How to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) in India
विमान रखरखाव इंजीनियर
Inspect, maintain and certify aircraft as safe to fly, under a DGCA licence.
- Streams
- Science (PCM)
- Time it takes
- About 4–5 years after Class 12 including required experience for the licence
- Key exams
- DGCA AME licence examinations
What you actually do
- Carry out scheduled checks on engines, structures, avionics and systems
- Troubleshoot faults reported by pilots and fix them by the manual
- Sign off maintenance work as a licensed engineer (B1 mechanical / B2 avionics)
A day in the life
A night shift in a hangar: reviewing the technical log, inspecting landing gear and engines, replacing a faulty component, and certifying the aircraft ready for the morning flight.
The path, step by step
- Class 9–10: strong maths and scienceabout 2 yr
- Class 11–12 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathsabout 2 yr
- DGCA-approved AME course (about 2–3 years) at an approved maintenance training organisationabout 2.5 yr
- On-the-job experience with an airline or MRO; pass DGCA AME licence modules (B1 or B2)about 2 yr
- First job: Aircraft Technician, then Licensed AME with an airline or MROabout 1 yr
Entrance and recruitment exams
| Exam | Conducted by | How often |
|---|---|---|
| DGCA AME licence examinations | 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 or PSU-linked institutes: moderate fees where available
Private route
Private DGCA-approved AME schools: high fees
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
Pay improves sharply once you hold a DGCA licence and type endorsements. Airlines and large MROs generally pay more than small operators. We do not quote figures.
Skills that matter
Is this for me?
Good fit if…
- You love aircraft and machines
- You are extremely careful and detail-minded
- You are fine with night shifts
Maybe not, if…
- You get careless with routine checks
- You dislike working outdoors and in hangars
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Common questions
How do I become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) in India?
1. Class 9–10: strong maths and science 2. Class 11–12 with Physics, Chemistry and Maths 3. DGCA-approved AME course (about 2–3 years) at an approved maintenance training organisation 4. On-the-job experience with an airline or MRO; pass DGCA AME licence modules (B1 or B2) 5. First job: Aircraft Technician, then Licensed AME with an airline or MRO
Which entrance exams lead to a career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)?
DGCA AME licence examinations (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 an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)?
Science (PCM).
How long does it take to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)?
About 4–5 years after Class 12 including required experience for the licence
How much does it cost to become an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME)?
Government route: Government or PSU-linked institutes: moderate fees where available. Private route: Private DGCA-approved AME schools: high fees. 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 an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) in India?
Pay improves sharply once you hold a DGCA licence and type endorsements. Airlines and large MROs generally pay more than small operators. 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.
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME): 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.
- Entrance and recruitment examsVerified 13 Oct 2026
Frequency shown is typical; dates, eligibility and patterns change every cycle.
DGCA AME licence examinations — Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
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