Have you always dreamed of soaring high in the skies as a pilot? Does the thought of operating an aircraft and exploring different destinations excite you? If yes, you’ve come to the right place.
How to Become a Pilot in India After 12th Class?
Becoming a pilot in India is an exciting yet challenging journey. In this comprehensive guide, we will simplify the process and clear all your doubts regarding how to become a pilot after the 12th in India.
We will cover the following aspects in detail:
Eligibility Criteria to Become a Pilot in India
The basic criteria set by aviation regulatory bodies in India to become a pilot are:
- Educational Qualification: 10+2 passed or equivalent examination with Physics and Mathematics
- Age Limit: Minimum age of 17 years
- Medical Standards: Meet the medical fitness standards set by DGCA
However, the eligibility can vary slightly depending on the type of pilot license you wish to obtain. Let’s understand the requirements for different pilot categories:
Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
To become a commercial pilot flying airlines or chartered planes in India, you need:
- 10+2 examination pass
- Minimum 50% marks in Physics and Mathematics
- Class 1 medical certificate by DGCA
Private Pilot License (PPL)
The criteria to obtain a private pilot license for non-commercial flying are:
- 10+2 examination pass
- Minimum 50% marks in Physics and Mathematics
- Class 2 medical certificate by DGCA
Indian Air Force Pilot
To join the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot, you need:
- 10+2 pass with Physics and Mathematics
- Clear the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam
- Meet the medical fitness and height standards set by IAF
So if you’ve studied Physics and Maths in 12th standard, congratulations, you meet the basic academic criteria!
Note: 12th-appearing students can also apply for certain pilot training programs.
Exams for Becoming a Pilot After 12th
Different pilot categories require clearing unique entrance tests:
Commercial Pilot Training Exam
Reputed flight training academies conduct their own entrance exams to screen candidates for CPL training. The exam tests your:
- Aptitude
- English proficiency
- Technical knowledge
Based on your scores, you may also need to appear for an interview.
NDA Exam for Air Force Pilot
To become a pilot in the Indian Air Force, you need to crack the NDA exam held twice a year by UPSC. The NDA comprises two stages:
- NDA Written Test: Comprises Mathematics, General Ability Test, and General English sections
- SSB Interview: 5-day long process testing your intelligence, personality, and pilot aptitude
Cracking both stages requires thorough preparation.
Medical Tests to Clear for Becoming a Pilot
You need to clear stringent medical tests conducted by certified Aviation Medicine doctors to ensure you’re fit to fly an aircraft.
The tests check your:
- Eyesight
- Hearing ability
- Height & weight
- Heart function
- Blood pressure
- Spine & muscular function
The medical tests check the following aspects to ensure candidates are fit to fly an aircraft:
Eyesight
- Distance vision must be 6/6 or better with or without glasses
- Near vision should be N5 with or without glasses
- Color vision must be normal
- Night blindness is a disqualification
Hearing Ability
- Ability to hear a forced whisper from a distance of 2 meters with each ear
- Hearing loss more than 30 Decibels in speech frequencies is disqualified
Height & Weight
- Height and weight must be proportional as per DGCA guidelines
- Obesity with high BMI can cause disqualification
Heart Function
- Normal heart rhythm and stable blood pressure
- Tests like ECG, stress test etc. are conducted
- Heart conditions and high BP can risk disqualification
Blood Pressure
- BP levels during rest and under stress are checked
- Hypertension history leads to unfit assessment
Spine & Muscular Function
- Spine flexibility and range of motions tested
- Muscle tone, reflexes and coordination checked
- Defects like scoliosis can cause unfitness
So the medical exam thoroughly checks the physiological parameters vital for flying an aircraft safely. The Class 1 exam for airline pilots is very strict compared to Class 2 exam for private pilots.
Height Requirement for Pilots
Height is an important criterion for becoming a pilot. The requirements differ for commercial airline pilots and Indian Air Force pilots.
Commercial Pilots
- There is no minimum height requirement specified by DGCA for obtaining a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in India
- Candidates need to pass CPL written exams and flying tests. Height does not directly impact eligibility
- A shorter height can be a disadvantage for passing strict medical tests, but does not lead to outright rejection
Indian Air Force Pilots
- Meeting the height norm is compulsory to join IAF as a pilot
- For Flying Branch, the minimum acceptable height is 162.5 cms for both men and women
- No relaxations by age, gender, or region
- Minimum leg length has to be 99 cms and sitting height is 81.5 cms
- Height criteria is more relaxed for Ground Duty technical/non-technical branches
Height is not an eligibility barrier for aspiring commercial pilots. But it is an important qualification for joining the Indian Air Force as a pilot. Meeting the medical norms is also tougher for shorter candidates.
