Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 2: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has tightened restrictions on photography and videography at airports across India, warning passengers that violations could result in penalties ranging from fines and confiscation of devices to inclusion on the country's No-Fly List.
Under the revised enforcement measures, unauthorised filming is strictly prohibited in sensitive operational areas, including security checkpoints, boarding gates, aprons, runway transport buses, aircraft handling zones and other restricted sections of airports.
The restrictions are even more stringent at military joint-use airports such as Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, Jaisalmer and Goa's Dabolim airport, where passengers are barred from taking photographs or recording videos during their travel through the facility.
Authorities said the move comes amid a growing trend of travellers creating social media content, including reels, vlogs and live videos, within airport premises. Officials have expressed concern that such content can unintentionally reveal sensitive security infrastructure, surveillance systems, operational procedures and restricted-access areas, potentially posing security risks.
The DGCA noted that while restrictions on airport photography have existed under Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, enforcement has become significantly stricter in recent years. In 2025, amid heightened India-Pakistan border tensions, authorities imposed a complete ban on passenger photography at military-controlled airports to safeguard strategic assets.
The current measures reflect an expansion of that security-focused approach, with civilian airports also adopting stricter monitoring and enforcement practices in sensitive zones.
However, passengers are still permitted to take photographs and videos in designated public areas such as arrival halls, food courts, shopping zones and other non-restricted sections of civilian airports.
Airport authorities clarified that commercial filming, including content creation for social media influencers, production houses and brands, requires prior approval from airport management and security agencies. Applications for ground-based filming must be submitted through the EGCA portal, while aerial filming permissions are processed through the Digital Sky platform.
Travellers have been advised to strictly follow instructions issued by airport and security personnel. Officials stressed that accidental violations may also attract action, as lack of intent may not be considered a valid defence under the enhanced enforcement regime.