India's aviation regulator recorded 889 serious technical defects in flight operations in 2025, marking the highest level in four years and highlighting the scale of safety oversight challenges in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets.
The figures were disclosed by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on August 6, responding to questions raised by Congress MP Shyamkumar Daulat Barve.
The data shows a significant increase from 692 serious defects recorded in 2024, while the latest count also exceeded the levels reported in the previous three years.
According to the information shared in Parliament, the number of serious technical defects identified by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fluctuated over the past five years but reached its highest point in 2025.
Key figures include:
The latest tally represents an increase of nearly 28% compared with the previous year.
While the data does not provide a breakdown of the defects, the figures indicate a notable rise in the number of serious technical issues detected through the regulator's surveillance and monitoring mechanisms.
In his reply, Murlidhar Mohol said the DGCA has established a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure safe aircraft operations across the country.
According to the minister, the regulator has issued Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs), safety advisories, directives and other regulatory instructions aimed at maintaining operational safety standards.
He stated that the DGCA follows a systematic safety oversight mechanism covering aircraft operators as well as airport operators.
The oversight process includes:
Mohol also noted that the regulator publishes an Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) as part of its compliance monitoring framework.
The parliamentary response also showed a rise in enforcement activity linked to safety violations.
According to the data, the DGCA took action in 42 cases involving airlines and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisations in 2025, up from 31 cases in 2024.
The increase suggests heightened regulatory intervention alongside the growth in reported technical defects.
India's aviation sector continues to expand rapidly, with airlines adding capacity and passenger traffic remaining strong. Against this backdrop, safety monitoring remains a key focus area for regulators. The latest figures indicate that surveillance, inspections and enforcement activities are identifying a growing number of technical issues, placing continued emphasis on compliance and operational safety across the aviation ecosystem.
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