Pilot Training Programs After 12th in India
Once you meet the eligibility criteria and clear the entrance tests, the next step is undergoing pilot training. Let’s explore popular training options after the 12th for different pilot categories:
Commercial Pilot Training
Reputed flight schools and academies like Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA), Bombay Flying Club, etc. offer CPL programs comprising:
- Ground Training: Technical subjects like air regulations, navigation, meteorology, aircraft systems, etc.
- Flying Training: Hands-on flying experience under supervision
The entire training takes around 12-24 months. On completion, you get a Commercial Pilot License approved by DGCA.
Private Pilot Training
You can obtain a Private Pilot License by undergoing shorter PPL training for around 6-12 months at flying clubs. The syllabus covers ground technical classes and flying practice.
A PPL allows you to fly small aircraft for personal use.
Indian Air Force Training
After NDA selection, you undergo 3 years of intensive training at the Air Force Academy comprising:
- Flying theory and practice
- Navigation techniques
- Aviation medicine
- Military training
Pilot cadets also need to complete B.Tech/B.Sc courses under JNU during training.
Career Options After Pilot Training in India
Your career path after becoming a pilot depends on the type of training you underwent:
- Commercial Pilots: Can seek jobs as first officers or captains in airline companies like IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, etc. Opportunities also exist in corporate aviation.
- Private Pilots: Can rent or buy small aircraft for personal trips, rescue work, agriculture, etc. Some private pilots also teach flying.
- IAF Pilots: Get commissioned as Flying Officers after training and can fly fighter jets, transport aircraft or helicopters in the Air Force. Promising career growth prospects exist.
So choose your pilot training program wisely based on your career interests!
Cost of Becoming a Pilot in India After 12th
A common concern among aspirants is the fees for pilot training in India. Here’s a breakdown:
- Commercial Pilot Training – ₹15-25 lakhs (depends on flying hours required)
- Private Pilot Training – ₹8-15 lakhs
- Air Force Training – Sponsored by IAF (only a ₹800 exam fee for NDA)
Scholarships can help reduce costs. Bank loans are also available for aviation courses.
Salary of Pilots in India
The lucrative pay packages of pilots in India make the costs worthwhile:
Commercial Pilots
- Co-pilots at airlines – ₹3-4 lakh p.a. to start
- Senior captains – ₹1-2 crore p.a.
Private Pilots
- ₹6-8 lakh p.a. on average
Indian Air Force Pilots
- Flying Officers – ₹56,100 per month
- Allowances extra
- Promotions to higher ranks and pay scales assured
Besides pay, pilots get added benefits like free airline tickets, club memberships, etc.
How to Select the Right Flying School?
Choosing a good flight training academy ensures you learn correctly and become a skilled pilot. Factors to consider while selecting an aviation school are:
- Approvals & Record: Check they have DGCA approval and a high safety record.
- Infrastructure: Modern aircraft, simulators, airfield, classrooms etc.
- Faculty: Experienced instructors with an airline background.
- Location & Weather: Suitable for frequent flying practice.
- Affiliation: Tie-ups with foreign schools.
- Placement Support: Track record of providing airline placements.
Recommended Flying Academies
- Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
- Bombay Flying Club
- Rajiv Gandhi Aviation Academy
- Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics
- Orient Flight School
Do extensive research to find the best flight school that matches your needs and budget.
Scholarships for Pilot Training After 12th
To make pilot training affordable for deserving students, certain scholarships are provided by:
- Rajiv Gandhi National Flight Training Scholarships – For SC/ST candidates
- Pilot Training Scholarship Scheme – By AAI for economically weak candidates
- Oasis Flight Training Scholarship – For female candidates
Eligibility criteria exist for each scholarship. Browse available funding options on the DGCA website.
FAQs on Becoming an Airline Pilot in India
Let’s answer some common queries on how to become a pilot in India:
Q. Can commerce or arts students become pilots?
Yes, bypassing class 12 standards with Physics and Mathematics or clearing the same subjects later through NIOS/IGNOU.
Q. What is the minimum height required to become a pilot?
For commercial pilots, there’s no prescribed height limit. But taller height (5’4” for males and 5’2” for females) helps to qualify for the strict medical tests.
Q. Can girls become pilots after 12th science?
Absolutely! Flying is a gender-neutral career open to both girls and boys.
Q. Which stream is best for becoming a pilot?
The science stream comprising Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics allows you to meet the course eligibility criteria easily.
Q. How long does the training take to become an airline pilot?
CPL training takes 12-24 months duration including flying practice. Air Force training is 3 years.
Becoming a pilot in India after completing 12th standard opens up an exciting career that allows you to soar high in the skies.
Gaining entry requires meeting eligibility criteria, clearing relevant exams, and stringent medical tests and then enrolling for high-quality flight training. Commercial aviation and the Indian Air Force are two routes you can take.
The lucrative salary, growth prospects, and thrill make a pilot’s career rewarding. Passion, hard work, and determination will help you overcome all challenges in your journey to becoming a pilot after the 12th! So unfold your wings and let your pilot dreams take flight!