{"version":"1.0","provider_name":"My Blog","provider_url":"https:\/\/spaaviation.in\/blogs","author_name":"admin","author_url":"https:\/\/spaaviation.in\/blogs\/author\/admin\/","title":"How to Become a Pilot in India | Step by Step Guide - My Blog","type":"rich","width":600,"height":338,"html":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"H3ajV4KYFR\"><a href=\"https:\/\/spaaviation.in\/blogs\/how-to-become-a-pilot-in-india\/\">How to Become a Pilot in India | Step by Step Guide<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/spaaviation.in\/blogs\/how-to-become-a-pilot-in-india\/embed\/#?secret=H3ajV4KYFR\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" title=\"&#8220;How to Become a Pilot in India | Step by Step Guide&#8221; &#8212; My Blog\" data-secret=\"H3ajV4KYFR\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/spaaviation.in\/blogs\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/spaaviation.in\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/How-to-Become-a-Pilot-in-India-Step-by-Step-Guide-2.webp","thumbnail_width":1280,"thumbnail_height":720,"description":"Becoming a pilot in India is one of the most rewarding and most misunderstood \u2014 career decisions a student can make. With India&#8217;s aviation sector projected to be the third largest in the world by 2030, the demand for trained commercial pilots has never been higher. Airlines like IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air are hiring at record pace, and new routes are added every month. But for most students whether from science, commerce, or arts the path to the cockpit looks confusing. What exams do you clear? Which licence do you need first? How much does it cost? Can commerce students even become pilots? This guide answers every one of those questions clearly, accurately, and in the correct sequence. By the end, you will have a complete roadmap: from your 12th standard results to your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and your first airline interview. How to Become a Pilot in India \u2014 Complete Roadmap If you have just completed Class 12 with science, commerce, or any stream here is the complete step-by-step process to becoming a commercial pilot in India. Step 1 \u2014 Confirm Educational Eligibility Science students with PCM: you are immediately eligible. Commerce or arts students: clear Physics and Mathematics via NIOS before proceeding. Do not skip this step no flying school can admit you without confirmed 10+2 PCM eligibility. Step 2 \u2014 Get Your DGCA Class 2 Medical Certificate Book an appointment with a DGCA Class 2 Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). The medical covers vision (corrected vision is accepted in many cases), hearing, blood pressure, ECG, and general physical fitness. A Class 2 Medical is required to apply to a flying school. Start this early some conditions take time to evaluate or treat. A failed medical at this stage stops the process before it begins. Step 3 \u2014 Choose a DGCA-Approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO) Select a DGCA approved FTO these are the only schools authorised to issue licences recognised by DGCA India. Key factors to evaluate: Step 4 \u2014 Obtain Student Pilot Licence (SPL) The SPL is your first official aviation document. To get it, you submit your Class 2 Medical, 10+2 PCM marksheets, passport size photos, and an application to DGCA through the eGCA portal. There is no written exam for the SPL it is issued on document verification. With an SPL, you can begin flying with a certified instructor. Step 5 \u2014 Complete Ground School Ground school covers the theoretical knowledge required for DGCA written exams. There are 5 DGCA theory subjects you must clear: Additionally: English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment and RTR(A) (Radio Telephony Restricted Aeronautical) licence for radio communications. Ground school typically runs for 6 to 8 months alongside flight training. Step 6 \u2014 Earn Your Private Pilot Licence (PPL) The PPL is the intermediate licence between SPL and CPL. Requirements: minimum 40 flying hours dual and solo, pass PPL written exam, pass PPL skill test with a DGCA examiner. The PPL allows you to fly as pilot-in-command in non-commercial operations. Most students complete their PPL within 3 to 5 months of beginning flight training Step 7 \u2014 Build Flying Hours Toward CPL (200 Hours Minimum) For a DGCA CPL, you must log a minimum of 200 flying hours. The 200 hours must include: Flying Requirement Minimum Hours What It Covers Total flying hours 200 hours All combined flying including dual and solo Pilot-in-command (solo) hours 100 hours Hours you fly alone as commander Cross-country flying 20 hours solo Navigation flights away from home airport Night flying 10 hours Flying in low light\/night conditions Instrument flying (IFR) As required for IR Flying using instruments only, no visual reference Hour-building is the longest and most variable part of the training. In India, delays due to monsoon weather, aircraft grounding, and scheduling backlogs are common. Students training in the USA or other international locations often complete 200 hours significantly faster due to better flying-day consistency. Step 8 \u2014 Clear All 5 DGCA Theory Exams DGCA theory exams are computer-based and conducted at DGCA-authorised exam centres. You can appear for each subject separately. Passing marks: 70% in each subject. Maximum attempts: unlimited (but delays cost time and money). Most students complete all 5 exams within 8 to 14 months with proper ground school preparation and coaching. Step 9 \u2014 Obtain Instrument Rating (IR) The Instrument Rating (IR) is a mandatory add-on to the CPL that certifies you to fly in low-visibility conditions using instruments only. IR training is conducted in actual aircraft and\/or approved simulators. It requires additional flying hours specific to IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) operations. The IR is a prerequisite for airline operations no commercial airline will hire a pilot without it Step 10 \u2014 Pass the DGCA CPL Skill Test After logging 200+ hours and passing all 5 theory exams, you apply for the CPL Skill Test a practical flying exam conducted by a DGCA authorised examiner. The skill test evaluates: pre flight planning and aircraft checks, takeoffs, landings, and general aircraft handling, navigation exercises, emergency procedure handling, and instrument flying proficiency. Pass this test and you are awarded your Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). Step 11 \u2014 Apply for CPL Through DGCA eGCA Portal Submit your CPL application through the DGCA eGCA online portal (dgca.gov.in). Required documents: SPL, PPL, flight logbooks (verified by FTO), DGCA theory exam pass certificates, Class 1 Medical Certificate, RTR(A) licence, ELP certificate, passport, and photographs. DGCA processes CPL applications typically within 30 to 90 days depending on current workload. Step 12 \u2014 Complete Type Rating for Airline Joining A CPL alone does not qualify you to fly a commercial aircraft you also need a Type Rating. A Type Rating is aircraft specific training (e.g., Airbus A320 Type Rating or Boeing 737 Type Rating) that certifies you to operate that particular aircraft in commercial operations. Type Ratings cost approximately \u20b920 to \u20b935 lakhs additionally and take 2 to 3 months. Most airlines either require candidates to hold a Type Rating before applying, or they provide the"}