Do movies like Top Gun and Pearl Harbour fascinate you?
Does your adrenaline pump faster, when you imagine your career in a field that allows you to swirl in the clouds, and fly over the mountains?
If yes, then here’s your chance to explore one of the most adventurous career domains, Aviation – a career that allows you to rise as high as you want (quite literally).
How to Become a Pilot in India?
Broadly, there are two routes that enable one to pursue aviation as a career.
Route 1: Civil Aviation (Non-Military Aviation/ Commercial Pilot);
Route 2: Indian Defence Forces (Air Force)
Let’s look at both of them a little more closely to understand how to become a Pilot in India.
Route 1: Civil Aviation/ Commercial Pilot
A Commercial Pilot is a pilot who flies a specific aircraft type for an airline and holds a commercial pilot certificate issued by an authority.
In India, the authority is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Being a commercial pilot comes with a lot of responsibility.
You will be responsible for hundreds of lives in a single aircraft, taking them from point A to point B in the fastest and the safest way possible.
So, if you wish to enter this career path, or know someone who does, you are at the right place.
Subject Requirements to Become a Commercial Pilot
To pursue Aviation as a career, you need to opt for science stream – Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry being compulsory subjects.
If you do not have Physics and Math’s in your higher secondary, then after completing or alongside that you have the option of doing these two subjects from National Institute of open Schooling.
And then start your Pilot training course that permits you to take off flights approved by the flying clubs of the country.
Entrance Examinations to Become a Commercial Pilot
The admission to a pilot training course happens through a set entrance procedure that includes a written test, medical examination, and an interview.
Please note a minimum of 50% is required in class 12th to join a flying school. The minimum age 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
How Do You Become a Commercial Airline Pilot in India?
Following are the steps you need to take in order to become a commercial pilot:
Step 1. Enroll in a Flying School and Pursue B.Sc. in Aviation
This admission procedure generally consists of the following:
Written Examination- The test encompasses general English, Math’s, Physics and Reasoning (10+2 standard).
Pilot Aptitude Test- The test will assess your aptitude on Air Regulation, Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Aircraft and Engine Knowledge
Personal Interview and DGCA Medical examination- The candidates succeeding in written examination and aptitude test will be required to take a medical assessment conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India.
Step 2. Obtain a Student Pilot License
To obtain a student pilot license, you would have to appear for an entrance examination.
This consists of an Oral test and will be taken by the Chief Instructor at the School, or the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) representative.
This license allows you to get flying training and permits you to take off flights on gliders or small planes that are generally provided by approved flying clubs of the country.
By the time you complete your course, you should have completed a minimum of 250 flying hours, following which you can apply for the Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
Some of the leading institutes for pursuing an Aviation course:
● Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy (IGRUA), Rae Bareilly ● Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology, Kerala
● National Flying Training Institute, Gondia
● Bombay Flying Club, Mumbai
● Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics Ltd., Ahmedabad
● Madhya Pradesh Flying Club (MPFC), Indore
● CAE Oxford Aviation Academy, Gondia,
● Indigo Cadet Training Program, (Hamilton, New Zealand & Hyderabad, India)
Note: Every institute has their respective specifications concerning physical fitness, and eyesight specifically.
Additionally, I would like to point out that the cost to become a commercial pilot in India is quite high, somewhere around 15 to 20 lakh Indian Rupees. However, there is an alternative way to become a pilot in India without paying such high fees, and that is by joining the Indian Defense Forces. Read on for more information.
Route 2: Indian Defense Forces (Airforce)
If flying is your passion, however, you do not wish to spend a fortune for your pilot training program, then Indian Defence Forces could be the answer for you.
Here, not only do you get pilot training free of cost, but you also get to serve your nation, become a class-I officer and get handsomely paid for it, during your training itself.
Indian Armed forces majorly focus on OLQ’s (Officer Like Quality) while selecting all their candidates. These are 15 character sticks traits that a candidate must possess in order to become a successful military officer.
So, if you think you possess traits like Effective Intelligence, Reasoning Ability, Social Adaptability, Courage Stamina, etc. to name a few, the Indian Armed forces can be the right choice for you.
How to Become a Pilot in the Indian Air Force after Class 12th?
NDA Entry to the Air Force
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the first opportunity that you would get, to be a part of this esteemed institute and join the flying branch. Under this entry, the selected candidates are trained for a period of 3 years, at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. After the successful completion of the training, candidates are commissioned as a Permanent Commission Officer and posted as a Pilot at one of the Air Force Stations.
If you plan to join NDA, you will need to appear for, and qualify the NDA entrance examination.
NDA Admission Procedure
The admission procedure consists of the following:
Written Examination- The written examination has a maths based paper and a general ability test, which constitute the elements of English, Physics, Chemistry, Math, General Knowledge, History, Geography and Current Events.
SSB Interview- This consists of two stages:
- Stage 1 – Officer Intelligence Rating Test and a Picture perception and discussion test.
- Stage 2 – Only if you clear the first stage, you are qualified for the next stage. This stage comprises of psychological tests conducted by a psychologist, group tasks, and a personal interview.
Pilot Aptitude Test- You can take this test only once. If you don’t clear this in the first attempt, you are never eligible to appear for the flying branch again. This consists of written and machine tests to evaluate you on the basis of your ability to read instruments, control of your actions and mental strength.
