Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA)

India's Government Flying Academy Since 1985

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) is India's best-known government pilot training school. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi laid its foundation stone on 7 November 1985, and the Akademi marked its 40th Foundation Day in 2025. It sits at Fursatganj airfield in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh, and runs as an autonomous body under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with a Governing Council chaired by the Secretary of Civil Aviation.

IGRUA says that 70 to 80% of the pilots flying in India today are former IGRUA students. If you are comparing it with private academies, browse our list of flight schools and the aviation companies we cover in India.

Comprehensive Training Infrastructure & Fleet

The campus covers 239 acres, with its own operational area, hostels and staff housing. Students on Reddit often debate whether an IGRUA CPL gives an advantage over private schools; the facilities below are a large part of that reputation.

Current Aircraft Fleet:

IGRUA's official fleet is 13 aircraft, all Diamond types with Garmin G1000 glass cockpits:

• 11 Diamond DA-40: single-engine trainers used for ab-initio flying
• 2 Diamond DA-42: twin-engine aircraft for multi-engine and multi-crew training

Earlier versions of this page listed Trinidad TB-20 and Zlin trainers and a 24-aircraft fleet. Those types no longer appear on IGRUA's fleet list.

Advanced Simulation & Training Technology

Students train on simulators before and alongside real flying, practising bad weather, emergencies and system failures that would be risky or impossible in the aircraft.

Simulation Facilities:

• Two DA-40 simulators with 180-degree visual systems
• One DA-42 multi-engine simulator with a 180-degree visual system
• Two fixed-base TB-20 cockpit procedure trainers with visuals
• WOMBAT pilot aptitude testing system
• Computer-based training (CBT) laboratory

Dedicated Airfield & Navigation Infrastructure

IGRUA has its own 1,722-metre runway and dedicated airspace for training, so it does not depend on other airports for navigation aids.

Airfield Features:

• VOR/DME and NDB navigation aids
• ILS for precision approaches, plus PAPI
• Night flying facilities
• Its own ATC tower, fire-fighting and medical facilities
• On-site refuelling station and fuel bowsers
• Three closable hangars with workshops; the engineering department is a DGCA-approved Category C maintenance organisation

Comprehensive Student Support Services

Most students live on campus. The in-campus hostel holds about 200 students on a first come, first served basis; others use an outside hostel with transport.

Campus Amenities:

• Accommodation: Separate hostels for male and female students (about 200 places)
• Recreation: Swimming pool, gymnasium, indoor squash and badminton courts, sports ground
• Academics: Air-conditioned classrooms with multimedia systems and a computer lab
• Dining: On-campus mess
• Libraries: Two libraries, at Ground Training and at Flight Operations
• Other: Auditorium, independent water supply and generators

Progressive Training Methodology

The main course is Ab-initio to CPL, with Instrument Rating and multi-engine endorsement. Ground school is taught to ATPL standard (465 hours across Air Navigation, Radio Aids, Meteorology, Technical General and Air Regulations), and flying training covers 200 hours to DGCA CPL requirements.

Training Phases:

1. Ground School: about the first three months, including RTR(A) radio telephony
2. Simulator Training: single-engine procedures trainer and twin-engine simulator hours
3. Primary Flying: Student Pilot Licence exam, FRTOL test, then dual and solo flying on the DA-40
4. Advanced Operations: Cross-country, instrument and night flying
5. Multi-Engine Training: on the DA-42
6. MCC Training: Multi Crew Conversion course on the DA-42

Fees, Eligibility and Admission (2026)

These figures are from IGRUA's official website; check the latest advertisement before applying.

• Course fee: Rs 45 lakh for Ab-initio to CPL
• Other costs: boarding and lodging about Rs 15,000 a month; uniform, training material, navigation computer and headset about Rs 2 lakh
• On selection: non-refundable admission charge of Rs 50,000 and commitment money of Rs 2 lakh (adjusted against the fee)
• Eligibility: at least 17 years old on joining; 10+2 with at least 50% each in English, Physics and Maths (45% for SC/ST/OBC/EWS); minimum height 5 ft 2 in; DGCA Class 2 medical before joining, Class 1 advised early
• Selection: online entrance test (run by TCS), pilot aptitude test and interview
• When: the admission advertisement usually appears in March or April each year
• Loans: IGRUA does not lend; students arrange bank loans themselves

Government Recognition & Wider Training

IGRUA's courses are approved by the DGCA. Beyond the CPL, it offers a three-year B.Sc. (Aviation) with Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Avadh University (40 seats), DGCA-certified drone pilot training with Drone Destination, English Language Proficiency testing, CRM workshops, AME training, instructor ratings and refresher courses.

Key Facts:

• Over 275 students in training, according to IGRUA
• Training provided for Indian Airlines, BSF, Coast Guard, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy candidates as required
• Foreign trainees from Afghanistan, Nepal, Mauritius, Zambia and Seychelles
• Placement: IGRUA does not guarantee jobs; its own figures show 72% placement for 2015 to 2020 and 90% for 2010 to 2015
• The National Aviation University campus at the IGRUA complex is now operational

At a Glance:

• Location: Fursatganj, District Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, India
• Governing Body: Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India
• Campus Size: 239 acres
• Status: Autonomous body under the Ministry

Contact Address

Head Office:

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
Fursatganj Airfield
Amethi 229302 U.P. INDIA
Phone: +91-535-2978000, 2978001

Liaison Office at Delhi:

Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi
Admin Block, Safdarjung Airport
New Delhi - 110 003 INDIA
Fax: +91-11-24603192
Phone: +91-11-24615370

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Quick Facts

• Founded: 1985 (foundation stone laid by PM Rajiv Gandhi on 7 November 1985)
• Students: 275+ in training
• Fleet: 13 aircraft (11 DA-40, 2 DA-42)
• Runway: 1,722 metres, own airfield
• Approval: DGCA-approved courses
• Main course: Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with Instrument Rating (IR) and multi-engine endorsement, Rs 45 lakh

Sources: IGRUA official website (About, Infrastructure, Fleet, Flying Operation, Simulator, Approved Courses, Selection Procedure, FAQ, Placement Records and Contact pages, checked October 2026); DGCA.