How to become a Commercial Pilot in India
वाणिज्यिक पायलट
Fly passenger and cargo aircraft safely, following DGCA rules and airline procedures.
- Streams
- Science (PCM)
- Time it takes
- About 1.5–2.5 years after Class 12, depending on training pace and weather
- Key exams
- IGRUA pilot training entrance, DGCA pilot licence examinations
What you actually do
- Plan flights using weather, route and fuel information
- Fly the aircraft with the co-pilot and communicate with air traffic control
- Run safety checks and handle abnormal situations calmly
A day in the life
Reporting for briefing, checking weather and the flight plan, a walk-around inspection, flying two or three sectors, and completing logs and post-flight paperwork within duty-time limits.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: strong maths and physics; check eyesight and general health earlyabout 2 yr
- Class 11–12 with Physics and Maths (NIOS allowed); get a DGCA Class 2 medicalabout 2 yr
- Clear DGCA Class 1 medical; join a DGCA-approved flying training organisation (e.g. IGRUA via its entrance)about 3 mo
- Ground classes and DGCA CPL theory exams; about 200 hours of flying for the Commercial Pilot Licenceabout 1.5 yr
- Type rating on an airliner (often arranged with or by an airline) and airline trainingabout 6 mo
- First job: First Officer (co-pilot) with an airline, or charter / cargo operatorabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| IGRUA pilot training entrance | Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi | As notified, usually once a year |
| DGCA pilot licence examinations (CPL) | Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) | Several sessions a year |
Exam dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle. Always read the latest notice on the official website before you apply.
Cost and pay
Government / public route
Government-run academies (e.g. IGRUA): high fees, though generally lower than private schools; some state schemes help
Private route
Private flying schools and abroad training: very high; type rating adds a large extra cost
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Salary
Airline pilot pay is generally high but depends on the airline, aircraft and seniority. Job openings follow the airline hiring cycle, so waiting periods can occur. We do not quote figures.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You have dreamt of flying and can meet the medical standards
- You stay calm under pressure
- You can follow procedures exactly
Maybe not, if…
- Your family cannot manage the high training cost or a loan
- You dislike irregular hours and nights away from home
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Common questions
How do I become a Commercial Pilot in India?
1. Class 9–10: strong maths and physics; check eyesight and general health early 2. Class 11–12 with Physics and Maths (NIOS allowed); get a DGCA Class 2 medical 3. Clear DGCA Class 1 medical; join a DGCA-approved flying training organisation (e.g. IGRUA via its entrance) 4. Ground classes and DGCA CPL theory exams; about 200 hours of flying for the Commercial Pilot Licence 5. Type rating on an airliner (often arranged with or by an airline) and airline training 6. First job: First Officer (co-pilot) with an airline, or charter / cargo operator
Which entrance exams lead to a career as a Commercial Pilot?
IGRUA pilot training entrance (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi); DGCA pilot licence examinations (CPL) (Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)). Check each official website for current dates and eligibility.
Which stream should I choose after Class 10 to become a Commercial Pilot?
Science (PCM).
How long does it take to become a Commercial Pilot?
About 1.5–2.5 years after Class 12, depending on training pace and weather
How much does it cost to become a Commercial Pilot?
Government route: Government-run academies (e.g. IGRUA): high fees, though generally lower than private schools; some state schemes help. Private route: Private flying schools and abroad training: very high; type rating adds a large extra cost. Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
What is the salary of a Commercial Pilot in India?
Airline pilot pay is generally high but depends on the airline, aircraft and seniority. Job openings follow the airline hiring cycle, so waiting periods can occur. We do not quote figures.
Sources and last check
We list every rate, limit and date this page relies on, where it comes from and when we last checked it. Rules change: please confirm on the official website before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
- Commercial Pilot: path, eligibility and costsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Approximate. Fees change every year and differ by state, institute and category (fee waivers and scholarships may apply). Always check the official fee notice.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation · Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
IGRUA pilot training entrance — Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi · DGCA pilot licence examinations (CPL) — Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
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