The next DGCA boss could be from Air Force

The next director-general of civil aviation could be an Air Force officer.

A civil aviation ministry official said, “An Air Force officer will have domain knowledge and posting him on deputation will help curb corruption.”

The ministry recently amended recruitment rules for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to allow personnel from a wide variety of fields to apply for its top job. The new rules also allow posting on deputation.

Earlier, the ministry was looking at JS Rawat, joint director-general of civil aviation, and Alok Sinha, a former joint secretary in the ministry, as prospective candidates.

The official said a final decision would be taken by a committee headed by Nripendra Misra, principal secretary in the prime minister’s office. “All important recruitments are being handled by the PMO, but the ministry will send its suggestions,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has in several instances shown his preference for technocrats in specialist posts.

In the past, Air Marshal Jaffar Zaheer and Air Marshal CKS Raje have headed the DGCA. Air Marshal Zaheer is remembered for his decision to have Sanjay Gandhi booked for flying a commercial jet without a valid licence.

The director-general will play a critical role as Indian aviation grows at its highest pace in history. Passenger traffic is growing 20.8 per cent annually on low fares, according to ICRA. Data from consultancy firm CAPA shows Indian airlines have placed 95 per cent of aircraft orders in South Asia.

The director-general’s post fell vacant after M Sathiyavathy was transferred to the labour ministry as its secretary. She was appointed officer on special duty in the ministry with immediate effect and will take over as secretary when incumbent Shankar Agarwal retires in September.

S Bhullar, an additional secretary in the aviation ministry, has been given extra charge as director-general of civil aviation.