The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has called on the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to raise the percentage of random drug testing for pilots. The organization believes that the current minimum coverage level of 10 percent annually is insufficient to meet the needs of India's rapidly growing aviation sector.
The pilots' association proposed conducting random testing on at least 25 percent of pilots annually, while allowing retesting of the same individual. According to existing DGCA rules, commercial flight operators and air traffic service providers are required to conduct such testing for at least 10 percent of their staff annually.
In a letter dated August 17, 2026, FIP emphasized that for pilots whose lives depend on passengers and crew, testing for psychoactive substances must be frequent, truly random, and unpredictable to ensure constant safety and effective deterrence.
FIP also strongly recommends that DGCA consider increasing the current minimum annual random testing coverage from 10 percent to at least 25 percent of pilots, allowing for retesting and implementing a risk-based testing mechanism where objectively justified.
This appeal by FIP followed an incident on August 4 when an Air India AI2379 flight from Phuket to Delhi suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude, resulting in injuries to 24 people. The captain of this flight subsequently tested positive for marijuana, after which Air India initiated mandatory testing for all pilots. Currently, two pilots have failed this mandatory check.
Furthermore, FIP requested the regulator to introduce urine-based testing alongside the existing urine-based system. In FIP's view, this additional method could speed up and simplify random checks at airports, allowing the regulator and airlines to test more pilots without significant disruption to flight operations.
In its submission, FIP indicated that saliva testing should complement, not replace, urine testing. It is proposed that saliva testing be used for selective, targeted, and large-scale screening, while retaining urine testing in cases where a longer detection window or other medical and regulatory requirements make it more appropriate.
The Federation stated that although the existing urine testing system has an established regulatory and laboratory base, the growing scale of aviation operations in India requires consideration of additional testing methodologies that can increase throughput, reduce operational disruptions, and facilitate rapid testing at airports and other workplaces.
FIP proposed a 12-month pilot program to verify the reliability of saliva testing combined with urine testing in Indian aviation. This study would need to examine test accuracy, sample collection time, crew downtime, testing throughput, laboratory confirmation, chain of custody requirements, and the overall cost of the testing program.
The pilots' association also noted that finding a substance in a test should not automatically be considered proof of pilot incapacity. A negative screening result must be supported by confirmatory laboratory analysis and a medical review before any final regulatory or employment decision is made.
Separately, FIP called for the launch of a 'Check Before You Take' program to educate pilots about prescription and over-the-counter medications, herbal remedies, supplements, and alcoholic medicines. It insisted that pilots have confidential access to aviation medical specialists who could advise them on whether a medication might affect their fitness to fly or cause issues during drug testing.
Additionally, the federation recommended mandatory initial and periodic awareness programs for pilots, as well as medication counseling systems and digital safety guides that airlines could provide to their crews.
