Flight training in India

Indian pilot licences are granted by the DGCA under Rule 38 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, whose Schedule II sets age, educational qualification, medical fitness, examinations and flying experience for each licence. CAR Section 7 (Series B, C, D, G and others) adds examination eligibility, medical standards, training organisation approval and foreign licence validation. The flying experience for private and commercial licences must be acquired at an FTO approved or recognised by the DGCA and follow the DGCA syllabus. Foreign trainees need security clearance before training begins. Theory examinations are administered through the DGCA's Pariksha system.

Source: dgca.gov.in/digigov-portal/Upload

• Directorate General of Civil AviationIndia's civil aviation regulator: grants flight crew licences under the Aircraft Rules, 1937, approves Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), and publishes Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) including Section 7 on flight crew standards, training and licensing.

Listing here does not imply affiliation. Flight School Atlas is independent of every aviation authority.

• Private pilot

  Student Pilot's Licence, then training at a DGCA-approved FTO, written examinations and a skill test lead to the Private Pilot's Licence.

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• Commercial pilot

  A commercial pilot's licence requires a Class 10+2 education with Physics and Mathematics, Class 1 medical, DGCA examinations and minimum flight experience gained at an approved FTO.

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Names and privileges are local to India. Similar names in other countries are not interchangeable.

A regulatory minimum is a legal floor for the qualification. It is not the number of hours most students need, and not a guarantee of cost or completion time.

FTO

Flying Training Organisation approved or recognised by the DGCA to deliver flying experience for private and commercial licences.

CAR

Civil Aviation Requirement issued by the DGCA; Section 7 covers flight crew standards, training and licensing.

FATA

Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization, the validation of a foreign licence under Rule 45.

Schedule II

Schedule of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 that sets requirements for each flight crew licence.

The DGCA's CAR Section 7 Series C sets medical standards: Class 1 for commercial and airline transport pilots (and private pilots using instrument privileges), Class 2 for private and student pilots. Official medical information

Pilots must be proficient in English for radiotelephony, with at least ICAO Operational Level 4 endorsed on the licence before privileges can be used.

Languages of instruction among researched schools: English.

For foreign trainees the DGCA requires security clearance from the competent authorities before flying training begins, following a procedure published on its Pariksha portal; foreign nationals and OCI/PIO holders also need clearance from the competent authority for computer number generation. Visa matters are outside the DGCA sources read and should be checked with Indian visa authorities and the chosen FTO. Nothing here promises clearance, a visa or admission.

• DGCA Pariksha portal
• DGCA home (Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 7)

Training approval does not establish immigration permission or international-student eligibility. Verify current rules with the official sources above.

Under Rule 45 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, a foreign licence may be validated for a specific purpose and a limited period through a Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization (FATA), described in CAR Section 7 Series G Part II. The CAR sets licence and experience requirements. Series G Part I covers issue of Indian licences and ratings to holders of foreign licences.

• CAR Section 7 Series G Part II (Validation of foreign licences)
• CAR Section 7 Series G Part I (Issue of Indian licences to holders of foreign licences)