Lok Sabha Passed the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013 was passed by the Lok Sabha on 6 September 2013. The purpose of the bill is to establish the first-ever national aviation university in India, called Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University, which is named after Rajiv Gandhi. The University would train the cabin crew, pilots as well as aircraft engineers.

Primary features of the proposed university- Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University, under the Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013

• The University, which is proposed under the Bill, will come up at Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh, which is the constituency of Sonia Gandhi.
• Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University Bill, 2013 which provides for the formation of this central university on the area of 26 acre plot at the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udaan Academy at Fursatganj in Rae Bareli.
• Under this Bill, it was proposed that although the airports in India will be owned by the Airports Authority of India, but the construction or development of the airports which are existing, shall be undertaken on the basis of Public-Private Partnership (PPP).
• The proposed university will be an autonomous body under administrative control of the Civil Aviation Ministry.
• The university would have the estimated funding of 202 crore Rupees during the 12th Plan period. Out of this, 80 crore Rupees was already sanctioned by the Union Government of India.
• The purpose of the university would be promotion of aviation studies, training and research and the focus would remain on the emerging areas such as aviation medicine, aviation safety and security, aviation law, aviation science and engineering, aviation history, aviation regulation and policy and aviation management.
• The University will also be a knowledge partner to safety and security regulators by providing required academic inputs to help them execute their enforcement responsibility better.

Background

In 2006, the Kaw Committee had recommended setting up of a National Aviation University in India. The 12th Five Year Plan Document has also made a similar recommendation to augment qualified and trained manpower for aviation sector in India. Based on a Detailed Project Report submitted by Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Planning Commission granted in-principle approval for setting up of National Aviation University in India.