4/20/23, 2:21 PM How to Become a Pilot after 12th: In India, Courses, Exams, Fees, Salary 2023 | CollegeSearch

How to Become a Pilot after 12th: In India,

Courses, Exams, Fees, Salary 2023
Free Counseling

Nikita Parmar  (https://www.collegesearch.in/writer- 

profile.php?id=5)
(https://www.collegesearch.in/writer- Updated on 30th March, 2023 , 10 min read
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How to Become a Pilot in India Overview U=HTT
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Pilots are highly experienced, talented, and licensed individuals who must complete a variety of training
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courses in order to operate an airplane or a helicopter. They are in charge of flying a variety of aircraft,
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including passenger planes, cargo planes, and postal planes and are also in charge of maintaining Pan 
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aircraft's internal mechanics and developing a flight plan while keeping numerous elements such as - B E C
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There are 17,726 pilots in India, with 2,764 of them being women. MINI=T

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There are specific requirements for becoming a pilot in India that must be met in order to have a good
career in the field. Students must have completed a necessary subject combination of Physics,
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Chemistry, and Mathematics in order to pursue Undergraduate and Postgraduate Aviation Courses.
B.Sc. Aviation, BBA Aviation Management, MBA Aviation Management, B.E. Aeronautical Engineering,
and others are some of the top Undergraduate and Postgraduate degrees for becoming a Pilot after
12th grade. These courses are available in some of the best aviation colleges in the country, including
NIMS University (https://www.collegesearch.in/university/nims-university-jaipur), Indira Gandhi
Rashtriya Uran Academy, AIMS Institute (https://www.collegesearch.in/colleges/aims-institutes-
bangalore), Kristu Jayanti College (https://www.collegesearch.in/colleges/kristu-jayanti-college-
kjc-bangalore), and others.

How to Become a Pilot in India Course Highlights

The following are the most important aspects of how to become a pilot-

Entrance Exam NDA exam 

Eligibility  10 + 2 in Science (MPC)/Commerce

License  A Commercial Pilot License (CPL)

Salary Range (INR) 3.50 LPA- 5 LPA

Pilot Training Course 15 LPA – 20 LPA

Fees Free Counseling Check Eligibilty

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Pilot Classifications Commercial pilot, Airline pilot, Fighter pilot, etc.

Top Pilot schools in Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy, Bombay Flying Club, National
India Flying Training Institute, etc.

Who is a Pilot? 
A pilot is a trained professional who manages the aircraft controls while ensuring the safety of the crew
and passengers. You may fly passengers or freight from one point to another as a pilot, or you could
work for a company that offers charter flights, aerial photography, or rescue services. In India, pilots( Hcan
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work in various fields, including commercial aviation and the air force. They perform many pre-flight 
checks and ensure safe flying by operating the jet in accordance with rules. U=HTT
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Types of Pilots TO-BEC
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There are many sorts of pilots based on the streams and disciplines that applicants pursue. Mentioned
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Different type of Pilots (HTTPS
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Airline Transport Pilots These are the pilots who fly commercial jets for
private airlines and transport customers. P I L O T )
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Private Pilots Those who can afford a private aircraft like to

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have access to private pilots at all times.

Sports Pilots They must fly below 10,000 feet and mostly
within a specific range.

Flight instructors They work for a training company and are in

charge of teaching other aspiring pilots how to
fly.

Air Force Pilots Trained by the country's air force, they are
professionals in flying armed planes for the
defence ministry.

Read more about Loco Pilot Salary (https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/loco-

pilot-salary)  Airport Manager Salary
(https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/airport-manager-salary-crs)

License to Become a Pilot

The following is the list of license to become a pilot in India-

1. Private Pilot License (PPL): A Private Pilot License allows a person to fly small jets and private
planes. They are unable to fly commercial aircraft. Millionaires or government agencies employ
them to fly personal planes.
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2. Certified Flight Instructor (CFL): A CFL license allows a person to give flying lessons in flight
training institutes. They pass on their expertise to subsequent generations.
3. Commercial Pilot License (CPL): After the 12th grade, the most in-demand license to become a
pilot is the Commercial Pilot License (CPL). Individuals with a Commercial Pilot License may
operate large airline commercial jets.

