However non PCM students are also entitled to taking up flying the students are varied in their steps of acquisition. In India you may enrol to a Commercial Pilot Training (CPL) program with direct entry after Class 12th provided you have a PCM at least 50 per cent marks since that is the arrangement presented by DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). Yet students who might not have pursued PCM during Class 12th in school can do this later on. They can opt to take individual examinations in Physics and Mathematics in the form of individual examinations on reputed bodies like NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling). After successfully passing these subjects they can be discussed as possible candidates of pilot training similar to PCM students. Although PCM is mandatory at some point it does not imply that a student lacking PCM cannot become a pilot however he or she will have to cover the topics before seeking admission.
A large number of students taking commerce arts or other streams have cleared the necessary examination in Physics and mathematics and have gone on to become pilots. Once this criteria is met the route is the same for all pass a Class 2 and 1 medical pass the DGCA exams, train the flight hours and get the CPL. Even globally airlines and training institutes do not concentrate on what your original stream was, but only as to whether you qualify the technical and medical criteria. This implies that your school stream is not an unmoveable obstacle A bit of additional work in clearing Physics and Math can lead students belonging to the non PCM background to confidently pursue their ambitions of becoming a pilot.