24 April 2026·PIB

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu releases 2nd Phase of FTO Ranking

In this note

1. At a Glance

FTO Ranking = data-driven framework by DGCA under Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to rate DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisations on safety, training quality and governance [1][2].
2nd phase released by Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on 24 April 2026; 1st phase was released on 1 October 2025 [1].
Relevant for GS-III (infra/aviation, skill, regulation) and GS-II (regulatory bodies, transparency); sits at intersection of aviation safety, skill ecosystem and Atmanirbhar Bharat (pilot self-sufficiency).

MoCA released the second phase (April 2026) ranking of DGCA-approved FTOs on 24 April 2026 [1].
Avyanna Aviation Pvt Ltd became the only FTO to reach Category 'A' — none had qualified in Phase 1 [2].
Training flying hours utilisation rose from 32% to 50%; CPLs issued have grown >2.5× in 8 years, with record issuances in 2024 and 2025 [1].

Pilot training in India historically constrained: limited bases, weather downtime, foreign training dependence — most CPL aspirants trained abroad.
2022: Liberalised FTO guidelines (lower entry barriers, removed monopoly clauses) by MoCA/DGCA [3].
AAI award letters for 9 FTOs at 5 airports (Belagavi, Jalgaon, Kalaburagi, Khajuraho, Lilabari) issued in 2022 to expand base capacity [4].
By 2023, 36 FTOs operating at 57 bases in India [5].
1 October 2025: 1st phase FTO Ranking published [1].
24 April 2026: 2nd phase ranking published [1].

Implementing ministry: Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) [1].
Regulator/compiler: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — statutory body under Aircraft Act, 1934 / Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 [1].
Scope: All DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisations in India [1].
Frequency: Half-yearly (Phase 1 — Oct 2025; Phase 2 — Apr 2026) [1].
Categories: A, B, C grading bands [2].
Key Phase-2 parameters [2]:
Safety — Level-I observations in DGCA surveillance; Breath Analyser (BA) positive cases (zero = full marks).
Training output — flying hours utilisation, CPL completion time.
Governance — grievance redressal, fee transparency, scholarships, placement support, student feedback.
Performance indicators: Flying hours utilisation 32% → 50%; CPLs ↑ 2.5× in 8 years; record issuances in 2024 & 2025 [1].
India's pilot demand outlook: ~30,000 pilots projected in coming years amid aviation boom [2].

Economic

Reduces forex outgo on overseas pilot training; positions India as a regional pilot training hub [2].
Supports fleet expansion plans of Indian carriers (IndiGo, Air India, Akasa) needing ~30,000 pilots [2].

Administrative / Governance

Shifts DGCA from pure compliance check to comparative ranking — a "name and rank" accountability tool [1].
Empowers cadets/parents with objective data → reduces information asymmetry in a high-fee market [1].

Safety

Direct weight to Level-I surveillance findings and Breath Analyser positives internalises ICAO safety oversight metrics into commercial reputation [2].

Skill / HRD

Complements MoCA–MSDE vocational push; CPL is a high-skill, high-wage occupation; ranking nudges quality upgradation [1].

Regulatory

Operates under the framework of the Aircraft Act 1934 / Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam 2024 and DGCA's CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) on FTOs.

1 Oct 2025 — Phase 1 FTO Ranking released; no FTO qualified for Category 'A' [1][2].
24 Apr 2026 — Phase 2 released by Minister Ram Mohan Naidu [1].
Avyanna Aviation Pvt Ltd — sole Category 'A' FTO in Phase 2 [2].
Category 'B' count increased, Category 'C' count reduced versus Phase 1 [2].
Flying hours utilisation improved 32% → 50%; CPL issuance hit record highs in 2024 & 2025 [1].

FTO Ranking is compiled by DGCA under MoCA — not by AAI or BCAS [1].
1st phase FTO Ranking: 1 October 2025; 2nd phase: April 2026 [1].
Ranking categories: A, B, C [2].
Avyanna Aviation Pvt Ltd — first and only FTO to reach Category 'A' (Phase 2, Apr 2026) [2].
Breath Analyser positive cases and Level-I surveillance observations are explicit safety parameters [2].
CPLs (Commercial Pilot Licences) issued have grown more than 2.5 times in 8 years [1].
Flying hours utilisation improved from 32% to 50% post-reform [1].
India had 36 FTOs operating at 57 bases as of 2023 [5].
AAI awarded letters for 9 FTOs at 5 airports under liberalised regime in 2022 [4].
Union Minister of Civil Aviation: Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu [1].
Projected demand: ~30,000 pilots for Indian aviation sector [2].

GS-III — Infrastructure (Civil Aviation); Skill development; Indigenisation.
GS-II — Role of regulatory bodies (DGCA); transparency & accountability in licensing.
Likely question stems: 1. "Discuss how the DGCA's FTO Ranking framework can address safety and quality gaps in India's pilot training ecosystem." 2. "India aspires to be a global aviation hub; examine the role of regulatory reforms in building a self-reliant pilot training pipeline." 3. "Performance-based ranking of regulated entities is emerging as a governance tool in India. Illustrate with recent examples."

DGCA & Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 — replaces Aircraft Act 1934; statutory parent law.
UDAN (RCS) — regional connectivity; pilot demand driver.
AAI's FTO award model (2022) — institutional supply-side reform [4].
ICAO Safety Audits (USOAP) — international benchmark feeding national safety metrics.
Drone Pilot Training & Drone Rules 2021 — DGCA-approved RPTO ecosystem [6].
BCAS — aviation security; differentiate from DGCA (safety/licensing).
National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016 — parent policy.
Skill India / MSDE — linkage to high-skill licensure.

Confusing DGCA (safety, licensing, FTO regulation) with AAI (airports) or BCAS (security). FTO ranking = DGCA [1].
Mistaking the 1st phase date — it is 1 Oct 2025, not 2024 [1].
Assuming many FTOs are in Category 'A' — only one (Avyanna Aviation) made it in Phase 2 [2].
Confusing FTO (manned aircraft pilot training) with RPTO (Remote Pilot Training Organisation for drones) [6].
Attributing the ranking to NITI Aayog or an external audit — it is an internal DGCA framework [1].