Cadet programmes

Air India cadet pilot programme

The Air India cadet pilot programme is not taking applications right now: Air India's page says "Stay Tuned" (read 20 October 2026). Reported totals run ₹1.1 to ₹1.5 croreReported, going by the AIFTA academy brochure and selected cadets, depending on the route. Air India publishes no fee of its own, and unlike IndiGo's partner schools, its training academies put none on an open page either.

Ready Aviator · Fees checked between 14 and 15 June 2026

IndiGo A320s on the apron, a ground crew walking past
StatusNot taking applications
Cost₹1.1 to ₹1.5 croreReported
Type ratingA320 or B737
Checked15 June 2026

Air India publishes no fee

Checked 15 June 2026, the airline says only that the training cost is provided once a candidate is enrolled, and its partner academies use the same words.

Cadet programmeAir India
ProgrammeFly High
Type ratingA320 or B737. The type rating is inside the reported totals
India routeAIFTA, Amravati
US routesArizona and Florida
BondTerms not published. A deposit is reported below. ALPA India said in July 2026 that cadet bonds run three years or more
Job at the endA First Officer's seat at Air India, offered by letter of intent (LOI). An LOI is not a legal guarantee, but the airline has hired its cadets
CheckedFees 15 June 2026, eligibility 20 October 2026

What each route is reported to cost

From the AIFTA brochure and cadet accounts across nine public channels, checked 15 June 2026. The United States figures move with the dollar.

RouteReported all-in
India, through AIFTAAmravati, Maharashtra. The brochure figure, corroborated by cadetsabout ₹1,10,00,000Reported
United StatesArizona and Florida, with the conversion done in India afterwards₹1,40,00,000 to ₹1,50,00,000Reported
The brochure figure people quoteThe United States flight-training segment only. The type rating and the conversion are added after itabout ₹85,00,000Reported
The bond depositGiven as three cheques, forfeited if you break the commitment₹30,00,000Reported
Bond terms and the selection-stage paymentAnywhere Air India speaks for itself, checked 14 June 2026Not publishedUndisclosed

What the reported totals cover

Inside the reported figure

  • Ground school for the DGCA papers.
  • Flying to a commercial licence.
  • The type rating on the aircraft you will fly.
  • Induction training at Air India.

Outside it, or unknown

  • The bond deposit, which is separate from tuition.
  • The payment due at the selection stage. Its amount is not published.
  • Currency movement on the United States routes.
  • Tax, which nobody quotes as an amount.

Who can apply, and how

You can apply if you are 18 to 30, an Indian citizen or OCI holder, with 60% overall and 60% in each of English, Maths and Physics in Class 12. NIOS is accepted. You need a Class 1 medical before flight training. Air India names no medical class for selection.

  • Online application
  • Screening and aptitude
  • Psychometric stage
  • Group exercise
  • Interview

Each stage, and how to practise for it, is on the Air India cadet pilot selection test page.

Vistara cadet pilot programme: now Air India

Vistara merged into Air India on 12 November 2024. The cadet route into its former fleet is the Air India programme above.

Can I still apply to a Vistara cadet pilot programme?

No. Vistara no longer operates as a separate airline. Apply through the Air India cadet programme instead.

Whichever route, the same DGCA papers

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Sources: Air India cadet programme; Free Press Journal, 30 Jul 2026.