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Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics (IGIA), Chandigarh is a private aviation training institute established in 2003. Located at Sector 35-C, Chandigarh, it offers DGCA-approved and institute-led programmes in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME), Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) ground training, Cabin Crew Management, and Airport Management. The institute operates under the regulatory oversight of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its approved programmes.
IGIA Chandigarh is not ranked by NIRF, NAAC, or other major institutional ranking bodies, as it is a specialised vocational aviation training institute rather than a university or degree-granting college.
The institute is situated at SCO 491-492, Himalaya Marg, Sector 35-C, Chandigarh, in a commercially accessible part of the city. It offers a focused curriculum built around civil aviation industry requirements, with connections to airline recruiters for placement support.
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME): 3-year DGCA-approved programme, Mechanical Stream, leading to a DGCA AME licence
- Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Ground Classes: DGCA-syllabus ground training for pilots targeting PPL/CPL/ATPL
- Diploma in Cabin Crew and Hospitality Management: 1-year hospitality and in-flight services training
- Diploma in Airline and Airport Management: 1-year airport operations and management training
- Certificate in Airport Ground Services: Short-term ground handling and ramp operations training
- Certificate in Airport Handling and Air Ticketing: Short-term ticketing and reservation systems training
The total fee for AME is INR 4,00,000 for the full 3-year programme. CPL ground training is INR 25,00,000 (inclusive of flying hours and ground instruction). Diploma programmes range from INR 1,00,000 to INR 1,33,970. Short certificate courses start from INR 35,000.
IGIA provides placement assistance to graduates, with IndiGo Airlines cited as a key hiring partner for cabin crew and airport staff. AME licence holders are eligible for employment with airlines, MRO facilities, and airport operators across India and abroad.
IGIA Chandigarh Admission Dates 2026
IGIA Chandigarh follows a rolling admission calendar for most programmes. There are no fixed annual intake windows for most courses - batches are initiated based on seat availability and student enrolment. AME intakes are typically structured as full cohorts.
| Programme | Admission Mode | 2026 Status | Registration Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| AME (Mechanical Stream) | Institute aptitude + merit | Open (rolling) | Contact institute |
| CPL Ground Classes | Direct enrolment | Open (rolling) | INR 5,000 |
| Diploma (Cabin Crew / Airport Mgmt) | Direct enrolment | Open year-round | INR 3,000 |
| Certificate Programmes | Direct enrolment | Open year-round | INR 3,000 |
IGIA does not participate in any centralised counselling or national entrance exam. All admissions are conducted directly by the institute. Candidates with colour blindness are not eligible for the Pilot or AME programme under DGCA norms.
IGIA Chandigarh Courses and Fees
IGIA Chandigarh offers six aviation-focused programmes, spanning long-duration career programmes and short-term skill-building certificates. All fees below are for the full programme duration.
| Course | Duration | Eligibility | Total Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| AME - Mechanical Stream | 3 years | Class 12 PCM, min 50%, age 16+, normal colour vision | INR 4,00,000 |
| Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) | Varies (flying hours based) | Class 12 PCM, Class II Medical (DGCA), normal colour vision | INR 25,00,000 |
| Diploma in Cabin Crew and Hospitality Management | 1 year | Class 12 pass, age 17-26, height/BMI as per airline norms | INR 1,33,970 |
| Diploma in Airline and Airport Management | 1 year | Class 12 pass | INR 1,00,000 |
| Certificate in Airport Ground Services | 6 months | Class 12 pass | INR 90,000 |
| Certificate in Airport Handling and Air Ticketing | Short term | Class 12 pass | INR 35,000 |
The CPL programme at IGIA includes DGCA-syllabus ground classes covering Air Regulations, Meteorology, Air Navigation, Technical General, Technical Specific, and RTR (Aero) subjects. Flying hours are arranged through tie-up flying schools. Education loan support is available through tied-up banks covering tuition and related costs.
IGIA Chandigarh Admission Process
IGIA Chandigarh manages all admissions directly through its institute office. There is no centralised body, no entrance exam mandated by any external authority, and no NTA or state counselling body involved.
AME Programme
- Eligibility: Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) with minimum 50% aggregate
- Age: Minimum 16 years at the time of admission (DGCA requirement)
- Medical: Normal colour vision mandatory. Colour blindness disqualifies the candidate for AME under DGCA norms
- Selection: Aptitude assessment at the institute, followed by document verification and fee payment
CPL Ground Training
- Eligibility: Class 12 with PCM, Class II Medical clearance from a DGCA-authorised medical examiner, normal colour vision
- Selection: Direct enrolment after eligibility confirmation and registration fee payment (INR 5,000)
- Note: CPL ground training at IGIA covers the DGCA examination syllabus. Actual flying hours are arranged separately through partnered flying clubs or flying training organisations (FTOs)
Diploma and Certificate Programmes
- Eligibility: Class 12 pass from any recognised board
- Cabin Crew: Age between 17 and 26 years. Height and BMI requirements as per airline grooming standards
- Selection: Personal interview at the institute, followed by document verification and registration fee (INR 3,000)
IGIA Chandigarh Placements and Career Outcomes
IGIA Chandigarh positions itself as a placement-assisted institute, providing career support to graduates across all programmes. The institute has documented placement partnerships with IndiGo Airlines for cabin crew and airport ground staff roles. AME licence holders typically join airlines, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facilities, or private aircraft operators after clearing the DGCA AME licence examination.
