India recorded 23 accidents involving aircraft and helicopters over the past five years, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday, providing a snapshot of aviation safety trends in the country.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol shared the data in a written reply, covering incidents involving scheduled airlines, non-scheduled operators, and helicopter services.
According to the figures, six accidents were reported in 2025, the highest annual number in the five-year period. This was followed by three accidents in 2024, four each in 2023 and 2022, and six in 2021.
The data also highlights accident rates based on operational exposure. The rate of helicopter accidents stood at 0.53 per 10,000 flying hours in 2025 — the highest level recorded in the past five years. Meanwhile, the accident rate for non-scheduled fixed-wing aircraft was 0.27 per 10,000 departures during the same period.
Breaking down last year’s incidents, four involved helicopters, while one accident each was reported for a scheduled airline and a non-scheduled fixed-wing operator. Non-scheduled operators (NSOP) typically include charter services, private aircraft, and other non-commercial aviation activities.
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Responding to concerns over staffing shortages, Mohol said that vacancies in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have not affected safety oversight. Out of 1,630 sanctioned posts at the regulator, more than 780 remain vacant.
He noted that recruitment efforts are underway to address the gap. “In the last few months, as a part of recruitment exercise, 167 candidates have already been selected/recommended, out of which offer of appointments have also been issued to 106 candidates,” Mohol said.
The government has also sought replacements for 42 Airworthiness Officers from a reserve panel of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Additionally, proposals for direct recruitment to 82 technical posts for the 2026 vacancy year are at various stages of processing.
To manage immediate requirements, the DGCA is hiring personnel on short-term contracts, the minister added. He maintained that the regulator has a “systematic safety oversight mechanism” in place to ensure aviation safety standards are upheld.
The data comes amid growing air traffic and expansion in India’s aviation sector, placing greater emphasis on safety compliance and regulatory capacity.
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