New Delhi, November 4, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s new civil aviation regulatory framework, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, will come into force on January 1, 2027, replacing the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and introducing updated provisions covering aircraft certification, leasing, personnel licensing, airport operations and passenger safeguards.
The new framework comprises 220 rules across eight chapters and six schedules. It covers the entire civil aviation ecosystem, from aircraft design and manufacturing to airworthiness, crew licensing, aerodrome operations, air navigation services and flight operations.
Aircraft design and certification
A key feature is a more clearly defined system for aircraft design and certification, including approval of designs and authorisation for manufacturing aircraft components. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will be able to issue type certificates for aircraft, engines and propellers when India is the State of Design. It can also validate or accept foreign type certificates subject to prescribed conditions.
The DGCA will have powers to issue directives when an unsafe condition is identified that could affect other products based on the same type design. Draft directives will generally be published on its website for 30 days to invite objections and suggestions, except in specified circumstances.
The rules also provide for certificates of airworthiness, special certificates of airworthiness and airworthiness review certificates. Aircraft inspections, periodic overhauls, modifications, repairs and maintenance certification will come under the regulatory framework.
Fractional ownership and aircraft leasing
The rules recognise fractional ownership, allowing an aircraft to be jointly owned while ensuring that responsibility for its operation and maintenance is clearly assigned.
They also work alongside the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025, which implements the Cape Town Convention framework in India. The Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) mechanism provides a time-bound process for deregistration and export of eligible aircraft.
These measures are expected to improve certainty for aircraft lessors and operators, potentially reducing acquisition and leasing costs over time and easing cost pressures on airfares.
Passenger safeguards and government powers
The framework seeks to balance commercial flexibility and ease of doing business with passenger protection. It promotes greater transparency in airfares and associated charges while empowering the Central government to take appropriate measures in extraordinary circumstances.
Licensing and aviation personnel
The rules specify 23 categories of licences, ratings and certificates, with prescribed requirements for qualifications, medical fitness, training, experience and competency.
They cover four groups of aviation personnel, including pilots and flight engineers. Licensing provisions extend to student, private, commercial and airline transport pilots, as well as flight engineers and flight navigators. Flying experience, examinations and competency assessments are also addressed.
Overall, the new rules replace a regulatory framework dating back nearly nine decades with provisions designed to address the requirements of India’s expanding civil aviation sector.
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