Air India Cadet Pilot Programme selection: stages

Air India Cadet Pilot Programme selection: stages, tests and how to prepare

The Air India Cadet Pilot Programme selects aspiring pilots for Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training at the Air India Flying Academy in Amravati and two flight schools in the United States, followed by a type rating, over approximately 24 months. Selection runs from an online application through a technical evaluation to a non-technical evaluation with panel and group interviews. Entry rules include Indian citizenship or OCI status, age 18 to 30 and 60% in 10+2 including English, Mathematics and Physics. Checked against archived copies of the programme site dated 8 September 2026 and 25 January 2025.12

The programme site, as archived on 8 September 2026, describes the online application and the technical and non-technical evaluations. Checked 25 October 2026.1

Programme Overview

The Air India Cadet Pilot Programme selects aspiring pilots to undergo Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Training and Type Rating.1

Training Providers

CPL Training is provided at the Air India Flying Academy and two global Air India partner schools.1

Primary Academy Location

The Air India Flying Academy is based in Amravati, Maharashtra.1

Partner School Locations

Two partner schools for CPL Training are based in the United States.1

Type Rating Location

Type rating will be provided at Air India-affiliated ATOs, including Air India’s upcoming simulator centres in Gurugram, as per Air India’s fleet requirement.1

Ground Training Location

Candidates will do their CPL Ground training in India. (January 2025 copy)2

Flight Training Facility

Candidates will do their flight training at the selected partner school's facility. (January 2025 copy)2

AeroGuard Specific Location

Air India cadets based at AeroGuard will be located at their Phoenix location. (January 2025 copy)2

Course Duration

The time span for the overall cadet programme is approximately 24 months inclusive of type rating. (January 2025 copy)2

Exclusions from Cost

Accommodation, transport, and airline tickets may or may not be excluded as it varies by flying school. (January 2025 copy)2

Payment Structure

Training amount would be paid in installments based on training milestones shared by each partner school. (January 2025 copy)2

Financing Support

Applicants selected for the programme can avail special benefits with financial institutions collaborated with by Air India. (January 2025 copy)2

Technical Evaluation Scope

The technical evaluation tests critical thinking, numerical reasoning, pressure performance, motor skills, and spatial awareness.1

Non-Technical Evaluation Scope

This stage evaluates collaboration capacity, group dynamics thriving, and distinction during panel and group interviews.1

US partner schools

As archived on 8 September 2026, the programme site names AeroGuard Flight Training Center and Acron Aviation Academy as the two US partners for CPL training. The January 2025 course page named AeroGuard (Phoenix) and L3Harris (Sanford, Florida) instead.1

Air India Flying Academy

The Air India Flying Academy at Amravati airfield aims to provide end-to-end CPL training in a fully residential programme; the 8 September 2026 copy of the site marks its DGCA licence as pending.1

Training cost

Details of the training cost are provided once a candidate is enrolled, before training starts, and the partner schools share payment plans based on training milestones. (January 2025 copy)2

About Air India Cadet Pilot Programme

Based in India, Air India Cadet Pilot Programme is a pilot training programme. It belongs to Air India.

Programme partner: Air India Flying Academy (Amravati) and two Air India partner schools in the United States. As of 28 October 2026, the programme was listed as closed to new applications. The selection is described stage by stage on this page.

Where to train for Air India Cadet Pilot Programme

One flight school has a published link with this airline. Each entry says what the link is and who states it.

AeroGuard Flight Training CenterPhoenix, United States · Air India Cadet Pilot ProgramCadet programme partnerAccording to the school

Airline links show where a school has a published tie with the airline. Each airline runs its own selection.

What does Air India Cadet Pilot Programme ask of pilots?

Selection Process Fee

Candidates must pay for the selection process if they meet eligibility criteria. (January 2025 copy)2

Nationality Requirement

Applicants must be a citizen of India or an OCI holder.1

Age Requirement

The age eligibility for candidates is 18 to 30 years.1

English Proficiency

Candidates shall demonstrate good command of written and spoken English.1

Educational Qualification

High School Education Certificate with 60% in 10+2 including 60% marks in English, Mathematics & Physics.1

NIOS Acceptance

National Institute of Open Schooling scores are accepted if minimum percentage criteria are met. (January 2025 copy)2

Medical Health Status

Candidates should be in good physical and mental health.1

Medical Examination

Candidates are required to clear a DGCA Class 1 Medical test prior to starting flight training.1

Reapplication Rule

Applicants may reapply only after a cooling period of 3 months from the date of their previous application.1

Interview and group exercise

Air India says the non-technical evaluation looks at your capacity to collaborate effectively, your ability to thrive in group dynamics and how you distinguish yourself in panel and group interviews. It also looks for good written and spoken English and good physical and mental health. Choose two or three real examples of teamwork, taking responsibility and staying calm under pressure, from school, sport, family life or volunteering, and practise telling each in under two minutes. In the group part, listen first, build on other people’s ideas and keep the group on time; in the panel part, address everyone in the room and say clearly why you want to become an Air India pilot.1

What you can practise here

Start with eligibility: your 10+2 marks in English, Mathematics and Physics, your age and your OCI or citizenship documents. Applicants may reapply only after a cooling period of 3 months, so apply when you are ready. Then revise 10+2 maths and physics, keep your English sharp and train numerical reasoning, multitasking and spatial skills in short sessions for the technical evaluation. For the non-technical evaluation, prepare your examples and practise group and panel conversations, and plan the DGCA Class 1 medical before flight training starts. The practice plan for this selection includes Mathematics, Numerical reasoning, Verbal reasoning, Abstract reasoning, Multitasking, Arithmetic: mixed problems, Time arithmetic (hours and minutes), Group exercise practice and Interview preparation. A Pass unlocks the practice modes in that plan and runs for a week, a month, three months or a year, with no subscription and no automatic renewal.

Questions candidates ask

What are the educational qualifications required? You must have a High School Education Certificate with 60% in 10+2 including 60% marks in each of English, Mathematics, and Physics. National Institute of Open Schooling scores are accepted provided you meet these minimum percentages. What is the age limit for applicants? Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years of age. You must also demonstrate good command of written and spoken English. Do candidates need to pay for the selection process? Yes, payment is required if you meet the eligibility criteria. The link for payment will be shared with eligible candidates. Where does the CPL training take place? CPL ground training is done in India. Flight training takes place at the Air India Flying Academy in Amravati, Maharashtra (its DGCA licence was marked pending in the September 2026 copy) or at partner schools in the United States. How long is the overall cadet programme? The overall cadet programme spans approximately 24 months. This duration includes both the Commercial Pilot License training and the type rating. Can I reapply if I fail the selection? Applicants may reapply only after a cooling period of 3 months from the date of their previous application. Is financial assistance available for training costs? Air India has partnered with a financial institution so cadets can avail financing for training. Selected applicants can access special benefits with these collaborated institutions. What happens during the technical evaluation? This stage tests your critical thinking, numerical reasoning, ability to perform under pressure, motor skills, and spatial awareness. Your performance determines progression to the next phase. What are the exclusions from the training cost? Accommodation and transport at ground school and airline tickets to flying school may be excluded as it varies by school. Details regarding these exclusions are provided prior to commencement of training. When is the medical test? You must clear a DGCA Class 1 medical test before flight training starts.12

CADET PROGRAMME