National Aviation Security Plan (2020): Enhancing Civil Aviation Security Framework In India

Policy Update
Ayush Bansal

Background

Aviation security in India has been influenced by a succession of serious incidents, the most significant of which was the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 in 1999, taken in Kandahar and revealed acute vulnerabilities in airport and onboard security. Earlier, in the 1980s, a series of hijackings of Indian Airlines flights emphasized the need for an advanced aviation security system. These events led to the establishment of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in 1987.

Since the advancement, the 2018 International Civil Aviation Organization Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (ICAO USAP-CMA) audit has disclosed a continued missing link in India’s aviation security framework. Recognizing the need for a formal and internationally standardized mechanism, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, through BCAS, drafted the National Aviation Security Plan (NASP) 2020. It was intended to fulfil India’s obligations under Annexe 17 of the Chicago Convention, which mandates that every member state of ICAO put in place a full program of civil aviation security. The initiative is aligned with ICAO’s Global Aviation Security Plan (GASeP) and is also part of India’s border security initiatives to meet global counterterrorism standards.

Functioning of the NASP 2020

NASP–2020 is a regulatory document that declares security responsibilities, standards, and coordination means between civil aviation stakeholders. It operates on the pillars as follows:

Institutional Coordination: It defines the role of BCAS, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), airlines, airport operators, and intelligence agencies in the implementation of security procedures.
Security Program Mandates: Mandates each stakeholder to design individual Aviation Security Programs (ASPs) according to the national plan and conduct continuous audits, drills, and assessments.
Risk-Based Screening: Introduces differentiated screening procedures based on risk analysis, passenger profiling, and real-time threat assessment.
Technology Integration: Promotes the utilization of new technologies, including full-body scanners, biometric identification, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for threat detection and monitoring.
Capacity Building: Aims at regular training, certification, and performance appraisal of security staff according to the ICAO Global Aviation Training (GAT) scheme.
Cybersecurity Controls: Implements security controls against potential cyberattacks on aviation IT networks, flights, and air traffic control.
Coordination with ICAO: Keeps the plan updated regularly to stay up to date with changing ICAO procedures and international best practices.

Performance

Since its inception, the NASP–2020 has served a significant role in bolstering India’s aviation security framework. Some of the most important performance indicators include:

ICAO Audit Compliance: In 2022, India achieved an effective implementation of over 75% in the ICAO USAP-CMA audit compared to 57.5% in 2018, reflecting a significant advancement in aviation security regulation.
Security Simulations and Drills: Over 250 security simulations and red-team exercises have been performed at 60+ primary airports between 2021 and 2024, having tested responsiveness to probable threats.
Current Equipment Deployment: Deployment of CTX machines, explosive trace detectors (ETDs), and perimeter intrusion detection systems has been ramped up across tier-I and tier-II airports.
Training Programmes: More than 12,000 personnel had been trained under NASP-conformant programmes up to 2024, comprising CISF, airport police, and airline security officers.

However, the implementation has seen a varied pace across states, with metro airports having done better in terms of integration compared to regional ones, highlighting disparities in infrastructure and local coordination.

Impact

The plan has brought a paradigm shift in India’s approach to aviation security. Its major impacts include:

Enhanced Passenger Confidence: The strengthened protocols and visible security presence have increased passenger confidence, contributing indirectly to growth in air traffic post-COVID.
Global Recognition: India’s compliance with ICAO standards has improved its standing in global aviation, allowing for easier signing of bilateral aviation agreements and the presence of foreign airlines’ operations.
Decreased Incidents: Registered aviation-related security incidents decreased by 20% between 2020 and 2024 due to proactive surveillance and enhanced stakeholder coordination.
Integrated Surveillance: The merging of aviation security with national intelligence networks has improved anticipatory threat detection and response readiness.

Geopolitical Significance

India’s NASP–2020 is not merely a domestic security measure but part of a broader geopolitical strategy:

Global Credibility: Aligning with ICAO’s GASeP enhances India’s image as a responsible aviation partner, strengthening its position in bilateral and multilateral aviation diplomacy.
Strategic Security Posture: The strategy is a counter-response to threats of transnational terrorism. It supplements India’s readiness in protecting its airspace against intraregional tensions, especially from its western border countries.
QUAD and Indo-Pacific Synergy: A robust aviation security infrastructure assists in encouraging interoperability with partners like the U.S., Japan, and Australia in ensuring regional air corridors.
Soft Power in Indo-Pacific: Indian aviation security leadership, gained through technical assistance to the region, increases its power as well as soft power in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia.

Emerging Issues

Infrastructure Shortfalls at Regional Airports: Some small airports, such as the Pakyong Airport in Sikkim and Jharsuguda Airport in Odisha, have inadequate physical infrastructure and trained staff due to budgetary and logistical constraints to execute NASP protocols efficiently.
Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities: In 2022, SpiceJet reported a ransomware attack that disrupted several flight operations and highlighted the weak cybersecurity posture of certain private carriers and airline IT systems.
Private Operator Compliance: Ensuring strict adherence by private airlines and airport operators to NASP requirements remains an issue due to varying standards of operation and investment capabilities.
Resource Constraints: Delays in procurement of Explosive Detection Systems (EDS) at Amritsar and Bhopal airports in 2021–22 reflect how funding shortages can affect compliance with NASP protocols.
Evolving Threats: The emergence of drone-related threats and the use of AI by non-state actors requires continuous technological upgradation and scenario planning.

Way Forward

To enhance the effectiveness of NASP–2020 and future-proof India’s aviation security system, the following steps are recommended:

Periodic Plan Revision: Annual reviews and a mid-term revision of NASP should be institutionalized to integrate lessons from global aviation trends and domestic incidents.
Tier-Based Implementation Strategy: Create a customized, resource-sensitive implementation roadmap for metro, tier-II, and tier-III airports to address disparities.
Cybersecurity Strengthening: Collaborate with CERT-IN and the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) to conduct regular cybersecurity audits of aviation systems.
Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage PPP models in security infrastructure upgradation, particularly for training simulators and surveillance technology at smaller airports.
Integration of Drone Detection Systems: Invest in scalable drone monitoring and neutralization systems to pre-empt aerial threats near airports.
Enhanced International Engagement: Partner with ICAO, INTERPOL, and other international agencies for knowledge exchange, joint training, and coordinated global threat response mechanisms.

References

Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (2020). National Aviation Security Plan – 2020. Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India. https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/
International Civil Aviation Organization (2019). Annex 17 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation: Security. Montreal: ICAO. https://www.icao.int/
Press Information Bureau (2022). “India’s ICAO Audit Rating Improves Significantly”. Ministry of Civil Aviation. https://pib.gov.in
Ministry of Civil Aviation (2023). Annual Report 2022-23. Government of India. https://www.india.gov.in/
DGCA (2024). “Airport Security Oversight and Compliance Reports.” Directorate General of Civil Aviation. https://www.dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/
Times of India (2024). “Cyber Threats Loom Large Over India’s Growing Aviation Sector.” https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Civil Aviation Training Institute (2023). “Annual Security Training Dashboard.” BCAS. https://bcasindia.gov.in/#/

About the Contributor

Ayush Bansal is a research intern at IMPRI (Impact and Policy Research Institute), and is currently pursuing his master’s in economics from Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune. The article is written as part of the Policy Updates initiative under the supervision of the IMPRI research team.