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21001:2018
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Airline Cadet Programmes
Training partner — Air India Cadet Pilot Programme
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Air India Cadet Pilot · Training partner
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AirAsia Cadet Pilot Programme
ThePilot.in is a training partner for the Air India Cadet Pilot Programme. IndiGo and AirAsia names identify cadet programmes we prepare candidates for. Admission and selection are decided by each airline.
Fees & funding
Pilot Training Fees in India: CPL Cost & Funding Options
One honest range, broken down by stage and confirmed in writing before you enrol.
Cost Breakdown for CPL in India
₹70–95 Lakh
All-in, including medicals, exams and documentation.
- DGCA Ground School & Exams
- ₹1.5–2.5 L
- Flying Training (200 hours)
- ₹70–95 L
- Type Rating
- ₹13.5–19 L
- Medical, exams & documentation
- ₹1–3 L
Fee breakup & loan options
PDF · EMI and education-loan options · Updated September 2026
Our courses
Pilot Training & Aviation Courses
DGCA ground classes, CPL flight training, cadet programme preparation and A320 or B737 type rating — for aspiring and qualified pilots.
2,000+
Pilots trained
- DGCAGround Classes
- CPLExam Preparation
- PilotCareer Journey
DGCA Ground Classes for CPL
Ground classes cover the full DGCA examination syllabus for a Commercial Pilot Licence: six papers, each passed with a minimum of 70%. Passed papers stay valid for five years, so you can sit them in any order while you build flying hours.
Six DGCA papers
- Air Navigation
- Air Regulations
- Aviation Meteorology
- Technical General
- Technical Specific
- Composite paper revision
RTR(A)
RTR(A) now comes under the DGCA and is prepared alongside these papers.
- Part 1 — Written
- Regulations, radio telephony procedures and phraseology, examined objectively
- Part 2 — Practical viva
- Live transmission exercise and oral examination on equipment and procedures
- Duration
- 3–9 months
- Pass mark per paper
- 70%
- Exam frequency
- 4× a year + on-demand
- First-attempt pass rate
- 80%
Eligibility
Can you start this year?
Four questions on your age, Class 12 subjects, medical and English. You get a straight answer and the next step for your situation.
4 questions · 30 seconds · Age, 10+2 with Physics & Maths, Class 1 medical
Question 1 of 4
How old are you?
A CPL is issued from 17. There is no upper age limit for the licence itself.
Question 2 of 4
Did you take Physics and Maths in Class 12?
Both subjects are required. A NIOS improvement is an accepted route if you did not.
Question 3 of 4
Do you hold a DGCA medical?
Class 2 lets you start training. Class 1 is required before the licence is issued.
Question 4 of 4
How is your English?
ICAO Level 4 English proficiency is required for radio telephony.
You meet the entry requirements
On what you have told us, you can begin DGCA ground classes and start flight training. A counsellor will confirm your documents and map a timeline around your medical.
One gap to close first — Physics and Maths
You can add both subjects through NIOS while you start ground classes. Most students clear the improvement in six to nine months without delaying their training.
Start with the medical, not the fees
A Class 1 assessment tells you where you stand before you spend anything. We will point you to a DGCA-empanelled examiner and explain what is and is not disqualifying.
Not yet — but you can prepare now
Flight training can begin at 16 and the licence is issued at 17. Use the time to finish Physics and Maths and sit your Class 2 medical.
Pass rates are ThePilot.in internal figures for students who completed the full ground class programme, as of September 2026. Durations and costs are indicative.
