Interest issues at the DGCA date back to 2013, when four officers were censured; the current crackdown reflects a long-standing struggle to enforce ethical standards as the regulator oversees one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.
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EXCLUSIVE: India rebukes its aviation watchdog over conflict-of-interest lapses, documents show
India has reprimanded its aviation safety regulator for failing to guard against officials using their influence to help family members get jobs in the sector and for delays in disclosing such placements, government documents reviewed by Reuters show.
The Economic Times
Business RecorderIndia rebukes its aviation watchdog over conflict-of-interest lapses, documents show
India's aviation ministry has reprimanded its safety regulator for failing to prevent conflicts of interest. Officials' relatives are working in the aviation sector, raising concerns about potential influence. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation faces scrutiny over delayed disclosures of these family placements. This situation arises amid rapid growth and staffing challenges within India's aviation industry.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation has repeatedly criticised DGCA because it has not sufficiently prevented officials from using its influence to help relatives work in the industry. There have also been delays in the disclosure of such cases, so one incident even concerned Air India.
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