Following a recent mid-air incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, the central government is reportedly considering the introduction of mandatory drug testing for all commercial pilots. The flight experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude drop while flying over Odisha, an event that resulted in injuries to 20 passengers and four members of the cabin crew.

While the investigation into the specific cause of the altitude drop is ongoing, the incident has prompted authorities to re-examine safety protocols regarding pilot health and substance use. Currently, the proposal aims to establish a more rigorous screening process to ensure flight safety across the commercial aviation sector. The government has not yet released a formal timeline for when such testing might be implemented or what specific substances would be screened for under the new policy. The move is seen as a proactive measure to prevent potential impairment-related incidents in the future, though industry stakeholders have yet to provide a unified response to the potential regulatory changes.