Aviation watchdog DGCA said it has identified 377 aircraft with recurring defects since January 2025, Civil Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Questions from Lok Sabha MPs sought answers to recurring technical or operational deficiencies that may have been identified.
“As of January 2025, a total of 377 aircraft have been identified for recurring defects against 754 aircraft of various scheduled airlines,” Mohol said in his written response.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also conducted a wide range of monitoring activities including safety audits, inspections and surveillance checks in the aviation sector in 2025, the minister informed.
As part of planned monitoring activities during the year, DGCA conducted 3,890 surveillance inspections and 56 regulatory audits, he said. In addition, 84 overseas aircraft overview checks (SOFAs) and 492 apron checks were conducted to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.
The 377 aircraft identified as having recurring faults were part of a combined fleet of 754 aircraft operated by various scheduled airlines. Details of these February 3 findings regarding the airlines have been provided separately in an annexure, the minister said in his reply.
In addition to planned activities, air traffic control undertook a number of unplanned surveillance measures. These included 874 spot checks and 550 night surveillance checks aimed at monitoring airline operations and maintenance procedures without prior notice.
DGCA addresses manpower shortage
The MD also responded to a question about future labor shortages.
“In 2022, DCA had 637 sanctioned technical posts. To address manpower shortage in future, restructuring has been done and the number of sanctioned technical posts has increased to 1,063,” Mohol said in his reply.
The minister also highlighted steps taken to strengthen real-time monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
“The DCA has issued Surveillance and Enforcement Division Circular No. 1/2025 dated July 7, 2025, which mandates the use of the eCA portal for all surveillance activities, the issuance and conclusion of the Deficiency Report Form (CA-2001) and enforcement orders to enable real-time monitoring and tracking of the entire surveillance and enforcement process,” the minister said in real time.
In response to another question regarding air connectivity, he wrote, “As per the 2025 Winter Flight Schedule, no scheduled domestic airline has proposed to operate scheduled flights to/from Singrauli Airport.”
