Official Gazette Notification Text
Official TranscriptA-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 Ministry of Civil Aviation (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) G.S.R.— In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution, the president hereby makes the following rules regulating the method of recruitment to the post of Director General, Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director, Safety Investigation Officer...
A-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 Ministry of Civil Aviation (Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau) G.S.R.— In exercise of the powers conferred by the proviso to article 309 of the Constitution, the president hereby makes the following rules regulating the method of recruitment to the post of Director General, Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director, Safety Investigation Officer (Airworthiness/Air Safety/Aircraft Engineering) in the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, namely:
1. Short title and commencement.—(i) These rules may be called the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (Group ‘A’) Recruitment Rules, 2026.
(ii) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
(iii) These rules shall replace the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (Group ‘A’) Recruitment Rules, 2022.
2. Application.—These rules shall apply to the posts specified in column (1) of the Schedule annexed to these rules.
3. Number of posts, classification and level in pay matrix etc.—The number of the posts, their classification and level in pay matrix attached thereto shall be as specified in columns (2) to (4) of the Schedule annexed to these rules.
4. Method of recruitment, age-limit, qualifications etc.—The method of recruitment, age limit, qualifications and other matters relating thereto shall be as specified in columns (5) to (13) of the aforesaid Schedule.
5. Disqualification.—No Person, -
(a) who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living; or
(b) who, having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person, shall be eligible
for appointment to the said posts:
Provided that the Central Government may, if satisfied that such marriage is permissible under the personal law applicable to such person and the other party to the marriage and that there are other grounds, for so doing, exempt any person from the operation of this rule.
6. Power to relax.—Where the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing and in consultation with the Union Public Service Commission, relax any of the provisions of these rules with respect to any class or category of persons.
7. Saving.—Nothing in these rules shall affect reservations, relaxation of age limit and other concessions required to be provided for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, the Other Backward Classes, the Exserviceman and other special categories of persons in accordance with the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time in this regard.
Name of Post Number of post Classification Level in the pay Whether Selection post matrix. or non-selection post
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
1. Director 1* General Central Level-14. Selection General – Aircraft (2026) Services, Group Accident *subject to ‘A’ Gazetted, Non- Investigation variation Ministerial.
Bureau. depending uponA-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 work load.
Age limit for Educational and Whether age Period of Method of recruitment, direct recruits other and probation if any whether by direct recruitment qualifications Educational or by promotion or by required for qualifications deputation/absorption and the direct recruits prescribed for percentage of the vacancies direct recruits to be filled by various will apply in the methods.
case of promotees.
(6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Deputation (including short term contract).
In case of recruitment by promotion or by If a Departmental Circumstances in which deputation/absorption, grades from which Promotion Committee Union Public Service promotion or deputation/absorption is to be made exists, what is its Commission is to be composition? consulted in making recruitment
(11) (12) (13) Deputation (including short term contract): Not Applicable. Consultation with Union Officers of the Central Government or State Public Service Government or Union Territories or Defence . Commission necessary.
Aviation or Army Aviation or Naval Aviation or Para Military Forces or Statutory Organisations or Universities or public sector undertakings or autonomous bodies or recognised research
institution:
(A) (i) holding analogous post on a regular basis in the parent cadre or department ; or
(ii) with two years service rendered after appointment to the post on a regular basis in Level 13A or equivalent in the parent cadre or Department; or
(iii) with three years service rendered after appointment to the post on a regular basis in level 13 in the pay matrix or equivalent in the parent cadre or Department; and
(B) possessing following educational qualifications
and experience:A-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026
(i) Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Technology in Aeronautical or Electronics and Communication or Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or Masters Degree in Science in Physics from a recognised university or institute; and
(ii) having at least fifteen years’ experience in the field of Airworthiness or Aviation Safety or Air Traffic Control including at least four years’ experience in the investigation of incidents or serious incidents or accidents on Civil or Defence registered aircraft; or having at least fifteen years’ experience in Administration or Finance or Management including three years’ experience in aviation sector;
Note 1: The period of deputation including the period of deputation in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding this appointment in the same or some other organisation or department of the Central Government shall ordinarily not exceed five years.
Note 2: The maximum age-limit for appointment by deputation (including short-term contract) shall be not exceeding fifty-eight years as on the closing date of the receipt of applications.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
2. Director. 02* General Central Level-13. Selection.
Services,
(2026) Group ‘A’ *subject to variation Gazetted, Non- depending upon Ministerial. work load.
