India May Open Doors for Non-Science Students to Pursue Commercial Pilot Licences (CPL)
In a groundbreaking move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering a significant reform that could allow Class 12 graduates from the arts and commerce streams to pursue a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). This marks a departure from the traditional requirement, which limited eligibility to science students who had studied physics and mathematics.
If implemented, the proposed change would eliminate the longstanding barrier for students from non-science backgrounds, who were previously required to have studied physics and math to qualify for CPL training. While the medical fitness criteria will still apply to all applicants, the removal of this educational restriction is expected to open up the field to a broader range of candidates with a passion for aviation.
Historically, until the mid-1990s, a Class 10 pass was sufficient to begin CPL training in India. However, in recent years, the eligibility has been limited to students who completed their high school studies in the science stream, forcing many prospective candidates from the arts and commerce backgrounds to take additional courses in physics and math just to qualify.
“This has been a major barrier for many talented students,” said Captain, a veteran pilot. “They had to go through unnecessary hurdles to follow their passion.”
Many flying school operators have also criticized the rule, questioning its logic. “You don’t need physics or math to obtain a Personal Pilot Licence (PPL), even when flying a private plane. But for commercial aviation, it’s suddenly a requirement. It just doesn’t make sense,” said one official.
The aviation ministry is reportedly considering several measures to make pilot training more inclusive and aligned with the increasing demand in India’s fast-growing aviation industry. In addition to relaxing eligibility criteria, the DGCA is planning to implement a ranking system for flying schools based on critical factors like safety standards and the duration of CPL programs. This initiative aims to help prospective students make more informed decisions.
Currently, many Indian students opt for pilot training abroad due to concerns over the quality and timelines of domestic training programs. Authorities, however, are hopeful that these upcoming reforms will address these issues and expedite the training process, bringing positive changes to the aviation sector sooner than expected.
