IndiGo Chimes Cadet Pilot Program 2026: Complete CAA Selection Guide
Updated: 5 August 2026· Poetic Pilot Academy
The IndiGo Chimes Cadet Pilot Program is an integrated airline pilot training pathway offered through the partnership between Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) and IndiGo. The programme is designed to take selected cadets from ground school and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) training through to Airbus A320 Type Rating, preparing them for their future careers as Junior First Officers with IndiGo.
For aspiring pilots, however, getting into the programme is the first major challenge. Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements must successfully clear a multi-stage selection process consisting of the ADAPT Assessment, Group Task Assessment, and Personal Interview with IndiGo panellists.
At Poetic Pilot Academy, we help candidates prepare specifically for these selection stages. Our IndiGo cadet preparation focuses on ADAPT aptitude and psychometric assessment preparation, Group Discussion and Group Task preparation, and Personal Interview preparation, allowing candidates to prepare for the complete selection process rather than only one assessment.
In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about the CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program 2026, including eligibility, fees, training duration, flying hours, aircraft, selection stages, ADAPT assessment, Group Task, Personal Interview, Letter of Intent (LoI), and how to prepare for the selection process.
What Is the IndiGo Chimes Cadet Pilot Program?
The IndiGo Chimes Cadet Pilot Program is a structured airline pilot training programme conducted by Chimes Aviation Academy in partnership with IndiGo. It combines the major stages required to take an aspiring pilot from ground training through CPL flight training and eventually Airbus A320 Type Rating.
The programme is divided into three major training phases:
- Phase 1: DGCA Ground School Training
- Phase 2: CPL Flight Training – Single Engine, Multi-Engine, Instrument Rating and Simulator Training
- Phase 3: Airbus A320 Type Rating with MCC and JOT
CAA states that the programme is designed so that cadets emerge from training equipped to begin their careers as Junior First Officers with IndiGo.
If you are still comparing the independent CPL route with airline cadet programmes, read our guides on How to Become a Pilot in India and CPL Cost in India.
IndiGo Chimes Cadet Pilot Program Overview
| Program Detail | CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program |
|---|---|
| Training Partner | Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA) |
| Airline Partner | IndiGo |
| Program Duration | Full-Time 20 Months |
| Complete Program Fee | ₹104 Lakh |
| Ground School | CAA Ground School, Gurugram |
| Flight Training | Dhana & Neemuch Airbases |
| Single-Engine Flying | 185 Hours |
| Multi-Engine Flying | 15 Hours on Diamond DA42 |
| Simulator Flying | 30 Hours |
| Type Rating | Airbus A320 |
| Selection | ADAPT → Group Task → Personal Interview |
| ADAPT Assessment Fee | ₹35,000 |
IndiGo Chimes Cadet Pilot Program Eligibility
Before candidates are invited for the selection assessments, they must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified by Chimes Aviation Academy.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have completed 10+2 and obtained at least 51% individually in Physics, Mathematics and English. CAA also specifies equivalent requirements of Grade Point 6 or Grade C1 for CBSE candidates.
Candidates who completed their education through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) are accepted, provided they have achieved at least 51% individually in Mathematics, Physics and English.
Candidates holding foreign educational qualifications must obtain an academic equivalency certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
If you did not originally study Physics and Mathematics in Class 12, read our guide on Can I Become a Pilot Without Physics and Maths?.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be between 18 and 40 years of age to meet the published eligibility criteria for the CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program.
DGCA Medical Requirement
Candidates must hold a valid Indian DGCA Class 1 Medical Certificate.
Aviation medical fitness should be taken seriously before committing financially to pilot training. You can understand the process in our guides on DGCA Class 2 Medical and DGCA Class 1 Medical.
Passport & Police Verification
Applicants must possess a valid Indian passport and a Criminal Record Check (CRC) Basic Disclosure Certificate.
