A career as a pilot not only pays well but also provides exciting training and exposure. When you become a pilot, you not only get to fly through the skies, but you also get to soar through your career and life. Typically, you should begin training when you are 17 or 18 years old.

Although the decision to become a pilot is interesting, the process is lengthy and costly & exciting. So, how do you go about become a pilot in India?
In general, there are two options:
1. Civil Aviation (Commercial Pilot)
2. Indian Armed Forces (Air force Pilot)
We'll go over the above two routes in depth in this section.

What Are the Steps to Becoming a Commercial Pilot?
A commercial pilot is a pilot who has been qualified to fly a particular type of airline aircraft and holds a ‘commercial pilot' licence / certificate from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
While the pay high packages, they come with a lot of responsibility, as you will be responsible for hundreds of lives in a single aircraft, transporting them from point A to point B in the safest manner possible, as directed by Air Traffic Controller (ATC).

First and foremost, the Higher Secondary Course should include Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Not only that, but to study in a flying school, you must have a Class 12th grade average of at least 50%.

To get started on this rewarding career, follow these steps:
Written exam – This exam analyses your general English, mathematics, physics, and reasoning skills. It is based on the 10+2 method.
Pilot Aptitude Test – This test will evaluate your knowledge of air regulations, navigation, aviation meteorology, aircraft, and engines.
Personal Interview (and) DGCA Medical Examination – Applicants who pass the written exam and aptitude test will be eligible to perform a medical examination conducted by the DGCA, Government of India.
You must pass an entrance test in order to receive a "student pilot licence." This consists of an oral exam, which will be administered by the flying school's Chief Instructor or a DGCA representative.
This licence allows you to receive flight training and learn the fundamentals of flying by taking off in gliders or small planes provided by licenced flying clubs around the country.
You should have completed at least 250 hours of flight time by the end of your course. Following that, you'll be able to apply for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).

What Are the Steps to Becoming an Air Force Pilot?
So you want to be a pilot?
But is it not too expensive to become a commercial pilot?
The Indian Armed Forces are an alternative. Not only do you get free pilot training here, but you also get to represent your country. Even during your training time, you will become a class-I officer and earn a good salary.
When it comes to selecting candidates, the Indian Armed Forces focus heavily on OLQs (Officer Like Quality). In order to become a successful military officer, an applicant must possess 15 character traits. If you believe you possess the following characteristics: effective knowledge, reasoning capacity, social adaptability, strategy planning, confidence, strength, and so on, the Indian Armed Forces might be the right fit for you.

How do I join the Indian Air Force as a pilot after completing 12th class?
Participate in the National Defence Academy (NDA).
The National Defence Academy (NDA) is the Indian Armed Forces' joint services academy, where officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together before proceeding to their respective military academy for further pre-commission training.
The chosen applicants are qualified for three years and then commissioned as a Permanent Commission Officer and assigned to one of the Air Force Base Stations as a Pilot.
NDA Eligibility Criteria: You should take the NDA entrance exam right after you complete your 12th class (with physics and mathematics). To apply, you must be at least 16 years old and no older than 19 years old.

The following is the NDA Admission Procedure:
Written Exam - This consists of a math and general skill test. Physics, Chemistry, Maths, English, General Knowledge, History, Geography, and Current Events are all included in the questions.
SSB interview - The second and final round of the NDA selection process is the SSB interview. The SSB Interview round is divided into two parts: an intelligence test and a psychological aptitude test.
Pilot Aptitude Test - This is an only one test. You will never be able to appear for the flying division again if you do not pass the exam on your first attempt. This consists of written and machine tests that assess your ability to read instruments, maintain control over your behaviour, and maintain mental strength.
Medical examination - Your eyesight, height, weight, and general health will all be checked. For an NDA aspirant, a minimum height of 152cms is expected, as well as a corresponding weight. Eye vision should be 6/6 in the better eye and 6/9 in the other, with Hypermetropia correctable to 6/6 only (A vision condition in which nearby objects is blurry).

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