✈️ Aviation · Pilot Training · AME
IGRUA Entrance Exam 2026 LIVE
ആകാശം ലക്ഷ്യമാക്കുന്ന പൈലറ്റ് ആകാൻ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നവർക്ക് — ഇന്ത്യ ഗവൺമെന്റിന്റെ Ministry of Civil Aviation-ന് കീഴിൽ IGRUA (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi) 2026 Entrance Exam. Ab-initio to CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence) + Instrument Rating + Multi-Engine — 125 Seats. Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) — 30 Seats. B.Sc Aviation (RMLAU) — 40 Seats. Application Last Date: April 13, 2026. Exam Date: May 3, 2026. NEET conflict? Alternate Exam: May 4, 2026 at IGRUA, Amethi.
Official Notification — IGRUA Entrance 2026 | Published: 16 February 2026 | Page Updated: 28 Feb 2026
Application form LIVE at igrua.gov.in. Last date: April 13, 2026. Written Exam: May 3, 2026. NEET conflict? Alternate offline exam on May 4, 2026 at IGRUA, Fursatganj Airfield, Amethi. Application fee: ₹12,000 (General/OBC/EWS) — SC/ST Exempted.
Notif. Date
16 Feb 2026
Last Date
13 Apr 2026
Exam (CBT)
3 May 2026
CPL Seats
125
AME Seats
30
CPL Total Fee
~₹45 Lakhs
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Why IGRUA? — India's Premier Government Flying Academy
Government Institution
Autonomous body under Ministry of Civil Aviation, GOI. Established 1985 by PM Rajiv Gandhi. DGCA approved. Best-in-class training safety standards.
Highest Alumni Placement
IGRUA alumni serve as Senior Commanders in IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara and international airlines. Consistently India's top pilot placement record.
Modern Fleet — DA-40 & DA-42
Diamond DA-40 (single engine), Diamond DA-42 (multi-engine twin) aircraft. State-of-the-art simulators — DA-40 FFS & DA-42 FFS + WOMBAT system.
CPL + B.Sc Aviation
Top 40 students get B.Sc Aviation from Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University (RMLAU) — a dual credential that strengthens airline recruitment profiles.
Type Rating Options
Optional A320, B737 (₹17L) or ATR-72/Q-400 (₹19L) type ratings available — giving graduates a direct edge in airline job applications.
Kerala Scholarship Available
SC/ST candidates: Exempted from ₹12,000 application fee. EWS candidates: Full training, boarding & lodging scholarship provided by IGRUA. Kerala state scholarships may also apply.
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About IGRUA — Founded 1985IGRUA is located at Fursatganj Airfield, District Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. Foundation stone laid by Late PM Rajiv Gandhi on 7 November 1985. The campus features a 1,722 m runway, dedicated ATC tower, modern navigational aids, multimedia classrooms, CBT lab, swimming pool, gym, separate boys & girls hostels, and medical facilities. It operates under its Governing Council headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.
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Courses via IGRUA Entrance Exam 2026
155 Total Seats✈️ Ab-initio to CPL Course
QualificationCPL + Multi-Engine + IR
Duration~2.5–3 Years (2 batches/year)
Batch StartAugust 2026 & Feb 2027
Total Seats125 seats
Course Fee₹45 Lakhs (full)
Add-on: Type RatingA320/B737: ₹17L | ATR: ₹19L (optional)
Eligibility10+2 PCM 50% + Eng 50%
Marital StatusUnmarried (mandatory)
🔧 Integrated AME + B.Sc AME
QualificationAircraft Maintenance Engg + B.Sc
Duration3 Years + 6 months OJT
Total Seats30 seats
Registration Fee₹2,000 (non-refundable)
Admission Fee₹50,000 (adj. against tuition)
Tuition Fee Yr 1/2/3₹1.60L / ₹1.50L / ₹1.40L
Total AME Fee~₹5.02 Lakhs (3 years)
Eligibility10+2 Physics + Maths (50%)
🎓 B.Sc Aviation (RMLAU)
UniversityRam Manohar Lohia Avadh Univ.
Duration3 Years (alongside CPL)
Total Seats40 (Top CPL students by merit)
Fee/Year₹2.12 Lakhs (Yr 1) approx.
Selection BasisPCM & Eng marks in 10+2; then 10th if tied
Who Can ApplyCPL students of IGRUA (non-graduates)
Degree fromRMLAU, Ayodhya — Govt. Univ.
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What is Ab-initio to CPL?Ab-initio means starting from zero flying experience. IGRUA takes a student from zero hours to a full Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with Multi-Engine endorsement and Instrument Rating (IR). This qualifies graduates for co-pilot positions in scheduled airlines. Total flight hours on graduation: approximately 200 hours — meeting DGCA CPL requirements.
