WASHINGTON - In a blow to India, the US Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Friday downgraded the South Asian country's safety ranking, revealing that India’s civil aviation safety oversight regime does not currently comply with the international standards.
 India has been assigned a Category 2 rating under its International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) programme, based on a recent reassessment of the country’s civil aviation authority.  “This signifies that India’s civil aviation safety oversight regime does not currently comply with the international safety standards set by the ICAO,” the FAA said.
 However, the United States will continue to work with India’s DGCA to identify the remaining steps necessary to regain Category 1 status for India.  “With a Category 2 rating, India’s carriers can continue existing service to the United States, but will not be allowed to establish new service to the United States,” a statement said.
India achieved a Category 1 rating, signifying compliance with ICAO standards, in August 1997.  According to a the FAA, a December 2012 ICAO audit identified deficiencies in the ICAO-set global standards for oversight of aviation safety by India’s DGCA.  Subsequently, the FAA began a reassessment of India’s compliance with ICAO standards under the FAA’s IASA program, which monitors adherence to international safety standards and practices. 
 India received a category 1 rating in August 1997, but with this downgrade it stands below Pakistan and on a par with countries like Bangladesh, Ghana and Indonesia, accXording to FAA.
The downgrading effectively bars Air India and Jet Airways from increasing flights to the US, and additional safety checks will now be imposed on existing flights to the United States, the FAA's website shows.  "US and Indian aviation officials have developed an important working relationship as our countries work to meet the challenges of ensuring international aviation safety. The FAA is available to work with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to help India regain its Category 1 rating," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
The FAA, though said, New Delhi has made significant progress towards addressing issues identified during the September 2013 IASA assessment.   
A Category 2 rating means a country either lacks laws or regulations necessary to oversee air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, or that its civil aviation authority – equivalent to the FAA for aviation safety matters – is deficient in one or more areas, such as technical expertise, trained personnel, record-keeping or inspection procedures.  Countries with air carriers that fly to the United States must adhere to the safety standards of ICAO, the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation that establishes international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance.