Archive · 19 Aug 2026
DGCA Seeks Annual Drug Tests for More Than 25% Crew
India’s aviation regulator wants airlines to test more than one-quarter of their flight crew for drugs each year.
The tests would be random and use urine samples.
Pilots would receive particular attention.
The proposal followed a pilot testing positive after an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi.
That pilot is not currently assigned to fly while an investigation takes place.
Air India then began checking all of its group pilots.
Two pilots tested positive during those checks.
Air India sent the test reports to the aviation regulator, which is reviewing them.
The DGCA wants airlines to randomly test more than 25% of flight crew annually for psychoactive substances.
Testing would use urine samples and focus particularly on pilots.
The proposal follows a positive drug test by a pilot on Air India flight AI-2379 from Phuket to Delhi.
The pilot has been de-rostered while an inquiry is completed.
Air India began screening all its group pilots on August 13, and two tested positive for drugs.
- Who
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, airlines, and Air India pilots are involved.
- What
- The DGCA wants airlines to randomly test more than 25% of flight crew annually for psychoactive substances.
- When
- Air India began screening its group pilots on August 13; the pilot’s inquiry is ongoing.
- Where
- The triggering flight operated from Phuket to Delhi.
- Why
- The proposal followed positive drug tests involving an Air India pilot and two pilots found positive during Air India’s screening.
- Regulator
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- Proposed testing rate
- More than 25% of flight crew each year
- Testing method
- Random urine-sample testing
- Flight involved
- Air India flight AI-2379
- Route
- Phuket to Delhi
- Pilot status
- De-rostered pending completion of an inquiry
- Additional positive tests
- Two Air India pilots tested positive during group screening