Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026 to replace the Aircraft Rules of 1937

4 November 2026

The Centre has notified the Bharatiya Vayuyan Niyam, 2026, a new set of civil aviation rules framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
They take the place of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and Part IX of the Aircraft Rules, 1920, and come into force on 1 January 2027.
The rulebook has 220 rules in eight chapters and six schedules, covering registration, airworthiness, licensing, aerodromes and air navigation.
The DGCA may issue type certificates where India is the State of design, and component makers can be authorised.
Fractional ownership of aircraft is allowed, with one party clearly responsible for operation and maintenance.
With the Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Act, 2025, which brings in the Cape Town Convention, the IDERA route gives time-bound deregistration and export of leased aircraft.
Operational airports in India rose from 74 in 2014 to 166 as of October 2026, the PIB backgrounder notes.