Hi, Future Pilot.. Your vision to become a pilot have drove you here. You might be thinking how to become a Pilot in India? If your answer is yes, then this blog is for you!
Becoming a Pilot, not only get to rise up in the skies, but also in the life. Just to let you know commercial pilots are paid one of the highest pay in India. Airlines in India pay as much as 3 Lacs rupees per month for a fresh pilot. The average salary for an Airline Pilot is 6 Lacs of rupees per month and Experienced pilots operating on international routes are paid around 8 to 9 Lacs of rupees per month.
It is not difficult to become a pilot in India. There are some guidelines which have to be followed.
In India, There are two ways that enable one to get aviation as a career.
1: Commercial Pilot (Civil Aviation/Non-Military Aviation);
2: Indian Defence Forces (Air Force)
If you are planning to get into career path of a pilot, you can do a pilot training course after 12th or qualify NDA exam to have the training of an Air Force pilot. The requirement to become a pilot after 12th is that you should have completed your 12th in Science. However, now a days, there are various training academies that started offering admission to commerce students as well. The minimum age limit aspiring to become a pilot in India is 17 years and you will also have to show your medical & fitness certificate.
Let’s check both of them a little more deeply to understand how to become a Pilot in India.
Commercial Pilot / Civil Aviation
A Commercial Pilot holds a commercial pilot certificate issued by an authority known as DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and they are a pilot who flies a specific aircraft type. Being a commercial pilot comes with many responsibilities. You will be responsible for hundreds of lives in a single aircraft, taking them from source to destination in the safest & the fastest way possible.
So, if you would like to get into this career path, this article is for you.
Required Subjects
To choose Aviation as a career, you need to opt for science stream – Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics being mandatory subjects. Alternatively, If you do not have Mathematics and Physics in your higher secondary, you have the option of doing these two subjects from National Institute of open Schooling and then begin your Pilot training course that allows you to take off flights sanctioned by the flying clubs of the country.
Entrance Examinations
The entry to a pilot training course happens through an entrance procedure that includes a medical examination, written test, and an face-to-face interview. Please note a minimum of 55% is required in class 12th to join a flying school and age limit to apply for Pilot License, are as follows:
- Student Pilot License is 16 years
- Private Pilot License is 17 years
- Commercial Pilot License is 18 years
Following are the steps you need to take in order to become a commercial pilot:
Step 1. Enroll in a Flying School & Pursue B.Sc. in Aviation
This admission procedure generally includes the following:
Written Examination : The test encompasses general English, Physics, Math’s, and Reasoning (12th standard).
Pilot Aptitude Test : This test judge your aptitude on Air Regulation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Engine and Aircraft Knowledge.
Personal Interview & DGCA Medical examination : The candidates succeeded in aptitude test & written examination, will be required to take a medical assessment conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India.
Step 2. Obtain a Student Pilot License
To apply for pilot license, you would have to appear for an entrance examination. This exam includes an Oral test & will be taken by the Chief Instructor at the School, or the DGCA representative (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). This license permit you to get flying training and allows you to take off flights on small planes that are generally provided by approved Indian flying clubs.
By the time you complete this training and course, you must have completed minimum 250 hours of flying, following which you can apply for CPL (the Commercial Pilot License).
Some of the leading institutes for pursuing an Aviation course:
● IGRUA (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy), Rae Bareilly
● Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology, Kerala
● National Flying Training Institute, Gondia
● Bombay Flying Club, Mumbai
● Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd., Ahmedabad
● MPFC (Madhya Pradesh Flying Club), Indore
● CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, Gondia,
● Indigo Cadet Training Program, (Hamilton, New Zealand & Hyderabad, India)
Note: Every institute has their respective specialization concerning eyesight, and physical fitness specifically.
Additionally, We would like to mention that, the cost to become a commercial pilot in India is little on higher side, somewhere around 20 to 25 lakh Indian Rupees. But, there is an alternative way to become a successful pilot in India without paying such higher fees, i.e. by joining the Indian Defense Forces. continue reading for more details.