English Language Requirement
Candidates are expected to be fluent in written and spoken English. Communication becomes particularly important during the Group Task and Personal Interview stages of the IndiGo selection process.
BMI Requirement
CAA requires cadets to submit a BMI certificate showing a BMI between 18 and 25. The certificate must be obtained from a NABL-accredited hospital or laboratory.
Tattoo Policy
According to CAA's published eligibility requirements, candidates with visible tattoos will not be considered.
IndiGo Chimes Selection Process
Meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically secure admission into the programme. Candidates must successfully complete the CAA-IndiGo assessment and selection process before being invited to enrol.
The selection process consists of three major stages:
| Stage | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | ADAPT Assessment |
| Stage 2 | Group Task Assessment with IndiGo Panellists |
| Stage 3 | Personal Interview with IndiGo Panellists |
Stage 1: IndiGo ADAPT Assessment
The first selection stage is the ADAPT Assessment, conducted at CAA's dedicated ADAPT centre. CAA describes ADAPT as an online psychometric and aptitude assessment specifically designed for aspiring pilots.
The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate the behavioural and cognitive proficiencies of candidates aspiring to pursue a career in aviation.
CAA currently lists an assessment fee of ₹35,000 for this stage.
How PPA Helps with ADAPT Preparation
The ADAPT stage is one of the most important areas where candidates should prepare before attending the actual assessment. At Poetic Pilot Academy, we provide structured preparation focused on the skills evaluated during pilot aptitude and psychometric selection.
Preparation can include areas such as:
- Psychometric assessment practice.
- Cognitive ability exercises.
- Numerical reasoning and mental mathematics.
- Spatial awareness.
- Logical reasoning.
- Memory and information processing.
- Multitasking exercises.
- Attention and concentration.
- Hand-eye coordination and psychomotor practice.
- Speed and accuracy under timed conditions.
- Practice assessments and mock-test conditions.
The objective of preparation is not to memorise confidential assessment questions, but to strengthen the underlying cognitive, behavioural and aptitude skills required during pilot selection.
Stage 2: Group Task Assessment with IndiGo Panellists
Candidates who successfully progress beyond the ADAPT Assessment move to the second stage of the CAA-IndiGo selection process: the Group Task Assessment with IndiGo panellists.
According to Chimes Aviation Academy, this stage is designed to allow prospective cadets to demonstrate their collaborative and problem-solving skills. Unlike an individual aptitude assessment, candidates must now perform while interacting with other applicants and being observed by the selection panel.
The Group Task is therefore not simply about speaking the most or dominating the discussion. Candidates should be able to communicate their ideas clearly, listen to others, contribute constructively, work towards a common objective, and demonstrate professional behaviour within a team environment.
What Can Be Evaluated During a Group Task?
CAA specifically describes this stage as an assessment of collaborative and problem-solving skills. During preparation, candidates should therefore focus on developing the broader competencies required to perform effectively in a group environment.
- Communication skills.
- Teamwork and collaboration.
- Problem-solving ability.
- Listening skills.
- Ability to express ideas clearly.
- Participation without unnecessarily dominating the group.
- Ability to consider different viewpoints.
- Professional behaviour within a team.
- Decision-making during group situations.
- Helping the group progress towards a practical conclusion.
How PPA Helps with IndiGo Group Task & GD Preparation
At Poetic Pilot Academy, candidates can practise Group Tasks and Group Discussions in simulated selection environments before attending the actual IndiGo assessment.
Our preparation focuses on helping candidates understand how to enter a discussion, structure an argument, disagree professionally, support other participants, demonstrate teamwork, and contribute towards a conclusion without appearing aggressive or rehearsed.
Preparation can include:
- Live mock Group Discussions.
- Group Task practice sessions.
- Airline and aviation-related discussion topics.
- General and current-affairs discussion topics.
- Situational problem-solving exercises.
- Team decision-making exercises.
- Communication and speaking practice.
- Individual feedback after mock sessions.
