New Delhi: India today became the second country after China to implement an Electronic Personnel License (EPL) in civil aviation, following approval from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Ram Mohan Naidu launched this advanced system, a “ground-breaking” initiative set to modernize and enhance India’s civil aviation sector’s safety, security and efficiency.
“The introduction of the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for pilots represents a significant milestone in establishing a globally recognized regulatory framework. It strengthens India’s position as a global leader in aviation innovation and ensures a more robust and tamper-proof licensing system,” the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated.
The EPL is a digital version of a personnel license that replaces a traditional physical license for pilots. It will be securely accessible via the eGCA Mobile Application, ensuring a seamless and transparent process in alignment with the Government of India’s “Ease of Doing Business” and “Digital India” initiatives.
The introduction of EPL follows ICAO’s Amendment 178 to Annex 1 – Personnel Licensing, which encourages Member States to adopt electronic licenses for improved security and efficiency.
“While major global aviation leaders are still in the process of implementing similar systems, India has successfully taken the lead in digital aviation solutions,” the Ministry stated.
Before this implementation, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was issuing licenses to the Pilots in the smart card format and had issued 62000 card licenses to date. The total licenses issued in the year 2024 requiring printed cards stood at approximately 20,000, which was an average of 1,667 cards per month.
With the launch of EPL, the need for printed cards will be reduced in a phased manner, streamlining the licensing process.
“Additionally, this shift will have a positive impact on environmental sustainability by reducing paper and plastic usage,” the Ministry stated.
Union Minister Naidu remarked, “With the unprecedented growth of India’s aviation sector, we will need approximately 20,000 pilots in the near future. Pilots are the backbone of civil aviation, and with eGCA and EPL, we are leveraging innovative, tech-driven solutions to enhance their comfort and employability globally, while providing real-time access to their credentials to support security operations.” He also highlighted other transformative initiatives for reshaping Indian aviation through digital innovation and making operations more efficient. Key advancements include the eGCA platform for streamlined licensing, the Digital Sky Platform for drones, and the Electronic Flight Folder (EFF) for airline operations.
– global bihari bureau
