Pilot Training Loans and Scholarships in India: How to Apply

How pilot training is usually funded in India

A Commercial Pilot Licence is one of the most expensive courses an Indian student can take after Class 12. Unlike engineering or medicine, there is no large network of subsidised government seats, so most families combine savings, an education loan and, if they are lucky, a scholarship or state scheme.

The money is usually needed in stages: ground classes and DGCA exams, flying hours at a Flying Training Organisation (FTO), licence issue, and then a type rating on an airliner such as the A320, ATR or Boeing 737. Many families plan only for the first two stages and are caught short later. Before reading about loans, get a realistic number for the whole journey. Our guide on how much it costs to become a pilot in India breaks this down.

This article is general information, not financial advice. Loan terms, rates and scheme rules change often, so treat every figure here as something to confirm with the lender or department before you sign anything.

Education loans from banks and NBFCs

Pilot training is generally accepted by Indian lenders as an education loan purpose, as long as the course and the institute are approved. In India that means a DGCA-approved FTO. For training abroad, lenders look for a recognised school and a clear path to converting the licence in India. Below is what we could confirm on official lender pages in October 2026. If a lender is not listed, it does not mean they do not lend for pilot training, only that we could not verify a pilot-specific statement on their site.

• Bank of Baroda (Baroda Gyan): The bank's Baroda Gyan page lists regular degree or diploma courses such as aeronautical and pilot training approved by the Director General of Civil Aviation as eligible, and states a ceiling of up to Rs 125 lakh for medical and aviation courses against Rs 25 lakh for other courses. The same page says loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh need no collateral but need a parent as co-obligant, loans from Rs 7.5 lakh to Rs 80 lakh need tangible collateral equal to 100 percent of the loan, and loans above Rs 80 lakh need security of 1.25 times the loan. Its loans FAQ also answers yes to whether a loan is available for pilot training.
• State Bank of India: SBI's published student loan terms document (MITC) lists aeronautical, pilot training and shipping courses approved by the Director General of Civil Aviation or Shipping among eligible courses for studies in India. That document is not dated, so ask your SBI branch for the current scheme, limits and rates.
• Canara Bank: Canara's IBA Model Education Loan Scheme page (2026) describes need-based finance, no collateral up to Rs 7.5 lakh for merit-quota admissions, a moratorium of course period plus one year and repayment over up to 15 years. It does not mention pilot training specifically, so confirm with the branch whether your FTO course qualifies.
• ICICI Bank: ICICI has a page on pilot training loans that asks for admission to a DGCA-approved institute in India or a recognised school abroad and a strong Class 12 record in Physics and Mathematics. It quotes loan amounts and starting rates, but the rate is described as of 2025, so check the current figures directly.
• Credila (formerly HDFC Credila): The company changed its name to Credila Financial Services Limited in October 2024. Its pilot training article, updated in February 2026, says applicants are typically 17 to 35 years old, need admission to a recognised aviation institute, and may be asked for a medical fitness certificate. It says the loan can cover tuition, simulator fees, licence and exam costs, and for overseas training, travel and living costs.
• Avanse Financial Services: Avanse's pilot training article says students must be Indian citizens aged 18 or above, with a co-borrower who earns in India and is a close relative or guardian. It offers both secured and unsecured loans.

Collateral, co-applicants and what lenders ask for

For a course that can run into many lakhs, expect the lender to want two kinds of comfort: someone with income who will repay if you cannot, and an asset they can fall back on. A parent or guardian almost always signs as co-applicant. Above the collateral-free limit, banks usually ask for property, fixed deposits or similar security. NBFCs sometimes lend without collateral but tend to charge more and lean harder on the co-applicant's income and credit score.

The documents below appear repeatedly on the lender pages we checked. Keep clean copies ready before you apply anywhere.

