New Delhi, April 2 (NationPress) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has conducted a total of 29 specialized audits and 12 regulatory audits involving airlines, charter operators, and helicopter services during the safety oversight initiative from January to March this year, as disclosed to Parliament on Thursday.

Additionally, the minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol reported that in 2025, there were 56 regulatory audits and 9 safety audits performed on aircraft within the civil aviation sector and airport operators.

The DGCA employs a structured safety oversight framework to ensure adherence to the Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) for all aircraft and airport operators. This safety oversight includes regulatory audits, nocturnal monitoring, ramp inspections, spot checks, and special audits, according to the minister.

The aviation authority also makes the Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) available on its website. Audit findings, surveillance results, and spot checks are monitored with the respective operator to ensure compliance. Furthermore, the effectiveness of actions taken by the operator is assessed during subsequent audits or surveillance exercises, as noted by the minister.

On March 27, the DGCA issued guidelines concerning the transport of Central, State, and other dignitaries by aircraft, which must be rigorously adhered to by all stakeholders, thereby ensuring top-notch safety standards in the operation of these flights, the minister emphasized.

The DGCA has carried out safety audits of non-scheduled operator's permit (NSOP) holders in two distinct phases, with the first conducted in February 2026 and the second in March. The DGCA has also scheduled two additional phases of safety audits for NSOP holders.

In instances of violations or non-compliance identified during audits, the DGCA enforces penalties, which may include financial fines.

An NSOP is a vital license in Indian aviation, authorized by the DGCA, that permits individuals or companies to conduct charter flights, passenger transport, cargo operations, and aerial services without adhering to a fixed timetable.

In contrast to major airlines such as IndiGo or Air India that follow established routes, NSOP holders offer flexible air transport based on demand.

This inquiry arises in the context of the Baramati air crash, which resulted in the deaths of Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP leader Ajit Pawar along with four others.

In response to this tragedy, the Ministry requested the DGCA to perform a special audit of VSR Ventures, the operator of the Learjet involved in the incident.