India Cadet Pilot Programs · 2024–2025 Guide

BECOME A CADET PILOT IN INDIA

Everything you need to know about IndiGo and Air India's cadet pilot programs — eligibility, selection, training phases, costs, and which one is right for you.

Scroll to explore
IndiGo Cadet Program · ₹94L–₹1.32Cr Air India FlyHigh · ₹1.1Cr+ Junior First Officer on A320 · ₹50K–1.5L/month Captain Salary · up to ₹8L/month IndiGo FTOs · CAE · Chimes · Marigold · Skyborne · Insight Air India FTOs · AeroGuard · L3Harris · AIFTA Amravati Min Age · 18 years Min Marks · 51% (IndiGo) · 60% (Air India) in PCM+English DGCA Class 1 Medical required Guaranteed LOI on program completion IndiGo Cadet Program · ₹94L–₹1.32Cr Air India FlyHigh · ₹1.1Cr+ Junior First Officer on A320 · ₹50K–1.5L/month Captain Salary · up to ₹8L/month IndiGo FTOs · CAE · Chimes · Marigold · Skyborne · Insight Air India FTOs · AeroGuard · L3Harris · AIFTA Amravati Min Age · 18 years Min Marks · 51% (IndiGo) · 60% (Air India) in PCM+English DGCA Class 1 Medical required Guaranteed LOI on program completion
Program Overview

Two Routes.
One Cockpit.

6E
✈
India's #1 Low-Cost Carrier
INDIGO
Cadet Pilot Programme

The largest cadet intake in India. IndiGo partners with 7 Flight Training Organisations worldwide — giving you the most options in terms of location, training style and price point. Train on Airbus A320 and join as a Junior First Officer on domestic and international routes.

Launched
2018
Aircraft
Airbus A320
Duration
18–24 months
Intake Size
Largest in India
AI
✈
India's Flag Carrier · Tata Group
AIR INDIA
FlyHigh Cadet Programme

Launched in February 2024 under the Tata-owned Air India revival. Training in the USA with AeroGuard and L3Harris, plus Air India's own new Flying Training Academy (AIFTA) in Amravati with 34 trainer aircraft. Type rating across Boeing and Airbus fleets.

Launched
Feb 2024
Aircraft
A320 / B787 / B777
Duration
~24 months
Own Academy
AIFTA, Amravati
Eligibility Criteria

Do You
Qualify?

Check the detailed requirements for both programs side by side. Meeting all criteria is mandatory before applying.

IndiGo CPP
Cadet Pilot Programme
6E
🎂
Age
18 to 32 years at time of application
📚
Education
10+2 with min 51% (Grade C1/6 CBSE) individually in Physics, Mathematics & English. NIOS accepted.
🩺
Medical
DGCA Class 2 before applying. DGCA Class 1 required before LOI signing. No visible tattoos or piercings.
🛂
Nationality
Indian National or OCI card holder. Valid passport. Unrestricted right to live and work in India.
🗣️
Language
Proficient in spoken and written English
⚖️
BMI
BMI certificate 18–25 from NABL-accredited lab (Chimes FTO requirement)
⏱️
Availability
Must be fully available to join batch — no pending semesters or notice periods
Air India FlyHigh
Cadet Pilot Programme
AI
🎂
Age
18 to 30 years at time of application (stricter age cap)
📚
Education
10+2 with min 60% individually in Physics, Mathematics & English. Higher bar than IndiGo.
🩺
Medical
DGCA Class 1 Medical required before commencing flight training. Min height: 158 cm.
🛂
Nationality
Indian citizen or OCI. Must have ability to travel internationally without restrictions.
🗣️
Language
Good command of written and spoken English — tested via ADEPT-15 aptitude assessment
⚖️
Physical
Good physical and mental health. Height-to-weight ratio assessed. Min height 158 cm.
📋
Selection
4-stage process: ADEPT-15 aptitude test + WingChallenge + technical interview + HR panel
Training Roadmap

Zero Hours
to First Officer

Step through each program phase. Toggle between airlines to see the difference in structure.

