Why pilots want DGCA to increase random drug tests from 10% to 25%

India's commercial pilots are calling for stricter drug-testing rules, arguing that the country's rapidly growing aviation industry needs stronger safety measures to keep pace with expansion.

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to increase annual random drug testing for pilots from the current minimum of 10 per cent to at least 25 per cent. It has also proposed introducing saliva-based testing alongside the existing urine tests, saying it could make screenings faster and easier at airports.

The recommendations come at a time when aviation safety is under increased public attention, following an incident involving an Air India flight in which the pilot later tested positive for marijuana.

Why the rules are being questioned now

The debate gained momentum after Air India's AI 2379 flight from Phuket to Delhi suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude on August 4, leaving 24 passengers injured.

After the incident, the pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana. In response, Air India launched a one-time mandatory drug-testing drive for all its pilots, and two pilots have reportedly failed the screening so far.

While investigations into individual cases follow established regulatory procedures, the incident has raised broader questions about whether India's existing testing system is adequate for an industry that now carries millions of passengers every month.

A bigger aviation industry means bigger responsibilities

India has become one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets. Airlines are expanding fleets, adding new routes and hiring thousands of pilots to meet rising passenger demand. FIP argues that safety systems should evolve alongside this growth.

In its letter to the DGCA dated August 17, the pilots' body said random testing should not simply meet an annual numerical target but should remain unpredictable throughout the year.

According to the federation, the possibility of being selected for testing at any time creates a stronger deterrent than a system that only fulfils minimum requirements.

The organisation has recommended allowing pilots to be selected for testing more than once during the year rather than limiting screening to first-time selections.

How the current system works

Under existing DGCA rules, scheduled airlines and air navigation service providers must randomly test at least 10 per cent of aviation personnel each year for psychoactive substances. FIP believes that threshold was designed for a much smaller aviation ecosystem and should now be reconsidered.

Its proposal seeks to increase the minimum coverage to 25 per cent, while also allowing additional testing based on objective risk factors wherever necessary.

Why saliva testing could change the process

One of FIP's most significant suggestions is introducing oral fluid, or saliva, testing alongside urine testing. Unlike urine tests, saliva samples can be collected quickly without requiring specialised facilities, making them easier to conduct at airports before or after flights.

The federation believes this could help airlines and regulators carry out more random screenings without causing major disruptions to flight schedules.

However, it is not asking for urine tests to be replaced entirely.

Instead, FIP wants both methods to work together, with saliva testing used for routine high-volume screening and urine testing retained where longer detection windows or regulatory requirements make it more appropriate.

A pilot project before wider adoption

Rather than immediately changing the rules, FIP has proposed a 12-month pilot programme to evaluate how saliva testing would work under Indian conditions.

The study would examine several practical issues, including the accuracy of the tests, sample collection time, crew downtime, laboratory confirmation procedures, chain-of-custody requirements and the overall cost of expanding the programme.

Such an approach would allow regulators to assess whether the new testing method can complement existing systems before making permanent policy changes.

A positive test should not mean automatic guilt

FIP has also emphasised an important distinction between detecting a substance and proving impairment. The organisation says a non-negative screening result should always be followed by laboratory confirmation and medical review before any regulatory or employment decision is taken.

This safeguard is intended to ensure fairness while maintaining confidence in aviation safety standards.

Preventing mistakes before they happen

Beyond testing, FIP believes education should become a stronger part of aviation safety.

The federation has proposed a "Check Before You Take" programme that would help pilots understand how prescription medicines, over-the-counter drugs, herbal products, dietary supplements and alcohol-containing medicines could affect their fitness to fly or influence drug-test results.

It also wants pilots to have confidential access to aviation medical professionals who can advise them before they take medication.

Additional recommendations include regular awareness training, medication advisory systems and digital safety guides that airlines could provide to flight crews.

What happens next?

The DGCA has not yet announced whether it will adopt FIP's recommendations.

However, the proposals arrive at a time when India's aviation sector is expanding rapidly, making safety oversight more important than ever.

The debate is no longer just about increasing the number of tests. It is also about creating a system that is more practical, more credible and better suited to the scale of modern Indian aviation.