(6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. (i) Eighty-five per-cent by promotion failing which by deputation including short term contract; and
(ii) Fifteen per-cent by deputation including short term contract.A-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026
(11) (12) (13)
Promotion: Group ‘A’ Departmental Consultation with Union Deputy Director in Level 12 in the Pay Promotion Committee consisting Public Service
Matrix with five years of regular service of:- Commission necessary in the grade and have successfully while appointing an completed two to four weeks training in (i) Chairman/Member, Union Public officer on deputation the field as prescribed by Competent Service Commission – (including short term Authority from time to time. Chairman; contract).
Note: Where juniors who have (ii) Secretary, Ministry of Civil completed their qualifying /eligibility Aviation – service are being considered for Member; promotion, their seniors would also be considered, provided they are not short (iii) Director General of Aircraft of the requisite qualifying/eligibility Accident Investigation Bureau service by more than half of such – qualifying/eligibility service or two Member;
years, whichever is less and have successfully completed their probation . period for promotion to the next higher grade along with their juniors who have already completed such qualifying/eligibility service.
Deputation (including short term contract):
Officers of the Central Government or State Government or Union Territories or Defence Aviation or Army Aviation or Naval Aviation or Para Military Forces or statutory organisations or Universities or public sector undertakings or autonomous bodies or
recognised research institution:
(A) (i) holding analogous post on a regular basis in the parent cadre or department; Or
(ii) Defence personnel with four years service rendered after appointment to the post on a regular basis in level 12A or equivalent in the parent cadre or Department; or
(iii) with five years service rendered after appointment to the post on a regular basis in level 12 of the payA-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 matrix or equivalent in the parent cadre or Department; and
(B) possessing following educational
qualifications and experience:
(i) Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Technology in Aeronautical or Electronics and Communication or Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or Masters Degree in Science in Physics from a recognised university or institute; and
(ii) having at least twelve years experience in the field of Airworthiness or Aviation Safety or Air Traffic Control including at least three years experience in the investigation of incidents or serious incidents or accidents on Civil or Defence registered aircraft.
Note 1: The period of deputation including the period of deputation in another ex- cadre post held immediately preceding this appointment in the same or some other organisation or department of the Central Government shall ordinarily not exceed five years.
Note 2: The maximum age-limit for appointment by deputation (including short- term contract) shall be not exceeding fifty-six years as on the closing date of the receipt of applications.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
3. Deputy 04* General Central Services, Level-12. Selection.
Director. (2026) Group ‘A’ Gazetted, Non- Ministerial. *Subject to variation dependent on workload.
(6) (7) (8) (9) (10)A-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. (i) Eighty five per-cent. By promotion failing which by deputation including short term contract; and
(ii) Fifteen per-cent. By deputation including short term contract.
(11) (12) (13)
Promotion: Group ‘A’ Departmental Consultation with Assistant Director in Level 11 in the Pay Promotion Committee Union Public Service
Matrix with five years of regular service in consisting of :- Commission necessary the grade and have successfully completed while appointing an two to four weeks training in the field of as (i) Chairman/Member, Union officer on deputation prescribed by Competent Authority from Public Service Commission - (including short term time to time. Chairman; contract).
Note: Where juniors who have completed (ii) Secretary, Ministry of Civil their qualifying/ eligibility service are being Aviation – considered for promotion, their seniors Member; would also be considered provided they are not short of the requisite (iii) Director General of Aircraft qualifying/eligibility service by more than Accident Investigation Bureau half of such qualifying/eligibility service or –Member.
two years, whichever is less, and have successfully completed their probation period for promotion to the next higher grade along with their juniors who have already completed such qualifying/eligibility service.
Deputation (including short term contract):
Officers of the Central Government or State Government or Union Territories or Defence Aviation or Army Aviation or Naval Aviation or Para Military Forces or statutory organisations or Universities or public sector undertakings or autonomous
bodies or recognised research institution:
(A) (i) holding analogous post on a regularA-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 basis in the parent cadre or department ; or
(ii) with five years service rendered after appointment to the post on a regular basis in level 11 in the pay matrix or equivalent in the parent cadre or Department; and
(B) possessing following educational
qualifications and experience:
(i) Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Technology in Aeronautical or Electronics and Communication or Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or Masters Degree in Science in Physics from a recognised university or institute;
(ii) having at least ten years experience in the field of Airworthiness or Aviation Safety or Air Traffic Control including at least two years experience in the investigation of incidents or serious incidents or accidents on Civil or Defence registered aircraft.
