The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on February 09, 2026, issued Revision 5 to CAR Section 5, Series F Part III on Procedure for medical examination of crew members for alcohol consumption.
Aviation regulators and industry employers have a critical duty to uphold the highest standards of safety, given the potentially catastrophic consequences of any lapse. The use of psychoactive substances, especially alcohol, poses a serious risk because safety-sensitive aviation personnel are responsible for large numbers of lives and valuable assets. Therefore, they must perform their duties professionally and without any impairment caused by substance use.
In line with international standards under International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 1 and Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, flight crew and other operating personnel are prohibited from consuming alcohol or certain drugs within 12 hours before a flight, during a flight, or while reporting for duty. They must not be intoxicated or show any detectable alcohol level, and even residual effects such as hangover-related impairment are considered safety risks. Airlines may impose even stricter requirements within their safety management systems.
This Civil Aviation Requirement establishes procedures for conducting breath-analyzer tests of crew members, outlines actions operators must take in cases of alcohol consumption, and specifies protocols to be followed by authorities in the event of an accident. It is issued for guidance and mandatory compliance by all concerned under the applicable aviation rules.
[File No. AV 15011/21/2010-AS]