- Body language and professional presentation guidance.
- Techniques for handling disagreements within a group.
Stage 3: Personal Interview with IndiGo Panellists
Candidates who successfully complete the previous selection stages progress to the Personal Interview with IndiGo panellists. CAA describes this stage as an opportunity for candidates to articulate their aspirations and experiences.
This is an important stage because the interview allows the panel to interact directly with the candidate after the aptitude and group assessments. Candidates should be capable of explaining why they want to become pilots, why they have chosen the IndiGo cadet pathway, and what they understand about the career they are preparing to enter.
How to Prepare for the IndiGo Personal Interview
Interview preparation should go beyond memorising answers to a few common questions. Candidates should understand their own application, educational background, motivation, experiences, strengths, weaknesses, and reasons for choosing an airline pilot career.
Useful areas to prepare include:
- Tell us about yourself.
- Why do you want to become a pilot?
- Why do you want to join IndiGo?
- Why have you chosen the cadet pilot route?
- Why have you chosen the CAA-IndiGo programme?
- What do you know about IndiGo?
- What qualities make a good airline pilot?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Examples of teamwork and leadership from your own life.
- Situations where you faced failure or pressure.
- How you approach decision-making and responsibility.
- Your understanding of the pilot training journey.
- Your long-term aviation career goals.
Candidates should prepare genuine responses based on their own experiences rather than memorising identical scripted answers. A strong response should sound natural, answer the question directly, and allow the panel to understand the candidate behind the application.
PPA IndiGo Personal Interview Preparation
Poetic Pilot Academy provides one-to-one and mock interview preparation for candidates progressing towards the IndiGo Personal Interview.
During preparation, candidates can practise answering interview questions under realistic conditions and receive feedback on the content, structure and delivery of their responses.
- Mock IndiGo Personal Interviews.
- HR and motivation-based questions.
- Personal background questions.
- Airline awareness preparation.
- Cadet programme awareness.
- Situational and behavioural questions.
- Teamwork and leadership examples.
- Communication improvement.
- Answer structuring.
- Body language and interview etiquette.
- Follow-up and cross-question practice.
- Individual feedback after mock interviews.
What Happens After You Clear the IndiGo Selection?
According to Chimes Aviation Academy, candidates who successfully complete the ADAPT Assessment, Group Task Assessment and Personal Interview are invited to enrol in the programme and sign the Letter of Intent (LoI) with IndiGo.
The LoI is an important milestone because it marks the candidates successful progression through the initial CAA-IndiGo selection process and entry into the cadet training pathway.
After enrolment, cadets begin the structured training programme consisting of Ground School, CPL flight training and eventually Airbus A320 Type Rating.
CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Training Structure
The CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program is a full-time programme with a published duration of approximately 20 months. Training is divided into three major phases covering theoretical knowledge, practical flight training and Airbus A320 Type Rating.
| Phase | Training | Location / Details |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Ground School Training | CAA Ground School, Gurugram |
| Phase 2 | CPL Flight Training | Dhana & Neemuch Airbases |
| Phase 3 | Airbus A320 Type Rating | IndiGo-approved TRTO Partner |
Phase 1: Ground School Training
The first phase of the programme consists of theoretical training for the examinations required during the cadets professional pilot training journey. Ground School is conducted at CAAs training facility in Gurugram.
CAA lists the following areas as part of the Ground School curriculum:
- Aviation Meteorology.
- Air Regulations.
- Air Navigation.
- Technical General.
- Technical Specific – Single Engine.
- Radio Telephony.
- Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP).
This stage builds the theoretical foundation required before cadets progress through their practical flight training and licensing requirements.
Phase 2: CPL Flight Training
After Ground School, cadets progress to practical Commercial Pilot Licence flight training at CAAs airbases in Dhana and Neemuch.