Our students have achieved All India Ranks in DGCA examinations
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Score 100/100
Aman DM RTR Part 1 -
Score 100/100
Pratham Minocha RTR Part 1 -
Score 100/100
Ronak Ghadei RTR Part 1 -
Score 100/100
Veerelli Sathwika RTR Part 1 -
Score 95/100
Savio JL Air Navigation -
Score 98/100
Bhavy Yadav Meteorology -
Score 94/100
Kirubanandhan R Meteorology -
Score 98/100
Anushka Sandhu Meteorology -
Score 98/100
Sudherson C RTR Part 1 -
Score 96/100
Aryan KA Meteorology -
Score 96/100
Divyashree HJ Meteorology -
Score 96/100
Rajyeveer Sultania Meteorology -
Score 96/100
Sachin Khatana RTR Part 1 -
Score 96/100
Sayoojya AK RTR Part 1 -
Score 96/100
Shreyansh Sachan RTR Part 1 -
Score 96/100
Venus Singh RTR Part 1 -
Score 96/100
Vinil KAK RTR Part 1 -
Score 91/100
Aryan Velapure Air Navigation -
Score 95/100
Akhil RB Air Navigation -
Score 95/100
Arush Deep Air Navigation -
Score 94/100
Anish Pulivarthi Meteorology -
Score 90/100
Ganti SA Meteorology -
Score 94/100
Jai Verma Air Navigation -
Score 92/100
Mehakdeep KM Meteorology -
Score 94/100
Palanirajan ES Meteorology -
Score 94/100
Rishi Sinha Meteorology -
Score 94/100
Yohan SK Meteorology -
Score 94/100
Kandala ST RTR Part 1 -
Score 94/100
Nakul Shah RTR Part 1 -
Score 94/100
Nandhumon KR RTR Part 1 -
Score 94/100
Pranel SKV RTR Part 1 -
Score 94/100
Sehr Bansal RTR Part 1 -
Score 94/100
Shireen Narula Meteorology -
Score 94/100
Tushar Boken RTR Part 1 -
Score 93/100
Sankalp Saini Air Navigation -
Score 93/100
Adithya Ayyappan Air Navigation -
Score 92/100
Shashank PP Meteorology -
Score 92/100
Trinak Das Meteorology -
Score 92/100
Aalind Bareliya RTR Part 1 -
Score 92/100
Aaryan Singh Meteorology -
Score 92/100
Ayush Khandai RTR Part 1 -
Score 92/100
Bhoomika Rathore RTR Part 1 -
Score 92/100
Harsh BG RTR Part 1 -
Score 92/100
Harsh Sapate Meteorology -
Score 92/100
Manish Meteorology -
Score 92/100
Mente Sriharsha RTR Part 1 -
Score 92/100
Niranjan K Meteorology -
Score 92/100
Radhika Yadav RTR Part 1 -
Score 92/100
Rashman Singh Meteorology -
Score 92/100
Saisha Bhatura Meteorology
Ranks and marks as declared by the DGCA, verified against student mark sheets on file as of September 2026.
Where should you do your flight training?
Compare cost, duration and the licence you walk away with across our nine partner training countries.
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India
- Duration
- Approx cost
- 17–18 months
- ₹61–65 L
DGCA — issued directly
Full details -
USA
- Duration
- Approx cost
- 12–14 months
- ₹58–65 L
FAA — conversion required
Full details -
South Africa
- Duration
- Approx cost
- 15–16 months
- ₹55–62 L
SACAA — conversion required
Full details -
New Zealand
- Duration
- Approx cost
- 14–16 months
- ₹67–71 L
CAANZ — conversion required
Full details -
Australia
- Duration
- Approx cost
- 15–17 months
- ₹85–90 L
CASA — conversion required
Full details -
Maldives
- Duration
- Approx cost
- 15–18 months
- ₹55–57 L
MCAA — conversion required
Full details -
Spain
- Duration
- Approx cost
- 17–18 months
- ₹70–72 L
EASA — conversion required
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Hungary
- Duration
- Approx cost
- 15–18 months
- ₹70–72 L
EASA — conversion required
Guide to DGCA CPL conversion
What a foreign licence conversion actually involves — papers, checkride, timeline and cost.
Costs are indicative as of September 2026, converted at ₹88 to USD 1, and exclude living expenses and DGCA conversion charges. Confirmed per school before enrolment.
Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Training: Our Student Success
ThePilot.in students who hold a Commercial Pilot Licence and are progressing toward airline careers.
