India Wins ICAO Safety Award: Jumps to 48th Global Rank

Key Facts

On September 23, 2025, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) received the prestigious ICAO Council President Certificate at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada, recognizing India’s remarkable progress in aviation safety oversight. DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai accepted the honor from ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano.

The recognition highlights India’s dramatic leap from 102nd rank in 2018 to 48th globally, with the country’s Effective Implementation (EI) score improving from 55.15% in 2017 to 85.65% in November 2022. This places India ahead of aviation markets like China (49th), Israel (50th), Turkey (54th), Denmark (55th), and Poland (60th).

ICAO’s citation read: “In recognition of your State's progress in establishing an effective safety oversight system and improving the implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), your State has been selected to receive an ICAO Council President Certificate.”

Background and Reforms

India’s aviation safety journey began after a 2017 ICAO audit exposed severe gaps with a low EI score of 55.15%, ranking India 102nd globally, behind Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Weaknesses spanned legislation, organization, licensing, operations, airworthiness, accident investigation, air navigation services, and aerodromes.

In response, DGCA implemented sweeping reforms:

• Stricter regulations and compliance monitoring
• Enhanced training for inspectors
• Strengthened accident investigation framework
• Alignment with ICAO standards

These reforms led to the 2022 ICAO audit score of 85.65%, marking one of the sharpest improvements in global aviation safety rankings.

The certificate falls under ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative, which rewards states achieving transparent, measurable progress through the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

Official Statements

• DG Arun Kumar noted: “Maintaining the new-found status is a challenge. DGCA will leave no stone unturned to further improve India's ranking.”
• PM Narendra Modi emphasized aviation as a driver of growth: “Among the fastest-growing sectors in Bharat’s economy, aviation is one of them. We are connecting our people, culture, and prosperity through this sector.”
• The Civil Aviation Ministry described the award as proof of “objective progress and measurable improvements” in India’s regulatory framework.

Advanced Air Mobility & Innovation Leadership

At the same assembly, India presented a paper on “Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in India”, showcasing pioneering regulations (ADAC 01 and AEAC 01 of 2024) for vertiports and eVTOL-capable aircraft.

• Sandbox sites in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh will test operational models.
• The “Skyways to the Future” report (2024) and Urban Air Mobility Expo 2025 underline India’s ambition to lead in next-gen air transport.
• Civil Aviation Secretary Vumlunmang Vualnam said: “The seamless integration of AAM into India’s market will create a model for aspiring nations.”

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Push

On September 2, 2025, India launched a SAF Feasibility Study with ICAO and the EU, setting ambitious blending targets:

• 1% by 2027
• 2% by 2028
• 5% by 2030

Minister Ram Mohan Naidu highlighted SAF’s potential to cut emissions by up to 80%. With 750+ million tonnes of biomass, India is positioning itself as a global SAF hub.

Air India and Indian Oil have already signed an MoU for SAF supply, with IOCL Panipat Refinery becoming the first Indian facility with ISCC CORSIA certification.

Global Recognition & Comparative Performance

• The US FAA retained India’s Category 1 status, affirming compliance with global safety standards.
• India’s audit scores beat global averages:
• Operations: 94.02% (vs global 72.28%) – higher than US (86.51%) and China (90%)
• Airworthiness: 97.06% – above US (89.13%) and China (94.83%)

This global recognition boosts confidence for Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo, supporting international expansion.

Economic & Strategic Impact

As the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market and fastest-growing globally, India’s enhanced safety credentials will:

• Ease global route expansion for Indian airlines
• Support foreign investments in infrastructure
• Reduce surprise foreign checks for Indian aircraft

Ongoing plans include:

• Unified Traffic Management systems
• AAM corridors & multimodal vertiports
• Centers of Excellence at IITs and IISc
• Policy benchmarking against FAA & EASA frameworks

This aligns with Viksit Bharat @2047, where aviation is a key enabler of economic prosperity, national integration, and global connectivity.

FAQs: India’s ICAO Council President Certificate Recognition

1. What is the ICAO Council President Certificate?

It is an award given by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to countries that make significant progress in aviation safety oversight, based on objective criteria from ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).

2. Why was India awarded the certificate in September 2025?

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) dramatically improved its Effective Implementation (EI) score from 55.15% in 2017 to 85.65% in 2022, elevating India’s global safety ranking from 102nd to 48th place.

3. Who received the award on behalf of India?

DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai received the award from ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano at the 42nd ICAO Assembly in Montreal, Canada.

4. How does India’s aviation safety ranking compare globally?

India now ranks 48th globally, ahead of China (49th), Israel (50th), Turkey (54th), Denmark (55th), and Poland (60th) in aviation safety oversight.

5. What reforms helped India achieve this milestone?

Key DGCA reforms included:

• Strengthening regulations and compliance monitoring
• Enhancing inspector training
• Improving accident investigation systems
• Aligning India’s aviation framework with ICAO standards

6. How does this benefit Indian airlines and passengers?

• Indian airlines face fewer restrictions and surprise checks abroad.
• Passengers enjoy higher safety standards and improved global confidence.
• Facilitates expansion of Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo into new international markets.

7. What other aviation initiatives did India showcase at the ICAO Assembly?

India presented its progress in:

• Advanced Air Mobility (AAM): Regulations for vertiports and eVTOLs.
• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Targets of 1% blending by 2027 and 5% by 2030, supported by partnerships with ICAO, EU, Air India, and Indian Oil.

8. What is India’s long-term aviation vision?

Aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047, India’s aviation goals include:

• Becoming a global aviation hub
• Deploying Unified Traffic Management systems
• Establishing Centers of Excellence at IITs/IISc
• Expanding greenfield airports and multimodal connectivity