How to Become a Pilot in India?

To become a pilot in India, specific processes and preparations must be taken beginning in elementary
school. The following are the actions that may be taken to become a Pilot at various levels- 

How to Become a Pilot in India After 12th? (HTTPS

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The actions outlined below are critical for becoming a pilot after successfully completing Class 12th-

1. After finishing Class 12, students interested in becoming pilots can study several Undergraduate
Aviation Courses such as BSc Aviation or any other undergraduate program.
2. Students interested in becoming pilots might pursue Postgraduate Aviation courses such as MSc
Aviation Courses. In addition, they must pass Pilot Licensing Exams before becoming eligible to
become a pilot.

To become a Pilot After 12th, students must follow specific stages and procedures that are critical for
an efficient and easy voyage through the process. Mentioned below are the step wise process of
becoming pilot in India after 12th Class:

Steps  Details 

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Step Select a Flight This approach would not only ensure that the students receive an in-
1 Training Institute depth study of the subject, but it would also lay a firm basis for them to
flourish as individuals. 

National Flying Training Institute, Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran

Academy, Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology, Bombay
Flying Club, and others are among the best aviation institutes in India.

Step Gain Experience Gaining experience is the second most important step in becoming a 
2 pilot after 12th grade, with students needing to accumulate flying
hours.  (HTTPS
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Commercial pilots must have 250 hours of flying time, whereas airline
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Formal training will give a basic education; however, individuals who
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personal tutor or even join the military.  
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Some of the top licenses that prospective pilots may obtain are the
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Private Pilot License (PPL), Certified Flight Instructor (CFL), P I L O T )
Commercial Pilot License (CPL), Commercial Multi-Engine LandT O - B E C
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Step Finish All Training All aptitude and psychological examinations must be passed, and
3  and Examinations students must get experience as a Pilot and Co-Pilot in a regionalP I L O T )
airline.

Pilots will be able to apply for larger airlines and extensive hours of
flying after getting adequate experience.

Step Airline Pilot The advancement from pilot to captain is totally determined by
4 Experience seniority and experience. 

Pilots seeking extra flight ratings must pass further FAA written and
practical tests. 

Pilots can continue to study and explore the changes in the business. 

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the

International Federation of Airline Pilots Associations (IFALPA) offer
educational seminars and webcasts to help pilots improve their skills
and advance their careers.

Eligibility of Pilot Course after 12th

In India, eligibility to become a pilot is determined by two factors: physical fitness and educational
qualifications. In order to become a pilot, each candidate must meet certain qualifying conditions. Male
and female pilots have distinct physical needs.

The physical qualifying standards for both female and male flyers are listed below-

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Physical Requirements of Pilot Course (Male Candidate)

The list of physical qualifications required to become a pilot after the 12th grade is given below- 

Specifications  Details

Height  163.5 cms

Vision  6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other 

Leg Length  99 cms - 120 cms (HTTPS

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Sitting Height  81.5 cms - 96 cms URL=H
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Candidates must not be colorblind or suffer from night blindness. TO-BEC
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The list of physical qualifications required to become a pilot after the 12th grade is given below-  PILOT)
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Specifications  Details
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Height  162.5 cms

Vision  6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other

Leg Length  99 cms - 120 cms

Thigh Length  64 cms

Sitting Height  81.5 cms - 96 cms

Candidates must not be colorblind or suffer from night blindness.

The DGCA has special qualifications for becoming a commercial pilot after the 12th.

Also Read: Aviation Courses (https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/aviation-

courses).

How to become a Pilot: Educational Requirements

The educational requirements for students desiring to become pilots after the 12th grade are provided
below-

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1. Candidates interested in becoming pilots should have a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical

Engineering, Aircraft Operations, or a similar field.
2. Students from any other science stream can apply for this course; but, in order to work in this field,
they must first complete an aviation degree.
3. Every pilot must have a pilot transformation certificate and instrument rating certification. Students
must get a commercial pilot license.
4. A minimum of 250 hours of ground training is required for aspiring pilots to get a pilot's license.
5. Aside from flying technical capabilities, students must also possess personal and emotional
attributes in order to become pilots. 
Pilot Course Eligibility Criteria (HTTPS
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To enroll in any of the aviation courses, one must fulfill the school or academy's qualification
requirements. To become a pilot in India, you must have completed the 12th grade and have the U=HTT
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1. The candidate must be at least 17 years old to begin training. URL=H
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3. One must have completed MPC subjects (Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry) as well as English TO-BEC
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at an intermediate level. (HTTPS