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Lydia Baretto
CPL completed
New Zealand
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Aditya Pratap Singh
CPL completed
USA
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Akshay Dave
CPL completed
New Zealand
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Mitasha Lade
CPL completed
USA
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Palak Sharma
CPL completed
New Zealand
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Preethi Reddy
CPL completed
Australia
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Viraj Shah
CPL completed
USA
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Brendan Soares
CPL completed
USA
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Sheetal C
CPL completed
New Zealand
India or abroad
Pilot Training in India vs Abroad: Two Routes to a DGCA CPL
Both pathways end in a DGCA CPL. They differ in timeline, cost and how the licence reaches your hand.
| Compare on | Option A Flight training in India DGCA licence issued directly. No conversion, slower hour building. | Option B Flight training abroad Faster hour building, then a DGCA conversion on your return. |
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| Timeline to CPL | 17–18 months | 12–18 months |
| Indicative total cost | ₹61–65 L | ₹55–90 L |
| Licence issued by | DGCA — issued directly | FAA, CASA or SACAA — foreign licence |
| Conversion process | Not required | DGCA conversion: papers, checkride and paperwork, 3–6 months |
| Flying conditions | Monsoon and traffic delays extend the calendar | More weather-clear days, faster hour accumulation |
| Best suited for | Students who want to stay close to home and avoid conversion | Students optimising for speed and continuous flying |
| Explore India training | Explore training abroad |
Which should you choose?
If your priority is the shortest calendar time to 200 hours and you can manage a conversion, train abroad. If you want the licence issued directly, want to stay near family, or your funding releases in stages, train in India. Cost is rarely the deciding factor — the two ranges overlap once conversion is priced in.
Indicative figures as of September 2026. Country-level costs, durations and conversion requirements vary by school and are confirmed in writing before enrolment.
For parents & guardians
Information for Parents & Guardians
The three things families ask us most, answered plainly — money, regulation and safety.
Education loan & installments
- Collateral and non-collateral options through our partner banks and NBFCs
- Loans sanctioned against the full training cost, disbursed stage by stage
- We handle documentation, sanction follow-up and disbursement scheduling
DGCA regulatory approvals
- Ground classes delivered by our registered training entity
- Flight training at DGCA-approved FTOs and ICAO-member ATOs, approval numbers shared per school
- ThePilot.in is a training and preparation provider — not an airline, and not a licensing authority
Student safety & accreditation
- Fleet age, maintenance record and instructor-to-student ratio shared before you enrol
- Vetted accommodation, student insurance and local support at every partner location
- One named counsellor as your family's point of contact
Loan paperwork? We handle it end-to-end.
Documentation, bank sanction follow-up and stage-wise disbursement — coordinated by your counsellor, so your family isn't chasing signatures.
Sit in on the counselling call with your child — we prefer it that way.
Book a call with your parents on the lineReviews from Google
Read all reviews on Google
Start
Airline ready
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01
Eligibility
10+2 With Physics & Maths
Complete 10+2 with Physics and Maths.
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02
Medical clearance
DGCA Class 1 & Class 2 Medicals
Complete your DGCA Class 1 and Class 2 medical assessments.
₹5,000–20,000
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03
Ground school
DGCA Ground Classes
Prepare for the DGCA CPL theory examinations.
₹1.5–3.5 Lakh
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Registration
DGCA Computer Number
Apply for your DGCA Computer Number.
Free
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05
Theory clearance
DGCA Theory Exams
Clear the required DGCA flight crew theory examinations.
₹2,500–5,000 / paper
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06
Flight training
Flight Training in India or Abroad
Complete your CPL flight training through a DGCA-compliant route.
₹70–95 Lakh
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07
Radio licence
RTR & FRTOL Licence Issuance
Complete radio telephony requirements and obtain the required documentation.
₹10,000
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08
DGCA conversion
DGCA CPL Licence Conversion
Complete the applicable DGCA licence conversion requirements if training abroad.
₹2.5–4 Lakh
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09
CPL issued
CPL Licence Issuance
Complete the required documentation and licensing process for your DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence.
₹10,000–15,000
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10 Airline ready
Airline ready
Type Rating
You can now apply to airlines as a qualified Airline Pilot with your CPL and required qualifications.
