India's Aviation Minister Faces Pressure to Resign Amidst IndiGo Crisis and

December 8, 2025 at 05:30 AM•2 min read

India's Civil Aviation Minister faces intense scrutiny for failing to enact reforms, contributing to the recent IndiGo crisis.

Key Points

1Indian Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu faces severe criticism for failing to enact reforms during his one-and-a-half-year tenure.
2The recent IndiGo operational crisis is attributed to airlines' resistance to Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms and the ministry's passive enforcement.
3The article calls for Minister Naidu's resignation, citing his perceived lack of engagement with core ministerial duties and strained bureaucratic relations.
4Political attempts by the TDP to defend Naidu backfired, with the PMO reportedly blaming the Civil Aviation Ministry for the crisis.

Indian Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu is facing significant pressure and calls for his resignation due to perceived inaction and a lack of reforms during his one-and-a-half-year tenure. This criticism has intensified following the recent widespread disruptions experienced by IndiGo passengers, which exposed systemic issues within the sector and the ministry's oversight. The article suggests a combination of a "non-serious" minister, a strained relationship with his ministry's Secretary, and a dominant airline's non-compliance contributed to the unprecedented chaos.

Sources within the Civil Aviation Ministry indicate that Minister Naidu has frequently expressed frustration over his bureaucratic head, Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, an IAS officer reportedly loyal to the Assam Chief Minister, not heeding his directives. Critics point to a dearth of substantive reforms under Naidu's leadership, including initiatives to foster competition or enhance passenger protection against airline whims. Notably, there is no record of the Minister reviewing airline preparedness for the crucial Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) deadline, a key safety measure. His public activities, primarily focused on local constituency events, suggest a lack of engagement with core ministerial responsibilities.

The IndiGo crisis is attributed, in part, to airlines' long-standing resistance to the revised FDTL norms, which mandate increased weekly rest for pilots and reduced nighttime flying to enhance safety and mitigate pilot fatigue. The Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had previously deferred these guidelines under pressure. However, with Faiz Ahmed Kidwai taking over as DGCA head in January 2025, compliance became non-negotiable, leading to massive disruptions as unprepared airlines, particularly IndiGo, were forced to adjust operations. The ministry's role was limited to merely "addressing letters" without enforcing compliance.

The political fallout saw Naidu's party, the TDP, attempt a defense that ultimately backfired, with the Prime Minister's Office reportedly laying blame on the ministry. Given the perceived lack of performance as a criterion for removal in the current government, observers suggest a portfolio change might be the most likely outcome for Naidu. The article concludes with a strong recommendation for the Minister to resign for the public's benefit.