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Application review and verification
IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme selection: stages, tests and how to prepare
The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme takes you from no flying experience to a Junior First Officer seat on the Airbus A320, with a CPL and type rating in about 21 months. Selection consists of a written Math, Physics and English test, a psychometric evaluation, a group discussion or group task and an individual interview, with a maximum of two attempts per stage. In June 2024 IndiGo reported over 1,000 pilots inducted through its full training programmes in 13 years. Checked 25 October 2026.1524
- Programme
- Ab-initio cadet programme leading to a CPL and an Airbus A320 type rating, then a Junior First Officer role with IndiGo1
- Duration
- Combined CPL and A320 type rating takes 21 months, plus 2 to 3 months for DGCA licence and type rating paperwork1
- Training partners
- IndiGo described Marigold as its 9th cadet programme partnership in October 2024; partners named in its releases include Garuda Aviation Academy with 43 Air School in South Africa and Marigold Aviation in India; Skyborne Airline Academy delivers flight training in Vero Beach, Florida5
- Track record
- IndiGo reported in June 2024 that over the past 13 years it had inducted over 1,000 pilots through full training programmes covering the commercial pilot licence and A320 type rating4
- Skyborne route cost
- USD 132,000 for the Skyborne course, covering FAA and DGCA CPL training, licence conversion, type rating, self-catered accommodation, equipment, uniform, exam fee reimbursement and return flights; the 3 months of mandatory ground classes in Delhi are an additional cost3
- Skyborne payment schedule
- Five instalments of USD 26,400: the first within 7 days of signing (non-refundable, plus ground school fees), then 30 days before the start, and 70, 210 and 350 days after it3
- Marigold announcement
- In October 2024 IndiGo announced that Marigold Aviation and IndiGo would host information seminars in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru covering programme structure, financing options and careers5
- Skyborne assessment fee
- GBP 250, one-time and non-refundable, covering all three Skyborne-route selection stages3
- Skyborne training pattern
- 3 months ground school in India, 12 months FAA CPL in Vero Beach, 2 months DGCA licence conversion, 3 months MCC and A320 type rating3
- Garuda route pattern
- 21-month course: 3 months ground school in Gurugram, then 12 months at 43 Air School in South Africa4
- Marigold route pattern
- 21-month course: 15 months ground school and CPL-MEIR in India, 4 months foreign licence conversion, 2 months A320 type rating5
- Letter of Intent
- Candidates who clear the Skyborne-route selection stages receive a Letter of Intent from IndiGo to secure the place3
- 2026 intake at Skyborne
- 48 cadets signed a Letter of Intent, the largest group since the partnership began in 2019; more than 360 cadets have enrolled in total6
- Attempts
- A maximum of two attempts per stage, because eligibility for the next stage depends on the previous one2
- Financing
- Skyborne points Indian cadets to a scholarship and education-loan platform, WeMakeScholars3
About IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme
IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme is a pilot training programme from India. It belongs to IndiGo.
Training on offer: IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program. This page sets out the selection in 4 stages.
The four phases
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Written test and psychometric evaluationPractise this phase
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Group discussion or group taskPractise this phase
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Individual interviewPractise this phase
Where to train for IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme
3 flight schools have a published link with this airline. Each entry says what the link is and who states it.
Chimes Aviation AcademyIndia · IndiGo Cadet Pilot ProgramCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
Flight Training Adelaide Pty LtdParafield Airport, Australia · IndiGo Cadet Pilot ProgramCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
National Flying Training Institute Pvt. LtdIndia · IndiGo Cadet Pilot ProgramCadet programme partnerAccording to the school
IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme at a glance
Part of IndiGo- Country
- India
- Cadet programme
- IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program21
What does IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme ask of pilots?
