New Delhi: In a move aimed at strengthening India’s aviation ecosystem, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Rail Bhawan in the national capital.
The pact was inked between Faiz Ahmed Kidwai (DG, DGCA) and Prof. Manoj Choudhary (VC, GSV) in the presence of Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu.
This strategic collaboration aims to support and enable the fast-growing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector in India by strengthening human capital and revamping Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) training. The partnership will focus on standardizing AME education, enhancing quality benchmarks, and making MRO careers more aspirational for the youth through the introduction of an undergraduate degree in Aviation Maintenance Engineering.
Speaking at the event, Ashwini Vaishnaw suggested establishing a Centre of Excellence at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya focused on manufacturing technologies, particularly those requiring high levels of precision such as in aviation, railways, and marine sectors.
The training required in these domains demands a different level of technical accuracy and expertise. Industry-oriented courses play a crucial role in ensuring that students are job-ready upon graduation, with access to diverse employment opportunities.
He further emphasized that global benchmark standards should be followed to guide the development of such programs. Highlighting the potential impact, he noted that at least 1,000 students could benefit annually from such initiatives, and assured that adequate funding support would be arranged to realize this vision.
Ram Mohan Naidu said, “India’s aviation sector is the most progressive sector in the country today, growing at over 10–12% annually, a pace that is expected to continue for the next 15 years. The recent expansion in operational airports, passengers, and aircraft in the national fleet underscores the need to develop a workforce that meets global standards and supports the sector’s evolving needs. “
He highlighted that the recent inauguration of Jewar Airport reflects the scale and pace of development, aligned with the vision of establishing seamless multimodal connectivity across highways, railways, ports, and airports.
He further noted that Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya embodies this integrated approach by bringing together diverse logistics sectors that have traditionally functioned in silos. Emphasizing the broader scope of aviation, he underlined that the sector today extends beyond passenger travel to include MRO, skilling and training, and indigenous aircraft component manufacturing, contributing to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
He added that the MoU will help in creating the right talent pool, which, along with proper funding under initiatives like the Udaan scheme, is crucial for sustaining growth and ensuring a skilled workforce for the future.
Chairman of Railway Board, Satish Kumar and Union Secretary of Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha were present amongst other top officials of Railways and Civil Aviation.
A senior official from the Railway Ministry pointed out that the GSV has already established formal collaborations with leading global and national aviation players including Airbus, Safran, and GMR School of Aviation.
The university is also in the process of finalizing partnerships with ENAC France and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. These collaborations have contributed significantly to the development of a robust, industry-relevant academic curriculum.
Under the MoU, GSV and DGCA will jointly design a future-ready three-year B.Sc. (AME) program that integrates academic rigor, regulatory compliance, and industry-aligned competencies. The program aims to create a highly skilled workforce equipped to meet the evolving demands of India’s aviation sector.
The pilot phase of the program will commence in the academic year 2026–27 at a select group of premier AME institutions, including GMR School of Aviation and Air India AME Academy. This phase will serve as a model for academic and regulatory excellence before a structured nationwide rollout.
As part of its role as a nodal centre, GSV will collaborate with DGCA as a research partner in emerging areas such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and related domains. The university will also conduct specialized training programs to support the capacity building and upskilling of DGCA personnel.
The partnership establishes a structured bridge between regulation, academia, and industry. While DGCA will continue to define licensing standards under CAR-66 and CAR-147 frameworks, GSV will function as a national academic anchor for curriculum innovation, faculty development, research integration, and industry-linked apprenticeship models.
This scalable and replicable framework aligns with India’s vision of reducing dependence on foreign MRO facilities and building strong indigenous maintenance capabilities. By embedding hands-on MRO training, simulation-based learning, OEM partnerships, and competency-driven pathways into AME education, the collaboration is expected to create a future-ready workforce capable of supporting India’s expanding airline fleet and enhancing the country’s position as a competitive global MRO destination.
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), which is India’s only University in Transportation and Logistics sector, was established as a Central University by the Act of Parliament in 2022.
Following demand-driven curriculum, the University is mandated to cover the entire transportation sector including Railways, Aviation, Highways, Ports, Maritime, Shipping, Inland Waterways, Urban Transport and complete Logistics and supply chain networks.
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