**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Ministry of Civil Aviation's response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training fees. The document states that DGCA approves FTOs but doesn't regulate CPL costs as they are market-driven. DGCA has implemented a ranking framework for FTOs effective October 1, 2025 to ensure transparency.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **CPL Training Cost Factors:**
* High cost of aviation fuel (AvGas 100LL).
* Expensive aircraft, mostly manufactured abroad.
* High cost of aircraft spare parts.
* Imported flight simulators.
* Type and number of aircraft for training.
* **Government Regulations and Transparency:**
* Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approves Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) as per laid down rules and regulations, but does not regulate the financial aspects of CPL training.
* The cost of obtaining a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is market driven.
* DGCA undertakes audits and inspections of FTOs to ensure compliance with regulatory framework and training standards.
* DGCA has implemented a ranking framework for Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) effective 1st October, 2025, to ensure transparency.
* **Financial Assistance and Cost Regulation:**
* There is no proposal to introduce scholarships or financial assistance for students from minority and SC/ST communities, or girls, for CPL training currently under consideration.
* There is no proposal to regulate training costs for Pilot training programmes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact**
Students aspiring to obtain a CPL will be affected by the market-driven costs of training, as there will be no regulation by the DGCA.
**Action Required**
Students should be aware of the factors contributing to CPL training costs and the DGCA's ranking framework for FTOs to make informed decisions.
**Impact**
Flying Training Organizations (FTOs)
**Action Required**
FTOs need to adhere to DGCA regulations and standards, and be prepared for audits and inspections. They will also be subject to the DGCA's ranking framework and should strive for a high ranking to attract students.
Key Entities Referenced
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL): The subject of the question and answer is the fees associated with Commercial Pilot Licence training in India.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulator responsible for approving Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) and ensuring compliance with regulations, though it does not regulate the financial aspects of CPL training.
Flying Training Organisations (FTOs): Organizations that provide commercial pilot training; their financial aspects are not regulated by DGCA.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry overseeing civil aviation in India, answering questions about CPL training.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1864
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 11th December 2025 )
FEES FOR COMMERCIAL PILOT LICENSE TRAINING
1864. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government is aware that Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training fees in
the country are significantly higher than international cost benchmarks and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the measures being taken by the Government to bring CPL training costs at par with
international standards;
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to standardise the fee structure of pilot training
institutes to curb exploitative practices and ensure transparency;
(d) whether the Government is planning to introduce scholarships or financial assistance for
students belonging to minority and SC/ST communities and girls for CPL training and if so,
the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government is aware that the high cost of CPL training is contributing to
shortages in CPL-enrolled students and if so, the details thereof along with the steps being
taken to increase student enrolment in CPL programmes; and
(f) the timeline by which the Government proposes to review and reform policies related to
pilot training costs to ensure a fair and competitive aviation sector?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar
Mohol)
(a) to (c) Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approves Flying Training
Organisations (FTOs) as per laid down rules and regulations. DGCA does not regulate the
financial aspects of obtaining CPLs by students from FTOs. The cost of training for obtaining
Commercial Pilot License (CPL) is market driven.
CPL training is highly technical/super specialised. The cost of training is determined by the
following factors among others:-
(i) High cost of fuel (AvGas 100LL) used in aircraft. ;
(ii) Most of the aircraft used in the country for training are manufactured abroad and hence,
expensive.
(iii) High cost of aircraft spare parts.
(iv) Imported flight simulators for training.
(v)Type of aircraft and number of aircrafts for training.Training fees for obtaining Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in the country is competitive
with most of the flying schools in other ICAO contracting state.
Audits and inspections of FTOs are undertaken by DGCA for ensuring compliance with
regulatory framework and training standards.;
;
(d) Currently, there is no such proposal under consideration of the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
(e) and (f) For ensuring transparency in pilot training ecosystem, DGCA has implemented the
ranking framework for Flying Training Organizations (FTOs) operating under its approval
w.e.f. 1st October, 2025.
Presently, there is no proposal to regulate training costs for Pilot training programmes.;
******