Polity & GovernanceImportant2024-12-05

Passage of Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024

Q: Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024?

1 only — Statement 1 is correct; the licensing process for the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate was transferred from the Department of Telecommunications to the DGCA to provide a single-window clearance. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Act explicitly states that the Central Government retains overall superintendence and appellate authority over the DGCA, which has been a point of criticism compared to independent regulators in other sectors.

Why focus: Replaces 1934 Aircraft Act—GS2 Polity, prime for 'How-Many-Correct' on statutory backing of DGCA, BCAS, and AAIB.

In News

What Happened

Parliament passed the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024 in December 2024 to replace the 90-year-old Aircraft Act of 1934. The Act was cleared by the Lok Sabha in August and the Rajya Sabha in December, subsequently receiving Presidential assent. It aims to modernize India's civil aviation laws, eliminate redundancies, and improve the ease of doing business in the sector.

Why It Matters

The legislation overhauls the regulatory structure by establishing a unified statutory framework for bodies like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). It aligns India with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and introduces new rules for aircraft design, aiming to make India a global hub for aviation manufacturing and maintenance.

Background

History & Context

The colonial-era Aircraft Act of 1934 had become outdated, requiring 21 separate amendments over the decades to keep pace with changing aviation technologies. In 2013, the Civil Aviation Authority of India Bill was introduced to establish an independent safety regulator but lapsed with the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha. Following recommendations from the ICAO to modernize the regulatory framework, the government introduced the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, to ensure a comprehensive, gender-neutral, and updated legal structure.

What Changed

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BEFORE: Licensing for the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate was managed by the Department of Telecommunications, a process often criticized for delays and corruption. NOW: The DGCA handles this certification, providing a single-window clearance for pilots, flight dispatchers, and aircraft maintenance engineers.
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BEFORE: The old framework regulated the manufacture, use, and operation of aircraft but lacked explicit statutory focus on local design. NOW: The Act introduces specific powers for the central government to regulate the design of aircraft, supporting local manufacturing and India's 'State of Design' status.
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BEFORE: The regulatory and appellate framework was fragmented across multiple amendments of the 1934 Act. NOW: The Act clearly defines the DGCA, BCAS, and Aircraft Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under a single structure, stipulating that appeals against DGCA or BCAS decisions lie directly and exclusively with the Central Government.
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BEFORE: Penalties for aviation violations were outdated and scattered. NOW: The Act specifies strict penalties, allowing the government to impose civil fines up to 1 crore rupees and criminal penalties of up to two years imprisonment for severe violations like flying dangerously or carrying prohibited goods.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects to the concept of 'Delegated Legislation' and 'Statutory Bodies' covered in Class 11 Political Science (Indian Constitution at Work). The Act demonstrates how Parliament establishes the broad framework for regulatory bodies (like DGCA and BCAS) while delegating the power to the Central Government to make specific, evolving rules concerning aircraft operation, security, and international conventions.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024?

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