India's aviation security framework is set for a major technological upgrade as the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has begun trials of full-body scanners at four major airports—Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kochi. The three-month trial, which started in May, is being evaluated by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to assess the scanners' effectiveness in detecting concealed threats while reducing the need for physical frisking. BCAS has also directed airport operators at Srinagar, Jammu and Ayodhya to install the advanced screening systems on a priority basis.
The move marks a significant shift in passenger screening practices at Indian airports, bringing them closer to international standards. Full-body scanners use advanced imaging technology to detect both metallic and non-metallic objects without physical contact, potentially speeding up security checks while enhancing passenger convenience. Officials said airports handling more than five million passengers annually will also be required to deploy the technology. "The scanners minimise the need for physical frisking while improving threat detection capability," a senior security official said. CISF personnel are currently assessing operational aspects, passenger throughput and privacy safeguards before a wider rollout is approved.
The introduction of the scanners comes as India seeks to strengthen aviation security amid rapidly growing passenger traffic. Earlier this year, BCAS signed an agreement with Rashtriya Raksha University to establish a dedicated testing and certification centre for full-body scanners and other aviation security equipment. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu had said the initiative would help create a robust evaluation framework for next-generation airport security systems. With trials underway and more airports preparing for deployment, India's airports are entering what security agencies describe as a "new era of passenger screening."
