Passing the exam gets you the license. This is what gets you hired.
A CPL or ATPL on paper is the entry ticket, not the job. Airlines run their own selection process on top of it, cadet program screening, group discussions, technical and HR interviews, type rating boards, and a CV that has to survive an initial shortlist before any of that happens. This section is built around what IndiGo, Air India and Akasa actually run candidates through.
Guides
Recurring questions across cadet program interviews and airline HR rounds ("Why this airline?", CRM and threat-and-error scenarios), model answers, and what assessors are listening for.
Step-by-step breakdowns of IndiGo, Air India and Akasa's cadet pilot programs, selection stages, training structure, bond terms and what actually differs between them.
What the type rating selection board on the A320 or B737 MAX actually tests, technical screening topics, sim aptitude checks and how to prepare when you're not yet type rated.
How to build a pilot CV and logbook summary that survives the first shortlist, what recruiters actually scan for, and common mistakes that get freshers filtered out early.
Baseline requirements seen across recent Indian airline cadet pilot programs. Every intake varies, always check the specific listing before applying.
| Requirement | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Age | 17–24 years at time of application (varies by airline and intake) |
| Education | 10+2 (class 12) with Physics and Mathematics, minimum aggregate typically 50–60% |
| Medical | DGCA Class 1 medical fitness (or provisional clearance to begin), no disqualifying conditions |
| English | Fluent spoken and written English, most programs test this directly in the aptitude round |
| Selection stages | Online application → aptitude/psychometric test → panel interview → medical → offer with training bond |
Compiled from published cadet pilot program structures for IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air. This is a general guide, not a guarantee of any specific airline's current intake criteria, see the cadet program guide for a per-airline breakdown.