Indian Defense Forces (Airforce)
In case flying is your dream, but, you do not want to spend more money for your pilot training program, then Indian Defense Forces is the best choice for you. This is how, not only you get pilot training at free of cost, but also get to serve your nation, become a class-I officer and get better paid for it, during the training itself.
Indian Armed forces mostly focus on Officer Like Quality (OLQ’s) while selecting all their candidates.
These are 15 character sticks traits that a candidate should hold in order to become a military officer. So, if you think you hold traits like Effective Intelligence, Social Adaptability, Reasoning Ability, Courage Stamina, etc. to name a few, the Indian Armed forces can be the suitable choice for you.
How to Become a Pilot in the Indian Air Force after 12th Class?
NDA Entry to the Air Force
The NDA (National Defence Academy) is the first option that you get, to be a part of this esteemed institute and join the flying branch. At this entry, the candidates are trained 3 years at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune, Maharashtra. After the completion of the training, candidates are authorized as a Permanent Commission Officer and posted at one of the Air Force Stations as a Pilot.
If you are planning for NDA, you will need to appear for it, and qualify the NDA entrance examination.
NDA Admission Procedure
Written Examination – The written examination has a Math’s based paper & a general ability test, which includes the elements of English, Chemistry, Physics, Math, History, General Knowledge, Geography & Current affairs.
SSB Interview – This consists of two stages :
- 1st Stage – Officer Intelligence Rating Test, A Picture perception & discussion test.
- 2nd Stage – Once you clear the 1st stage, you are qualified for the 2nd stage. This stage includes psychological tests conducted by a psychologist, a personal interview, and a group tasks.
Pilot Aptitude Test – You can appear for this test only once. If you do not clear this test in the first attempt, you will never be eligible to appear for the flying branch again in future. This consists of machine and written tests to assess you on the basis of your ability to read instruments, mental strength, and control of your actions.
Medical examination – A medical examination wherein your eyesight, height and weight will be inspected. The minimum height needed for an NDA candidate is 152 cms with correspond weight. Eye Vision must be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other eye, correctable to 6/6 for Hypermetropia.
NDA Eligibility Criteria
If you want to be a part of the Indian defense forces and passionate to serve your country, then you do not have to wait until you are a graduate. NDA is the entry that allows you to be the part of this esteemed right after you complete your higher secondary. The minimum age to apply is 16 and the maximum age is 18 years.
Only Male candidates can apply for this esteemed. While applying for this entry you should have cleared 12th class with Mathematics and Physics. Students appearing in final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply.
How to Become a Pilot in the Indian Air Force after Graduation?
- CDSE Entry to the Air Force
Combined CDSE (Defence Services Examination) is for candidates who want to join Indian Air Force after graduation. The selected candidates are allowed for training at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, wherein they undergo Pre-Flying Training. Post Completion of this training, the commissioned officers are allocated their flying units.
CDSE Entrance Procedure
Written Examination – Elements assessed – Maths, English, & General Knowledge.
SSB Interview – This consists of two stages
- 1st Stage – Officer Intelligence Rating Test, A Picture perception & discussion test.
- 2nd Stage – Only if you clear 1st stage, you qualify for 2nd stage. This includes Psychological tests conducted by a psychologist, a personal interview, & group tasks.
Pilot Aptitude Test – This is one time examination. If you do not clear this test in the first attempt, you will never be eligible to appear for the flying branch again in future. This examination includes machine & written tests to examine you on the basis of your mental strength, abilities to read instruments, and control of your actions.
Medical examination – The height needed for males for CDS entry is minimum 162 cms with correlated weight. Eye Vision Should be 6/6 in one eye & 6/9 in other eye, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
CDSE Eligibility Criteria
Only Male graduates (3 Yrs Course) in any discipline from a recognized University (with Mathematics and Physics subject in 12th class) / BE / B Tech (4 Yrs Course), You should have an Indian passport, which is eligible to apply for CDSE entry. The age to apply is 19-23 years. also, The candidate must be unmarried at the time of applying.