₹15–19 Lakh
Additional costs
- Living Expenses
- Travelling Expenses
- Additional Medical Tests
- Extra DGCA Exam Attempts
Cadet pilot programs
Airline Cadet Pilot Programs In India
A cadet pilot program is an airline-sponsored pathway where the airline selects you before training begins and places you in its own cockpit on completion. Selection covers aptitude, technical knowledge, psychometrics and interview.
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Air India Cadet Pilot Program
We are an Air India cadet training partner, preparing aspirants for the full assessment process.
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IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program
India's largest airline and biggest A320 operator. The most competitive cadet intake in the country.
ThePilot.in prepares candidates for the assessment stages of these programmes. Admission and final selection are conducted by the respective airline.
The selection process
Airline cadet programme preparation, in order
ThePilot.in prepares candidates for the selection and assessment stages of airline cadet programmes. Admission and final selection are conducted by the respective airline or programme.
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Step
01
ADAPT & pilot aptitude tests
Cognitive ability, numerical reasoning, spatial awareness, multitasking and coordination.
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Step
02
Psychometric assessment
Personality, behavioural and situational assessment preparation.
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Step
03
Group discussion & tasks
Communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving under observation.
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Step
04
Personal interview
HR, technical, aviation and airline-specific interview preparation.
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Step
05
Mock assessments
Timed aptitude tests, mock group discussions and simulated interviews.
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Step
06
Airline-specific preparation
Preparation aligned to the selection requirements of each cadet programme.
A320 & B737 Type Rating Training in India and Abroad
A type rating qualifies a CPL holder to fly a specific airliner. With ThePilot.in an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 rating takes 40 to 45 days and starts from USD 15,250 (about ₹13.4 lakh at ₹88 to USD 1, September 2026), with visa processing, licence endorsement support and study material included free.
Airbus A320 Type Rating
Location: Italy Australia India UAE
Boeing 737 Type Rating
Location: Italy UAE
ThePilot.in Benefits
Total saving of ₹50,000+
- Visa processing (1–2 weeks)
- Free pre-type-rating study material
- Licence endorsement support
- ₹30,000 cashback on completion
Why choose us
Why Choose ThePilot.in
Over 2,000 students have trained with us since 2019. This is what they get that a standalone flying school does not offer.
- End-to-end guidance
- From DGCA ground classes to type rating, we support every stage of your pilot training journey.
- 14+ aviation experts
- Learn from instructors with airline and flight training school backgrounds.
- Global training network
- Access vetted flight training partners across nine countries.
- 2,000+ pilots trained
- Students have trusted us to launch their aviation careers since 2019.
- Documentation support
- Help with medicals, visas, licence conversion and education loans.
- Career guidance
- One-on-one counselling to help you choose the right pathway with confidence.
Student reviews
Student testimonials
Hear from students now flying, in their own words.
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Kalpana Joshi
DGCA Ground Classes
“Cleared all DGCA papers in my first attempt.”
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Aparna
DGCA Aviation Meteorology — Scored 90/100
“Scored 90 in Aviation Meteorology. The notes and question banks helped a lot.”
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Neethu M
Flight Training in the USA
“Got my USA visa approved and am starting flight training in the USA.”
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Atharva Wagh
CPL Process & Ground Classes
“ThePilot.in helped me through my entire CPL process. Their ground classes are amazing.”
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Dev Mehra
DGCA Cleared — Maldives CPL next
“Cleared all DGCA exams in 5 months. Now going to Maldives for CPL.”
Career outlook
Pilot salary in India
What Indian carriers pay across a typical airline career, so you can weigh the training cost against what follows it.
| Role | Experience | Monthly (indicative) |
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| Trainee first officerOn joining, post type rating | On joining, post type rating | ₹1.5–2.5 L |
| First officer1–4 years | 1–4 years | ₹2.5–4.5 L |
| Senior first officer4–7 years | 4–7 years | ₹4.5–6 L |
| Captain — narrow body7–12 years | 7–12 years | ₹6–9 L |
| Captain — wide body12+ years | 12+ years | ₹9–14 L |
Indicative ranges compiled from publicly reported Indian airline pay scales as of September 2026. Actual pay depends on the airline, aircraft type, flying hours and allowances. ThePilot.in does not guarantee employment or earnings.
