DGCA to make drug test a must for pilots, air traffic controllers

Draft proposal: Violation to invite three years of suspension to permanent cancellation of licence

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released a draft procedure that calls for testing pilots, other aviation personnel and crew members for psychoactive substances before they take to the skies. The Indian civil aviation regulator has sought comments from stakeholders over the next 30 days before issuing a regulation to this effect. 

Asking airlines and airports to do random checks on crew and air traffic controllers, DGCA proposed that violators be suspended for a minimum of three years or their licence be permanently cancelled as maximum punishment.

The proposed rules are similar to those prescribed by the US