New Delhi: India has become the second country in the world to introduce the Electronic Personnel Licence (EPL) for pilots, following approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu launched the initiative on Wednesday, marking a major step towards modernising and enhancing the safety, security, and efficiency of the country’s civil aviation sector.

The EPL is a digital version of a personnel licence that will replace traditional physical licences for pilots. It will be securely accessible via the eGCA mobile application, ensuring a seamless and transparent process in line with the government's Digital India and Ease of Doing Business initiatives. The move follows ICAO’s Amendment 178 to Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing, which encourages member states to adopt electronic licences for improved security and efficiency. While several major aviation markets are still in the process of implementing similar systems, India has taken the lead in digital aviation solutions.

The civil aviation minister noted that with the rapid expansion of India's aviation sector, around 20,000 pilots will be needed in the near future. Pilots are at the core of civil aviation, and with eGCA and EPL, technology-driven solutions will enhance their ease of operation, employability worldwide, and real-time credential verification for security purposes.

Until now, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued smart card licences to pilots, with 62,000 card licences distributed so far. In 2024 alone, approximately 20,000 licences required printed cards, averaging 1,667 per month. The introduction of EPL will gradually reduce the need for printed cards, making the licensing process more efficient while contributing to environmental sustainability by cutting down on paper and plastic usage.

The minister also highlighted other digital advancements transforming Indian aviation, including the eGCA platform for streamlined licensing, the Digital Sky platform for drones, and the Electronic Flight Folder (EFF) for airline operations.

The launch of EPL marks a significant milestone in strengthening India’s aviation regulatory framework, reinforcing the country's position as a global leader in digital aviation innovation while ensuring a robust and tamper-proof licensing system.

BI Bureau