Altitude and attitude: How DGCA makes sure high-flying pilots don’t fly high

How India’s aviation regulator is tightening the net on pilots and crew to ensure those trusted with thousands of lives are fit to fly. Twenty-four people on board, including passengers and crew, were injured badly enough to require hospitalisation. The hydraulic systems recovered within seconds, and the aircraft subsequently landed normally.On the surface, it was a technical failure. It does, however, flag a serious concern regarding psychoactive substances and recommends that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action.The DGCA is the apex regulatory body responsible for overseeing safety standards in civil aviation. The current framework requires random testing, with organisations expected to cover at least 10% of their employees annually.

Source: Times of India September 13, 2026 13:34 UTC