Aviation career outcomes vary significantly by programme. CPL holders who complete flying hours and pass DGCA CPL examinations are eligible to join airlines as co-pilots or first officers through cadet pilot programmes. Diploma and certificate graduates typically join airlines, airports, or ground handling companies in entry-level roles.
| Programme | Typical Career Role | Starting Salary Range |
|---|---|---|
| AME (DGCA Licensed) | Aircraft Maintenance Engineer at airline/MRO/DGCA-approved org | INR 3 to 6 LPA (entry level) |
| CPL (Flying hours completed) | Co-Pilot / First Officer at domestic airline | INR 12 to 20 LPA (airline-dependent) |
| Diploma Cabin Crew | Cabin Crew / Flight Attendant at domestic carriers | INR 3 to 5 LPA |
| Diploma Airport Management | Airport Operations, Ground Handling, Ramp | INR 2 to 4 LPA |
| Certificate Programmes | Ground staff, ticketing, cargo handling roles | INR 2 to 3 LPA |
Placement outcomes at IGIA depend heavily on individual candidate performance in DGCA licensing examinations and airline-specific selection rounds. The institute offers placement assistance, but final selection is always subject to airline and airport employer criteria.
IGIA Chandigarh Campus and Infrastructure
IGIA Chandigarh is located at SCO 491-492, Himalaya Marg, Sector 35-C, Chandigarh. The institute occupies a commercial space in one of Chandigarh’s well-connected sectors, accessible by public transport and auto from the bus terminus and railway station. No residential hostel facility is available on-campus at the Chandigarh centre.
The institute is equipped with dedicated aviation classrooms, mock cabin crew interview and grooming labs, computer-based learning modules for DGCA ground exam preparation, and AME practical workshops. IGIA also maintains a presence through its global portal (igiaglobal.in), indicating operations across multiple cities. Students preparing for CPL examinations have access to DGCA-pattern question banks and online study resources.
IGIA Chandigarh vs Frankfinn vs Aptech Aviation
Aspirants considering IGIA Chandigarh for cabin crew, airport management, or aviation training often compare it with Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training and Aptech Aviation and Hospitality Academy, which operate in the same segment with similar programme portfolios.
| Parameter | IGIA Chandigarh | Frankfinn (Chandigarh) | Aptech Aviation (Chandigarh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Programmes | AME, CPL, Cabin Crew, Airport Mgmt, Certificates | Cabin Crew, Airport Mgmt, Hospitality | Cabin Crew, Airport Mgmt, Hospitality |
| DGCA-approved AME | Yes | No | No |
| CPL Ground Training | Yes | No | Limited |
| Diploma Fees (Cabin Crew) | INR 1,33,970 | INR 1.5 to 2.5 Lakhs (approx) | INR 1 to 2 Lakhs (approx) |
| Hostel | Not available | Not on-campus | Not on-campus |
| Placement Assistance | Yes (IndiGo cited) | Yes (branded tie-ups) | Yes |
IGIA Chandigarh is the only institute among these three that offers a DGCA-approved AME programme and CPL ground training, making it the more comprehensive choice for aspirants targeting engineering or pilot pathways. Frankfinn has a wider national brand presence for cabin crew training. Aptech Aviation offers competitive pricing for short-duration hospitality and ground staff courses.
IGIA Chandigarh FAQs
Ques. Is the AME programme at IGIA Chandigarh DGCA approved?
Ans. Yes. The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) programme at IGIA Chandigarh is offered under the DGCA-approved curriculum. Upon completing the 3-year programme and clearing the DGCA licensing examinations, graduates are eligible for a DGCA AME licence, which is required to work as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in India.
Ques. What is the total fee for the AME programme at IGIA?
Ans. The total fee for the AME Mechanical Stream programme is INR 4,00,000 for the full 3-year duration. Education loan support is available through the institute’s banking partners.
Ques. Can a student with colour blindness take admission to the AME or pilot programme?
Ans. No. Normal colour vision is a mandatory requirement for the AME programme and the CPL (Pilot) programme as per DGCA regulations. Colour blindness is a disqualifying medical condition for both programmes.
Ques. Does IGIA Chandigarh have hostel facilities?
Ans. No. IGIA Chandigarh does not have on-campus hostel facilities. Students are expected to arrange their own accommodation in Chandigarh. The Sector 35 location is well-connected to PG and rental accommodation options in the city.
Ques. What is the fee for the Cabin Crew diploma at IGIA?
Ans. The Diploma in Cabin Crew and Hospitality Management at IGIA Chandigarh costs INR 1,33,970 for the full 1-year duration. A registration fee of INR 3,000 is payable at the time of application.
Ques. What are the career options after completing a diploma from IGIA Chandigarh?
Ans. Diploma graduates in Cabin Crew from IGIA typically pursue roles as flight attendants or cabin crew with domestic and international airlines. Airport Management diploma graduates target ground handling, airport operations, and ramp management roles. The institute provides placement assistance and has cited IndiGo Airlines as a placement partner.
Ques. What is the minimum age for AME admission at IGIA Chandigarh?
Ans. The minimum age for AME admission is 16 years, as stipulated by DGCA guidelines. Candidates must also have completed Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics with a minimum 50% aggregate.
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The admission starts early in the year at the Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics - [IGIA], Chandigarh.
You can apply online from the official website of the Indira Gandhi Institute of Aeronautics - [IGIA], Chandigarh. The admissions are based on the merit as well as entrance.
The fee structure for pilot training is INR 1.6 lakhs per year.
The fee details has not yet disclosed by the college. Check the official website of the college for more updates.
You can check out the fee structure for the courses at the page IGIA Chandigarh Courses & fees.
10+2 or it is equivalent to a minimum of 50% marks in Mathematics and Physics. (If you don’t have Physics & Maths in 10+2 you have an option of doing these two subjects from National Institute of Open Schooling’s On-Demand Examinations and can still start your Pilot training course.