Short answer: There is no national scholarship that pays for a commercial pilot course in India. A flying academy run under the Ministry of Civil Aviation states that it gives no fee subsidy or relaxation to any category, including SC, ST, OBC, EWS, EBC and DNT candidates. Reserved category candidates are pointed to the National Scholarship Portal, and most families fund training with an education loan.
What a government flying academy says about fee support
The academy publishes a financial assistance page, last updated on 19 December 2025 and read by us on 2 November 2026. It says the fee charged is ₹55 lakh and that no other subsidy or relaxation in the training fee is available to any candidate. Its 2026 CPL advertisement dated 13 April 2026 lists the training fee at ₹55 lakh, paid in four quarterly instalments.
Three smaller points from the same pages are worth knowing:
SC and ST candidates do not pay an application fee.
SC, OBC, EBC and DNT candidates are pointed to the National Scholarship Portal rather than a scholarship run by the academy.
The academy has no tie up with any bank. It issues a certificate of selection and fee details, and you apply to a bank yourself.
| Item | What the academy states |
|---|---|
| Training fee | ₹55 lakh, paid in four quarterly instalments |
| Fee subsidy or relaxation | None for any category, including SC, ST, OBC, EWS, EBC and DNT |
| Application fee | Not charged to SC and ST candidates |
| Bank loan | No tie up with any bank; the academy issues selection and fee certificates |
| Scholarship route | SC, OBC, EBC and DNT candidates are pointed to the National Scholarship Portal |
Can the National Scholarship Portal pay for a CPL?
Possibly, but not reliably. Scholarship schemes on the portal differ by state and by category, and the guidelines of some schemes leave out flying courses. Check the scheme guidelines for your state and category on the portal before you plan around it, and do not assume the amount will cover a CPL. A CPL in India costs about ₹75 lakh in total by our estimate, so any scholarship is likely to cover only part of it. See our full cost breakdown for India and abroad.
State schemes and older announcements
Some state governments and central ministries have announced pilot training support for SC and ST candidates over the years. Many of these announcements are old, and we could not confirm a current, funded scheme from an official source. If you see one quoted online, ask for the scheme notification, the year, the eligible licence level and the amount before you rely on it.
How families usually fund pilot training
Education loan from a bank or a non bank lender, subject to lender approval. Read our guide to pilot training loans in India and what to expect if you have no collateral.
Family contribution, kept separate from the loan so the budget is clear.
Staged payments. Under DGCA Public Notice FTC 02 of 2026, DGCA approved flying training organisations in India must collect flying fees in 25 percent blocks. Read the DGCA fee and refund rules before you pay any deposit.
If you want us to review your funding plan, use our loan application help page. Pilots Assist is not a lender, and lenders decide eligibility, amount and timing.
FAQ: Pilot Training Scholarship in India
Q: Is there a government scholarship for pilot training in India?
A: We could not find a current national scheme that pays for a CPL. The government flying academy we reviewed states that it offers no fee subsidy to any category. Scholarships on the National Scholarship Portal may help some candidates, depending on the scheme and the state.
Q: Do SC and ST candidates get free pilot training?
A: Not at the academy we reviewed. SC and ST candidates pay no application fee, but the training fee is the same for every category. Check the National Scholarship Portal and your state department for any separate scheme.
Q: Can I use an education loan instead of a scholarship?
A: Many students do. Loans are subject to lender approval, and each lender sets its own rules on amount, security and course. We do not promise any loan outcome.
Q: Who should I ask about a current scholarship?
A: Ask the National Scholarship Portal helpline, your state social welfare or tribal welfare department, and the flying academy you plan to join. Get the scheme notification in writing.
Sources
Government flying academy, financial assistance page, last updated 19 December 2025, read 2 November 2026
DGCA Public Notice FTC 02 of 2026 on flying fee blocks
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