New Delhi: India continues to strengthen its position as one of the world’s leading countries in promoting gender diversity in aviation, with one in every four new Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs) issued this year going to women. The Ministry of Civil Aviation informed the Rajya Sabha that 348 women received Commercial Pilot Licences (CPLs) out of a total of 1,331 licences issued up to June 30, 2026.
The figures underline the growing participation of women in India’s aviation sector and reinforce the country’s status among the select nations with the highest proportion of female commercial pilots.
Women Account for Over 26% of New CPL Holders
According to data shared by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, women accounted for 26.14% of all Commercial Pilot Licences issued during the first half of 2026.
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Out of 1,331 CPLs granted till June 30, 2026:
- Total Commercial Pilot Licences issued: 1,331
- Licences issued to women: 348
- Female share: 26.14%
The figures indicate that approximately one out of every four new commercial pilots in India is now a woman.
Steady Growth Since 2021
The number of women entering the aviation profession has increased significantly over the past few years.
In 2021, India issued 862 Commercial Pilot Licences, of which 166 were granted to women.
The rise from 166 women CPL holders in 2021 to 348 by June 2026 reflects the growing interest and participation of women in professional aviation.
India Ahead of Several Global Peers
The government noted that India is among the few countries with one of the highest percentages of female commercial pilots.
For comparison, the proportion of female pilots in the United States is estimated to range between 5% and 8%, making India’s female representation in commercial aviation significantly higher.
This highlights India’s progress in creating opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated profession.
Women Expanding Presence Across Aviation Sector
Women’s participation is not confined to cockpit roles alone.
According to the Ministry, women are increasingly joining the aviation industry as:
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs)
- Ground operations personnel
- Technical and operational staff
- Aviation support professionals
Their growing presence reflects broader efforts to improve gender diversity across the aviation ecosystem.
Government Initiatives Supporting Women in Aviation
The Ministry highlighted several initiatives aimed at encouraging more women to pursue aviation careers.
Women candidates receive fee concessions for examinations conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
In addition, the AAI has established Multi Skill Development Centres in Chandigarh and Mumbai in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the National Skill Development Fund (NSDF).
These centres provide industry-oriented training to build a skilled workforce for the rapidly expanding aviation sector.
Building an Inclusive Aviation Workforce
As India’s civil aviation sector continues to grow, the increasing number of women obtaining Commercial Pilot Licences reflects a broader shift toward greater gender inclusion in high-skill professions.
With supportive policies, skill development initiatives and expanding employment opportunities, the government expects women’s participation across aviation roles to continue rising in the coming years.
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