DGCA issued 1,331 commercial pilot licences (CPLs) in India up to 30 June 2026; this data was placed before the Rajya Sabha on 20 July 2026.
CPL: legal and functional features
- Definition: CPL permits a pilot to act as pilot‑in‑command or co‑pilot of an aircraft for remuneration or hire.
- Regulatory base: Licensing, medical standards and training are governed by DGCA through Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs).
Training pathways and 2026 statistics
- Total issued (2026): 1,331 CPLs up to 30 June 2026.
- Training split: 540 (41%) trained at foreign Flying Training Organisations (FTOs); 791 trained at Indian FTOs.
- Course types: Ab‑initio/integrated courses, modular training, licence conversion and cadet programmes.
Flying Training Organisations (FTOs)
- Authorisation: FTOs require DGCA approval to conduct pilot training and examinations.
- Scale in India: 41 DGCA‑approved FTOs operating across 63 bases with a combined fleet of more than 400 training aircraft.
- Functions: Provide ab‑initio instruction, type conversion and licence conversion training.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- DGCA: Statutory aviation regulator under the Ministry of Civil Aviation responsible for licensing and safety oversight.
- PPL vs CPL: PPL allows non‑commercial flying; CPL permits carriage of passengers/cargo for reward.
- Licence issue: DGCA issues licences after theory, skill tests and meeting medical and flight hour norms as per CARs.
- Policy note: Regulatory framework for pilot training is under review to expand domestic training capacity.