India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has been awarded the ICAO Council President Certificate in recognition of its strengthened safety oversight system and progress in implementing global aviation standards. The certificate was formally presented to DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai at the opening of the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal on September 23, 2025.
The ICAO Council President Certificate is a prestigious recognition tied to the UN aviation body’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative, which supports member states in meeting global aviation safety standards. The award is based on criteria derived from the ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme – Continuous Monitoring Approach (USOAP-CMA).
India’s path to this recognition involved significant improvements. In 2017, India’s Effective Implementation (EI) score stood at just 55.15 percent, revealing deficiencies in legislation, licensing, airworthiness, operations, and other safety areas. Through policy reforms, enhanced training, and modernized oversight mechanisms, the DGCA dramatically improved its performance. By November 2022, India’s EI score had surged to 85.65 percent — the nation’s highest ever — placing it among the top 50 countries globally for aviation safety oversight.
The DGCA’s initiatives included launching “360-degree” special audits in 2025, deploying multidisciplinary teams to inspect airlines, airports, and maintenance operations. These audits aimed to identify and eliminate systemic gaps in aviation operations.
This recognition not only validates India’s regulatory advancements but also boosts the global credibility of Indian airlines and may ease international partnerships and bilateral aviation agreements.
As the DGCA continues to modernize and reinforce safety protocols, the award marks a significant milestone in India’s commitment to achieving world-class aviation safety and oversight standards.
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indias-aviation-regulator-dgca-awarded-icao-council-president-certificate-101758645331425.html