India currently has 25,001 active pilots below the age of 65 holding various flying licences, the government informed Lok Sabha, reflecting the scale of the country’s expanding civil aviation sector.
In a written reply, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated that these pilots possess licences issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the national regulatory body responsible for certification and oversight of aviation personnel.
According to the official data, 10,261 pilots hold Airline Transport Pilot Licences, including 10,051 certified to operate aeroplanes and 210 licensed for helicopters. The figures also show a significant number of Commercial Pilot Licence holders, with 12,480 qualified for aeroplane operations and 777 certified to fly helicopters, indicating a strong pipeline of professionals supporting both scheduled airlines and non-scheduled aviation services.
In addition, 1,477 individuals possess Private Pilot Licences for aeroplanes, while six hold equivalent certification for helicopter operations. These licences typically allow non-commercial flying, training, and recreational aviation activities, contributing to the broader aviation ecosystem.
The minister clarified that the aviation regulator does not maintain records on unemployment among holders of Commercial Pilot Licences or Airline Transport Pilot Licences, leaving unclear how many trained pilots are currently without flying assignments despite the sector’s continued growth.
