NEW DELHI- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering a significant policy change that would allow students from Arts and Commerce backgrounds to pursue careers as commercial pilots.
Students pursuing a career as pilots who didn’t study Physics and Mathematics in their regular Class 12 education fulfil DGCA requirements by taking these subjects through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). Now, DGCA is considering changing the NIOS exam requirements, TOI reported.
Photo: IGRUADGCA on Commercial Pilots Eligibility
Since the mid-1990s, only science and mathematics students have been eligible to train as commercial pilots in India. This represents a tightening of requirements compared to earlier standards, as before the 1990s, only a 10th pass (matric) qualification was necessary for CPL training.
The recommendation to eliminate the physics and mathematics requirement will be submitted to the Union Aviation Ministry for approval. If endorsed, CPL training would become accessible to students from all academic streams, provided they meet medical fitness criteria, which will remain unchanged.
IndiGo Airlines Flight Crew | Image credits to CAEExpert Opinion
Captain Shakti Lumba, a veteran pilot with 31 years of flying experience who retired as IndiGo (6E) VP-flight operations and previously headed Alliance Air (9I), supports removing this restriction, reported TOI. He points out that no country other than India requires physics and mathematics at the Class 12 level as eligibility criteria for CPL training.
“This is an archaic requirement and needs to go. The physics and maths taught in the 12th are not needed by pilots. They already have the required understanding of these subjects from whatever they have studied in junior classes.”
Captain Shakti Lumba told TOI
Under existing rules, arts and commerce students who aspire to become commercial pilots must take additional physics and mathematics examinations through open schooling (NIOS) to qualify for CPL training. Many determined students have pursued this challenging path.
Flying school operators have questioned the logic behind current regulations, noting a significant inconsistency: wealthy individuals seeking Private Pilot Licenses (PPL) face no physics and mathematics requirements, while commercial pilot candidates must meet this educational criterion.
Photo- BAA TrainingBroader Reforms
The potential change comes as part of wider efforts by the aviation ministry to address staffing needs in India’s growing airline industry.
The DGCA is also developing a ranking system for Indian flying schools based on safety records and training completion times, aiming to help prospective pilots make informed choices.
This initiative responds to concerns that have driven many Indian students to pursue pilot training abroad. Aviation officials indicate that these and other reforms will be implemented soon to strengthen the domestic pilot training ecosystem.
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The post DGCA Can Allow Any 12th Pass to Become Commercial Pilots appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
