India to Revise Pilot Medical Rules Amid Flight Safety Concerns
In a key development for India’s civil aviation sector, New Delhi’s aviation regulator has agreed to establish a dedicated committee to revise medical parameters for pilots. The move follows sustained concerns raised by pilot associations over outdated evaluation protocols and inconsistencies with international guidelines. According to officials, the revised norms will align with recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to ensure Indian pilots are assessed under globally accepted standards, without compromising their rights or operational readiness.
This decision comes in the wake of increased scrutiny over pilot fatigue, health monitoring, and duty rosters — issues flagged by industry groups as undermining both flight safety and pilot welfare. Currently, medical evaluations for commercial pilots are conducted through limited centralised centres, often criticised for rigid procedures and lack of transparency. Pilots have expressed that frequent misinterpretations of rest rules, extended flight duty periods, and the casual treatment of fatigue as a medical condition are putting both passengers and crews at risk. The regulator has now assured corrective action, including consultations with airline safety units and medical departments.Concerns were also raised over the implementation of digital pilot logbooks, known as eGCA records, where discrepancies in system entries were reportedly penalised heavily — in some cases attracting fines as high as ₹75,000. Industry voices argued that airlines, not individual pilots, are responsible for timely data updates in the system.
Officials acknowledged the issue and have promised to review these penalties in consultation with digital operations teams. Pilots also cited cases where digital errors led to unwarranted show-cause notices, eroding morale and trust within the aviation workforce. Another major concern revolved around the interpretation and enforcement of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), a regulation designed to prevent pilot fatigue. According to the pilot body, early morning duties were being rostered immediately after leave periods, with limited regard for mandatory rest windows. Experts stressed that this pattern not only increases stress but could also impact long-term health and in-flight decision-making. The regulator has committed to holding dedicated meetings with stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) and prevent operational mismanagement.
As civil aviation in India expands rapidly, the rights, responsibilities, and safety of pilots must evolve in tandem. Revising medical parameters and duty rules is a step toward building a resilient, human-centric aviation ecosystem that prioritises wellbeing alongside operational efficiency. Stakeholders also urged that pilot associations be granted observer roles in future crash investigations to bring transparency, enhance collaboration, and prevent scapegoating. The success of these reforms will depend on consistent oversight, accountability from operators, and a regulatory framework that puts safety above all.