- Age
- 18 to 40 on the first day of selection (Skyborne) and in IndiGo's entry requirements; IndiGo's programme FAQ page lists 18 to 321
- Nationality
- Indian nationality or an OCI card holder for IndiGo's entry requirements; the Skyborne route also needs eligibility for a US M1 study visa1
- Education
- Class 12 (10+2) with at least 51% in each of Physics, Mathematics and English1
- Medical and body
- Indian (DGCA) Class 1 medical before the programme begins; a Class 2 is enough to apply; BMI in the range 18 to 25. For the Skyborne route you also need a US FAA Class 1 medical before flight training and at least a DGCA Class 2 to sit Stage 11
- English
- Fluent written and spoken English; Skyborne asks for the equivalent of IELTS 5.51
- Identity
- Aadhaar (unique ID) number at the time of admission1
Interview and group exercise
IndiGo is direct about what it looks for: people who are motivated, inquisitive, talented, team players with a passion for aviation, and above all attitude. It says it first looks for good human beings and then good pilots, and it lists words such as conservative, cautious, inquisitive, proactive, pragmatic, professional, decisive and informed as indicators of who it wants.
That is useful when you prepare. For the group discussion or task, show that you listen, contribute clear ideas and support others. For the interview, be ready to explain why you want to be a pilot, what you have done to test that decision, and how you handle responsibility and pressure. IndiGo's guidance asks you to introspect and discuss the decision with family and friends before applying.
The interview and group stages sit after the written and psychometric stage, and each stage depends on the previous one, with at most two attempts per stage. Treat the first attempt as the real one: prepare Mathematics, Physics and English first, then your examples. Candidates who train overseas will also take a DGCA licence conversion with written composite papers and flying hours on an Indian-registered aircraft, so ask your chosen training partner how that fits their schedule.12
What you can practise here
For the written round, put your hours into Mathematics, Physics and English, with arithmetic drills alongside, then keep the last stretch for group exercise practice and interview preparation with your own examples.
Pilot Pass lets you practise for your selection with exam-style questions and an explanation for every answer. Make a plan to your assessment date, start with a free set and track your progress per subject. A Pass runs for a week, a month, three months or a year, with no subscription and no automatic renewal.
Questions candidates ask
What is the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme selection process?
A written test in Math, Physics and English, a psychometric evaluation, a group discussion or group task, and finally an individual interview. Your application is reviewed first, and you can take a maximum of two attempts per stage.
How much does the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme cost?
On the Skyborne route the course costs USD 132,000, with three months of mandatory Delhi ground classes as an extra cost.
What are the IndiGo cadet pilot eligibility requirements?
Indian nationality or an OCI card, between 18 and 40 years according to IndiGo's entry requirements (its programme FAQ page lists 18 to 32), at least 51% in Class 12 Physics, Mathematics and English, fluent English, BMI between 18 and 25, and an Indian Class 1 medical before starting; a Class 2 medical is enough to apply.
Which flight schools train IndiGo cadets?
IndiGo works with several partners. Its releases name Garuda Aviation Academy (with 43 Air School in South Africa, announced June 2024) and Marigold Aviation (announced October 2024 as the 9th partnership), and Skyborne trains cadets in Vero Beach, Florida.
How long is the IndiGo cadet programme?
The combined CPL and A320 type rating takes 21 months, with an extra two to three months for licence and type rating paperwork.
Which test does IndiGo use?
IndiGo describes a written Math, Physics and English test and a psychometric evaluation. On the Skyborne route the personality questionnaire runs on the Symbiotics platform.
Can I retake an IndiGo cadet selection stage?
IndiGo's programme FAQ says an individual can have a maximum of two attempts per stage.
Is there a selection fee?
On the Skyborne route there is a one-time, non-refundable GBP 250 assessment fee covering all three stages; the selection starts when it is paid.
How can I finance the IndiGo cadet programme?
Skyborne points Indian cadets to scholarship and education-loan options through WeMakeScholars. In October 2024 IndiGo announced Marigold information seminars that would cover financing options.
Do cadets get a job with IndiGo?
Selection happens at the start: candidates who clear it receive a Letter of Intent, and upon successful completion graduates take up positions as A320 Junior First Officers with IndiGo.123456
- 1Becoming a Pilot, IndiGo careers
- 2How to become a Pilot? License To Fly, IndiGo Cadet Program, IndiGo
- 3IndiGo Cadet Pilot Programme, Skyborne Airline Academy
- 4IndiGo partners with Garuda Aviation Academy to enhance its Cadet Pilot Program, IndiGo (20 June 2024)
- 5IndiGo Expands Cadet Pilot Training with Marigold Aviation Partnership, IndiGo (3 October 2024)
- 6Skyborne marks new milestone with largest intake of IndiGo cadets, Skyborne (22 October 2026)