4. If a person is not a science student, then he/she can take the needed topics through the National
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5. A medical certificate from the proper authorities is required.
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Pilot Course Entrance Exams Accepted
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Some of the most important entrance exams that must be passed in order to become a pilot are listed
below- 

AFCAT (Air Force Common Admission Test)

Specifications Details

AFCAT Full-Form Air Force Common Admission Test

Registration Date To be Notified

Exam Date To be Notified

Mode of AFCAT Exam  Online 

Total no. of Questions 100

Marks  3 marks for each correct answer (-1 negative marking)

Duration  120 minutes

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Total Marks 300

NDA (Union Public Service Commission National Defence Academy and

Naval Academy Exam)

Specifications Details

NDA Full-Form Union Public Service Commission National Defence Academy and Naval 
Academy Exam
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Registration Date December 2022
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Exam Date To be Notified

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Mode of NDA Exam  Offline  
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Total no. of 270
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Questions TO-BEC
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Duration  5 hours PILOT)

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Total Marks 900  PILOT)

CDSE (Union Public Service Commission Combined Defence Services)

Specifications Details

CDSE Full-Form Union Public Service Commission Combined Defence Services

Registration Date October 2022

Exam Date To be Notified

Mode of CDSE Exam  Paper-Based

Total no. of Questions English - 120 General Knowledge - 120 Elementary Math - 100 

Marks  1 marks each 

Duration  6 hours

Total Marks 300

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Skills required to Become a Pilot in India 

Aside from academic knowledge, students must have the following skills to be good pilots-

1. Physical Fitness
2. Technical expertise
3. Decision-making and critical thinking
4. Environmental and situational awareness
5. Excellent communication abilities.
6. A very focused and disciplined disposition 
7. High degree of adaptability
8. Mental fortitude and physical fitness (HTTPS
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Also Read: AME Course (https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/aircraft- 

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maintenance-engineering-ame-crs)  Aerospace Engineering Course URL=H
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Mentioned below are some of India's most famous colleges for pilot training and education along with
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Flight Training Colleges Average Annual Fees (INR) TO-BEC

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Academy  Rs. 42 lakh  PILOT)

The Bombay Flying Club (BFC) Rs. 10 lakh 

National Flight Training Institute Rs. 50.05 lakh 

Government Aviation Training Institute Rs. 55 lakh 

Indian Institute of Engineering and Aeronautics Rs. 12 lakh

Indian Institute of Aeronautics Rs. 1.70 lakh

Wingsss College of Aviation and technology Rs. 23 lakh

Hindustan Aviation Academy Rs. 4 lakh 

Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics Rs. 20 lakh 

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How to Become a Pilot in India: List of Aviation Courses

The following are the UG and PG courses that a prospective pilot might study to advance his
profession in the aviation industry- 

Aviation UG Courses List

Courses Annual Fees 

(INR)
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B.Sc. Aviation Rs. 65k
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BBA Aviation Operations Rs. 78k  
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BBA Airport Management  Rs. 1 lakh 
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B.Sc. Aeronautical Science  Rs. 90k ( H T T P S
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BMS in Aviation Management  Rs. 80k
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B.E. in Aeronautical Engineering Rs. 3 lakh
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B.E. Aerospace Engineering (https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/aerospace- Rs. 3.75 lakh

engineering-crs)

B.Tech  Aeronautical Engineering (https://www.collegesearch.in/aeronautical- Rs. 2 lakh

engineering-in-india)

B.Tech Avionics Engineering Rs. 90k

Aviation PG Courses List

Courses Annual Fees (INR)

M.Sc. Aerospace Engineering Rs. 2 lakh 

MBA in Aviation Rs. 10.50 lakh

M.Sc. in Aviation Rs. 6 lakh

M.Sc. Aeronautical Science Rs. 7.35 lakh 

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M.E. Aeronautical Engineering Rs. 8 lakh