• Admission or offer letter from a DGCA-approved FTO, or a recognised school abroad
• Official fee schedule showing each instalment and what it covers
• Class 10 and 12 mark sheets, especially Physics and Mathematics
• Medical fitness proof; airline cadet programmes generally require a DGCA Class 1 medical before flight training, and some lenders ask for medical fitness too
• KYC for student and co-applicant (photo ID, address and date of birth proof)
• Co-applicant income proof, income tax returns and recent bank statements
• Property or deposit documents if the loan is secured
• Passport and visa if training abroad

Government schemes: what actually applies to pilot training

Central government education loan schemes are worth knowing about, but read their eligibility rules carefully. Many FTOs are not the kind of institution these schemes are designed for, so do not assume you qualify.

• PM-Vidyalaxmi: Approved by the Union Cabinet in November 2024, it offers a 75 percent government credit guarantee on loans up to Rs 7.5 lakh and 3 percent interest subvention during the moratorium for family income up to Rs 8 lakh, on loans up to Rs 10 lakh. It applies only to students admitted to listed Quality Higher Education Institutions chosen by NIRF rankings. Check whether your institute is on that list before counting on it. Applications go through the PM-Vidyalaxmi portal, which replaced the older Vidya Lakshmi portal as the common education loan application point.
• Central Sector Interest Subsidy (CSIS): Bank pages describing the modified scheme from 2022-23 say it pays interest during the moratorium on loans up to Rs 10 lakh for families earning up to Rs 4.5 lakh a year, but only for technical or professional courses at NAAC-accredited institutions, NBA-accredited programmes, Institutions of National Importance or centrally funded technical institutions. Most FTOs fall outside these categories, so confirm with your bank before relying on it.
• Arunachal Pradesh: The state's education department notified a scheme in September 2024, with guidelines approved in December 2024, to fund up to 75 percent of CPL training and associated fees for Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe youth, for up to 10 candidates a year, at DGCA-approved institutes. Applicants need a DGCA computer number, and the money must be repaid with interest if the course is not completed.
• Gujarat and other states: Government scheme listings show Gujarat pilot training loans for Scheduled Caste and other eligible students through state welfare corporations. We could not open the official pages to confirm current limits and rates, so check with the state social justice or welfare department directly.
• Other states: Several states have announced aviation or pilot training support in recent years. Ask your state's social welfare, tribal welfare or higher education department in writing what is open this year, and keep a copy of the reply.

Airline cadet programmes and financing tie-ups

Cadet programmes run with an airline partner give you a structured path and, usually, a conditional job offer at the end. They are not free, and they are often more expensive than training on your own because they include a type rating. What they can offer is easier access to finance, because lenders like a defined course with an airline name behind it.

• Financing partners: At least one Indian airline's cadet programme says it has partnered with a financial institution so selected cadets can finance their training, while leaving cadets free to choose another lender. Ask the programme for the lender's name and the written terms before you rely on it.
• Staged payments: Programme fees are commonly paid in instalments tied to training milestones, with a non-refundable selection or assessment fee before you are even accepted. Some programmes publish their cost; others share it only after selection or inside the application form.
• Training abroad: Some programmes train cadets at partner schools overseas and price the course in foreign currency. Rupee movements can change what you owe, so ask your lender how they handle foreign-currency instalments.
• Type rating included: Many programmes bundle a type rating on the airline's fleet into the course. This makes the headline figure larger but can mean fewer surprise costs later. Compare like for like with independent FTO training.
• Official channels only: Apply only through the airline's own careers or cadet pages. Airlines have warned that they do not engage third parties for induction training, so be careful with agents offering seats or financing in an airline's name.

Scholarships for student pilots

Scholarships for pilot training in India are few, competitive and often linked to company CSR budgets or state partnerships. They come and go each year, so treat any list you find online, including this one, as a starting point to check.

• Airline-backed CSR scholarships: In August 2026, Telangana's Intermediate Education Department announced an airline-backed scholarship for girl students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, offering full support for CPL training with a type rating, including accommodation and meals, according to news reports. Check eligibility on the programme's official application portal before applying.
• Women's aviation associations: Bodies such as the Indian Women Pilots Association work to encourage women in aviation. We could not find a current, officially published IWPA scholarship call for 2024 to 2026, so contact them directly rather than relying on older articles.
• FTO and state merit support: Some flying schools and state governments offer fee waivers or merit seats. Ask each FTO on your shortlist in writing, and check our list of DGCA-approved flying schools to make sure the school itself is approved.

