DGCA Withdraws Window Shade Rule at IAF Airports; Photography Ban Remains

The DGCA has withdrawn the advisory requiring window shades to be lowered during operations at IAF Joint User Airports. However, the ban on aerial and ground photography at these airports remains in effect.

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced that the advisory requiring the lowering of window shades during aircraft operations at Indian Air Force Joint User Airports (JUAs) has been withdrawn. However, the ban on aerial and ground photography at these airports remains in effect.

DGCA Withdraws Advisory on Window Shades at IAF Airports

The DGCA emphasised on Saturday that the prohibition on aerial and ground photography continues to apply to all aircraft operations at IAF JUAs.

"Advisories to Air operators on the prohibition of aerial and ground photography and the lowering of window shades were issued as per instructions from the IAF to enhance operational safety at Joint User Airports (JUAs)," The DGCA said in a statement.

The statement added, “However, after receipt of revised instructions, lowering of window shades is no longer required, while the prohibition on aerial/ground photography remains in effect for all operations at IAF JUAs.”

New Ranking Framework to Be Implemented from October 2025

Earlier this month, the DGCA took a significant step to raise the standards of pilot training in India. 

On July 9, the aviation regulator formally launched a national ranking framework for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) with the aim of improving transparency, consistency, and performance across the sector.

The initiative aims to ensure standardisation, safety, and accountability in India's aviation training sector.

The ranking system will be implemented as of October 1, 2025, and rankings will be published twice a year, on April 1 and October 1, to provide timely and updated evaluations of FTO performance.

Aim Is to Enhance Transparency, Safety, and Accountability

According to the DGCA's public notice issued on July 8, the ranking framework is designed to standardise training quality across DGCA-approved institutions, enhance transparency for students and their families choosing FTOs, encourage continuous improvement and adoption of global best practices, and support regulatory decision-making, including identifying high-performing institutions for possible expansion or partnerships.

FTOs will be categorised into four tiers based on their performance scores: A++ (85% and above), A+ (70% to less than 85%), A (50% to less than 70%), and B (below 50%). FTOs placed in the 'B' category will receive formal notifications from DGCA to conduct internal reviews and take corrective actions.