Note 1: The period of deputation including the period of deputation in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding this appointment in the same or some other organisation or department of the Central Government shall ordinarily not exceed four years.
Note 2: The maximum age-limit for appointment by deputation (including short- term contract) shall be not exceeding fifty- six years as on the closing date of the receipt of applications.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
4. Assistant 05* General Central Level-11. Selection.
Director. (2026) Services, *Subject to variation Group ‘A’ Gazetted, dependent on Non- Ministerial. workloadA-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026
(6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. Not applicable. (i) Eighty-five per-cent. By promotion failing which by deputation including short term contract; and
(ii) Fifteen per-cent. By deputation including short term contract.
(11) (12) (13)
Promotion: Group ‘A’ Departmental Consultation with Safety Investigation Officer Promotion Union Public (Airworthiness/Aircraft Engineering/Air Committee consisting of:- Service Safety) in Level 10 in the pay matrix with five Commission years of regular service in the grade and have (i) Secretary, Ministry of Civil necessary while successfully completed two to four weeks Aviation appointing an training in the field as prescribed by – officer on Competent Authority from time to time. Chairman deputation ; (including short Note 1: The existing incumbents on the date of (ii) Joint Secretary, Ministry of term contract).
notification of the recruitment rules who do not Civil Aviation, – possess educational qualifications and Member. experience prescribed for Direct Recruits for (iii) Director General, Aircraft the post of Safety Investigation Officers shall Accident Investigation Bureau be required to successfully complete additional – Member training as specified by Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Note 2: Where juniors who have completed their qualifying /eligibility service are being considered for promotion, their seniors would also be considered provided they are not short of the requisite qualifying/eligibility service by more than half of such qualifying/eligibility service or two years, whichever is less and have successfully completed their probation period for promotion to the next higher grade along with their juniors who have already completed such qualifying/eligibility service.
Deputation (including short term contract):
Officers of the Central Government or State Government or Union Territories or Defence Aviation or Army Aviation or Naval Aviation or Para Military Forces or statutory organisations or Universities or public sector undertakings or autonomous bodies orA-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026
recognised research institution:
(A) (i) holding analogous post on a regular basis in the parent cadre or department ; or
(ii) with five years service rendered after appointment to the post on a regular basis in level 10 in pay matrix or equivalent in the parent cadre or Department; and
(B) possessing following educational
qualifications and experience:
(i) Bachelors Degree in Engineering or Technology in Aeronautical or Electronics and Communication or Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or Masters Degree in Science in Physics from a recognised university or institute;
(ii) having at least five years experience in the field of Airworthiness or Aviation Safety or Air Traffic Control including at least one year experience in the investigation of incidents or serious incidents or accidents on Civil or Defence registered aircraft.
Note 1: The period of deputation including the period of deputation in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding this appointment in the same or some other organisation or department of the Central Government shall ordinarily not exceed four years.
Note 2: The maximum age-limit for appointment by deputation (including short- term contract) shall be not exceeding fifty-six years as on the closing date of the receipt of applications.
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
5. Safety 08* General Central Level-10. Selection Investigation (2026) Services, Officer Group ‘A’ (Airworthiness/ *Subject to variation Gazetted, Non- Aircraft dependent on Ministerial.
Engineering/A-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 Air Safety). workload
(6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Not exceeding (A) Airworthiness: Not Two years subject (i) Eighty-five per-cent. By 35 years. applicable to successful direct recruitment failing
Essential: . completion of which by deputation (Relaxable for (i) Possess a Bachelor’s mandatory including short term Government Degree in Physics or induction training. contract; and servants up to Mathematics or Aircraft (ii) Fifteen per-cent. By
five years in Maintenance or Training: deputation including short accordance Engineering Degree in The newly inducted term contract. with the Aeronautical or officers shall be
instructions or Mechanical or Electrical provided an Note: the post marked for orders issued or Electronics or induction training direct recruitment shall be by the Central Telecommunication for a period of divided equally to three Government). from a recognised minimum two verticals namely University; and weeks to enable Airworthiness, Air Safety Note. - The officers to get a and Aircraft Engineering.
