GovernanceSecurity
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CBI Arrests DGCA Deputy Director and Reliance VP in ₹2.5 Lakh Bribery Case for Drone Import Approvals

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
20 Apr 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:₹2.5 Lakh₹37 LakhApril 18, 2026
Bodies:CBIDGCA
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The CBI arrested Mudavath Devula, Deputy Director General at DGCA, and Bharat Mathur, Reliance VP, for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹5 lakh per file for three drone import applications.

2.The agency recovered ₹2.5 lakh in a trap and seized ₹37 lakh in cash, gold, silver coins, and digital devices from searches at four Delhi locations.

3.This case tests knowledge of anti-corruption agencies (CBI), regulatory bodies (DGCA), and the Prevention of Corruption Act, with potential for statement-based MCQs on procedural traps.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The CBI has arrested a senior DGCA official and a Reliance VP for a bribery case involving ₹2.5 lakh, allegedly to fast-track drone import approvals. This highlights systemic corruption in regulatory clearances, a recurring theme in governance questions for UPSC and State PSCs. The case involves key institutions like CBI and DGCA, crucial for both Prelims and Mains.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Bribe Amount Trapped₹2.5 Lakh
Cash Seized in Raids₹37 Lakh
Case Registered DateApril 18, 2026
DGCA Official DesignationDeputy Director General, Airworthiness Directorate

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Bribe Amount Trapped: ₹2.5 Lakh
  • ›Cash Seized in Raids: ₹37 Lakh
  • ›Target this Data: ₹2.5 lakh (trapped bribe amount) and ₹37 lakh (cash seized).
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946 (governing CBI).

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) functions under which Union Ministry?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the recent CBI case:

1. The CBI arrested a Deputy Director General of the DGCA's Airworthiness Directorate for allegedly demanding a bribe.

2. The bribe was demanded to delay the import approval applications for drones from a private company.

3. During searches, the CBI recovered ₹37 lakh in cash along with gold and silver coins.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the news, what was the amount of cash seized by the CBI during searches in connection with the bribery case?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary significance of the CBI's action in arresting a DGCA official, as per the news article?

All 20 MCQs ▸
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