DGCA orders pilots to report GPS spoofing within 10 minutes of detection
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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a new safety directive requiring pilots, air traffic controllers (ATC), and technical units to report any GPS spoofing or abnormal satellite navigation activity within 10 minutes of detection.
The order follows several cases of GPS spoofing reported near Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), marking the first such incidents recorded in Indian airspace. Pilots operating in the area said they noticed discrepancies in navigation data, which triggered investigations by aviation and security agencies.
Officials said the spoofing incidents caused navigation errors and forced some aircraft to switch to ground-based systems. Reports have been received from multiple operators, and authorities are working to determine whether the interference resulted from deliberate tampering or technical faults.
The National Security Advisor’s office has launched a multi-agency investigation to trace the source of the spoofed signals and assess potential cybersecurity risks to aviation systems.
Under the DGCA’s new protocol, any pilot or ATC unit detecting unusual Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) activity — including discrepancies in aircraft position, signal loss, or navigation anomalies — must file a real-time report through the regulator’s monitoring network.
The DGCA said this “immediate reporting window” will help authorities assess risks faster, coordinate with security agencies, and issue timely alerts to prevent safety threats. Officials added that the goal is to strengthen real-time tracking and quick responses to any interference that could endanger flights.
Following these incidents, the DGCA and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) have expedited upgrades to the Instrument Landing System (ILS) on the airport’s main runway. This aims to reduce dependence on satellite-based navigation during critical flight operations.
Unlike GPS jamming, which blocks signals, spoofing is more sophisticated — it mimics authentic satellite data to trick aircraft systems into showing false locations.
To enhance surveillance, the DGCA is compiling a national database of GNSS-related anomalies to identify trends and strengthen preventive systems. The aviation body is also preparing detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and may soon update the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) guidelines to reflect the new safety measures.