1
Phase 01 · Ground School · 3–4 months
DGCA THEORY
360 hours of comprehensive ground school in India. Covers Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, Radio Telephony (RTR), Aircraft Technical, Human Performance and more. DGCA exams must be cleared. RTR exam (Part 1 + Part 2) is a key milestone here — this is exactly what AIVR prepares you for.
DGCA MCQ RTR EXAM India
2
Phase 02 · Flight Training · 10–14 months
CPL FLIGHT TRAINING
Primary flight training at one of IndiGo's 7 FTO partners. Locations include India (Gondia, Dhana, Neemuch, New Delhi, Bengaluru), South Africa, USA (Florida, Vero Beach), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Thailand (Bangkok). Build hours on Cessna 172, Piper Archer, Diamond DA42, or equivalent. Acquire CPL (SE/IR/ME). Most FTOs provide dual DGCA + FAA or SACAA licenses.
200+ hrs CPL + IR + ME 7 FTO Options
3
Phase 03 · CPL Conversion · 1–2 months
DGCA LICENSE CONVERSION
Cadets who trained abroad convert their foreign CPL to Indian DGCA standards. Includes 8.75 conversion flight hours at a DGCA-approved FTO in India (typically Gondia). Technical ground exams for Indian regulatory compliance.
DGCA CPL 8.75 hrs
4
Phase 04 · Type Rating · 2–3 months
A320 TYPE RATING + MCC
Airbus A320 type rating at a TRTO (Type Rating Training Organisation) approved by IndiGo. Combined with Multi-Crew Coordination (MCC) and Jet Orientation Training (JOT). This is the final technical qualification before joining IndiGo's fleet.
A320 MCC JOT
✓
Outcome
JUNIOR FIRST OFFICER
All cadets who successfully complete the program and final IndiGo checks are offered positions as Junior First Officers at IndiGo Airlines, per the Cadet Pilot Agreement. Starting salary ₹50,000–₹1.5L/month, progressing to Captain at up to ₹8L/month.
Guaranteed LOI IndiGo Fleet
Head to Head

Full
Comparison

Category IndiGo CPP Air India FlyHigh
Program Launched 2018 — well established February 2024 — brand new
Min Education Score 51% in PCM + English Lower bar 60% in PCM + English
Age Limit 18–32 years More flexible 18–30 years
Training Locations India · South Africa · USA · Malaysia · Thailand More options USA (AeroGuard / L3Harris) · AIFTA Amravati, India
No. of FTO Partners 7 partners More choice 3 partners (AeroGuard, L3Harris, AIFTA)
Own Training Academy No dedicated owned academy AIFTA Amravati — 34 aircraft, 3 FTDs Own infra
Aircraft Type Rating Airbus A320 only A320neo · B787 · B777 Multi-fleet
Fleet Size & Growth ~350 aircraft (A320 family) ~200 aircraft → 670+ by 2027 Faster growth
Selection Stages 3 stages: ADAPT test · Group Task · PI 4 stages: ADEPT-15 · WingChallenge · Sim · Interview
Assessment Fee ₹35,000 (Chimes FTO) ₹35,000 approx
Program Cost ₹94L – ₹1.32Cr (varies by FTO) ₹1.1Cr+ Less variance
Loan Availability 90%+ funding via bank partners. Unsecured loans available. Better financing Partnered with financial institution for cadet loans
Training Duration 18–24 months ~24 months (incl. type rating)
Dual License FAA + DGCA (via select FTOs like Skyborne) FAA + DGCA (via USA-based partners)
JFO Starting Salary ₹50,000 – ₹1.5L/month ₹50,000 – ₹1.5L/month
International Routes Limited international routes as JFO 6 continents — strong international exposure More routes
NIOS Accepted Yes — 51% min More inclusive Not explicitly stated
Tattoo / Piercing Policy No visible tattoos or piercings Standard grooming requirements
Job Security India's largest airline by market share National carrier · Tata Group backing Premium brand
Financial Reality

What It
Actually Costs

Both programs require significant investment. Most FTOs offer 90%+ financing through bank partnerships. Costs shown are approximate 2024–2025 figures.

IndiGo CPP ₹94L – ₹1.32Cr total
Ground School + DGCA Exams
~₹3–5L
CPL Flight Training (abroad)
~₹55–80L
DGCA CPL Conversion
~₹3–5L
A320 Type Rating + MCC/JOT
~₹20–30L
Medical / Admin / Misc
~₹2–3L
Air India FlyHigh ₹1.1Cr+ total
Ground School + DGCA Exams
~₹3–6L
CPL Flight Training (USA/India)
~₹65–85L
Type Rating (A320/B787/B777)
~₹25–35L
Medical / Admin / Misc
~₹2–4L
Important Note on Financing

Most FTOs partnered with IndiGo offer bank financing with 90%+ coverage and some even offer unsecured loans — a first in India. Air India also has financial institution partnerships. RTR exam fees (Part 1 + Part 2) are generally not included in program costs — this is where AIVR helps you prepare and save on remedial attempts.

Our Analysis

Which One
Is Right?

