New Delhi: Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya has entered into a strategic partnership with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to revamp aircraft maintenance training and strengthen India’s aviation workforce, marking a significant step toward building a future-ready talent ecosystem.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV) and DGCA was signed at Rail Bhawan by DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai and GSV Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj Choudhary.
The signing took place 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, along with senior officials including Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar and Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha.
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Strategic Push for Aviation Workforce Development
The collaboration between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and DGCA aims to strengthen India’s rapidly growing Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector by enhancing human capital and modernizing Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) training.
The initiative will standardize AME education, improve quality benchmarks, and position aviation maintenance careers as an attractive option for young professionals.
A key highlight of this partnership is the introduction of a three-year B.Sc. program in Aviation Maintenance Engineering. Designed jointly by Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and DGCA, the program will integrate academic rigor, regulatory standards, and industry-relevant skills to produce a highly skilled workforce aligned with global benchmarks.
Centre of Excellence Proposed at GSV
During the event, Ashwini Vaishnaw proposed the establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya focused on manufacturing technologies. The proposed centre will cater to high-precision sectors such as aviation, railways, and marine engineering.
He emphasized the importance of industry-oriented education in ensuring job readiness and stated that global standards should guide program development.
Highlighting the scale of impact, he noted that such initiatives at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya could benefit at least 1,000 students annually, with assured funding support to bring the vision to fruition.
Aviation Sector Growth Driving Demand for Skilled Talent
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu underscored the rapid expansion of India’s aviation sector, describing it as one of the fastest-growing industries in the country with an annual growth rate of 10–12%.
He 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 further added, “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.”
The Minister highlighted that Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya plays a critical role in integrating various logistics sectors, which have traditionally operated in silos.
He also pointed out that aviation today extends beyond passenger transport to include MRO, skilling, and indigenous component manufacturing, contributing to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Industry Partnerships Strengthening Curriculum
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya has already established collaborations with leading global and national aviation players such as Airbus, Safran, and GMR School of Aviation.
The university is also in the process of finalizing partnerships with ENAC France and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, further strengthening its industry-aligned academic ecosystem.
These partnerships have played a crucial role in developing a robust curriculum that meets industry needs and aligns with international standards.
Pilot Rollout from Academic Year 2026–27
Under the MoU, the newly designed B.Sc. (AME) program by Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and DGCA will be launched in the academic year 2026–27. The pilot phase will begin at select premier institutions, including GMR School of Aviation and Air India AME Academy.
This initial rollout will serve as a benchmark model for academic and regulatory excellence before being expanded nationwide.
Research, Training, and Regulatory Alignment
As part of the collaboration, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will act as a nodal centre, working closely with DGCA on research in emerging areas such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).
The university will also conduct specialized training programs aimed at capacity building and upskilling DGCA personnel.
While DGCA will continue to define licensing standards under CAR-66 and CAR-147 frameworks, Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya will lead curriculum innovation, faculty development, research integration, and industry-linked apprenticeship models.
Building India as a Global MRO Hub
The partnership between Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya and DGCA is designed to reduce India’s dependence on foreign MRO facilities and strengthen domestic maintenance capabilities.
By embedding hands-on training, simulation-based learning, OEM partnerships, and competency-driven pathways into AME education, the initiative aims to create a globally competitive workforce.
This scalable and replicable framework is expected to support India’s expanding airline fleet and enhance its position as a global MRO destination.
About Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, established as a Central University through an Act of Parliament in 2022, is India’s only university dedicated to the transportation and logistics sector.
The university offers demand-driven programs covering railways, aviation, highways, ports, maritime, inland waterways, urban transport, and logistics networks.
The institution is headed by Ashwini Vaishnaw as Chancellor and continues to play a pivotal role in shaping a skilled workforce aligned with India’s infrastructure and connectivity ambitions.
