How to Become a Pilot
After finishing high school, you can take a pilot training course or pass the NDA exam to become an Air Force pilot. The primary requirement for becoming a pilot after 12th is to have completed 10+2 in Science, but there are several pilot training academies that also accept Commerce students. In India, students aspiring to be pilots must be 17 years old, and they must also provide fitness and medical certificates.
This article will provide you with information on how to become a pilot after 12th grade, the fees for pilot training courses, the requirements, eligibility, the top pilot training institutes in India and abroad, and the salary prospects for pilots in India.
Highlights
Entrance Exam: NDA Exam
Eligibility: 10+2 in Science (MPC)/Commerce
License: Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
Salary: 2 Lakhs to 5 Lakhs
Fees for Pilot Training Courses range from 15 to 20 lakhs.
types of pilots: airline pilots, commercial pilots, fighter pilots, charter pilots
The top pilot schools in India are Bombay Flying Club, Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology, Madhya Pradesh Flying Club, and National Flying Training Institute.
What exactly is a pilot?
Pilots are highly skilled individuals who have received extensive training to fly various types of aircraft. There are various specialization courses available for various aircraft types. Pilots are in charge of maintaining the internal mechanisms of aircraft as well as learning to operate various types of aircraft, such as passenger planes, cargo planes, and mail planes. Depending on the streams and subjects that candidates pursue, there are various types of pilots.
Commercial pilots who fly commercial planes for private airlines and transport customers are known as airline transport pilots.

Those who can afford a private jet prefer to have private pilots available to them at all times.
Sport pilots: must fly below 10,000 feet and mostly within a certain range.
Flight Instructors: They work for a training organization and are responsible for teaching other aspiring pilots how to fly.
Air Force Pilots: – They are experts in flying armed jets and work for the defense ministry after being trained by the country’s air force.
Criteria for Eligibility
To enroll in any of the aviation courses, you must meet the eligibility criteria established by the institute or academy. The following are the requirements for becoming a pilot in India after completing the 12th grade:
• To begin training, you must be at least 17 years old. You must have a minimum of 50% in 10+2, which may vary depending on the Institute.
• MPC subjects [Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry] as well as English at an intermediate level are required. If you are not a science student, you can take the required subjects as a private candidate through the respective state board or through the National Institute of Open Schooling.
• You will need a medical certificate from the appropriate authorities.
Required Qualifications
Students must have the following skills in addition to academic knowledge to be a successful pilots:
• Technical expertise
• Decision-making and critical thinking
• Environmental and situational awareness
• Excellent communication and disciplined personality
• Constantly striving for excellence
• High degree of adaptability
• Mental fortitude and physical fitness
• Excellent sense of teamwork
• Leadership ability, either inherent or learned
Important Recruiters
Once you have completed the necessary education and certification or licensure, your enticing career as a pilot will begin. Now that you’re acquainted with the path and understand how to become a pilot after high school, let’s look at some of the major employers in this field-
• Air India
• IndiGo
• Air Asia
• Spice Jet
• Air India Charters Ltd
• Alliance Air
• India Jet Airways
• Air Costa
Pilot Salary in India
When it comes to calculating monetary returns in terms of salary, pilots have virtually unlimited options! Commercial pilots have some of the highest pay packages of any job profile. In India, after completing 250 hours of flight time, one can pursue a career as a commercial pilot and earn a staggering monthly salary of Rs 1.5–2 lakh. If, on the other hand, you choose to join the Indian Air Force, your annual package will be around 5-8 lakh.
Pilot Courses Following the 12th
After 10+2, another option for becoming a pilot is to enroll in a Commercial Pilot Training [CPL] program. The institute will require you to pass an entrance exam, an interview, and a medical test. The fees for pilot training courses after 12th-grade range from INR 15 lakhs to INR 20 lakhs, subject to change if you plan to study abroad. The top three institutes for pilot training courses after 12th grade are as follows:
• Bombay Flying Club
• Indira Gandhi Rashtriya
• Uran Academy
• Madhya Pradesh Flying Club
• National Flying Training Institute Rajiv Gandhi Academy of Aviation Technology
Using the NDA Exam
The coveted NDA exam in India is a golden opportunity for those who want to become pilots after the 12th grade. After completing the three-year course, you must also undergo flight training. You will then be a permanent commission officer.
Other Important Information on Becoming a Pilot After High School:
• It is necessary to pass DGCA class 2 medical.
• Enroll in an aviation school.
• 200 hours of flight time
• Pass the exams
• Obtain the CPL certificate.