The Government has introduced “The Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024” to replace the outdated Aircraft Act of 1934, aiming to modernize India’s aviation laws. This new legislation is part of a broader effort to remove colonial legacies from one of the most advanced and technology-driven sectors. Union aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized that the new act simplifies processes, eliminates redundancies, and aligns India’s aviation regulations with global civil aviation standards.
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A notable feature of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 is the transfer of the Radio Telephone Operator Certificate exam from the Department of Telecommunications to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This exam has historically been challenging for aspiring pilots, and the shift to DGCA oversight is anticipated to make the certification process more manageable and efficient.
The Aircraft Act of 1934 received the then Governor General’s assent on August 19, 1934, and has undergone numerous amendments over the years to adapt to changing aviation needs. However, it retained many outdated provisions reflective of its colonial origins. On August 15, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for the elimination of remnants of the colonial mindset, which he described as visible in various aspects of contemporary India. Following this call, the Union law ministry identified several laws from the colonial period, including the Aircraft Act, for revision or replacement.
While the new Bill addresses many outdated aspects of the previous law, it retains the “VT” country code for aircraft registered in India. Established in 1929, “VT” originally stood for Viceroy’s Territory, but this designation is no longer in use. Despite calls for change, the code remains due to international regulations and the unavailability of more India-specific call signs like “I,” “IN,” “B,” “BH,” “BM,” or “HT,” which are already assigned to other countries.
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The introduction of the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak Bill 2024 represents a significant step towards modernizing India’s aviation sector, making it more efficient and globally competitive. By aligning with international standards and simplifying regulatory processes, the new act aims to enhance the ease of doing business in India’s aviation industry and support its continued growth and development.
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