India issued 1,331 commercial pilot licences in the first six months of 2026, highlighting the rapid growth of the country’s aviation sector.
However, 41% of the newly licensed pilots were trained abroad. Of the total licences issued until June 30, 791 were given to cadets trained at Indian Flying Training Organisations, while 540 were trained at foreign flying schools.
The data was shared in Parliament by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol.
India currently has 41 DGCA-approved flying training organisations with 63 bases and more than 400 aircraft. Their combined training capacity is estimated at around 3,500 students at any given time.
The government is also working to strengthen domestic pilot training by streamlining approvals, improving oversight and revising training regulations.
With Indian airlines rapidly expanding their fleets and networks, the demand for trained commercial pilots is expected to continue growing. The latest figures highlight both India’s expanding aviation workforce and the continued reliance on overseas pilot training.
