Pilot and Aviation

What you need to know

1. 1
   Aviation needs pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, cabin crew, air traffic controllers, ground and airport staff and drone pilots.
2. 2
   To become a commercial pilot you still need Class 12 with Physics and Maths, a DGCA medical, about 200 flying hours and DGCA exams.
3. 3
   Pilot training costs tens of lakhs of rupees and a licence does not guarantee a job. Other aviation jobs cost far less to enter.
4. 4
   Airlines and AAI never charge money for a job: fake offers are common.

Official sources

• pariksha.dgca.gov.inDGCA: pilot exam FAQ (eligibility)↗
• dgca.gov.inDGCA portal: training schools, medicals, exams↗

Inside this branch

• Every year: the calendar
• Commercial pilot4 more
• Aircraft engineer (AME)1 more
• Cabin crew and ground jobs2 more
• Air traffic controller2 more
• Drone pilot1 more
• Help with costs2 more
• Honest pay and jobs1 more
• Avoid scams1 more

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   IGRUA (government flying academy): applications usually open around March to May.
2. 2
   AAI air traffic control: recruitment is not yearly; when it comes, applications have usually been around April and May.
3. 3
   RGNAU aviation degrees: applications usually from April to June.
4. 4
   DGCA pilot exams run in several sessions through the year. Exact dates change: always check the official website.

Official sources

• igrua.gov.inIGRUA: selection procedure and fees↗
• aai.aeroAAI: recruitment (including air traffic control)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 6

• Official
  DGCA: pilot exam FAQClass 12 Physics and Maths rule, no upper age to register.
  Free
• Official
  DGCA Pariksha portalComputer number and exam registration.
  Free
• Official
  DGCA portalApproved flying schools, rankings, medicals.
  Free
• Official
  IGRUA: selection procedureEligibility, tests and the full fee.
  Free
• Official
  IGRUAGovernment flying academy notices.
  Free
• Article
  DGCA caution on training abroad (summary)What to check before paying a foreign school.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Who can start
• The steps
• Cost and schools
• Air Force route

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Class 12 with Physics and Maths from a recognised board; there is no upper age limit to register. A proposal to drop Physics and Maths has been made but was not in force when we checked, so confirm with DGCA first.
2. 2
   Arts and Commerce students often add Physics and Maths through NIOS (reported); DGCA asks for an equivalence certificate for boards other than state and central boards.
3. 3
   You need a DGCA medical early (Class 2 before training, Class 1 for the licence). Get it done before paying any school.

Official sources

• pariksha.dgca.gov.inDGCA: pilot exam FAQ (eligibility)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapWhich stream after Class 10?→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Get a DGCA computer number, pass the medicals, train at a DGCA-approved flying school for about 200 hours, and pass DGCA ground exams (air regulations, navigation, meteorology, technical) and the radio exam.
2. 2
   The Commercial Pilot Licence needs age 18. Airlines then need a type rating for a specific aircraft, often paid by the student (reported).

Official sources

• dgca.gov.inDGCA portal: training schools, medicals, exams↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   IGRUA, the government academy, charges about ₹45 lakh for the course plus boarding and kit, and selects through a test, aptitude test and interview.
2. 2
   Private schools are commonly reported at ₹40–60 lakh, and a type rating at ₹20–35 lakh more. DGCA now ranks flying schools: check the ranking.
3. 3
   Training abroad: DGCA has warned it does not oversee foreign schools, so delays and refunds are your risk.

Official sources

• igrua.gov.inIGRUA: selection procedure and fees↗
• teamleaseregtech.comDGCA caution on pilot training abroad (TeamLease summary)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   You can also fly in the Indian Air Force through NDA after Class 12 (with Physics and Maths) or AFCAT after graduation, with free training.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapDefence: Army, Navy, Air Force→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  DGCA: AME FAQEligibility, age 16 to register, computer number.
  Free
• Official
  DGCA portalList of approved CAR-147 training organisations.
  Free
• Official
  IGRUAAlso runs AME training.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The route

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths, or a diploma in mechanical, electrical, electronics or aeronautical engineering. You can register from age 16.
2. 2
   Train at a DGCA-approved (CAR-147) organisation (about 2 years, reported), gain work experience and pass DGCA exams for a B1 (mechanical) or B2 (avionics) licence.
3. 3
   DGCA does not give or recognise degrees: check the institute is on DGCA's approved list before paying.

