Sky High Aspirations: A Soar in Student Pilot Licences

In the past five years, 9,609 Student Pilot Licences were issued by DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in India, with a peak in 2025. Measures, including a ranking framework to enhance safety and training quality, have been implemented, as informed by the Minister of State for Civil Aviation.

In the last five years, DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in India have issued 9,609 Student Pilot Licences (SPL), reaching a peak of 2,364 in 2025, according to data shared in Parliament.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, revealed that 41 FTOs operate 63 flying bases nationwide. Each enrolled student is issued an SPL before starting their flying training. The number of SPLs has seen a consistent rise, with 1,173 issued in 2021, 1,675 in 2022, 2,088 in 2023, and 2,364 in 2024.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has introduced a ranking framework for FTOs, emphasizing safety and quality. FTOs scoring below 50 percent in audits receive improvement notices, while the regulator ensures compliance through annual audits and spot checks.

(With inputs from agencies.)