Friendlier skies for budding pilots: DGCA to rank Indian flying schools from October 1

NEW DELHI: In a first, flying schools in India will be ranked by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) from Oct 1, 2025, on several key parameters like safety record and time taken to complete 200 hours of flying — which is among the things required to earn commercial pilot licence (CPL). This will help budding pilots help choose “good” schools. Currently even after paying several lakhs, they have to virtually “beg” to get their flying hours at a majority of the schools.

TOI had first reported the plan of DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai to rank flying schools in India on March 24, 2025. Through this move, Kidwai wanted flying training organisations (FTOs) to improve on all counts, with safety being key along with timely completion of flying, in order to get better rankings and therefore attract students. While being a regulated sector, a majority of FTOs in India are anything but student-friendly and that forces large number of budding pilots to go abroad every year to earn their CPLs.

“This is part of DGCA’s continued commitment to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of pilot training in India, while fostering a performance-driven and transparent training ecosystem. (Ranking) holds FTOs accountable for maintaining regulatory compliance and operational standards. Aspiring pilots and their families often struggle to identify credible FTOs. A ranking system serves as a reliable guide, helping them choose institutions based on quality, safety, and training outcomes rather than mere location or fees,” the regulator says.

Apart from these actors, the DGCA sees ranking system will “ensure training quality and standardisation; enhance transparency and accountability; guidance for student pilots; aid in identifying high-performing FTOs for expansion or international collaboration, and underperforming ones for closer monitoring or corrective action.”


Ranking will be published bi-annually, “preferably on October 1and April 1 of every year.” FTOs scoring 85% and above will be ranked A++; 70-84.99% as A+; 50%-69.99% A and below 50% as B. “Category ‘B’ FTOs will receive a notice from DGCA for self-analysis towards improvement of their performance.”

All FTOs will have to submit performance data within the stipulated timelines for the scoring to be done in time. “DGCA reserves the right to verify submitted data through audits and inspections. Misreporting or non-compliance may adversely affect ranking and may invite regulatory action. FTO Ranking System serves the dual purpose of protecting student interests and ensuring a pipeline of quality trained pilots essential for the safe and sustainable growth the aviation sector in India,” the DGCA says.