India – India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the national civil aviation regulator, will implement a bi-annual ranking system for all Flight Training Organisations (FTOs) in the country starting October 1, 2025. This initiative aims to improve transparency, safety, and training quality in India’s pilot training sector, which has been widely criticized for inconsistent standards and delays in cadet progression.

• The DGCA will begin ranking all Indian FTOs based on parameters including safety records, regulatory compliance, and average time taken by students to complete 200 flying hours—a key requirement for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).

• The system is designed to aid aspiring pilots in selecting credible training institutions and to encourage FTOs to raise their standards.

• Rankings will be issued twice a year, on April 1 and October 1, with the first publication scheduled for October 1, 2025.

• Ranking tiers:

  • A++: 85% and above

  • A+: 70% to 84.99%

  • A: 50% to 69.99%

  • B: Below 50% (Category B schools will receive notices for performance review and improvement)

• FTOs must submit performance data within a defined timeline; failure to do so, or submission of false data, may result in regulatory action.

• DGCA audits and inspections will be used to verify the data provided by the FTOs.

Source: DGCA