A Field Few Prepare For, But Many Now Demand
In the next few years, the Indian aviation sector will witness one of the biggest transformations in its history. Airlines are scaling operations, airport infrastructure is expanding under public–private partnerships, and drone technologies are opening new frontiers. But this rapid evolution isn’t just about machines in the sky. It’s also about the legal systems that need to support them on the ground.
And that’s where a new generation of lawyers is beginning to make its mark.
Aviation law is still an emerging field in India. Most law students don’t study it in their curriculum. Most firms don’t recruit directly for it. Yet, the demand is rising. From aircraft leasing and accident liability to policy advisory and regulatory drafting, the legal needs of this sector are growing faster than the supply of qualified professionals.
So how does a young lawyer stand out in such a space? Not by chasing what everyone else is doing. But by developing sectoral expertise in a field that is specialised, under-served, and future-relevant.
That’s exactly what students of the Advanced Diploma in Aviation Law are doing.
Ishita Pandya, a fifth-year law student, didn’t wait to finish law school before building a foundation in this field. “Learning aviation law with EBC is truly an enriching experience,” she says. “The modules and classes are structured to give a clear and practical understanding. Even the complex topics became accessible with the guidance of the teachers.”
Her story is becoming increasingly common. More and more students are realising that to be noticed, you have to offer something different from the crowd. Everyone has moot court experience, internship certificates, and a generalist CV. But how many can draft a concession agreement for a greenfield airport? Or understand ICAO regulations and India’s Civil Aviation Requirements?
Pallavi Barua (Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court of India), echoes this shift toward depth and specialisation. “I have always been a stickler for mastering niche subjects. When EBC introduced the Diploma in Aviation Law with Grayspace and Prof. Balakista Reddy, I enrolled immediately. The live classes, projects, and rigor made it feel like I was back in college. It gave me the clarity I needed to develop real expertise in airspace and aerodrome law.”
Standing out isn’t about flashy titles or last-minute electives. It’s about sustained, guided learning in a field that matters. Aviation law is deeply multidisciplinary. It cuts across constitutional law, international treaties, commercial transactions, safety regulation, and more. The legal frameworks involved are both highly specialised and constantly evolving.
Captain Firoz Gandhi, Advisor (Legal Aviation and Flight Safety) at India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), calls the diploma “a thoughtfully designed programme that fills a crucial knowledge gap in aviation.” For him, it provided structured insights into national and international aviation law, areas which are often ignored in traditional legal education. “This course is valuable for anyone aiming to build credible legal expertise in a fast-evolving sector,” he says.
Even for experienced professionals, the journey into aviation law rarely happens by design. It happens because someone takes the initiative to enter an unfamiliar but rewarding space. That initiative is what sets a young lawyer apart.
This is especially relevant today. As the sector undergoes digital transformation, introduces AI-enabled safety protocols, regulates unmanned aerial systems, and pushes for sustainable aviation fuel policies, legal challenges will become more nuanced. Governments and private players alike will need professionals who understand the legal and operational intricacies of flight.
That’s why the 1-Year Advanced Diploma in Aviation Law exists. Built by EBC Learning in collaboration with Grayspace Law and Policy Consulting, the programme is India’s most comprehensive up-skilling pathway for those looking to work at the intersection of law, technology, and aviation. It offers live faculty sessions, real-world assignments, and a curriculum designed to match the sector’s emerging needs.
Whether you’re a student, an early-career associate, or someone exploring a lateral move, this field gives you the chance to differentiate yourself. Not by following the herd, but by moving where the market is headed, and also getting there before everyone else.