CAA operates a training fleet that includes Cessna 172, Piper Archer DX, Tecnam P2010 TDI and Diamond DA42 aircraft. DGCA-approved aircraft simulators are also incorporated into the flight training programme.
| Training Component | Published Training Hours |
|---|---|
| Single-Engine Aircraft | 185 Hours |
| Diamond DA42 Multi-Engine Aircraft | 15 Hours |
| Simulator Flying | 30 Hours |
The inclusion of 15 hours of multi-engine training on the Diamond DA42 gives cadets exposure to multi-engine aircraft before progressing towards their Airbus A320 training.
Phase 3: Airbus A320 Type Rating
After successfully obtaining their Commercial Pilot Licence, cadets progress to Airbus A320 Type Rating.
CAA states that this phase is conducted through a Type Rating Training Organisation (TRTO) partner approved by IndiGo. The training also incorporates Multi Crew Coordination (MCC) and Jet Orientation Training (JOT).
This phase prepares cadets to transition from general flight training aircraft into the multi-crew, jet-aircraft environment associated with airline operations.
If you want to understand how a CPL fits into the wider airline career progression, read our guide on CPL vs ATPL.
IndiGo Chimes Cadet Pilot Program Fees
According to Chimes Aviation Academy, the complete CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program is priced at ₹104 lakh. This covers the integrated training pathway described by CAA, which progresses from Ground School through CPL flight training and ultimately Airbus A320 Type Rating.
In addition to the programme fee, candidates should note that CAA currently lists a separate ₹35,000 assessment fee for Stage 1 of the selection process — the ADAPT Assessment.
| Fee | Published Amount |
|---|---|
| Complete CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program | ₹104 Lakh |
| ADAPT Assessment Fee | ₹35,000 |
Since ₹104 lakh represents a substantial financial commitment, candidates and their families should carefully review the latest official fee structure, payment schedule, inclusions, exclusions, refund conditions and training agreement directly with CAA before enrolment.
How Long Is the IndiGo Chimes Cadet Pilot Program?
CAA lists the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program as a full-time 20-month programme. During this period, cadets are expected to progress through Ground School, CPL flight training and Airbus A320 Type Rating.
The actual training journey can depend on operational factors and individual progression. Candidates should therefore discuss the current training schedule and expected timelines directly with CAA before enrolling.
Aircraft Used for CAA Flight Training
One of the notable features of the Chimes training pathway is exposure to different training aircraft. CAA states that flight training at its Dhana and Neemuch airbases is conducted using its fleet of:
- Cessna 172
- Piper Archer DX
- Tecnam P2010 TDI
- Diamond DA42
Cadets complete 185 hours on single-engine aircraft and 15 hours on the Diamond DA42 multi-engine aircraft, along with 30 hours of simulator flying.
CAA-IndiGo Cadet Program vs Regular CPL
The CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program and the traditional CPL pathway can ultimately lead towards an airline career, but the structure of the two routes is significantly different.
With the traditional CPL route, students independently complete their DGCA ground examinations, flight training and Commercial Pilot Licence before applying for airline vacancies and undergoing airline selection.
The CAA-IndiGo pathway begins with the airline selection process. Candidates first clear the ADAPT Assessment, Group Task and Personal Interview before enrolling and signing the Letter of Intent with IndiGo. They then proceed through an integrated training pathway covering Ground School, CPL training and A320 Type Rating.
| Feature | CAA-IndiGo Cadet Program | Traditional CPL Route |
|---|---|---|
| Airline Selection | Before Training | Generally After CPL |
| Training Structure | Integrated Cadet Pathway | Independent CPL Pathway |
| Ground School | Included in Program Structure | Chosen Independently |
| CPL Flight Training | CAA Dhana & Neemuch | DGCA-approved FTO selected by student |
| Multi-Engine Training | 15 Hours Diamond DA42 | Depends on selected training programme |
| A320 Type Rating | Integrated as Phase 3 | Completed separately when required |
| Published Program Cost | ₹104 Lakh | Varies considerably by training pathway |
The cadet pathway provides a more structured route linked to a specific airline, whereas the traditional CPL route generally provides greater flexibility in choosing a flying school, training location and the airlines candidates subsequently apply to.
