India issued 1,331 commercial pilot licences in the first half of 2026
How many new commercial pilots does India produce? The government answered in Parliament in July 2026.
The figures
According to a written reply to the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol:
- 1,331 CPLs were issued from January to June 2026
- 791 went to pilots trained at Indian Flying Training Organisations (FTOs)
- 540 went to pilots trained at foreign FTOs, about 41%
Full-year totals for comparison:
- 2022: 1,165
- 2023: 1,622
- 2024: 1,347
- 2025: 1,652
At the first-half pace, 2026 could become the highest year on record.
India's training capacity
The same reply said India has 41 DGCA-approved FTOs operating from 63 bases with more than 400 training aircraft. Under the DGCA's aircraft-to-instructor-to-student norm of 1:1:10, the system can hold about 3,500 students at a time.
Why so many still train abroad
Students choose flying schools in the USA, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe and elsewhere for faster completion, better weather and more available aircraft. Several airline cadet programmes, including IndiGo's partnership with Skyborne in Florida, also include training abroad. Pilots trained overseas must convert their licence to an Indian CPL, which includes clearing DGCA papers.
The government's "Train in India, Fly in India" push, with FTO rankings and new flying schools, aims to bring more of this training home.
What it means for you
Whether you train in India or abroad, the DGCA theory exams are the common gate. Every Indian CPL holder needs Air Navigation, Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General, Technical Specific and RTR(A). Clearing them early, ideally before or during flight training, avoids months of waiting after your flying is complete.
Frequently asked questions
How many commercial pilot licences does India issue a year?
India issued 1,652 CPLs in 2025 and 1,331 in the first half of 2026 alone, according to the government's reply in Parliament.
Do pilots trained abroad need to clear DGCA exams?
Yes. A foreign licence must be converted to an Indian CPL, which includes clearing the required DGCA theory papers and RTR(A).
How many flying schools are there in India?
As of mid-2026 there were 41 DGCA-approved FTOs operating from 63 bases.
Sources
- https://www.siasat.com/india-issues-1331-commercial-pilot-licences-in-jan-june-govt-35103…
- https://blitzindiamedia.com/news/india-commercial-pilot-licences-h1-2026/
We summarise public reports in our own words. Check the original sources and official DGCA notices for the latest position.