This regulatory oversight is performed by the Civil Aviation Authority of a country. In India, this function is performed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA-India).

India does not have an agency named the "FAA," but it has a direct equivalent called the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Much like the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States, the DGCA is the statutory body responsible for regulating civil aviation in India. It oversees air safety, issues pilot licenses (PPL, CPL), certifies aircraft, and investigates aviation incidents. In 2026, the Indian government has been progressing with plans to transition the DGCA into a more autonomous Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), modeled even more closely after the U.S. FAA to provide better financial and operational flexibility. As of March 2, 2026, the DGCA remains the primary authority headquartered in New Delhi, ensuring that Indian aviation follows the standards and recommended practices set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).