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Important Dates — IGRUA Entrance 2026
Official📋 IGRUA 2026 — Official Exam Schedule
Notification / Advertisement Released16 February 2026
Online Application Form Opens16 February 2026
Last Date to Submit Application (Online)13 April 2026
Request for NEET Centre Change (email)By 11 April 2026 (email to IGRUA)
Admit Card Download~10 days before exam (April 2026)
🎯 IGRUA Written Exam — CBT (Online)3 May 2026 (Sunday)
✈️ Alternate Exam (NEET/National Exam clash)4 May 2026 | 2:00 PM–5:00 PM | Offline at IGRUA, Amethi
Exam Timing (CBT)To be given on Admit Card
Result / Merit ListMay / June 2026 (announced on igrua.gov.in)
🏆 Selection Stages (After Written Exam)
Stage 1 — Written Test (CBT)3 May 2026
Stage 2 — Viva / Interview (shortlisted candidates)June / July 2026
Stage 3 — Pilot Aptitude / Psychometric Test (CPL only)Immediately after Viva (same day/next day)
Final Merit List PreparationBased on all 3 stages
Batch Induction (CPL Batch 1)August 2026 onwards
Batch Induction (CPL Batch 2)February 2027 onwards
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NEET / JEE Clash — Important Provision for 2026IGRUA has officially announced that candidates who cannot appear on May 3 due to NEET or any national exam clash can write an offline exam at IGRUA's Fursatganj Airfield, Amethi on May 4, 2026 (2 PM–5 PM). Must produce signed admit card from the other exam as proof. Email helpdesk-exam@igrua.gov.in by April 11, 2026 for this arrangement.
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Exam Pattern — IGRUA Written Test 2026
Mode
CBT Online
TCS Conducted
Questions
100 MCQs
All objective type
Duration
90 Minutes
1.5 hours
Total Marks
300
3 marks each
Negative Marking
None
No penalty ✅
Language
English
Only English medium
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks | Key Topics (10+2 Level) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physics | 25 | 75 | Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electricity & Magnetism, Modern Physics, Wave Motion — Class 11 & 12 NCERT |
| Mathematics | 25 | 75 | Algebra, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry, Calculus, Vectors, 3D Geometry, Probability — Class 11 & 12 NCERT |
| English (General) | 20 | 60 | Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Synonyms/Antonyms, Error Detection, Sentence Completion |
| Reasoning & Aptitude | 20 | 60 | Logical Reasoning, Spatial Awareness, Number Series, Analogies, Pattern Recognition, Numerical Ability |
| General Awareness | 10 | 30 | Current Affairs (Aviation & National), Basic Aviation Knowledge (DGCA, ICAO, SOLAS), Famous Airports, Aeronautics basics |
| TOTAL | 100 | 300 | No Negative Marking | 90 minutes | English only |
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No Negative Marking — Attempt All 100 QuestionsIGRUA 2026 written test has no negative marking — attempt every question to maximise your score. Physics and Maths together contribute 150 out of 300 marks (50%). Strengthen Class 11 & 12 NCERT Physics and Maths. Practise reasoning (spatial awareness is key for pilot selection). TCS conducts the exam — it is administered on PAN India basis at major cities covering all states and UTs.
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Eligibility Criteria — Course-wise
1
Ab-initio to CPL Course — Educational Qualification
- Must have passed Class 12 / 10+2 or equivalent examination
- Compulsory subjects: English, Physics & Mathematics
- General / EWS: Minimum 50% marks individually in each of English, Physics & Mathematics
- SC / ST / OBC-NCL: Minimum 45% marks individually in each of English, Physics & Mathematics
- Marksheets from any recognised educational board / university equivalent to India's CBSE Board accepted
- Improvement / supplementary / recheck marks also accepted — original marksheets must be produced at interview
2
Ab-initio to CPL — Age Limit
- Minimum age: 17 years at the time of joining / commencement of course
- Maximum age as on 01 July 2026:
- General: 28 years | OBC: 31 years | SC/ST: 33 years
- Upper age limit for CPL issue from DGCA: 60 years (no concern for fresh candidates)
3
CPL — Marital Status, Height & Medical
- Marital Status: Must be UNMARRIED (Single) — this is mandatory and strictly verified
- Height: Minimum 5 feet 2 inches (157.5 cm)
- Medical: Class 2 Medical Certificate is required before joining the course
- Class 1 Medical (from DGCA-approved centre) is strongly advised as early as possible — it is a prerequisite for CPL issue
- Common disqualifiers: colour blindness, severe myopia beyond correctable limits, heart conditions
- Medical fitness checked as per DGCA CAR Section 7 Series X Part II norms
4
AME Course — Educational Qualification & Age
- Class 12 / 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics as compulsory subjects
- General: Minimum 50% aggregate in Physics & Mathematics
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS: Minimum 45% in Physics & Mathematics
