BUREAU OF CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security(BCAS) is

an attached office of the Ministry of Civil
Aviation. The Bureau is responsible for laying
down the standards of pre-embarkation
security and anti-sabotage measures in respect
of civil flights in India. Actual enforcement on
the ground is entrusted to the respective State-
UT Police. Officers of the Bureau visit airports
from time to time to monitor the enforcement.
The BUREAU OF CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY was
initially set up as a cell in the DGCA.

Came into existence in January 1978 on the

recommendation of Pande committee, which was
constitute in the wake of the hijacking of the Indian
airlines flight on 10th Sep. 1976

The role of this cell was to coordinate , monitor ,

inspect and train personnel in civil aviation security
matters.
BCAS was reorganized into an independent
department on 1st April 1987 under the
ministry of civil aviation

The main responsibility of BCAS are lay down

standards and measures in respect of security
of civil flights at international and domestic
airports in India
 Laying down Aviation Security Standards in accordance
with Annex 17 to Chicago Convention of ICAO for airport
operators, airlines operators, and their security agencies
responsible for implementing AVSEC measures.
 
Monitoring the implementation of security rules and
regulations and carrying out survey of security needs.
 
Ensure that the persons implementing security controls are
appropriately trained and possess all competencies required
to perform their duties.
 
Planning and coordination of Aviation security matters.
 
CONDUCTING
 
a. Surprise/Dummy checks to test professional efficiency
alertness of security staff.
d. Mock exercise to test efficacy of Contingency Plans .
and operational preparedness of the
various agencies.

POLLUTION CONTROL
The Bureau is vigilant in this regard and follows all the
instructions issued by the Government from time to
time and maintains the vehicles properly.
BOMB DETECTION AND DISPOSAL SQUADS/
DOG SQUADS

To meet the increasing threat to Civil Aviation

Security, the Bureau has established 4 bomb
Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS) equipped
with sophisticated equipment at the 4
international airports at Mumbai, Calcutta,
Chennai and Delhi, to detect explosive devices/
materials at the airports. The officials and staff
are fully trained/ equipped in dealing with bomb
scare calls promptly and effectively. Besides,
BDDS units help State Governments
Administration in defusing explosive objects.
SNIFFER DOGS
ELECTRONIC AND OTHER DETECTION DEVICES

The Bureau lays standards for pre-embarkation security

and anti-sabotage measures and in this connection
Airports Authority of India or Airport Operator provides
equipment like X-Ray BSI, Door Frame Metal Detectors
and Handheld metal Detectors. During the year 1998-99,
AND division of Airports Authority of India had
inducted 10 X-Ray BSI machines for screening of hand
baggage (6) and Red. Baggage (4). During the same
period AND Division procured 9 Door Frame Metal
Detectors and 24 handheld Metal Detectors.
CONTINGENCY PLAN
The Bureau has a Contingency Plan to deal with
emergencies arising out of hijacking and other threats to
civil aviation. Among other things, it provides for the
establishment of a Control Room at each airport. The
Control room comes into action immediately on the
occurrence of any emergency, like, unlawful seizure of
aircraft, etc.

NEW PHOTO IDENTIFICATION CARD (PIC) SYSTEM

Computerized system of Photo Identity Card (PIC) has been
introduced by the Bureau in August, 1998. In this system
issue of PICs at the international airports Delhi, Mumbai,
Calcutta and Chennai have been completed. The system will
be extended to domestic airports also.
Alcoholic Beverages : Alcoholic beverages with more than 70%
alcohol content (140 proof), including 95% grain alcohol and 150
proof rum, are prohibited from carry-on and checked luggage. Up to
5 litres of alcohol with alcoholic content between 24% and 70% are
allowed per person as carry-on or checked luggage if packaged in its
retail container. Alcoholic beverages with less than 24% alcoholic
content are not subject to hazardous materials regulations.

Matches and Lighters : Up to one lighter and one safety match

box are allowed in your carry-on baggage - NOT checked baggage.
Disposable lighters and absorbed liquid lighters are allowed in your
carry-on baggage. Lighters with unabsorbed liquid fuel and
refillable butane lighters are NOT permitted. Strike anywhere
matches are NOT permitted.
Knives & Tools : Knives and tools are prohibited from
carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in
checked luggage. Any sharp objects packed in checked
luggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to
prevent injury to baggage handlers and security
screeners.

Photographic Equipment : You may carry one (1)

bag of photographic equipment in addition to one (1)
carry-on and one (1) personal item through the screening
checkpoint.  The additional bag must conform to your air
carrier's carry-on restrictions for size and weight.  
Crematory Containers

You have two options for carrying a crematory container with you
on your flights:

Carry-on : You are allowed to carry-on a crematory container,

but it must pass through the x-ray machine.  If the container is
made of a material that prevents the screener from clearly being
able to see what is inside, then the container will not be allowed
through the security checkpoint.
 
CheckedBaggage :  You may transport the urn as checked
baggage provided that it is successfully screened.  Security staff
will screen the urn for explosive materials/devices using a
variety of techniques; if cleared, it will be permitted as checked
baggage only
 The BCAS decided to implement a nationwide ID card system that
would quickly identify people who had security clearance to be
inside restricted airport grounds and facilities. All Indian airports
were to participate in the identity card program, which covers all
employees including airline staff, courier companies, cleaners and
restaurant/shop workers. According to a Bureau representative,
the decision to print the cards in-house was made because of the
need to maintain the "security of the ID cards and personalized
data" on the cards.

 With such a large number of identity cards required annually—up

to 180,000—the Bureau needed a reliable, economical and easy to
use card printer that could produce high quality photo ID cards,
on demand, with additional security lamination features. Given
the large number of cards required, the speed of printing and cost
of consumables for this project were especially critical.
New ID-CARD Detection System
A proposal is under way for up gradation of the
Wheel Barrow Robot deployed at BDDS, Delhi,
Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai. After the up
gradation these Robots will operate from remote
control without any physical connection Barrow
Robot deployed at BDDS, Delhi, Mumbai,
Calcutta and Chennai. After the up gradation
these Robots will operate from remote control
without any physical connection by cable. At
present Robots operate when connected remote
control by cable. With remote operation Robots
will be able to provide increased safety to the
BOMB DISPOSAL ROBOTIC WHEEL BARROW
SOURCE : BCAS & DGCA websites.