Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and DGCA Sign MoU to Boost Aviation Workforce

08 Apr 2026 CW Team

Speakers noted that the sector has expanded markedly over the last 12 years, with operational airports and the aircraft fleet having doubled. As aviation becomes a more inclusive mode of mobility, workforce development must be scaled to global benchmarks. Announcements emphasised plans to promote seamless multimodal connectivity so that highways, railways and airports coordinate from the design stage. This integrated approach is presented as vital to supporting future infrastructure and services.

A principal objective of the memorandum is to remove professional bottlenecks faced by maintenance staff, who often possess advanced practical skills but lack formal academic credentials that limit progression. The university will provide the curriculum and award degree certificates to qualified technicians, enabling structured career advancement within airlines and the maintenance, repair and overhaul sector. Officials also described a strategic shift towards domestic aircraft component manufacturing and greater in-country maintenance capacity to reduce dependence on overseas facilities.

Looking ahead, officials indicated that there are 1,700 aircraft on order, which would double the current fleet, and that India will require between 10,000 and 12,000 additional pilots over the next decade. They noted a recent Cabinet approval of additional funding for the regional connectivity UDAN scheme amounting to Rs 280 bn, which is expected to accelerate regional and helicopter operations. The measures form part of a broader push for self-reliance in aviation, with emphasis on training Indian youth and creating a robust talent pool to meet expanding demand.

Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to address the growing workforce needs of India's aviation sector. The agreement, signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Ram Mohan Naidu, will formalise education for technical personnel, focusing on Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs). It aims to align training with international standards and create academic pathways for certification. Speakers noted that the sector has expanded markedly over the last 12 years, with operational airports and the aircraft fleet having doubled. As aviation becomes a more inclusive mode of mobility, workforce development must be scaled to global benchmarks. Announcements emphasised plans to promote seamless multimodal connectivity so that highways, railways and airports coordinate from the design stage. This integrated approach is presented as vital to supporting future infrastructure and services. A principal objective of the memorandum is to remove professional bottlenecks faced by maintenance staff, who often possess advanced practical skills but lack formal academic credentials that limit progression. The university will provide the curriculum and award degree certificates to qualified technicians, enabling structured career advancement within airlines and the maintenance, repair and overhaul sector. Officials also described a strategic shift towards domestic aircraft component manufacturing and greater in-country maintenance capacity to reduce dependence on overseas facilities. Looking ahead, officials indicated that there are 1,700 aircraft on order, which would double the current fleet, and that India will require between 10,000 and 12,000 additional pilots over the next decade. They noted a recent Cabinet approval of additional funding for the regional connectivity UDAN scheme amounting to Rs 280 bn, which is expected to accelerate regional and helicopter operations. The measures form part of a broader push for self-reliance in aviation, with emphasis on training Indian youth and creating a robust talent pool to meet expanding demand.

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