Aviation -

Top Aviation Courses in India : Ranking, Cut-off, Duration, Career Scope, Admission, Fee

Aviation courses in India offer students a comprehensive understanding of the aviation industry, covering topics like airport management, ground staff, cabin crew training, and pilot training. With various courses available at diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate levels, students can choose from a range of specializations. Here’s an overview of aviation courses in India, including ranking, cut-off, duration, career scope, admission, and fees.

Course Duration and Fees

Some popular aviation courses in India include :
– Diploma in Airport Management: 1 year, INR 60,000 – 1,00,000
– Diploma in Ground Staff & Cabin Crew Training: 6 months/1 year, INR 35,000 – 1,20,000
– Commercial Pilot Training: 4-5 years, INR 8,00,000 – 12,00,000
– BBA in Aviation: 3 years, INR 90,000 – 2,00,000
– MBA in Aviation Management: 2 years, INR 3,50,000 – 7,00,000

Admission Process

Admissions to top aviation colleges in India are done through merit or entrance exams like RBSE 12th, ISC, Karnataka 2nd PUC, Tamilnadu 12th, Kerala 12th, NCHM JEE, AIMA UGAT, NIMCET, and Rajasthan BSTC .

Career Scope and Salary

Aviation courses in India can lead to various career opportunities, including:
– Pilot: INR 10-15 lakhs per annum (starting salary)
– Flight Instructor: INR 9-10 lakhs per annum
– Airport Manager: INR 3-4 lakhs per annum
– Aeronautical Engineer: INR 4 lakhs per annum
– Avionics Engineer: INR 5 lakhs per annum

Course Categories & Details

Flying & Pilot Training (CPL, PPL)

Leading Institutes:
- Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA): Often dubbed the “IIT of aviation,” it offers CPL training, multi-crew cooperation courses, and a 3-year B.Sc. in aviation alongside pilot training.
- Bombay Flying Club (Mumbai): One of India’s oldest flying clubs (est. 1928), it’s DGCA-approved and offers pilot training, AME courses, and B.Sc. Aviation/Aeronautics.
- Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology (Kerala): The only DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO) in Kerala, located at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
Duration: Around 18–24 months to earn a CPL (PPL first, followed by CPL completion).
Eligibility & Admission:
- Minimum of 50% in 10+2, with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics common requirements.
- Age ≥ 17, plus meeting DGCA medical standards and passing aptitude tests.
Fees:
- Pilot Training (CPL): Typically INR 15–20 lakhs.
- Cadet Programs: Reddit-user accounts highlight total costs (including multi-engine or instructor rating) running into ₹50–100 lakhs.
Career Scope:
- Graduates can find roles as pilots with airlines, flight instructors, or pursue advanced type ratings.

B.Sc. Aviation / Undergraduate Degrees

Course Details:
- Duration: 3 years.
- Eligibility: 50% in 10+2 with Physics, Math, and English. Some exams like JEE Main, MHT CET, NPAT, CUET may also apply.
Admission & Fees:
- Fees vary:
  - General range: INR 1–3 lakhs (many colleges).
  - Some institutions quote INR 5–6 lakhs (e.g., Amity University, Gurugram).
Syllabus:
- Core topics include aviation mathematics, navigation, aircraft systems, airport operations, aviation safety and regulations, operations management, avionics, and internship/project work.
Career Opportunities & Salaries:
- Potential roles: Pilot, AME, ATC, Airport Manager, Cabin Crew, Ground Staff, Aviation Safety Officer, Quality Control, Sales & Marketing, Research.
- Salaries (approximate):
  - AMC: ₹6–8 LPA
  - Air Traffic Controller: ₹8–10 LPA
  - Airport Manager: ₹7–9 LPA
  - Ground Staff: ₹3–5 LPA
  - Pilot: ₹15–20 LPA
  - With experience, roles like Flight Testing Engineer (₹12 LPA) or Pilot (₹15 LPA) are possible.

Diplomas, Certificates, BBA, B.Tech (Non-Pilot)

Diploma Programs:
- Duration: 6 months to 1-2 years.
- Fee range: ₹35,000 to ₹11 lakh, depending on level.
- Institutes include Parul University, NIHAM Mumbai, PTC Academy, Jain University, AEE Bengaluru, Kristu Jayanti College, NIMS Jaipur, etc.
BBA / B.Com / BA in Aviation:
- Duration: typically 3 years. Fees vary from ₹50,000 to ₹4–6 lakh.
B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering:
- Duration: 4 years. Requires ≥ 60% in PCM.
- Fees: ₹65,000 to ₹4 lakh per year.
- Top Institutes: IIT Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Bombay.
- Recruiters: ISRO, HAL, Mahindra Aerospace, NAL, Air India.

Institutes:

Government & Central: Jamia Millia Islamia (NIRF #3 for general ranking; offers aviation certs – fee ~₹21,050).
Central Aviation University: RGNAU in Amethi – offers BMS in Aviation & Air Cargo, PG Diploma in Airport Operations, and B.Tech (Aerospace & Avionics) from 2025. Admission via JEE.
Others: Banasthali Vidyapith, NIMS University, VELS, Mumbai University, UoL, Bharathidasan.

DGCA Reforms & Safety Alerts

DGCA Rankings (from Oct 1, 2025):
- DGCA will begin ranking flying schools based on safety records, transparency, and time taken to complete required 200 flight hours for CPL.
Alert—Beware of Frauds:
- Many unregulated aviation ground schools scam aspirants. Always verify DGCA approval and speaking to alumni is recommended

Summary Table

Course Type	Duration	Fee Range (approx.)	Eligibility	Career Scope
CPL / Pilot Training	~18–24 months	₹15–20 lakh (cadet ~₹50–100 lakh)	10+2 PCM 50%, medical, DGCA tests	Commercial Pilot, Instructor
B.Sc. Aviation	3 years	₹1–6 lakh	10+2 PCM 50%	Pilot, AME, ATC, Airport Manager, etc.
Diploma / Certificate	6 mo–2 years	₹0.035–11 lakh	10+2 (varies)	Ground Staff, Operations, Logistics
BBA / B.Com / BA Aviation	3 years	₹0.5–6 lakh	10+2	Managerial aviation roles
B.Tech (Aerospace / Avionics)	4 years	₹0.65–4 lakh per year	10+2 PCM ≥60%, entrance exams	Aerospace Engineer, Technical Manager

Final Advice

Identify your goal: Dreaming of flying? CPL is for you. Fascinated by aircraft systems? B.Sc. or B.Tech may suit better.
Check DGCA recognition.
Assess budget realistically—especially for CPL which can be expensive.
Watch DGCA’s upcoming rank list (from Oct 2025) to choose reputable schools.
Looking for safety majors or undergraduate research? Check out RGNAU or top IITs (for Aerospace).