M.Tech. Aeronautical Engineering Rs. 9.90 lakh

M.Tech. Aerospace Engineering Rs. 2 lakh

M.E. Aerospace Engineering Rs. 5.90 lakh

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M.Tech. Avionics Engineering Rs. 8.75 lakh
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List of Certification to Become Pilot U=HTT
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Certifications Annual Fees (INR)T O - B E C
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Aviation: Airline Customer Rs. 36k PILOT)
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Cabin Crew Training Rs. 31k  PILOT)
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Service Course: Aviation Industry Rs. 36k

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Aviation: Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Rs. 36k

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Security Operations, Processes & Strategies in Aviation Rs. 36k

Pilot Salary In India (https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/salary-of-a-pilot)

The wage structure for all pilots differs; we have included the salary structure of pilots based on
numerous characteristics below-

Sector-Wise Salary Placement of Pilot

Name of the sector Average Annual Salary (INR)

Government (IAF) Rs. 5 - 8 lakh

Private (Commercial) Rs. 18 - 60 lakh

Specialization-Wise Salary of Pilot In India

Types of Pilots Average Annual Salary (INR)

Private Pilots Rs. 1.5 - 2 lakh

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Flight Instructors Rs. 3.2 lakh

Commercial Pilots Rs. 24 lakh

Airline transport Pilots Rs. 11 lakh 

Experience-Wise Salary Salary of Pilot in India 

Experience (in years)  Average Annual Salary (INR)
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20 +  up to Rs. 90 lakh

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Top Recruiting Companies of Pilot PILOT)

Some of the largest employers in this field include-

1. Air India
2. IndiGo
3. Air Asia
4. Spice Jet
5. Air India Charters Ltd.
6. Vistara
7. Jet Airways
8. Indian Air Force 
9. Personal Charted Plane

Difference between Civil Aviation and Armed Force Aviation

In order to become a pilot in India, aspirants can pick between two options: civil aviation or the Indian
Defense Force. 

1. Civil Aviation: To become a Pilot in Civil Aviation, commonly known as a Commercial Pilot,
aspiring candidates must get several commercial pilot certificates from various permitted agencies,
according to India's Directorate of General Civil Aviation.
2. Indian Defence Force: To become a pilot for the Indian Defence Force, one must first pass
numerous Entrance Exams, after which they must undertake rigorous training for three years at the
National Defence Academy before joining the Indian Air Force (IAF). Aside from the multiple-
aptitude tests, candidates must also pass medical exams in which their height, weight, and eyesight
are meticulously assessed.
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Also Read: Aviation Courses after 12th

(https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/aviation-courses-after-12th)   BBA in
Airport Management  (https://www.collegesearch.in/articles/bba-in-airport-
management-crs)

Advantages of a Pilot Career

The following are some of the advantages of how to become a pilot in India- 
1. Good Income: Pilots are paid a good salary, which allows them to live well and afford to make
investments. As a pilot, with a solid pay scale, one can also fly to locations they have never been
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5. Flexible working hours: Because pilots have flexible working hours, they can travel according TtoO - B E C
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How to Become a Pilot after 12th: In India, Courses, Exams, Fees, Salary P I L O T )
2023 FAQs

What are some of the challenges Pilots face?

Q-1
Ans. To cope with any problems that may arise, pilots must be able to function successfully
under pressure. They must also be versatile because they must think on their feet as well as
adjust to unusual working hours. Working at different times of day is another issue that pilots
frequently face.

What should I do when I graduate from high school if I want to be a pilot?

Q-2
Ans. You can join the IAF's flying branch after passing the NDA. It is a general ability and
math-based exam with the major disciplines of English, Geography, History, General
Knowledge, Physics, Maths, Chemistry, and Current Events.

What is the cost of the pilot's course?

Q-3
A pilot training course typically costs between Rs. 15 lakhs and Rs. 50 lakhs.

What is the typical work schedule of a pilot?

Q-4
Ans. A pilot typically spends 75 hours per month flying and 150 hours non-flying.

Should I go to college before starting flight training?

Q-5
Ans. It is not necessary to attend university to become a pilot, however, it may be a good idea.
There is no proper or incorrect answer as to whether or not you should go; it is totally
dependent on individual circumstances.

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