RRU and BCAS Sign MoU to Establish India’s Indigenous Aviation Security Equipment Testing Centre

• Bilkul Online
• Gandhinagar | 07 April 2026

Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment and operation of a dedicated indigenous Testing Centre for conducting trials, performance evaluation and certification of Full Body Scanners (FBS) and other security screening equipment used at Indian airports.

The MoU was signed in New Delhi by Prof. Bimal N. Patel, Vice Chancellor, Rashtriya Raksha University and Ms Pratibha Ambedkar, Joint Director General, BCAS, in the august presence of Shri Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Hon’ble Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Sunil Kumar Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Shri Rajesh Nirwan, Director General, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

The partnership creates a formal institutional framework for cooperation between BCAS and RRU in the areas of testing, certification, research, training and standards development relating to aviation security equipment. It is aimed at strengthening India’s aviation security ecosystem through a credible, independent and scientifically rigorous mechanism for assessment and regulatory support.

Under the MoU, RRU, in collaboration with BCAS, will establish and maintain a dedicated Testing Centre for conducting trials of Full Body Scanners and other aviation security equipment in accordance with directives issued by BCAS. The Centre will undertake independent evaluation, verification and certification of the specifications and performance of equipment supplied by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and submit impartial and scientifically robust assessment reports for regulatory consideration.

The MoU also provides for the establishment of state-of-the-art testing laboratories at RRU, aligned with global standards, to carry out rigorous performance, safety and interoperability assessments. This will support the development of an institutionalised accreditation framework to ensure that only equipment meeting prescribed technical and operational benchmarks is considered for deployment in critical aviation security environments.

The MoU further envisages cooperation in academics, research, extension and training programmes for mutual benefit. It includes capacity-building initiatives through workshops, specialised training programmes and knowledge-sharing activities aimed at developing professional expertise in testing, accreditation and emerging aviation security technologies.

The partnership will also promote research and innovation in the field of aviation security, enabling continuous refinement of testing methodologies, accreditation criteria and deployment protocols in response to evolving threat scenarios and technological developments. It will additionally facilitate national and international collaborations to align India’s testing and certification ecosystem with global best practices.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Bimal N. Patel highlighted that the establishment of the Testing Centre reflects the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the field of aviation security. He emphasised that developing indigenous testing, certification and research capabilities marks a critical step toward reducing dependence on foreign technologies, ensuring technology sovereignty, and fostering innovation within India’s security ecosystem. Prof. Patel noted that the collaboration between RRU and BCAS exemplifies the University’s commitment to translating national policy visions into institutional mechanisms that strengthen India’s self-reliance and preparedness in emerging domains of national security.