- No specific upper age limit stated for AME course
- Marital status: Not mandated for AME (applicable only to CPL)
- Physical fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner required at admission
5
B.Sc Aviation (RMLAU) — Selection Process
- Only IGRUA CPL students (non-graduates) are eligible
- Selection based on 10+2 marks in Physics, Maths & English
- Tie-breaking: Aggregate 10+2 marks → then Class 10 marks
- Only top 40 from the CPL merit list are offered the B.Sc option
- Degree awarded by Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University (RMLAU), Ayodhya — a Government University
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Application & Admission Fees — 2026
| Payment Head | General / OBC / EWS | SC / ST | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application Fee (CPL / AME) | ₹ 12,000 | Exempted (₹ 0) | Non-refundable. Pay via Internet Banking / Debit / Credit Card |
| Admission Charges (on selection) | ₹ 50,000 (Non-refundable) | All categories including SC/ST pay. Adjustable against training fee | |
| Commitment Money (seat security) | ₹ 2,00,000 | Non-refundable but adjustable against training fee. First-come-first-served for batch assignment | |
| CPL Full Course Fee | ₹ 45,00,000 (approx.) | Paid in quarterly instalments. No GST. Hostel ~₹15,000/month extra | |
| AME Full Course Fee (3 years) | ₹ 5.02 Lakhs approx. | Year 1: ₹1.60L | Year 2: ₹1.50L | Year 3: ₹1.40L + Registration ₹2,000 | |
| Misc Expenses (CPL) | ~₹ 2,00,000 additional | Uniform, study material, headphones, navigation computer, personal accident insurance, DGCA/RTR exam fees | |
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Financial Assistance — EWS Scholarship AvailableIGRUA provides full scholarship (training, boarding & lodging) for deserving EWS candidates — covering the entire ₹45L+ cost. SC/ST application fee is fully exempted (₹12,000 saved). Bank loans for CPL training are available from SBI and other banks under the IGRUA-specific loan scheme. Check igrua.gov.in/financial-assistance for updated scholarship details.
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Seat Distribution — CPL Course (125 Seats Total)
49
General
Open Category
34
OBC-NCL
Non-Creamy Layer
13
EWS
Economically Weaker Section
19
SC
Scheduled Caste
10
ST
Scheduled Tribe
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~60% Seats are Reserved CategoriesAs per GoI guidelines, around 60% of the 125 CPL seats are reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates. The cutoff marks for reserved categories are 5% less than the cutoff of the last selected General category candidate. AME seats (30 total) are also distributed similarly per GoI reservation norms. Both courses conduct separate merit lists per category.
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Optional Airline Type Ratings (After CPL)
✈️ Airbus A320
+ ₹17,00,000
Most common narrow-body aircraft operated by IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet. Direct advantage for airline job applications.
✈️ Boeing B737
+ ₹17,00,000
Widely operated globally. Also used by Air India Express, SpiceJet. Combined A320+B737 not normally chosen — pick one.
🛩 ATR-72 or Q-400
+ ₹19,00,000
Regional turboprop aircraft. Used by Alliance Air, Vistara regional routes. Good for regional airline entry positions.
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Type Rating — A Competitive AdvantageHaving a type rating greatly improves your chances of being directly recruited by airlines. While not mandatory, most airlines in India look for pilots already type-rated on their fleet to reduce onboarding costs. All type ratings at IGRUA use FSTD Level D Full Flight Simulators — DGCA approved.
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Selection Process — Step by Step (CPL)
1
Online Application — By April 13, 2026
Register at igrua.gov.in → IGRUA Entrance link → Fill application form online → Upload photo, signature, Class 10 & 12 marksheets → Pay ₹12,000 fee (General/OBC/EWS). SC/ST: No fee. Select 3 exam city choices in order of preference.
2
Written Exam (CBT) — May 3, 2026
100 MCQ, 90 minutes, no negative marking. Conducted by TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) at centres across India. Exam centre allocated based on city preferences. Download Admit Card from igrua.gov.in ~10 days before exam. NEET conflict? Offline exam on May 4 at Amethi.
3
Merit List → Shortlisting for Stage 2
Based on written test marks, IGRUA prepares category-wise merit lists. Shortlisted candidates are called to IGRUA, Fursatganj Airfield, Amethi for Viva/Interview. Original marksheets must be produced at this stage. Travel costs are borne by the candidate.
4
Viva / Interview at IGRUA, Amethi
Interview panel evaluates academic knowledge, communication skills, personality, motivation, and suitability for flying. Questions typically cover Physics (Optics, Mechanics), current aviation news, and personal goals. Conducted at IGRUA campus — not online.
