PILOT CET 2025

India primarily regulates pilot licences through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The main types of licences are:

Student Pilot Licence (SPL) – a beginner licence that allows supervised solo flying as training progresses.
Private Pilot Licence (PPL) – permits private non-commercial flying. Useful for pilots flying for personal or recreational purposes.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) – enables a pilot to fly for hire or reward (i.e. as a professional). This is the standard licence for those wanting a career as a pilot.
Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) – the highest level of licence, required to act as captain of large multi-crew transport aircraft.
Multi Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) – India is considering introducing the MPL route (aligned with ICAO standards) as an alternative integrated training pathway focused from the outset on airline style multi crew operations.

Additional ratings (such as instrument ratings type ratings night ratings flight instructor ratings) are obtained as endorsements to these licences depending on the aircraft operations and the pilot’s career progression.

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

1. Age

SPL: minimum age is 16 years for solo flying.
PPL: typically 17 years minimum.
CPL: minimum age is 18 years at the time of application.
ATPL: usually requires 21 years of age and relevant flying experience.

2. Educational qualification

In general candidates must have completed at least higher secondary (10 + 2) education commonly with Physics and Mathematics. However recent regulatory proposals may relax this to allow students from arts/commerce streams under certain conditions.

3. Medical fitness

For a PPL: a DGCA approved Class 2 medical certificate is required.
For CPL and ATPL: a more stringent Class 1 medical certificate is mandatory.

The medical exam includes vision hearing physical health and overall fitness standards as defined by the DGCA.

4. Flight training and minimum flying hours

PPL candidates typically need around 40–50 flight hours (a mix of dual instruction solo flying and cross country navigation).
CPL candidates must log a minimum of 200 flight hours including required hours as pilot in command cross country flying and instrument flying followed by a DGCA conducted flight test.

5. Theoretical exams and practical test

Candidates must clear DGCA mandated ground school examinations covering subjects such as Air Regulations Aviation Meteorology Air Navigation Aircraft Technical Knowledge and pass a practical flying test with a DGCA examiner.

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

1. Age

2. Educational qualification

3. Medical fitness

4. Flight training and minimum flying hours

5. Theoretical exams and practical test

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Commercial Pilot License (4)

Commercial Helicopter Pilot License (2)

Private Helicopter Pilot License (3)

pilot (344)

PPL (1)

SPL (4)

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PILOT CET Helpdesk Number:- 7065 006 006

What are the pilot license types and requirements in India?

What are the basic eligibility requirements?

1. Age

2. Educational qualification

3. Medical fitness

4. Flight training and minimum flying hours

5. Theoretical exams and practical test

Commercial Pilot License (4)

Commercial Helicopter Pilot License (2)

Private Helicopter Pilot License (3)

pilot (344)

PPL (1)

SPL (4)