The director general of civil aviation (DGCA) Kanu Gohain, who was set to hang up his boots at the end of this month, is likely to receive yet another extension to his tenure. The DGCA’s term, which ended in July last year, has already been extended twice for six months each since no suitable candidate could be found for the post. It will now be extended for another three months, ostensibly for the same reason.

“The proposal to extend Gohain’s term for a further three months has been put to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (which is headed by the Prime Minister),” a source in the civil aviation ministry said. According to sources, India’s representative to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Dr Nasim Zaidi, who was said to be the frontrunner in the race to become the new DGCA, may also not be appointed to the post. “There are still a few months left for his tenure at ICAO to get over. He also falls short of many of the technical eligibility criteria that the post requires,” sources said.

Recruitment rules for the post mandate that the candidate must have “twelve years of experience in aviation/flying/aircraft engineering/airworthiness, out of which, a minimum of five years experience should be in administration and finance disciplines at the senior management level”.

Zaidi, who served as a joint secretary in the ministry of civil aviation, has a total experience of only five years in aviation. Air Marshals Verma and Rane who applied for the post are also not eligible since they are overage.