By V. Chandra Kumar, Hon. Secretary, Logistics Club of Bengaluru
The logistics industry in India is grappling with rising obstacles in providing Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) certification training for freight forwarders. Central to this issue is the severe shortage of approved training institutes and qualified instructors. Most Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-approved centers, typically run by airlines, airports, or ground handling agents, prioritize training their own staff, leaving independent freight forwarders with limited access and facing high costs for essential DGR certifications.
Compounding these challenges is the recent shift from category-based DGR training to a mandatory competency-based model, which requires both a basic certification and refresher training every 24 months. While this shift aims to enhance safety standards, it presents significant challenges for the aviation industry, especially amid the lack of clarity and scarcity of approved training institutes. Without accessible training options, the timely certification of airfreight handlers for dangerous goods is at risk, threatening to disrupt air cargo operations across the country.
DGCA’s current policy mandates location-specific approvals for training centers, which limits institutes from offering courses beyond designated locations. This restriction imposes logistical and financial burdens on freight forwarders, particularly in areas with no nearby DGCA-approved facilities. Notably, this requirement for location-specific training is not mandated under International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards, suggesting that India could adopt more flexible policies in line with global norms without compromising quality.
As India gears up for rapid expansion in aviation infrastructure, including numerous new airports, the demand for skilled DGR-trained professionals is set to surge. However, the current framework risks exacerbating a skills gap, potentially leading to operational bottlenecks in dangerous goods handling. Historically, IATA-accredited institutes have delivered DGR training across multiple locations in India, ensuring logistics providers can safely manage dangerous goods. Now, the cost and location-specific restrictions have become barriers, making it increasingly difficult for freight forwarders—especially smaller firms—to afford and access essential training.
The impact is particularly acute in South India, a region with a booming aviation and logistics sector. New professionals seeking industry entry struggle to obtain certification, while existing staff face challenges renewing their credentials due to limited and costly training options. Disappointingly, leading trade associations have yet to press the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA on this issue, even as it threatens to disrupt the growth and safety of India’s air logistics sector.
Without intervention, this skills shortage may hinder the safe handling of dangerous goods cargo and jeopardize India’s logistics growth. DGCA must reconsider its training policies, focusing on expanding quality and accessibility rather than enforcing restrictive, location-specific requirements. Flexible and cost-effective training access for freight forwarders would support both the industry’s safety needs and India’s ambition to build a robust logistics network.
