Aviation Security Division

Subjects and functions allocated to the Division:

• Policy and legislative matters: Administration and examination of legislative provisions on aviation security, including the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982, the Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016 and the Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023.
• Aviation security coordination: Coordination with BCAS, CISF, State Governments, airport operators and other stakeholders on security policy, contingency plans, airport categorisation and allocation of responsibilities among agencies.
• Deployment of security forces: Matters relating to deployment of security personnel at airports, including coordination on CISF and State Police deployment and rationalisation of non-core security functions.
• Aerodrome Entry Permits (AEP): Oversight of implementation of the AEP Guidelines, 2022 and associated access-control requirements.
• Protocol and exemption matters: Examination of requests for access to ceremonial and reserved lounges, tarmac access, and exemption from pre-embarkation security checks, in accordance with applicable rules and guidelines.
• Appeals: Examination of appeals submitted to the Secretary (Civil Aviation) under Rule 64(3) of the Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023.
• International cooperation: Coordination and processing of agreements and MoUs with other countries on aviation security cooperation and deployment of In-Flight Security Officers (IFSO).
• Digital aviation initiatives: Coordination of matters relating to Digi Yatra and the e-Sahaj portal for online submission, processing and coordination of security clearance applications for entities in the aviation sector.
• Policy matters of NASFT: Matters relating to the National Aviation Security Fee Trust, which manages Aviation Security Fee funds used for airport security services, including the cost of CISF deployment.
• Cybersecurity: Coordination on cybersecurity matters within the Ministry, including cyber-risk mitigation and incident response.
• Media and Publicity: Managing the Ministry's social media handles and coordinating with various agencies for publicity and promotional activities at airports.
• Control rooms: Central Aviation Control Room (CACR) for operational monitoring of civil aviation in India and Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) for redressal of passenger grievances.

Acts

• Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982: Offences and measures against unlawful acts against civil aviation. Division's role: administration and examination of legislative provisions. Notification date: 06.11.1982.
• Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016: Hijacking of aircraft. Division's role: administration and examination of legislative provisions. Notification date: 13.05.2016.

Rules

• Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023: Aviation security framework; Rule 64(3) provides for appeals to the Secretary (Civil Aviation). Division's role: policy examination of the Rules and examination of Rule 64(3) appeals. Notification date: 09.08.2023.

Note: Statutory regulatory powers, including security audits, approval of security programmes and enforcement, are exercised by BCAS.

The Division performs mainly policy, legislative, coordination and administrative functions. Services with a public interface that it coordinates include:

• Aviation security clearance via e-Sahaj portal: Online submission and processing of security clearance applications for entities operating in the aviation sector. 
  Users: Aviation sector entities.

• Digi Yatra

  Users: Air Passengers. 

• Appeals under Rule 64(3), Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023: The Division examines appeals filed under the said Rule. 
  Competent authority: Secretary (Civil Aviation).
• Protocol and exemption requests: Requests concerning ceremonial/reserved lounge access, tarmac access and exemption from pre-embarkation security checks are examined by the Division under applicable rules and guidelines, in consultation with BCAS and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 
  Approving authority: Hon'ble Minister of Civil Aviation.

• e-Sahaj portal: www.esahaj.gov.in

• Passengers to download Digi Yatra App and register using mobile number to avail the services at Airport.

  Digi Yatra Portal: https://digiyatrafoundation.com

• Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS): An attached office of MoCA and regulator for civil aviation security. MoCA handles administrative, policy, legislative and coordination matters, while BCAS exercises statutory and operational responsibilities for regulation, oversight and enforcement of civil aviation security. Official BCAS website.
• National Aviation Security Fee Trust (NASFT): Handles policy-related matters concerning the National Aviation Security Fee Trust.
• Digi Yatra Foundation: Ministry handles policy-related matters for implementation of Digi Yatra at airports in India.

Email: soas.moca@nic.in

Telephone: 011-24610059, Extension: 2869

Postal Address: Room No. 179, Aviation Security Division, B-Block, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi – 110003.

Public Enquiry Hours: 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Name: Mr. Pawan Kumar

Designation: Section Officer

Email: soas.moca@nic.in

Telephone: 011-24610059, Extension: 2869

Room No.: 179

Name: Mrs. Padma Agnihotri

Designation: Under Secretary

Email: padma.agnihotri@gov.in

Telephone: 011-24342854

• Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Civil Aviation Act, 1982
• Anti-Hijacking Act, 2016
• Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023
• e-Sahaj Portal