Hello, Joshi!

Becoming a pilot isn’t as tough as it sounds. Just because its training curriculum is almost different from any course taught in India, understanding it becomes a tad bit difficult.

1) Minimum Qualification

The minimum qualifications to become a pilot is scoring at least 55% aggregate marks in 10+2 in Science Stream (Physics, Chemistry and Maths).

If you are a non-science student, then you can study these subjects by enrolling in a course conducted by NIOS (National Institute of Open Sciences).

These are only the minimum qualifications to join a flying school, after entering a flying school one has to sail through many medical and physical tests to become eligible for the post of a pilot.

2) Choosing between Commercial and Army

This is just like choosing between medical and non-medical if you decide to pursue science. Just like medical and non-medical originate from a broader category (Science) similarly Commercial and Army Pilots originate from the same plant.

Although they both originate from the same plant, their selection process and training methods are poles apart. That is why it is advised first to sit down and decide what road(either commercial or air force) you are going to espouse.

3) Training

If you decide to become a commercial pilot, then you need to attend a flying school to earn your Commercial Pilot License(CPL). Some of the certified and reputed flying schools in India are:

• GRUA (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi), Fursatganj
• Gujarat Flying Club, Vadodara
• Delhi Flying Club, Delhi
• Madras Flying Club (Chennai)
• Patiala Aviation Club, Patiala
• Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation, Karnal

Aspirants who clear this entrance exam are then scrutinized through a physical and medical exam. After which the final candidates are hand-picked.

At the training school, students get in flight training as well as theoretical lectures.

But, if you decide to become an army pilot, then you need to enter the Indian Air Force.

The Indian Defence Forces have one of the most rigorous, competitive and highly efficient recruitment processes.

They test the candidates on various grounds again and again on multiple levels before handing him/her over a prestigious position in the army.

All the best!

Hope this helps!

Hi Joshi,

If you want to become a pilot then you can go for Indian Air Force or for private institutions. Qualifications required for both is mentioned below:

For IAF or Indian Air Force

1. SSC / HSC Qualified

2. Fluent and Excellent English Language Skills

3. Minimum Age required is 18 years

4. Excellent fitness standards required both mentally and physically

5. For Basic Airman training with IAF you have to pass entrance exams

For Private Institutions

1. SSC / HSC Qualified

2. Max age required is 18 years

3. Fluent and Excellent English Language Skills

4. Level-2 certificate is required for mental and physical fitness.

5. Pass a basic entrance exam from a private flying school.

For Pilot Training and study in India you can go for GATI, IGIA, Bombay Flying Club, Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics, Carver Aviation