India's aviation ministry proposes yearly drug testing for every pilot
The civil aviation ministry is weighing a shift to mandatory annual dope tests for all pilots, expanding the current 10% sampling.
On Tuesday, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the ministry is considering requiring every pilot to undergo a drug test at least once a year. Presently, only a tenth of the pilot workforce is screened. The proposal aims to strengthen safety standards across the sector. Officials indicated the change would apply nationwide. No timeline for implementation was provided.
Why it matters
Universal drug testing could improve flight safety by ensuring all pilots are regularly screened for substance use.
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annual drug testingpilotscivil aviation ministersafety standardsIndiaaviation ministrypolicy proposal
