Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu oversees BCAS–RRU MoU to Advance Atmanirbharta in Aviation Security

New Delhi :-  Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment and operation of a dedicated indigenous Testing Centre for conducting trials, performance evaluation and certification of Full Body Scanners (FBS) and other security screening equipment used at Indian airports.  MoU was signed in New Delhi, in the presence of Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Union Minister of Civil Aviation; Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation; Shri Rajesh Nirwan, DG, BCAS and Dr. Bimal Patel, Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Raksha University. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said,  MoU between BCAS and Rashtriya Raksha University is a natural extension of the NDA Government’s twin focus on security research and capacity building. Under the visionary leadership of PM Modi, strengthening security through focused research, innovation and capacity building has remained a core priority. It is primarily about building an Atma-Nirbhar Bharat, Atma-Surakshit Bharat!”

Highlighting the legacy and institutional strength of RRU, he added, With a clear mandate of ‘Rastriya Surkasha Sarvopari’,  Rastriya Raksha University was established in 2010 by PM Modi back then serving as CM of Gujarat. And under the able guidance of HM Amit Shah, it has emerged as one of the most prestigious institutions globally in its domain. The partnership creates a formal institutional framework for cooperation between BCAS and RRU in the areas of testing, certification, research, training and standards development relating to aviation security equipment. It is aimed at strengthening India’s aviation security ecosystem through a credible, independent and scientifically rigorous mechanism for assessment and regulatory support. Under the MoU, RRU, in collaboration with BCAS, will establish and maintain a dedicated Testing Centre for conducting trials of Full Body Scanners and other aviation security equipment in accordance with directives issued by BCAS. The Centre will undertake independent evaluation, verification and certification of the specifications and performance of equipment supplied by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and submit impartial and scientifically robust assessment reports for regulatory consideration.

Underscoring the focus on Atmanirbharta in aviation security, the Minister stated, I see the highlight of this association is definitely the focus on building Atmanirbharta in aviation security equipment. While aligning with foreign certification practices, we should now aim to emerge as a global hub for aviation security certification. Importantly, by providing testing support to Indian OEMs, we can facilitate the development of Bharat Standards.   Ram Mohan Naidu further added, “I strongly believe that by combining the regulatory authority of BCAS with the technical prowess of RRU, we will build an indigenous ecosystem for security equipment certification, which will resonate with international practices such as those overseen by the TSA in the United States and ECAC in Europe.”

 MoU also provides for the establishment of state-of-the-art testing laboratories at RRU, aligned with global standards, to carry out rigorous performance, safety and interoperability assessments. This will support the development of an institutionalised accreditation framework to ensure that only equipment meeting prescribed technical and operational benchmarks is considered for deployment in critical aviation security environments.  MoU further envisages cooperation in academics, research, extension and training programmes for mutual benefit. It includes capacity-building initiatives through workshops, specialised training programmes and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at developing professional expertise in testing, accreditation and emerging aviation security technologies. Partnership will also promote research and innovation in the field of aviation security, enabling continuous refinement of testing methodologies, accreditation criteria and deployment protocols in response to evolving threat scenarios and technological developments. It will additionally facilitate national and international collaborations to align India’s testing and certification ecosystem with global best practices.

Highlighting the rapid growth of the aviation sector, the Minister mentioned, “We all are witness to the revolutionary growth that is happening in the civil aviation sector. Airports in the country have more than doubled from 74 in 2014 to 165 . Every hour, our airports are handling 250 to 300 aircraft movements and catering to a massive footfall of about 40-45,000 passengers every hour! And not only passengers, air cargo too has seen a staggering leap in volumes by almost 50% over the last 10-12 years. So, it is very important to adopt the highest standards of technology and highest standards of professional competence in the operations of BCAS. And this MoU between BCAS & RRU is a step forward in that direction towards building a future-ready and resilient aviation security ecosystem.”