Choose IndiGo If
You Want
Proven &
Flexible
Your 10+2 marks are between 51–59% — IndiGo's lower bar may be your only option
You are 30–32 years old — IndiGo's higher age limit works in your favour
You want maximum choice in training location (India, USA, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand)
You need the most competitive financing options — IndiGo FTOs have unsecured loan pathways
You prefer a well-established, large-intake program with many batch options per year
Flying on a focused, high-frequency domestic + short-haul network suits your goals
Choose Air India If
You Want
Prestige &
Global Reach
You want to fly wide-body aircraft (B787, B777) — only Air India offers multi-fleet type ratings
International long-haul flying is your primary career goal — 6 continents
You want the prestige of India's national flag carrier under the Tata brand
You prefer Air India's own training academy (AIFTA, Amravati) — 34 aircraft, end-to-end training
Air India's fleet is tripling by 2027 — massive JFO demand in coming years
You have 60%+ marks and meet the slightly higher academic bar
Ready Check

Your Pre-Application
Checklist

Tick off each item as you complete it. Track your readiness for both programs.

IndiGo CPP — Pre-Application
0 / 8 completed
10+2 with 51%+ in Physics, Math & English
Age between 18–32 years
DGCA Class 2 Medical obtained (CA-Form 35)
Valid passport held
No visible tattoos or piercings
BMI certificate (18–25) from NABL lab
Fully available to join batch (no notice period)
RTR Part 1 & Part 2 exam cleared (or in prep)
Air India FlyHigh — Pre-Application
0 / 8 completed
10+2 with 60%+ in Physics, Math & English
Age between 18–30 years
Minimum height 158 cm
Valid passport held
Good physical & mental health confirmed
DGCA Class 1 Medical (before flight training)
Prepared for ADEPT-15 psychometric test
RTR Part 1 & Part 2 exam cleared (or in prep)
RTR Exam Preparation
The RTR Exam Is
Your First Milestone

Both IndiGo and Air India require you to clear the DGCA RTR exam before commencing flight training. AIVR is India's only dedicated RTR Part 1 + Part 2 preparation platform — built specifically for cadet pilot applicants.

START RTR PREP FREE →
No signup · 6 minutes free · Part 1 + Part 2 + Pro Scenarios
Common Questions

FAQ

Can I apply to both IndiGo and Air India simultaneously?
+
Yes, there is no rule preventing you from applying to both programs at the same time. In fact, applying to both is a smart strategy — it maximises your chances of getting a LOI. However, note that once you sign a Cadet Pilot Agreement with one airline, you are contractually committed to that program.
Does previous flying experience reduce the training hours required?
+
No. For IndiGo's program, even if you have prior flying hours, they will not reduce the mandated training hours in the program. The structured cadet pathway has fixed requirements regardless of prior experience. Air India follows a similar policy for its standardised program.
What happens if I fail a DGCA exam during training?
+
Failing DGCA exams can extend your training timeline — and potentially the associated costs. CPL theory exams under SACAA (for overseas training) are valid for 18 months from enrolment. Remedials add time and fees. This is why adequate preparation before starting the program, especially for the RTR exam, is highly recommended.
Is the RTR exam compulsory before joining a cadet program?
+
The RTR (Radio Telephony Restricted) exam — Part 1 (theory) and Part 2 (practical) — is a mandatory DGCA requirement for anyone obtaining a Commercial Pilot Licence in India. It must be cleared before or during your flight training phase. Some FTOs build RTR preparation into their ground school; others do not. AIVR exists specifically to help cadet pilot aspirants clear RTR Part 1 and Part 2.
What is a Letter of Intent (LOI) and what does it guarantee?
+
An LOI (Letter of Intent) is issued by the airline to selected cadets before or at program entry. It confirms the airline's intent to employ you as a Junior First Officer upon successful completion of all training and checks. It is not an unconditional employment contract — you must pass all phases, medical requirements, and the final airline checks to convert it into a firm offer.
What is the salary progression for a cadet pilot in India?
+
Junior First Officers typically start at ₹50,000–₹1.5L per month. As flight hours accumulate, progression to Senior First Officer and then Captain follows. Senior Captains at IndiGo and Air India can earn up to ₹6–8L per month. The timeline to Captain varies but typically ranges from 8–15 years depending on fleet growth and individual performance.
Can I get a loan for the cadet pilot program?
+
Yes. IndiGo's FTO partners (especially Marigold) offer over 90% bank financing, and for the first time in India, unsecured loans are available for the program. Air India also has a partnered financial institution for cadets. Both programs cost ₹94L–₹1.32Cr+ so most candidates rely on education loans. Always compare interest rates across lenders.