India second country after China to introduce digital pilot licenses

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Thursday launched Electronic Personnel License (EPL) for pilots, a significant step towards digital transformation and enhancing the safety, security, and efficiency of civil aviation in India. With the launch, India has become the second country after China in the world to implement EPL for flight crew.

“The launch of EPL by the DGCA is not just a step forward for aviation, but also for the future of digitalization across sectors,” Naidu said. He insisted that the initiative will enhance convenience, transparency, and efficiency for pilots while ensuring that India stays at the forefront of technological advancements in aviation.

The minister also said that looking at the growth of Indian civil aviation, the country will require at least 20,000 pilots in the coming years to keep up with the growing demand for air travel in the country, which is among the fastest-growing aviation markets globally.