5
Pilot Aptitude / Psychometric Test (CPL Only)
Only candidates clearing the Viva are called for the Pilot Aptitude Test (PAT). Uses the WOMBAT (Work-Oriented Multi-dimentional Battery of Assessment for flying Training) system. Tests:
- Multi-tasking ability & divided attention
- Psychomotor coordination & reaction time
- Spatial orientation & tracking ability
- Short-term memory under stress
6
Final Merit → Seat Allocation → Medical → Join
Final merit prepared combining Written + Interview + PAT performance. Selected candidates pay ₹50,000 admission charges + ₹2,00,000 commitment money to secure seat. Then undergo Class 2 DGCA Medical. Batches start August 2026 (Batch 1) and February 2027 (Batch 2). Hostel accommodation provided on campus.
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Fleet & Training Infrastructure
Diamond DA-40 (Single Engine)
Primary training aircraft. Glass cockpit (Garmin G1000). Used for PPL & early CPL hours — single-engine instrument training.
Diamond DA-42 (Multi-Engine)
Twin-engine aircraft for multi-engine endorsement and instrument rating (IR). State-of-the-art avionics — Garmin G1000 NXi.
DA-40 Full Flight Simulator
FSTD Level C/D simulator for instrument rating training, emergencies & procedure practice without airtime costs.
DA-42 Full Flight Simulator
Multi-engine FFS. Allows realistic simulation of engine failures, diversions, adverse weather — DGCA approved hours count towards CPL.
WOMBAT Aptitude System
Used for Pilot Aptitude Testing. Internationally validated system that predicts flying ability in early training — assesses psychomotor & cognitive skills.
ATC Tower & Runway
Dedicated 1,722 m runway at Fursatganj Airfield, Amethi. Full ATC services, instrument landing systems (ILS), VOR/DME navigational aids.
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How to Apply — IGRUA Entrance 2026
1
Go to Official IGRUA Website
Visit igrua.gov.in → Click "IGRUA Entrance" in the menu or the homepage link. Read the full Advertisement and the Help PDF carefully before starting your application. Note the course-wise eligibility to ensure you qualify before paying the fee.
2
Register & Fill Application Form Online
Register with a valid email ID and mobile number → Fill personal details, academic details, category, physical details (height). Select 3 exam city choices in order of preference. IGRUA reserves right to cancel under-subscribed centres. Upload: passport-size photo (JPG), signature, relevant documents as specified in the advertisement.
3
Pay Application Fee & Submit
Pay ₹12,000 (General/OBC/EWS) via Internet Banking, Debit Card or Credit Card. SC/ST candidates pay ₹0 (fully exempted). Submit form before April 13, 2026. Save and print the Confirmation Page. Application fee is non-refundable. No offline applications accepted.
4
NEET/National Exam Conflict? Email IGRUA
If you are appearing in NEET 2026 (or any national exam on May 3, 2026), email helpdesk-exam@igrua.gov.in by April 11, 2026 with your IGRUA application details and the admit card of the other exam. You will be permitted to write the IGRUA exam on May 4, 2026 (2 PM–5 PM) — offline at IGRUA, Fursatganj Airfield, Amethi. You must produce the signed admit card from the other exam on that day.
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Checklist — Before You Apply
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PCM & English MarksYou have Physics, Mathematics & English in Class 12, each with at least 50% individually (45% for SC/ST/OBC/EWS).
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Age CheckYou are a minimum of 17 years old at joining and within the age limit: General ≤ 28 years | OBC ≤ 31 years | SC/ST ≤ 33 years as on July 1, 2026.
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Marital Status — CPL OnlyIGRUA CPL is strictly for unmarried (single) candidates only. Married candidates are not eligible for the CPL course. (AME course does not have this restriction.)
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Get Medical Check EarlyBefore applying, get a preliminary eye test and basic medical from a DGCA-approved doctor. Common disqualifiers: colour blindness, severe myopia. Class 1 DGCA medical (required for CPL issue) should be done as early as possible — check DGCA website for list of Class 1 Medical Centres.
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Height RequirementMinimum height for CPL course is 5 feet 2 inches (157.5 cm). If you are below this height, you are not eligible for the Ab-initio to CPL course. No relaxation is given on height.
✈️ Start Your Pilot Journey — Apply for IGRUA 2026!
Application Open: 16 Feb – 13 April 2026 · Exam: 3 May 2026 (CBT) · 125 CPL Seats · 30 AME Seats · SC/ST Fee Exempted
⚠️ All information sourced from the official IGRUA website (igrua.gov.in) (Page updated: 28 February 2026), official IGRUA Entrance Examination 2026 advertisement, IGRUA FAQ page, and IGRUA Selection Procedure page. Dates, fees and eligibility are subject to revision — always verify at igrua.gov.in before applying. CareerLokam provides this for educational guidance only. Visit careerlokam.blogspot.com for more career updates.