The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering a major policy change that would enable students from Arts and Commerce backgrounds to become commercial pilots. Historically, only science students were eligible for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) training, but the DGCA may remove the requirement for Physics and Mathematics at the Class 12 level. This move could open up the field to a wider pool of candidates, provided they meet medical fitness criteria. The recommendation is set to be submitted to the Union Aviation Ministry for approval.
Veteran pilot Captain Shakti Lumba supports this change, stating that the existing requirement is outdated, as pilots do not need advanced knowledge of these subjects for their roles. Additionally, the DGCA is working on further reforms, including ranking flying schools based on safety and training performance. These efforts are aimed at addressing the growing need for pilots within India’s expanding aviation sector.
