In a significant bureaucratic reshuffle, Vir Vikram Yadav has been appointed as the new Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), replacing Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. Yadav, currently serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, will now lead India’s aviation regulator during a period of rapid sector growth.
With increasing air traffic, expanding airline fleets, and a heightened emphasis on safety, Yadav’s role is pivotal in ensuring robust regulatory supervision. Meanwhile, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai has been reassigned to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) as Additional Secretary after serving as DGCA chief since January 2025.
The reshuffle comes at a critical juncture for the aviation industry, with the DGCA closely monitoring airline safety, fleet expansion, airport infrastructure, and regulatory compliance amid the continuous growth of both domestic and international air travel. The regulator’s responsibilities include upholding air safety standards, issuing licenses, and enhancing operational efficiency within the aviation sector.
The government has also announced other senior-level appointments alongside this change. Puneet Kansal has been designated as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, while Mona K. Khandar has been appointed Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Gyanendra D. Tripathi will assume the role of Additional Secretary in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and will concurrently serve as Secretary of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. Vishal Gagan has been named Secretary of the Central Information Commission with the rank of Additional Secretary, and N. Gulzar will act as Member Secretary of the National Capital Region Planning Board under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Diwakar Nath Misra has been assigned as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Power, and Debasish Prusty will undertake the role of Additional Secretary in the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance. Additionally, Sridhar Chiruvolu has been promoted to the position of Additional Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office.
