Why in the News?
India has earned top ratings from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aviation safety, outperforming global averages in key areas.
About the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO):
- Establishment: It is a specialised UN agency created in 1944 under the Chicago Convention.
- Headquarters: It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
- Core Role: It sets global standards for aviation safety, security, efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
- Global Reach: It has 193 member states, including India.
- Safety Oversight: It conducts safety audits through its Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
- Functions of ICAO –
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- Safety and Order: ICAO works to ensure the safe and orderly growth of international civil aviation.
- Equitable Access: It promotes fair access for all countries to operate international airlines.
- Legal Frameworks: The organisation helps develop aviation laws to uphold safety standards amid industry expansion.
- International Cooperation: It supports regional agreements and global collaboration in air transport policy and practice.
India and ICAO: Recent Safety Audit
- Audit Timeline: ICAO conducted its latest audit of India’s DGCA in November 2022.
- Improved Performance: India’s Effective Implementation score improved from 69.95% (2018) to 85.65% (2022).
- Category-Wise Scores: India scored above the global average in all eight USOAP categories, including:
- Legislation, Organisation, Licensing, Operations, Airworthiness, Accident Investigation, Air Navigation, and Aerodromes.
- Operational Excellence: In Operations, India scored 94.02%, outperforming the global average (72.28%), the US (86.51%), and China (90%).
- Airworthiness Strength: India scored 97.06%, higher than the US (89.13%) and China (94.83%).
- Comparative Timeline: India was audited in 2022, while the US and China were reviewed in 2024.
- Market Rank: India is the third-largest domestic aviation market after the US and China.
- Fastest Growing: It is also the fastest-growing major aviation market, highlighting its expanding global significance.
| [UPSC 2025] GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentation.
Which of the following statements is/are correct in respect of GAGAN? I. It is designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity. II. It will allow more uniform and high-quality air traffic management. III. It will provide benefits only in aviation but not in other modes of transportation. Options: (a) I, II and III (b) II and III only (c) I only (d) I and II only* |
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