Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced on Thursday that India will require at least 20,000 pilots in the coming years to keep pace with the nation’s surging air-travel demand. Speaking at UDAAN Bhawan during the launch of the Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for pilots, he emphasized aviation’s role in connectivity, economic growth, and technological progress.
Highlighting rapid expansion, Naidu revealed that India will add 50 new airports in the next five years, bringing the total to over 200. Over the last decade, the number of airports has already doubled to 157. With Indian airlines set to receive 1,700 new aircraft, the demand for trained pilots is set to skyrocket.
He also underscored the government’s tech-driven approach, stating that EPL will allow pilots to access their licenses seamlessly. This initiative aligns with the Digital India mission and the government’s Ease of Doing Business framework.
With this launch, India becomes the second country after China to implement EPL for flight crew. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) affirmed that the move enhances efficiency, aligns with ICAO’s modernization roadmap, and reinforces India’s leadership in aviation innovation.
Pilots can now securely access their licenses via the eGCA app, ensuring real-time verification for global agencies. Naidu called this a “game-changer,” boosting safety, interoperability, and global best practices.
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