India's aviation regulator is taking a novel step to address a severe shortage of technical staff that has been causing significant delays in granting approvals for various aviation services. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced the creation of a special pool comprising its own retired officers to provide advisory support.
Bridging the Manpower Gap
The primary driver behind this initiative is a severe manpower crunch within the DGCA. This shortage has directly led to holdups in the certification processes that airlines, flying schools, and maintenance organisations must undergo. To leverage the vast experience of its former employees, the regulator will form a pool of retired technical officers. These individuals will be called upon to offer their expertise and guide current applicants.
Eligibility and Role of the Advisors
Not every retiree can apply for this advisory role. The DGCA has set specific criteria to ensure only the most experienced professionals are selected. Applicants must have retired from the DGCA, or concluded a short-term contract with them, at the level of deputy director or flight operations inspector, or higher. They are also required to have a minimum of five years of service in a technical cadre such as airworthiness, flight operations, or aerodromes.
There is a mandatory one-year 'cooling off' period post-retirement before one can apply, and an upper age limit of 70 years. Interestingly, this is a voluntary advisory role, and no remuneration will be paid to those selected. Their main function will be to help entities navigate the complex, five-phase certification process for services like flying school licensing and aircraft maintenance organisation approvals.
Ensuring Transparency and Efficiency
The DGCA has been clear that these advisors will serve in a purely guidance-oriented capacity. Their job is to help applicants understand requirements and prepare documentation correctly, facilitating a smoother and timelier process. The regulator has explicitly stated that these officers will not influence the DGCA's final decision-making.
Their advisory support must uphold the principles of transparency and technical accuracy, ensuring all guidance is aligned with international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This move is expected to tap into the extensive institutional knowledge of retired experts to reduce compliance challenges and speed up approvals across India's growing aviation sector.