For a detailed breakdown of independent pilot training expenses, read our CPL Cost in India 2026 guide.
Is the CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program Worth It?
Whether the CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program is the right choice depends on the candidates career goals, financial situation and preference for a structured airline-linked training pathway.
One of its biggest attractions is that candidates undergo the IndiGo selection process before beginning the training programme. Candidates who successfully complete ADAPT, the Group Task and Personal Interview are invited to enrol and sign the Letter of Intent with IndiGo before progressing through their training.
The programme also combines several major stages of the airline pilot journey into one pathway, including DGCA Ground School, CPL flight training, multi-engine flying and Airbus A320 Type Rating.
However, the published programme fee of ₹104 lakh means candidates should carefully evaluate the financial commitment before making a decision.
Before enrolling, candidates should understand:
- The latest complete programme fee.
- The payment schedule.
- Exactly what is included and excluded from the fee.
- Accommodation and living expenses.
- Additional examination, medical or licensing expenses, if applicable.
- Training timelines and possible delays.
- Performance requirements during training.
- Withdrawal and refund conditions.
- The terms and conditions contained in the Letter of Intent.
- The current conditions for progressing to IndiGo after training.
How to Prepare for the CAA-IndiGo Selection Process
The selection process should be treated as three separate challenges rather than one examination. A candidate who performs strongly in ADAPT must still demonstrate effective teamwork during the Group Task and then communicate confidently during the Personal Interview.
A practical preparation strategy is therefore:
Step 2: Practise Group Tasks and Group Discussions under realistic conditions.
Step 3: Prepare your personal story, IndiGo knowledge and interview responses.
Step 4: Attempt mock assessments, mock GD/Group Tasks and mock Personal Interviews before the actual selection.
Prepare for IndiGo Cadet Selection with Poetic Pilot Academy
Poetic Pilot Academy provides preparation specifically for candidates appearing for airline and cadet pilot selections, including the CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program.
For CAA-IndiGo applicants, preparation can cover all three major selection stages:
| Selection Stage | PPA Preparation |
|---|---|
| ADAPT Assessment | Aptitude, Psychometric, Cognitive, Coordination & Mock Assessment Practice |
| Group Task / GD | Live Group Practice, Communication, Teamwork & Individual Feedback |
| Personal Interview | IndiGo Interview Preparation, Mock PI, HR Questions & Cross-Question Practice |
Candidates can therefore prepare for the entire selection process in sequence rather than searching for separate preparation resources after clearing each round.
ADAPT → Group Task / GD → Personal Interview → LoI
PPA preparation is available for ADAPT, Group Task/GD and Personal Interview.
Final Thoughts
The CAA-IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program provides aspiring pilots with a structured pathway from initial airline selection through Ground School, CPL flight training and Airbus A320 Type Rating.
CAA currently lists the programme as a full-time 20-month pathway priced at ₹104 lakh. Flight training includes 185 hours on single-engine aircraft, 15 hours on the Diamond DA42 multi-engine aircraft and 30 hours of simulator flying before cadets progress towards A320 Type Rating.
Before reaching training, however, candidates must first clear the ADAPT Assessment, Group Task Assessment and Personal Interview with IndiGo panellists. Successful candidates are then invited to enrol and sign the Letter of Intent with IndiGo.
For applicants, this makes selection preparation an important first step. At Poetic Pilot Academy, candidates can prepare for ADAPT aptitude and psychometric assessments, practise Group Tasks and Group Discussions, and undergo mock Personal Interviews before appearing for the actual CAA-IndiGo selection.
If you are still comparing different pathways into an airline cockpit, read our guides on How to Become a Pilot in India, CPL Cost in India, Pilot Training in India, and CPL vs ATPL.