New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that multiple major airports in India recently experienced GPS spoofing incidents, though officials emphasized that these events did not disrupt flight operations. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, responding to parliamentary queries, stated that spoofing signals were detected at Delhi, Kolkata, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai airports last month. While the incidents triggered heightened scrutiny and preventive measures, authorities confirmed that the incidents had no adverse effects on the safety or movement of flights.

Understanding GPS Spoofing

GPS spoofing is a sophisticated cyber-attack method that involves sending false satellite signals to navigation systems, causing them to report incorrect position, speed, or timing information. Unlike jamming, which floods the signal spectrum and prevents receivers from functioning, spoofing deceives devices with counterfeit but realistic-looking data. In aviation, such spoofing poses significant safety risks because it can mislead aircraft during critical phases of flight, such as approach and landing.

According to Minister Naidu, the incidents were first detected near Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, where some aircraft reported GPS anomalies while using GPS-based landing procedures on Runway 10. “Contingency procedures were implemented for GPS-spoofed flights approaching RWY 10. There were no effects on other runway operations that used conventional navigational aids,” Naidu noted.

Reports from Other Airports

The Civil Aviation Ministry confirmed that other major airports in India—including Kolkata, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai—had reported instances of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) interference, which includes both spoofing and jamming events. While the source of these spoofing signals remains under investigation, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has collaborated with the Wireless Monitoring Organization (WMO) to identify and trace potential interference sources.

During a high-level review, the WMO was tasked with deploying additional resources to pinpoint the approximate location of spoofing activities using data shared by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and AAI. Since November 2023, following directives from DGCA, airports have been mandated to report all instances of GNSS interference in real time, allowing authorities to maintain situational awareness and ensure aviation safety.

Preventive Measures and Contingency Protocols

The minister highlighted that India maintains a Minimum Operating Network (MON) of conventional ground-based navigation and surveillance infrastructure, in line with global best practices. This redundancy ensures that flights can continue safely even if satellite-based navigation systems are compromised.

Additionally, the DGCA has issued advisories and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address GPS spoofing and GNSS interference events. After the Delhi episode in November, an SOP was issued on November 10, 2025, to formalize real-time reporting mechanisms and coordinate responses between airports and regulatory authorities.

In parallel, advanced cybersecurity solutions have been implemented across IT networks and airport infrastructure. These measures align with guidelines from the National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). Minister Naidu noted that cybersecurity is continuously upgraded to adapt to evolving threats, ensuring resilience against both domestic and international cyber risks affecting the aviation sector.

Technical Failures and Upgrades at Delhi Airport

In addition to the GPS spoofing incidents, Delhi Airport faced a separate technical failure on November 6-7, 2025. Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, informed the Rajya Sabha that the AAI has been instructed to conduct a comprehensive audit of all Communication, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) equipment across Indian airports. This evaluation will assess equipment condition, operational reliability, and lifecycle management, with the aim of preventing recurrence of such events.

Mohol added that AAI is replacing its existing IP-based Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) with a new Air Traffic Services Message Handling System (AMHS). This upgrade is intended to enhance communication reliability and reduce vulnerabilities to technical anomalies or cyber interference.

Furthermore, central investigative agencies have initiated a probe into the anomaly in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals reported at Delhi Airport, underscoring the seriousness with which the government is treating such events.

Implications for Aviation Safety

Experts note that GPS spoofing in aviation, while rare, represents a potentially high-risk scenario. Aircraft rely on GNSS for navigation, approach, and landing procedures, particularly at major international airports. A spoofing attack could mislead flight crews regarding their exact position, potentially compromising safety. However, the presence of conventional navigational aids, along with contingency procedures implemented by air traffic controllers, mitigates this risk.

By maintaining a layered navigation system that integrates both satellite-based and ground-based infrastructure, Indian aviation authorities ensure operational continuity and safety even in the face of sophisticated cyber threats.

International Context

Globally, aviation authorities are increasingly concerned about GNSS vulnerabilities. Countries with high volumes of air traffic have reported similar instances of GPS interference, prompting the development of SOPs, training programs for air traffic controllers, and coordinated responses between civil aviation and national cybersecurity agencies. India’s approach, combining real-time reporting, audits, and technical upgrades, mirrors global best practices and reflects its participation in international forums on aviation security and GNSS resilience.

Public Reassurance and Way Forward

The Civil Aviation Ministry emphasized that, despite the spoofing reports, there has been no disruption to flight schedules or passenger safety. Airlines continued to operate normally, relying on conventional navigation systems where necessary, and contingency procedures were executed seamlessly.

Authorities have also reassured the public and aviation stakeholders that preventive measures—including regular monitoring, SOPs, audits, and cybersecurity upgrades—remain in place to safeguard against future spoofing or jamming incidents.

Minister Naidu noted, “India is participating in global platforms to remain abreast of the latest GNSS security methodologies and technologies, ensuring timely implementation of protective measures to maintain aviation safety.”

In conclusion, while the recent GPS spoofing incidents across India’s major airports highlight the vulnerability of modern navigation systems to cyber interference, government authorities have taken comprehensive steps to mitigate risks, enhance monitoring, and maintain operational safety. With ongoing investigations, technology upgrades, and adherence to global aviation security standards, the country aims to ensure that such incidents do not impact the safety or punctuality of air travel.