In a major shift that could widen access to aviation careers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering scrapping the rule that requires aspiring commercial pilots to have studied physics and mathematics in Class 12. As per media report, the proposed change would allow students from arts and commerce streams to apply for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL), provided they meet the standard medical fitness criteria. This move aims to make pilot training more inclusive without compromising on safety standards.
Since the mid-1990s, only students with science and maths backgrounds have been eligible for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training. But that could soon change. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering a proposal to allow students from all streams—arts, commerce, and science—to pursue pilot training, provided they meet other criteria like medical fitness.
Earlier, even Class 10 pass students were eligible for CPL before rules were tightened. Now, officials say the recommendation, once finalized, will be sent to the Union aviation ministry for approval. “Upon their approval, CPL training will be open to eligible students from all streams,” sources told the media.
Veteran pilot Captain Shakti Lumba, who retired as Vice President of Flight Operations at IndiGo and previously headed Alliance Air, commented on the outdated nature of the current requirement. “No country other than India has the requirement of physics and mathematics at the 12th-grade level as eligibility for CPL training,” he said. “This is an archaic requirement. The physics and mathematics taught in 12th grade is not necessary for pilots; they already possess the necessary understanding of these subjects from earlier schooling.”
The existing eligibility rule has long posed a hurdle for students from arts and commerce backgrounds aspiring to become commercial pilots. Many flying school operators have also voiced concerns, saying the regulation unnecessarily narrows the talent pool. With India’s aviation sector expanding rapidly, the proposed change is being welcomed as a timely move to make pilot training more inclusive and address the rising demand for skilled professionals.