DGCA Issues Record 1,628 Commercial Pilot Licences in 2024

27 Jan 2026 CW Team

In a statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the record issuance of pilot licences underscores the strengthening of India’s aviation training ecosystem and the sector’s steady recovery and growth following the pandemic. The ministry noted that the DGCA’s streamlined certification processes and enhanced oversight of flying training organisations have contributed to the sharp rise in the number of qualified pilots.

The issuance of 1,628 CPLs in 2024 represents an all-time high in the history of Indian civil aviation, surpassing previous annual records. Officials said the increase is aligned with the expansion of airline fleets, the launch of new routes under regional connectivity initiatives, and India’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.

The government has been focusing on capacity building in pilot training through regulatory reforms, infrastructure upgrades at flying schools, and encouragement of domestic training facilities to reduce dependence on overseas training. Measures have also been taken to ensure high safety and competency standards while accelerating the licensing process.

According to the ministry, the rising number of licensed commercial pilots will help address manpower requirements of Indian airlines, which are placing large aircraft orders to meet growing passenger demand. The milestone also highlights India’s potential to become a global hub for aviation training and skilled manpower.

The record issuance of commercial pilot licences in 2024 reflects the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the civil aviation sector, enhance self-reliance in skilled workforce development, and support sustained growth in air connectivity and airline operations across the country.

News source: Hindustan Times

India’s civil aviation sector marked a significant milestone in 2024, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issuing a record 1,628 Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs), the highest number ever granted in a single year. The achievement reflects the rapid expansion of the aviation industry and growing demand for trained pilots across domestic and international operations.In a statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said that the record issuance of pilot licences underscores the strengthening of India’s aviation training ecosystem and the sector’s steady recovery and growth following the pandemic. The ministry noted that the DGCA’s streamlined certification processes and enhanced oversight of flying training organisations have contributed to the sharp rise in the number of qualified pilots.The issuance of 1,628 CPLs in 2024 represents an all-time high in the history of Indian civil aviation, surpassing previous annual records. Officials said the increase is aligned with the expansion of airline fleets, the launch of new routes under regional connectivity initiatives, and India’s emergence as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.The government has been focusing on capacity building in pilot training through regulatory reforms, infrastructure upgrades at flying schools, and encouragement of domestic training facilities to reduce dependence on overseas training. Measures have also been taken to ensure high safety and competency standards while accelerating the licensing process.According to the ministry, the rising number of licensed commercial pilots will help address manpower requirements of Indian airlines, which are placing large aircraft orders to meet growing passenger demand. The milestone also highlights India’s potential to become a global hub for aviation training and skilled manpower.The record issuance of commercial pilot licences in 2024 reflects the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the civil aviation sector, enhance self-reliance in skilled workforce development, and support sustained growth in air connectivity and airline operations across the country.News source: Hindustan Times

Real Estate

28 Feb 2026

Casagrand Launches Keystone In Tiruppur

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Keystone, a gated residential development at Rakkiyapalayam, off Avinashi Road, in Tiruppur. Spread across 2.2 acres, the B+G+5 structure comprises 142 units of 2 and 3 BHK homes, supported by 48 indoor and outdoor amenities. The project is introduced at a starting price of Rs 5,199 per sq. ft. The development allocates 1.3 acres to open space, including a central park of about 24,500 sq. ft. A 6,800 sq. ft. clubhouse includes a multipurpose hall, mini theatre and indoor recreation facilities. Other amenities include a 5,100 sq. ft. swimming pool, poolside par..

Real Estate

28 Feb 2026

Premium homes account for half of India’s housing sales in 2025

Knight Frank India, in its latest report on India’s office and residential property market, has highlighted a significant shift in housing demand, with homes priced above Rs 10 million accounting for 50 per cent of total residential sales across the top eight cities in 2025. The findings underscore the growing dominance of premium housing in the country’s real estate landscape.Out of 348,247 residential units sold during the year, approximately 175,091 units were in the Rs 10 million-plus category, marking a 14 per cent year-on-year increase. The data reflects changing buyer preferences, w..

Infrastructure Energy

28 Feb 2026

Xbattery launches XB-5K energy storage system for homes, offices

Xbattery, a Hyderabad-based deep-tech company specialising in next-generation energy storage and battery management technologies, has introduced its flagship XB-5K, a scalable 5kWh energy storage system designed for homes and offices in India.The XB-5K is built on the company’s indigenously developed BharatBMS platform, described as India’s first universal high-voltage battery management system architecture aimed at reducing import dependence and improving after-sales service capabilities. The launch comes as India seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing and address reliance on imported..