Official sources

• pariksha.dgca.gov.inDGCA: aircraft maintenance engineer FAQ↗
• dgca.gov.inDGCA portal: training schools, medicals, exams↗
• Vaidaani roadmapEngineering and JEE→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  Air India cabin crew careersAge, height and education rules.
  Free
• Official
  Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation UniversityB.Sc Aviation and BBA Aviation Management.
  Free
• Official
  IndiGo: fake job warningNo fees for interviews, jobs or training.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Cabin crew
• Ground and airport work

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   There is no DGCA licence for cabin crew: airlines select and train their own crew. Air India, for example, asks for Class 12 with 50%, age up to 27 for freshers and a minimum height.
2. 2
   A private "air hostess academy" certificate is not required and DGCA does not monitor these academies.

Official sources

• cabincrewcareers.airindia.comAir India: cabin crew careers↗
• Vaidaani roadmapHotel Management→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Airlines, airports and ground-handling companies hire for check-in, ramp, cargo and operations, often after Class 12 or a degree. Aviation degrees (B.Sc Aviation, BBA Aviation Management) are offered by RGNAU and IGRUA.

Official sources

• rgnau.ac.inRajiv Gandhi National Aviation University↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 1

• Official
  AAI recruitmentJunior Executive (ATC) notices when announced.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Who can apply
• Selection and pay

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   A full-time B.Sc with Physics and Maths, or a B.E. or B.Tech in any branch with Physics and Maths in some semester, plus good English.
2. 2
   Upper age limit 27 (5 years more for SC and ST, 3 for OBC, 10 for PwBD).

Official sources

• aai.aeroAAI: recruitment (including air traffic control)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Online exam, then voice test, medical, psychological test and background check. You must reach the international English level during training, and sign a service bond.
2. 2
   Pay starts at the E-1 level (₹40,000 basic) plus allowances; AAI put the yearly cost to company at about ₹13 lakh.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 2

• Official
  Drone (Amendment) Rules 2022 (PDF)Remote Pilot Certificate through authorised schools.
  Free
• Official
  PIB: Namo Drone Didi (PDF)Drones and training for women's self-help groups.
  Free

Inside this branch

• How it works

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   A Remote Pilot Certificate comes only from a DGCA-authorised drone training school (RPTO). Usually you must be 18 or over and Class 10 pass (reported).
2. 2
   Drones are used in farming, survey, filming and inspection. Under Namo Drone Didi, women's self-help groups get drones with an 80% subsidy and training.

Official sources

• civilaviation.gov.inDrone (Amendment) Rules 2022 (PDF)↗
• static.pib.gov.inPIB: Namo Drone Didi (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 2

• Official
  Top Class Education for SC students (PDF)Covers pilot training at approved institutes.
  Free
• Official
  National Scholarship PortalCentral and state scholarships.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What exists
• For girls

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Top Class Education for SC students (Ministry of Social Justice) covers pilot training at approved institutes for families earning up to ₹8 lakh: check the current year's rules.
2. 2
   Some states have run their own pilot-training schemes (reported). Education loans are possible, but borrow carefully: a licence is not a job.

Official sources

• socialjustice.gov.inTop Class Education for SC students: guidelines (PDF)↗
• Vaidaani roadmapScholarships for every stage→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   India has one of the highest shares of women pilots in the world: over 15% (government figures), against about 5% worldwide. Drone Didi trains women too.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapFor girls: every scheme→
• static.pib.gov.inPIB: Namo Drone Didi (PDF)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 2

• Article
  IANS: pilot licences issuedHow many new pilots enter the market (reported).
  Free
• Official
  AAI recruitmentOfficial pay levels in each notice.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The money

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Airline first officers are reported at about ₹1.5–2.5 lakh a month and captains much more; cabin crew start at about ₹35,000–55,000 a month (reported).
2. 2
   Thousands of pilot licences are issued every year, and the government keeps no data on how many licence holders are jobless. Many wait months or years for a first job.

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 4

• Official
  IndiGo: caution against fraudOffers only from official email; never pay.
  Free
• Official
  AAI recruitmentApply only on aai.aero.
  Free
• Official
  DGCA portalCheck approvals yourself.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report fraud.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Red flags

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   "Pay a deposit, uniform or training fee to get an airline or airport job": IndiGo and AAI say they never charge for jobs. Offers come only from official company email addresses.
2. 2
   Schools claiming "DGCA approval" or "guaranteed airline job": check DGCA's lists yourself. Get the medical done before paying fees.
3. 3
   Drone certificates from schools that are not DGCA-authorised are not valid. Lost money? Call 1930.

Official sources

• goindigo.inIndiGo: warning about fake job offers↗
• aai.aeroAAI: recruitment (including air traffic control)↗
• dgca.gov.inDGCA portal: training schools, medicals, exams↗
• cybercrime.gov.inCyber crime portal (helpline 1930)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
Found a mistake in this topic? Tell us