Checklist before you borrow

A pilot training loan is a large debt taken before you have a job, and airline hiring moves in cycles. Run through this list with your family before you sign.

• Total cost, not course fee: Add ground classes, DGCA exam fees, medicals, flying hours, licence issue, uniform and living costs, and the type rating, which is often a separate large payment.
• Delay buffer: Weather, aircraft availability, instructor shortages and exam results can stretch training well beyond the brochure timeline. Ask the FTO for actual completion times of recent batches.
• Interest during moratorium: On most loans interest builds up from the first disbursement. Bank of Baroda's page, for example, says interest during the moratorium is added to the principal before EMIs are fixed. Ask for a written estimate of what you will owe on the day repayment starts.
• Moratorium length: If the moratorium ends before you finish training or find a job, EMIs start with no salary. Ask whether it can be extended for training delays.
• Disbursement schedule: Money should go to the FTO in stages tied to milestones, not as one lump sum up front.
• Total repayment: Ask for the full repayment schedule at the floating rate, and work out the EMI if the rate rises.
• Co-applicant risk: Your parent's credit score and any pledged property are at stake if you cannot pay. Make sure everyone signing understands this.
• Plan B: Decide in advance what you will do if you fail a medical, or if hiring slows after you qualify.

Red flags to watch for

• An FTO or agent asking for most of the fees up front, or pushing you to sign a loan before you have seen the fee schedule
• Agents who promise a guaranteed airline job or guaranteed loan approval for a fee
• Loan offers that do not show the interest rate, processing fee and total repayment in writing
• Schools that are not on the DGCA list of approved FTOs, or cannot show you their aircraft and instructor numbers
• Third parties claiming to represent an airline cadet programme, or selling seats or financing in an airline's name
• Pressure to pledge the family home for a course you have not researched, or to borrow more than the documented fee schedule

Frequently asked questions

• Can I get an education loan for CPL training in India? Yes. Banks such as Bank of Baroda list pilot training approved by DGCA as an eligible course, and NBFCs such as Credila and Avanse publish pilot training loan information. Approval depends on your institute, co-applicant income and collateral.
• Can I get a pilot training loan without collateral? Usually only for smaller amounts. Bank of Baroda's page, for example, says no collateral is needed up to Rs 7.5 lakh, which covers only part of a CPL. Some NBFCs offer unsecured loans, typically at higher cost.
• Does PM-Vidyalaxmi cover pilot training? Only if your institute is on the scheme's list of Quality Higher Education Institutions. Most FTOs are not NIRF-ranked, so check before you apply.
• Do I need a medical before applying for a loan? Some lenders ask for medical fitness, and airline cadet programmes require a DGCA Class 1 medical before flight training. It is sensible to clear your medical before taking on any debt.
• Do airline cadet programmes give interest-free loans? We have not seen any official statement saying so. Some programmes have a financing partner, but loan terms are set by the lender. Ask for the terms in writing.
• Are there scholarships for women pilots in India? A few, mostly through CSR programmes, including an airline-backed scholarship for girl students in Telangana announced in 2026. They change each year, so check official portals.

Useful resources

These are the official pages we checked while writing this guide. Rules and figures change, so always confirm on the page itself or with the lender or department.

• Bank of Baroda: Baroda Gyan education loan
• Bank of Baroda: Loans and advances FAQs
• SBI: Student loan MITC (terms document)
• Canara Bank: IBA Model Education Loan Scheme
• ICICI Bank: Pilot training loan guide
• Credila: Education loan for pilot training
• Avanse: Education loan for pilot training
• Ministry of Education: PM-Vidyalaxmi announcement
• Bank of Maharashtra: PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme details
• Punjab and Sind Bank: CSIS scheme details
• Arunachal Pradesh: CPL financial assistance for APST youth
• CPLGrid: How much does it cost to become a pilot
• CPLGrid: DGCA-approved flying schools in India