Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering expanding mandatory dope testing to cover 100% of pilots every year, as part of efforts to strengthen aviation safety in India.
Under current regulations, around 10% of pilots across the country’s overall pilot network undergo dope testing. The DGCA is now consulting with airlines and other stakeholders on significantly increasing the scope of testing.
The proposed expansion aims to strengthen monitoring of substance use among pilots and maintain higher safety standards across the aviation sector. However, authorities will also consider the operational impact on airlines, including the time and resources required to test the entire pilot workforce.
The DGCA is expected to continue discussions with airlines and other stakeholders before deciding on the final testing framework.