The  Bureau of  Civil Aviation Security  was initially  set up  as  a Cell in the     Directorate General  of Civil Aviation  (DGCA) in January 1978 on the  recommendation of  the Pande Committee  constituted  in the  wake of the hijacking  of the Indian Airlines  flight  on  10^th September , 1976.  The role of the Cell  was to coordinate, monitor, inspect and train personnel in Civil Aviation Security  matters.    

                         The BCAS was reorganized into an independent  department on 1^st April , 1987 under  the Ministry of Civil Aviation as a sequel  to the Kanishka Tragedy in June  1985.  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.

v   BCAS is the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in India. It is headed by an officer of the rank of Director  General  of Police  and is designated  as Commissioner of    Security (Civil Aviation).

v   Commissioner of security (CA) is the appropriate authority for implementation of Annexure 17 to Chicago convention of International civil aviation organization (ICAO).

v   Commissioner of security (CA) is responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.

v   BCAS Hqrs is located at “A” Wing, I-III floor, Janpath Bhavan, Janpath, New Delhi-110001.  It has got four Regional Offices located at International airports i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.  The Regional Office is headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Security (CA).

v   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.

v   Monitoring the implementation of security rules and regulations and carrying out survey of security needs.

v   Ensure that the persons implementing security controls are appropriately trained and possess all competencies required to perform their duties.

v   Planning and coordination of Aviation security matters.

v   Conducting -

                a.  Surprise/Dummy checks to test professional efficiency and alertness of security staff.
                b.  Mock exercise to test efficacy of Contingency Plans and operational preparedness of

                  the various agencies.

Security  functions  at all   the airports in the  country  were  performed  by the  police   personnel  requisitioned  from   State  Governments till January 2000.  In the    backdrop of hijacking   of Indian  Airlines  aircraft  (IC-814)  in December , 1999, airport security matters were reviewed by the Ministry of  Civil  Aviation. It was   decided   that  in order to  bring  in  uniformity  of  practices  and  procedures    and ensure effective  control  and   supervision   of the   Ministry of    Civil   Aviation , airports  security  should be     entrusted   to a single   dedicated   force  instead of different State Police forces with divergent work culture and practices. The Committee of Secretaries (COS) in its meeting on 7^th January, 2000 recommended that in the long-term there was a need for a more professionalised force for civil aviation. The Commissioner of Security (CA) further recommended that Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) should be inducted at all airports in India. The dedicated CISF contingent earmarked for aviation security functions at airports in India  has been notified as Aviation Security Group (ASG).

After deployment of CISF at airports,  there has been a marked improvement in all areas of airport security including Perimeter Security, Access Control, Terminal Building Security, Apron Security, Surveillance, Passenger Handling etc. ASG staff  have proved their worth in handling all types of security situations at airports and have been meticulous in implementing security procedures. They have been quick to plug any loopholes in security and the security system is constantly upgraded to neutralize emerging threats. In addition they have been able to bring about a higher level of security awareness among all agencies operating at the airports, including the passengers.

     Aviation Security Group of CISF is passenger friendly without compromising on security standards.  ASG is committed to providing a safe and secure environment at all the airports under its charge. The dual objective of the ASG is to ensure that air travel is absolutely safe and the passengers carry a  pleasant experience of airport security.