Govt weighs new pilot training system to meet soaring demand

India is exploring a significant change in pilot training by considering the introduction of a Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) system alongside the existing Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) route.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is set to meet stakeholders on Wednesday to discuss the proposal, according to a report by The Times of India.

If approved, both CPL and MPL tracks will operate concurrently, giving airlines flexibility in selecting candidates based on safety and operational needs.


The move will change the current system, where a student has to first earn a CPL and then do type rating separately for a specific aircraft, to a unified MPL system.

This comes as the second major proposed reform in pilot training after the aviation ministry suggested allowing students from arts and commerce backgrounds to pursue CPL, a path currently limited to those with physics and mathematics in Class 12.

India, now the fastest-growing aviation market globally, is positioning itself to meet an expected surge in pilot demand from domestic carriers in the coming years. Moreover, IndiGo, Air India and Akasa have 2,000 planes on order.

Currently, cadet pilots in India must undergo 200 hours of flight training to obtain a CPL and later complete type rating on specific aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737. Under the MPL pathway, they would instead train on small aircraft for around 70 hours, followed by 140–160 hours of simulator training.

Subsequently, they would be inducted as trainees on specific aircraft by airlines. The MPL programme, approved by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has already been adopted by over 50 airlines worldwide, including Lufthansa, Etihad, flyDubai, and Singapore Airlines.

“We will evaluate both the systems and take a considered view on what is best in terms of ensuring high training standards and meeting airline requirements. MPL was considered by us in the past too. There has again been a request to consider the same and that is being done,” said senior government officials to TOI.

If implemented, the MPL model would be rolled out gradually over the next 2–3 years, while the CPL system would continue to serve non-airline aspirants.

Explaining its potential benefits, a senior pilot told TOI, “It lays emphasis on developing key competencies that are essential to safely operate modern commercial aircraft. It can be tailored to specific aircraft type and the operational philosophy of airlines which will ensure a steady stream of pilots.”

“MPL should have been adopted several years ago to meet India’s growing aviation needs… MPL aligns better with modern airline operational realities than the current CPL system which is outdated for a fast-developing aviation sector. India needs 2,000-plus new pilots annually over the next decade,” another captain told TOI.

However, not everyone is convinced. A senior captain opposing the plan said, “Our regulatory system lacks necessary robustness to adequately oversee and enforce MPL program standards consistently.”

(With inputs from TOI)