Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation on 21st August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Civil Aviation met on August 21, 2026, in Mysuru to discuss the expansion of the UDAN scheme and reforms within the pilot training ecosystem. The meeting highlighted a significant investment of ₹28,840 crore for the next phase of UDAN and the successful transformation of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA). Key action items include the implementation of a new ranking framework for Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) to ensure safety and transparency.
Key Points / Main Content
Expansion of the UDAN Scheme
The government has allocated an unprecedented ₹28,840 crore for the Next Phase of UDAN, following a previous investment of ₹10,000 crore.
The scheme aims to drive regional development and inclusive economic growth, specifically benefiting farmers, exporters, and local businesses.
The vision includes moving aviation beyond major destinations and integrating innovations such as drones and eVTOLs.
Pilot Training and FTO Reforms
The FTO ecosystem has grown from 32 organizations in 2020 to 41 in 2026, with flying bases increasing from 32 to 63.
A new FTO ranking framework has been launched to establish transparent accountability and help aspiring pilots make informed career decisions.
The primary goal is to train a skilled, safety-conscious workforce within India to support the massive aircraft orders placed by Indian airlines.
Transformation of IGRUA
The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) achieved a budget surplus for the first time in over two decades.
Aircraft utilization at the academy has reached 1,765 flying hours per aircraft annually, surpassing the global benchmark of 1,500 hours.
Broader Sectoral Reforms
Active reforms are being pursued in the Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and Air Cargo sectors.
The committee emphasized the government's approach of taking aviation discussions to regional levels, marking the first committee meeting held outside Delhi since 2017.
Impact Analysis
Indian AirlinesImpact
Airlines will have access to a larger pool of domestically trained, safety-conscious pilots to operate their expanding fleets.
Action Required
Align recruitment and operational planning with the projected increase in domestic pilot availability.
Flying Training Organisations (FTOs)Impact
FTOs are now subject to a ranking framework that demands higher transparency and accountability in training standards.
Action Required
Maintain high safety and training standards to secure favorable rankings and attract new students.
Aspiring Pilots and YouthImpact
Enhanced transparency in the quality of training institutions allows for better career planning and more local training opportunities.
Action Required
Utilize the FTO ranking framework to evaluate and select training providers.
Regional Stakeholders (Farmers and Businesses)Impact
Increased regional connectivity through the UDAN scheme facilitates better access to markets for exporters and local communities.
Action Required
Leverage improved air cargo and regional infrastructure for economic and commercial expansion.
Key Entities Referenced
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik): A flagship regional connectivity scheme aimed at making air travel affordable; its 'Next Phase' involves a projected investment of ₹28,840 crore for regional development.
Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Civil Aviation: A parliamentary committee responsible for discussing and overseeing strategic aviation policies, including regional connectivity and training ecosystem reforms.
Flying Training Organisation (FTO): The ecosystem of pilot training centers undergoing regulatory reforms, expansion, and the implementation of a new ranking framework to enhance pilot availability.
Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA): A premier pilot training institute undergoing operational transformation to increase aircraft utilization and achieve financial sustainability.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu chairs
Consultative Committee of Civil Aviation in
Mysuru
Committee discusses Next Phase of UDAN & strengthening
of Pilot Training Ecosystem
प्रव तथ: 21 AUG 2026 7:04PM by PIB Delhi
The Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Civil Aviation met today in Mysuru,
Karnataka. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan
Naidu, in the presence of Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Shri Murlidhar
Mohol.
Members of Parliament Shri Gopal Jee Thakur (Darbhanga, Bihar); Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre (Akola,
Maharashtra); Ms. Sayani Ghosh (Jadavpur, West Bengal); Shri Kamakhya Prasad Tasa (Kaziranga,
Assam); Dr. M. Dhanapal (Rajya Sabha, Tamil Nadu) and Shri Ramrao Sakharam Wadkute (Rajya Sabha,
Maharashtra), along with the Mysore MP Shri Yaduveer Chamaraja Wadiyar attended the meeting.
The Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Civil Aviation met outside Delhi for the first
time since 2017, under the leadership of Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, reflecting the Government’s
approach of taking discussions closer to the regions. At today’s meeting in Mysuru, the Committee
discussed the Next Phase of UDAN, reforms in the Flying Training Organisation (FTO) ecosystem and the
transformation of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA).
Addressing the Committee, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu said that India’s aviation growth is increasingly
moving beyond major destinations and beyond just development of airports. “Driven by Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of UDAN, aviation is increasingly becoming an engine of regional
development and inclusive economic growth; benefiting farmers, exporters, businesses and communities.
At the same time, India is leading the next wave of aviation innovation through drones and eVTOLs,
while advancing reforms in sectors like MRO & Air Cargo.”
Highlighting the transformation brought about by UDAN, the Minister said, “In the last ten years, we
invested around ₹10,000 crore in airport development and Viability Gap Funding for the airlines. We are
now taking this ambition to a new scale with unprecedented award of ₹28,840 crore under the Next Phase
of UDAN.” The Committee was also briefed on reforms in the FTO ecosystem to enhance the availability
of trained pilots while maintaining high standards of safety and training.
The FTO ecosystem has expanded from 32 FTOs in 2020 to 41 in 2026, while flying bases have increased
from 32 to 63. The FTO ranking framework launched under the directions of Minister Ram Mohan Naidu
has enabled transparent accountability of the FTOs, enabling the youth to take informed decision at the
first step of their pilot career.Highlighting the opportunities in the aviation sector, the Minister said, “Indian airlines have placed aircraft
orders on a scale unprecedented anywhere in the world. But aircraft orders are only one part of the story,
these aircraft will need a skilled and safetyconscious workforce to fly them. We do not want to import the
workforce to operate India’s aviation growth. We want to train that workforce right here in India.”
The Committee also discussed the transformation of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)
with substantial increase in aircraft utilization, averaging 1,765 flying hours per aircraft annually higher
than the global benchmark of around 1,500 hours. The institution has also achieved a budget surplus for
the first time after more than two decades of recurring deficits.
Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Samir Kumar Sinha; Director General, DGCA, Shri Vir Vikram
Yadav; Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Shri Vipin Kumar; Director General, BCAS, Shri Rajesh
Nirwan; and other senior officials were present to brief the MPs. Minister appreciated the valuable
suggestions of the Members and assured that these would be duly considered while taking forward the
initiatives for the continued growth and development of the civil aviation sector.*****
Divyanshu Kumar
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2302094) आगंतुक पटल : 634
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