IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program: Your Fast Track to an Airline Career in India

This could be you in under 2 years.

What Is the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program?

The IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program is a structured training and recruitment pathway designed to take aspiring pilots from zero flight experience to the right seat of an Airbus A320 as a First Officer with IndiGo, India’s largest airline by fleet size and market share.

Unlike traditional pilot training, this program offers guaranteed employment on successful completion of all training phases - making it a trusted route for those serious about an airline career in India.

Program Structure & Phases

The IndiGo Cadet Program is conducted in partnership with various flight training organizations (FTOs), including:

• CAE (Gondia & abroad)

• Skyborne Aviation

• FSTC (Flight Simulation Technique Centre)

• Capt. Gopi Aviation Academy

• Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (IGIA)

Phases of Training:

1. Screening and Selection by IndiGo & FTO

2. Ground School (DGCA CPL Theory Exams)

3. Flight Training (Abroad or in India, depending on FTO)

4. DGCA Licensing & Flying Hours Completion

5. Airbus A320 Type Rating

6. Joining IndiGo as a Junior First Officer

Total duration: ~18–24 months Total cost: ₹85–₹95 Lakhs (approx. USD $100,000–$115,000)

Entry Requirements

• Age: 18–32 years

• Education: 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics (minimum 55%)

• Nationality: Indian citizen or PIO/OCI card holder

• Medical: DGCA Class 1 Medical Certificate

• English Proficiency: Fluency required

• Height: Minimum 155 cm (varies slightly by partner)

Selection Process

The process typically includes:

1. Online Application

2. Aptitude & Psychometric Testing (Math, English, Memory, Reaction, Coordination)

3. Personal Interview

4. Medical Screening

5. Final Offer of Admission to the Cadet Program

Each partner (CAE, Skyborne, FSTC, etc.) conducts its own screening under IndiGo's oversight.

Pros of the IndiGo Cadet Program

• Direct airline employment on successful completion

• Structured training from zero hours to Type Rating

• Airbus A320 fleet experience – highly transferable

• DGCA curriculum alignment and regulatory support

• Brand recognition of India’s largest airline

Cons and Considerations

• High financial cost – training can exceed ₹90 Lakhs

• No income during training period

• Tied to IndiGo – limited flexibility post-training

• Conditional employment offer – contingent on performance and market demand

• Competitive selection process

Career Outlook

With IndiGo's aggressive fleet expansion and India's aviation sector growth, cadet program graduates can expect steady career progression within a large airline network. However, timing matters - economic shifts or hiring freezes can impact intake and class dates.

Is It the Right Path for You?

The IndiGo Cadet Program is ideal for candidates who:

• Are financially prepared for full-scope pilot training

• Want a direct airline job with a major carrier

• Prefer a structured, zero-to-airline approach

• Can handle the high-pressure training pace and academic rigor

It may not be ideal for those seeking training flexibility, lower-cost paths (e.g., modular CPL), or the option to work for different airlines.

How Yaw Aviation Can Help

If you're preparing for a cadet pilot screening - whether in India or abroad - Yaw Aviation offers:

• 🎯 Psychometric test preparation tailored to airline cadet programs

• 📄 CV and application support to stand out

• 🗣️ Interview coaching with experienced airline assessors

• 🧭 Career guidance to help compare cadet programs globally

Book your free consultation with our team and let's take your aviation dreams to cruising altitude.👉 Schedule Now

Why Trust Yaw Aviation for IndiGo Cadet Program Preparation?

At Yaw Aviation, we don’t just study airline pathways - we’ve lived them.

🧑‍✈️ Our team includes Senior Training Captains who were part of IndiGo’s original startup and helped shape its rapid growth into India’s largest airline. They understand the culture, standards, and expectations of the airline from the inside out.

🌟 We’re also proud to have on staff one of IndiGo’s cadet success stories - a pilot who started as a Junior First Officer, progressed to Captain, became a Training Captain, and today flies the Airbus A380 as a Captain with a major global carrier. His journey is proof that the IndiGo cadet program can be a launchpad for a world-class aviation career - when you’re properly prepared.

With our combined airline experience, recruitment insight, and technical training expertise, we provide unmatched support for aspiring IndiGo cadets, including:

• ✅ Personalized coaching for IndiGo’s psychometric and aptitude testing

• ✅ Interview preparation with real-world scenarios based on actual IndiGo hiring panels

• ✅ Honest, experience-backed career guidance - not sales pitches

• ✅ Global perspective on how IndiGo compares with cadet schemes in the U.S., Middle East, and Europe

“I began my flying journey as a cadet with IndiGo - wide-eyed, inexperienced, and eager to learn. Through discipline, support, and relentless preparation, I progressed from Junior First Officer to Captain and then Training Captain within the same airline. Today, I fly the Airbus A380 as a Captain for one of the world’s largest international carriers. None of this would’ve been possible without the right guidance early on. At Yaw Aviation, we offer that same guidance to the next generation - because we’ve been in your shoes, and we know what it takes.”

Captain Vinny, Airbus A380 Captain & Former IndiGo Cadet