Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu launched the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Career Guidance Program at the Indian Aviation Academy. The initiative begins with students from Kendriya Vidyalaya, Rangpuri, and aims to introduce school students across India to the diverse career opportunities in the aviation sector — including roles such as pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers, ground staff, and aviation managers.
The initiative is designed to introduce Classes 11 and 12 students to the wide array of career opportunities available within the aviation industry—ranging from piloting and air traffic control to aircraft engineering, airport operations, and aviation management. The programme seeks to cultivate early interest and channel youth aspirations into the dynamic aviation space.
In a highlight of the event, a special interactive session was conducted by experienced women pilots, who shared insights from their professional journeys and responded to students’ queries. Their presence underscored the increasing role of women in aviation and served as a source of inspiration for aspiring young professionals.
Addressing the gathering, Ram Mohan Naidu, the youngest cabinet minister in India, emphasized the importance of early exposure and career planning in a sector poised for exponential growth. ‘We want to capture that passion. We want more people involved in aviation. The way Indian aviation is growing is like no other country,’ he said.
Citing industry projections, the Minister noted that India will require 1,700 new aircraft in the coming years, each of which would create demand for 15 to 20 pilots. ‘That means we’re creating 34,000 jobs for pilots alone. We don’t want foreigners flying our planes. We want our Indian students to be ready for this opportunity,’ he stated.
Naidu also outlined the government’s roadmap for aviation infrastructure development. ‘In 2014, we had 74 airports. Today, that number has more than doubled to 159. Over the next five years, we plan to add 50 more airports and introduce 120 new domestic destinations within a decade,’ he announced.
Encouraging students to take ownership of their dreams, he said, ‘Each of those aircraft you see in the sky is not just a machine, but a universe of possibilities. The earlier you start nurturing your passion, the easier it becomes to find your direction.’
The Minister also highlighted recent legislative reforms such as the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam and the Aircraft Protection of Interest in Aircraft Object Bill, which aim to strengthen India’s domestic aviation framework and enhance employment opportunities.
The launch of the career guidance programme marks a key step in the government’s broader strategy to prepare a skilled workforce capable of sustaining India’s transformation into a global aviation hub. The enthusiastic response from students and the participation of women professionals reflected a growing inclusivity and optimism in the sector.
