DGCA's Post-Air India Crash Audit Finds 51 Safety Lapses

• Six months after the Air India crash on June 12, 2025, which killed 260 people, the DGCA initiated a comprehensive safety audit.
• The new audit framework aims for a holistic evaluation of the aviation sector, moving away from fragmented oversight.
• It focuses on Safety Management Systems (SMS), operational practices, and regulatory adherence across all aviation domains.
• Multidisciplinary audit teams conduct thorough inspections, including physical checks, document reviews, and staff interviews.
• Audited entities must submit corrective action plans, with non-compliance potentially leading to enforcement actions.
• In a July audit, the DGCA identified 51 safety-related issues at Air India, including seven serious 'Level I' breaches.

Why It Matters: DGCA's new audits are crucial for enhancing aviation safety and preventing future incidents.