Government mulls drug tests for all commercial pilots

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Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu addresses the groundbreaking ceremony of Federal Express Corporation's (FedEx) integrated air cargo hub, in New Delhi on August 25, 2026 | Photo Credit: PTI

The Civil Aviation Ministry is looking at the possibility of carrying out psychoactive substance tests for all commercial pilots round the year on a random basis.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday (August 25, 2026) said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is holding discussions with stakeholders on further strengthening the drug-testing standards of pilots.

"Right now, the rules say 10% (drug tests) across the overall pilot network, but just like I said, DGCA is engaging (with stakeholders). One of the opinions from our side is that everyone has to go through it (drug tests) the (whole) year at a random time. So, we have to see how all the stakeholders are going to respond to this," the Minister said.

The issue of possible substance use by pilots has come under scrutiny after an Air India captain operating a Phuket-Delhi flight involved in a sudden altitude loss incident tested positive for marijuana.

Mr. Naidu on Tuesday (August 25) said that the regulator DGCA is currently consulting stakeholders to review existing rules and establish a stricter policy for the future.

"There are multiple ways of approaching this dope test (thing)," the Minister said.

He was responding to queries related to psychoactive substance testing for pilots on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.

Meanwhile, Air India and Air India Express have also started mandatory psychoactive substance testing of all their pilots.

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