crucial date for (ii) Possess a valid general The vacancies shall be determining the Aircraft Maintenance understanding filled vertical wise. age limit shall Engineer’s (AME) about the be the closing Licence endorsed in organisation, By Direct Recruitment date for either of the Categories its vision and for three verticals Receipt of B1 or B2 issued by mission and (Airworthiness, Aircraft applications Directorate General of acquire necessary Engineering, Air from candidates Civil Aviation. competency Safety) :
in India, (and required for
not the closing Experience: performing their date prescribed Minimum three years of job. After Note. – Vacancies caused for those in Aircraft Maintenance completion of by the incumbent being Assam, experience on an initial induction away on deputation or long Meghalaya, operating aircraft in an training, the newly illness or study leave or Arunachal Aircraft Maintenance inducted officers under other circumstances Pradesh, Organisation approved will be provided on for duration of one year or Mizoram, by Directorate General the job training to more may be filled on Manipur, of Civil Aviation. enable them to deputation basis from Nagaland, handle their officers of Central Tripura, Desirable: responsibility Government:- Sikkim, Ladakh Work experience in a independently.
Division of continuing (A) (i) holding analogous Jammu and Airworthiness posts on regular basis in the Kashmir State, Management parent cadre/ Lahaul and Organisation or Aircraft department; or Spiti District Maintenance and Pangi Organisation. (ii) with two years’ service in the grade rendered afterA-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 Sub-Division of appointment thereto on a Chamba Note - Person holding regular basis in posts in District of Engineering Degree in Level-8 in the pay matrix Himachal Aeronautical may be or Equivalent in the parent Pradesh, the considered without Cadre/Department; and Andaman and possessing a valid Nicobar Islands Aircraft Maintenance (B) possessing the or Engineer’s Licence. qualifications and Lakshadweep). experience prescribed for
(B) Aircraft direct recruits under
Engineering: column (7).
Essential: [Period of deputation
(i) Degree in (including short term Aeronautical or contract) including period Electrical or Electronics of deputation (including or Mechanical or short term contract) in Metallurgical another ex-cadre post held Engineering from a immediately preceding this recognised University. appointment in the same or some other
(ii) Two years’ Organisation/Department experience in aircraft of the Central Government design and development shall ordinarily not to including aircraft exceed three years. The electrical or electronics maximum age limit for or mechanical systems appointment by deputation or airworthiness (including short term engineering. contract) shall not be exceeding 56 years as on
(C) Air Safety: the closing date of receipt of applications].
Degree on Aeronautical Engineering from a Deputation (including recognised University short term contract):
Officers of the Central Government or State
Desirable: Government or Union One year experience in Territories or Defence aeronautical research Aviation or Army Aviation and development or or Naval Aviation or Para design or laboratory Military Forces or statutory investigation of failed organisations or aircraft parts or flight Universities or public Recorders involved in sector undertakings or accident or incident or autonomous bodies or Airworthiness recognised research Engineering. institution:A-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026
(A) (i) holding analogous Note 1: Qualifications post on a regular basis in are relaxable at the the parent cadre or discretion of the Union department; or Public Service Commission, for (ii) with two years service reasons to be recorded rendered after appointment in writing, in case of to the post on a regular candidates otherwise basis in level-9 or level-8 well qualified. in the pay matrix or equivalent in the parent Note 2: The cadre or Department; and qualification regarding experience is relaxable (B) possessing following at the discretion of the educational qualifications
Union Public Service and experience:
Commission for reasons to be recorded in (i) Bachelors Degree in writing, in the case of Engineering or Technology candidates belonging to in Aeronautical or the Scheduled Castes Electronics and and Scheduled Tribes, if Communication or at any stage of selection Mechanical or Electrical the Union Public Engineering or Masters Service Commission is Degree in Science in of the opinion that Physics from a recognised sufficient number of university or institute; and candidates from these communities possessing (ii) having at least two the requisites experience years experience in the are not likely to be field of Airworthiness or available to fill up the Aviation Safety or Air posts reserved for them. Traffic Control including at least six months experience in the investigation of incidents or serious incidents or accidents on Civil or Defence registered aircraft.
Note 1: The period of deputation including the period of deputation in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding this appointment in the same or some other organisation orA-12018/2/2024-AAIB I/85179/2026 department of the Central Government shall ordinarily not exceed three years.
Note 2: The maximum age- limit for appointment by deputation (including short-term contract) shall be not exceeding fifty-six years as on the closing date of the receipt of applications.
(11) (12) (13) Not applicable Group ‘A’ Departmental Confirmation Consultation with Union Public
Committee consisting of:- Service Commission necessary.
(i) Director General of Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau – Chairman;
(ii) Director/Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation – Member;
(iii) Director, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau – Member;
(iv) Director (Finance & Administration), Directorate General of Civil Aviation – Member.