List of Civil Aviation Ministers of India

The Ministry of Civil Aviation in India is the apex body responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies related to civil aviation. Since India’s first commercial flight in 1911 and the establishment of the Department of Civil Aviation in 1927, many ministers have led the ministry, shaping the growth of the aviation sector. 

Read along to know more about the  ministers who have held the Civil Aviation portfolio from the inception of the ministry to 2025, based on official data from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Recent and Current Ministers (2020–2025)

Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu

Position: Hon'ble Minister of Civil Aviation

Tenure: Incumbent as of 2024-2025

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Murlidhar Mohol

Position: Hon'ble Minister of State for Civil Aviation

Tenure: From June 2024 to present

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia

Position: Minister of Civil Aviation

Tenure: July 2021 to August 2024

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party

Contributions: Oversaw key policies promoting growth and sustainability in the aviation sector

Hardeep Singh Puri

Position: Minister of Civil Aviation (Independent Charge)

Tenure: May 2019 to July 2021

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party

Suresh Prabhu

Position: Minister of Civil Aviation

Tenure: March 2018 to May 2019

Party: Bharatiya Janata Party

Ministry Structure and Responsibilities

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is headed by the Cabinet Minister (Civil Aviation Minister) assisted by Ministers of State. The ministry is responsible for:

• Formulating policies for the growth and regulation of civil aviation in India
• Overseeing the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Promoting regional connectivity and infrastructure development
• Ensuring safety, security, and environmental standards in aviation
• Facilitating international cooperation in the aviation sector
• The current ministerial team includes the Cabinet Minister and Minister of State, supported by senior officials such as the Secretary of Civil Aviation.

Complete List of Civil Aviation Ministers of India (Till 2025)

• The ministry has sometimes been held as an independent charge or combined with other portfolios.
• Ministers of State (MoS) independent charge such as Harmohan Dhawan have also contributed significantly.
• The list contains ministers belonging to different political parties based on India's democratic changes.
• Less well-documented in official public records are the earliest ministers prior to the 1980s but prominent names from the late 20th century onwards are included.

Structure and Roles of the Ministry

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has policy formulation, regulation, and civil aviation development under its control.
• It oversees statutory organizations like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
• The ministry also oversees central public sector undertakings like Pawan Hans and AI Assets Holding Limited.
• It deals with airport infrastructure, air safety, air traffic services, and international aviation cooperation.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has been guided by a multicultural set of ministers who have helped shape India's aviation industry from infancy to a contemporary, fast-paced industry. The present minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, upholds this tradition in pursuing greater connectivity, greater safety, and sustainable development.