Flight training
The 200-hour flying breakup
A DGCA Commercial Pilot Licence needs 200 logged hours. Here is how they are made up — and which minimums you cannot substitute.
Total logged hours required
200hours
Hours flown on a foreign licence count toward the total, but the licence itself still needs converting to a DGCA CPL.
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Dual instruction
Flown with an instructor, covering general handling, circuits and procedures
Flown with an instructor, covering general handling, circuits and procedures
100 hrs
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Pilot-in-command
Solo time, of which 20 hours must be cross-country PIC
Solo time, of which 20 hours must be cross-country PIC
100 hrs
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Cross-country PIC
Includes one solo flight of at least 300 nm with two full-stop landings
Includes one solo flight of at least 300 nm with two full-stop landings
20 hrs
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Instrument time
Up to 20 hours may be completed in an approved simulator (FSTD)
Up to 20 hours may be completed in an approved simulator (FSTD)
40 hrs
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Night flying
Including a minimum of 10 take-offs and 10 landings at night
Including a minimum of 10 take-offs and 10 landings at night
5 hrs
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Multi-engine
Endorsement training on a multi-engine aircraft, typically after 150 hours
Endorsement training on a multi-engine aircraft, typically after 150 hours
15 hrs
Minimums as laid down in the DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements. Dual and pilot-in-command hours together make up the 200; cross-country, instrument, night and multi-engine time is counted within them. Your school confirms the exact syllabus split before you begin.
Visit us
ThePilot.in: Pilot Training & DGCA Ground Classes in Mumbai
Ground school and counselling in person at our Mumbai centre, or over a video call if you are further away. Partner flying schools operate across nine countries.
On Instagram
@thepilot.in
Student milestones, results and centre updates
On Google Maps
Mumbai centre
ThePilot.in
102, B Wing, Arham Siddha, Poppy CHS, Ram Nagar Road, off Haridas Nagar Road, Saibaba Nagar, Borivali West, Mumbai 400092
- +91-7738901234
- info@thepilot.in
- Mon–Fri 9:30–18:00 · Sat 9:30–14:30 IST
Answers
Pilot Training & DGCA CPL FAQs
The questions students and parents ask us on almost every counselling call.
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You must be at least 17 to hold a CPL, have passed Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics (a NIOS improvement is accepted), hold a DGCA Class 1 medical, and be proficient in English to ICAO Level 4. Flight training can begin at 16.
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Budget ₹70–95 lakh from ground school to a type rating. That breaks down to roughly ₹1.5–2.5 lakh for DGCA ground classes, ₹55–70 lakh for 200 hours of flight training, ₹13.5–19 lakh for an A320 or B737 type rating, and ₹1–3 lakh for medicals, exams and documentation. The flying-training range reflects where you train — South Africa and the Maldives sit at the lower end; Australia at the upper end.
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Two to three years is realistic. Ground classes run 3–9 months alongside flight training of 12–24 months, followed by a 40–45 day type rating. Training abroad compresses the flying phase; conversion on return adds 3–6 months.
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Train abroad if the shortest calendar time to 200 hours matters most and you can manage a DGCA conversion. Train in India if you want the licence issued directly, prefer to stay near family, or your funding releases in stages. The cost ranges overlap once conversion is priced in.
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Each passed DGCA paper stays valid for five years, so you can sit the six papers in any order while you build flying hours. Each paper requires a minimum of 70% to pass.
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RTR(A) is the radio telephony qualification you need to transmit as a pilot, and it now comes under the DGCA. It is examined in two parts: Part 1 is a written paper on regulations, procedures and phraseology; Part 2 is a practical viva with a live transmission exercise and an oral examination. We prepare you for both alongside the six DGCA papers.
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Yes. Collateral and non-collateral loans are available through our partner banks and NBFCs, sanctioned against the full training cost and disbursed stage by stage. We help with documentation, sanction follow-up and disbursement scheduling.
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No, and no legitimate provider can. We prepare candidates for the selection and assessment stages of airline cadet programmes. Admission and final selection are conducted by the respective airline or programme.