Hello, aspiring aviators! This is your Captain here, sharing a milestone moment for Indian aviation – and what it means for those of you dreaming of the cockpit.
No. of CPLs issued in last 3 years
- 2024 – 1,357 CPLs issued.
- 2023 – 1,622 CPLs issued.
- 2022 – 1,165 CPLs issued.
Notably, women accounted for about 18% of these licenses, a 22.5% year-on-year surge. These stats are more than impressive—they point to India being a global leader in gender diversity among pilots, with about 14% of airline flight deck crews being women.
Why the CPL Surge?
Several shifts have contributed to this growth:
- A fast-growing domestic aviation market rebounding after the pandemic.
- A surge in aircraft orders from major players like IndiGo, Air India, and others—creating demand for thousands of pilots in the years ahead
- Implementation of monthly licensing exams (since 2021), authorization for instructors to sign off training flights, and expanded flying training organizations (FTOs) double‑shifting operations—compressing training timelines and improving throughput.
What It Means for Pilots-in-Training
If you’re pursuing or planning CPL training, here’s why this matters:
- Jobs are coming. Fleet expansion means airlines will continuously need fresh, qualified pilots.
- Opportunity for women is growing. The rising share of licenses issued to women shows expanding inclusivity.
- Training quality and accessibility are improving. More FTOs and faster licensing processes mean quicker progress toward career-ready status.
DGCA Performance & Reform
Despite a rising workload, the DGCA has adhered to standard timelines: 22 working days for issuing new CPLs, and 31 for conversion from foreign licenses. With 228 sanctioned positions in its licensing directorate (including 12 of 15 technical roles currently filled), DGCA continues processing records at scale without significant delays.
Additionally, a recent move to submit a proposal to govt. to open pathways for Class XII arts and commerce students to join pilot training – ending long-standing restrictions limiting CPL eligibility to science students. This is a major step toward making aviation careers more inclusive nationwide.
Putting It All Together
As I train cadets through type ratings and line checks, I see the impact of these changes firsthand:
- An expanding pool of newly licensed pilots may intensify competition—but also fosters supportive peer networks.
- More women entering flight training makes the profession richer in perspectives and talent.
- DGCA’s evolving policies and increased approval of FTOs are helping students train domestically and affordably.
My message to students is simple: This is your moment. With CPL numbers hitting record highs and aviation demand soaring, the chances for growth in your pilot career are real and immediate.
Focus on training smart, stay disciplined, and maintain commitment to safety and professionalism. Whether your goal is flying narrow‑body jets domestically or commanding international widebodies, India’s runway is wide open now.