Medical examination- You will be required to undergo a medical examination wherein your eyesight, height and weight will be examined. The minimum height required for an NDA aspirant is 152cms with correlated weight. Eye Vision Should be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
NDA Eligibility Criteria
If you are passionate to serve your country and be a part of the Indian defense forces, then you don’t have to wait until you are a graduate. NDA is the only entry that allows you to be the part of this esteemed institution right after you finish your higher secondary. The minimum age to apply is 16 ½ and the maximum age is 19 years.
Only Male candidates can apply for NDA. While applying for this entry you should have cleared 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics. Students appearing in final year of their college are also eligible to apply.
How to Become a Pilot in the Indian Air Force after Graduation?
1. CDSE Entry to the Air Force
Combined Defence Services Examination (CDSE) is for people who want to join Indian Air Force after graduation. The selected candidates are sent for training at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad, wherein they undergo Pre-Flying Training School. Post Completion of the training, the commissioned officers are assigned their flying units.
CDSE Entrance Procedure
The entrance process for CDSE consists of the following:
Written Examination- Elements assessed are English, Maths and General Knowledge
SSB Interview- This consists of two stages
- Stage 1- Officer Intelligence Rating Test and a Picture perception and discussion test.
- Stage 2- Only if you clear stage 1, you qualify for stage 2. This comprises of Psychological tests conducted by a psychologist, group tasks, and a personal interview.
Pilot Aptitude Test- This is once in a lifetime examination. If you don’t clear this in the first attempt, you are never eligible to appear for the flying branch again. This consists of written and machine tests to evaluate you on the basis of your ability to read instruments, control of your actions and mental strength.
Medical examination- The minimum height required for males for CDS entry is 162.5 cms with correlated weight. Eye Vision Should be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
CDSE Eligibility Criteria
Only Male graduates (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) / BE / B Tech (Four Year Course), holding an Indian passport are eligible to apply for CDSE entry. The minimum age to apply is 19 years to 23 years. The candidate should be unmarried at the time of applying.
*Please note- While filling up the application form for both NDA and CDSE, you will have to mention the preference of your wing, that is Air Force.
2. AFCAT Entry to the Airforce (SSC)
SSC stands for Short Service Commission. Under this entry scheme, candidates cannot serve in the Indian Air Force for more than 14 years. To join this branch, the candidates have to qualify the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT). The selected candidates are then sent for 74 weeks training course at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal.
SSC Entrance Procedure
It consists of the following:
Written Examination – Elements assessed are verbal ability, numerical ability, reasoning, general awareness, and military aptitude.
SSB Interview- This consists of two stages
- Stage 1- Officer Intelligence Test and a Picture perception and discussion test.
- Stage 2- Only if you clear stage 1, you qualify for stage 2. This comprises of Psychological tests conducted by a psychologist, group tasks, and a personal interview.
Pilot Aptitude Test- This is once in a lifetime examination. If you don’t clear this in the first time, you are never eligible to appear for the flying branch again. This consists of written and machine tests to evaluate you on the basis of your ability to read instruments, control of your actions and mental strength.
Medical examination- The minimum height required for males is 162.5 cms with correlated weight, and for women is 148cms with correlated weight. Eye Vision Should be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
SSC Eligibility Criteria
You should be a graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) / BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate. Unlike other entries, SSC allows both Male and female candidates to apply and be a part of this esteemed institution. Minimum age required at the time of commencement, of course, is 19 years to 23 years.
If you hold a valid and current Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA (India), then you can get an age relaxation up to 25 years. Similar to the other entries, you should be unmarried and be a citizen of India.
3. NCC Entry to the Air Force
If you were a part of your school NCC society 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 “A” or “B” grade in their “C” Certificate then they can directly appear for the SSB Interview.
NCC Entrance Procedure
It consists of the following:
SSB Interview- This consists of two stages:
- Stage 1- Officer Intelligence Test and a Picture perception and discussion test.
- Stage 2– Only if you clear stage 1, you qualify for stage 2. This comprises of Psychological tests conducted by a psychologist, group tasks, and a personal interview.
Pilot Aptitude Test- This is once in a lifetime examination. If you don’t clear this in the first time, you are never eligible to appear for the flying branch again. This consists of written and machine tests to evaluate you on the basis of your ability to read instruments, control of your actions and mental strength.
Medical examination- The minimum height required for males is 162.5 cms with correlated weight. Eye Vision Should be 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other, correctable to 6/6 only for Hypermetropia.
NCC Eligibility Criteria
You should hold NCC Air Wing Senior Division ’C’ certificate to be eligible for this entry. Only Male candidates can apply for NCC entry. You must be unmarried and should be an Indian citizen. Minimum age to apply is 19 years and the maximum is 23 years. You should be a graduate (Three Year Course) in any discipline from a recognised University (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) / BE / B Tech (Four Year Course) with a minimum 60% marks in aggregate.
Lastly, I would like to add that, no one field is better than the other. Both the fields would require you to possess good decision-making skills, perseverance and the ability to understand and cope with abnormal situations. So, if you are determined, and possess these qualities, then I would encourage you to think of making a career in this field and fly in 3-Dimensional space.