How to become a Commercial Pilot — your road, class by class

1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

   Physics, Mathematics — and spoken English

   • A CPL holder must speak and understand radiotelephony English to the level DGCA sets, and the level is written on the licence. Whatever your school medium, build spoken English now. [1]
   • Physics and Mathematics are the only school subjects the rule names. Navigation and meteorology papers later build on both. [1]
2. You are here Class 10

   Take Physics and Mathematics in Class 11

   • The CPL rule needs Class 10+2 passed with Physics and Mathematics. It sets no minimum percentage — a pass is enough. [1]
   • Without Physics and Mathematics in Class 12 you can clear them later through an equivalent board exam (for example the open school); plan this before you pay a flying school.
3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

   Get the medical before you pay any fee

   • You must hold a certificate of fitness from an approved Medical Board under DGCA's medical standards before the licence is issued. [1]
   • Do the DGCA medical before signing up with a flying school — eyesight or other conditions can stop you, and school fees are rarely refunded.
   • You must be at least 18 on the day you apply for the CPL. [1]
4. You are here In college · Graduated

   Graduating first? Your degree is optional

   • No degree is needed for a CPL; the rule asks only for Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics. Some airlines set their own extra criteria in cadet and hiring notices. [1]

You are past the school stage for this career — the exam, rules and money blocks below still apply.

DGCA Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes) · Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Minimum age

18 on the date of application [1]

School base

Class 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics [1]

Flight time

200 hours within the 5 years before applying [1]

Written exams

Air Regulations · Air Navigation · Meteorology · Aircraft and Engines [1]

Stage table source [1]

• Holders of a helicopter CPL with 1,000 hours as pilot-in-command need only 100 aeroplane hours. [1]
• Pilot licence rules are being rewritten under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024. Check dgca.gov.in for the current version before you join a flying school.
• Flying schools quote very different totals for the CPL, and type rating is usually extra. Get the full written fee schedule before you pay anything.

• There is no state quota: one DGCA licence, the same rules in every state and for every board.
• The language filter is national, not regional: radiotelephony English is a licence requirement whatever your school's medium. [1]

State notes we have checked (4 states / UTs)

Not in this list? The national route above applies — we found nothing in this career's official rules that changes in your state.

No scheme on our list is still ahead of you for this path.

1. Aircraft Rules, 1937 — Schedule II (general conditions and Section J, Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplanes)), consolidated text with amendments, on Indian Kanoon (opens in a new tab) age 18, 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, medical, written exams, 200-hour experience break-up, RTR licence, skill test, English proficiency (para 6-A), 5-year exam validity · Last checked 25 Oct 2026
2. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

Spotted something out of date? Email margdarshan07support10@gmail.com with the official link and we will update it.