*Please note- At the time of filling up the application form for both CDSE and NDA, you will have to mention the preference of your wing, that is Air Force.
2. AFCAT Entry to the Airforce (SSC)
SSC means Short Service Commission. Under this entry scheme, The candidate can’t serve in the Indian Air Force for more than 14 years. To join this field, the candidate should qualify the AFCAT Test i.e. Air Force Common Admission test. The passed candidates are then sent for 74 weeks training at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, Telangana.
SSC Entrance Procedure
Written Examination – Elements assessed are verbal ability, reasoning, numerical ability, general awareness, and military aptitude.
SSB Interview – This consists of two stages
- 1st Stage – Officer Intelligence Test and a Picture perception, discussion test.
- 2nd Stage – Only if you clear 1st stage, you qualify for 2nd stage. This comprises of Psychological tests conducted by a psychologist, a personal interview and group tasks.
Pilot Aptitude Test – This is one time examination. If you do not clear this test in the first attempt, you will never be eligible to appear for the flying branch again in future. This consists of machine and written tests to evaluate candidates on the basis of ability to read instruments, control of your actions & mental strength.
Medical examination – The height required for males is minimum 162 cms with correlated weight, and for women it is 148 cms with correlated weight. The Eye Vision Should be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other eye, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
SSC Eligibility Criteria
You should be a graduate (3 Yrs Course) in any discipline from a recognized University (with Mathematics and Physics at 12th classs) / BE / B Tech (4 Yrs Course) with a min. 60% marks in aggregate. Unlike other entries, SSC allows both Female & Male candidates to register and be a part of this esteemed institution. Minimum age needed at the time of commencement, is 19-23 years.
If you hold a current & valid Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA, you can get an age relaxation up to 25 years. Similar to the other entries, you should not be married and should have an Indian nationality.
3. NCC Entry to the Air Force
If you were a part of NCC society in your school time and are an Air Wing Senior Division ‘C’ Certificate holder, then you can join the Air Force (Flying Branch) through the Directorate General National Cadet Corps or through your respective NCC Air Squadrons. If a candidate has secured grade ‘A’ or ‘B’ in their ‘C’ Certificate then the candidate can directly appear for SSB Interview.
NCC Entrance Procedure
SSB Interview – This consists of two stages:
- 1st Stage – Officer Intelligence Test and a Picture perception & discussion test.
- 2nd Stage – Only if you clear 1st stage, then only you qualify for 2nd stage. This comprises of Psychological tests conducted by a psychologist, a personal interview and group tasks.
Pilot Aptitude Test – This is one time examination. If you do not clear this test in the first attempt, you will never be eligible to appear for the flying branch again in future. This consists of machine and written tests to evaluate on the basis of your ability to read instruments, mental strength and control of your actions.
Medical examination – The height required for males is minimum 162 cms with correlated weight. Eye Vision must be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other eye, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
NCC Eligibility Criteria
For eligibility, You must hold NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate. Only Male candidates can apply for NCC . You should be unmarried and should have an Indian nationality. age to apply is Minimum 19-23 years. You should be a graduate (3 Yrs Course) in any discipline with Physics and Mathematics at 12th class / BE / B Tech (4 Yrs Course) with a minimum aggregate 60% marks.
At the end, I would like to mention that, no one field is better than the other. Both the fields would require you to have good decision-making skills, cope with abnormal situations, and perseverance and the ability to understand. In case you are determined, and possess these skills, then I would encourage to make a career in this field and fly in 3-Dimensional space & would also encourage you to grace yourself with skills required in the space of flying right from an early age that is 10th grade.
You can read books, related articles, watch documentaries, and listen to inspiring people who are successful in same field and follow the process.
All The Best & Fly Safely!