MoCA Releases Second Phase FTO Rankings to Strengthen Pilot Training

30 Apr 2026 CW Team

The data-driven framework compiled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation ensures objective comparison and continuous monitoring of FTO performance with emphasis on safety and accountability. The minister said the system will make pilot training more transparent and help aspiring cadets and their families make informed choices. The measure forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the national aviation training ecosystem.

The ministry highlighted growth prospects driven by national policies on regional connectivity and noted that over the next five years, India will add 50 more airports while carriers are expected to induct around 500 more aircraft as major airports evolve into transit hubs. With a historic outlay of Rs 290 bn through Modified UDAN, the ministry said there is scope for regional connectivity, and the country will require nearly 30,000 additional pilots over the next decade. These factors underline the need for enhanced domestic training capacity.

Since the ranking was introduced, the training ecosystem has recorded gains, including an increase in training flying hours from 32 per cent to 50 per cent, expansion of FTO aircraft fleets and improved training efficiency that has shortened cadets' time to obtain a commercial pilot licence. The ranking has enabled students to compare institutions on objective indicators and decide accordingly. The ministry reported that commercial pilot licences issued have risen more than two and a half times over the last eight years, with record numbers in 2024 and 2025.

The second phase showed one FTO achieving Category A, a shift from Category C to B for several institutions and notable progress at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi. The ministry said reforms include liberalising FTO policy, abolishing airport royalties, rationalising land rentals and digitising examination processes under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniam.

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) under Minister Ram Mohan Naidu released the second phase ranking of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approved Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) in April 2026. The framework was developed under the minister's guidance to standardise the evaluation of training institutions. The initiative aims to create a transparent, performance-driven system for pilot training across India. The data-driven framework compiled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation ensures objective comparison and continuous monitoring of FTO performance with emphasis on safety and accountability. The minister said the system will make pilot training more transparent and help aspiring cadets and their families make informed choices. The measure forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the national aviation training ecosystem. The ministry highlighted growth prospects driven by national policies on regional connectivity and noted that over the next five years, India will add 50 more airports while carriers are expected to induct around 500 more aircraft as major airports evolve into transit hubs. With a historic outlay of Rs 290 bn through Modified UDAN, the ministry said there is scope for regional connectivity, and the country will require nearly 30,000 additional pilots over the next decade. These factors underline the need for enhanced domestic training capacity. Since the ranking was introduced, the training ecosystem has recorded gains, including an increase in training flying hours from 32 per cent to 50 per cent, expansion of FTO aircraft fleets and improved training efficiency that has shortened cadets' time to obtain a commercial pilot licence. The ranking has enabled students to compare institutions on objective indicators and decide accordingly. The ministry reported that commercial pilot licences issued have risen more than two and a half times over the last eight years, with record numbers in 2024 and 2025. The second phase showed one FTO achieving Category A, a shift from Category C to B for several institutions and notable progress at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi. The ministry said reforms include liberalising FTO policy, abolishing airport royalties, rationalising land rentals and digitising examination processes under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniam.

Infrastructure Urban

30 Apr 2026

Centre Offers Financial Incentives For State Mining Reforms

The Centre has incorporated a financial incentive mechanism with an outlay of Rs 50,000 mn into the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for the financial year 2026-27. The Ministry of Mines, acting as the nodal ministry, has issued operational guidelines for the new scheme component. The measure follows the perceived success of the previous fiscal year and aims to promote mining sector reforms across States and union territories with legislatures. The incentives are intended to expedite operationalisation of mines and to boost mineral production and state rev..

Technology

30 Apr 2026

India Netherlands Relations Move Towards Stronger Strategic Partnership

At the Dutch Embassy in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, the Union Minister of State with independent charge of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences and minister in the Prime Minister's Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, attended the Netherlands National Day celebration as the chief guest. He noted that India and the Netherlands share an enduring relationship that is steadily progressing towards a stronger strategic partnership. The minister highlighted the event as a platform to reaffirm bilateral ties. He outlined that the partnership encompasses key sectors such as water management, agriculture and hi..

Infrastructure Urban

30 Apr 2026

India Targets One Trillion Bio Economy By 2047

Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said the 21st century will belong to Bharat and will be driven by a biology-led economy, with the country aiming for a bio economy of one trillion (tn) dollars by 2047. He delivered the keynote address virtually at the International Conference Vision 2047, organised by IIT Roorkee and Swadeshi Shodh Sansthan, which brought together more than 100 institutions from India and abroad. He outlined policy initiatives, including the BioE3 Policy approved in 2024, and said the sector has expanded rapidly, rising from $10 billion (bn) in 2014 to over $165 billi..