New Delhi, 30 October 2026. India’s airlines are ordering aircraft by the hundreds, and new maintenance hangars are rising in Delhi and Bengaluru. Every one of those aircraft will need licensed engineers to inspect, repair and certify it as safe to fly. For students considering aircraft maintenance engineering (AME), the supply of trained engineers is lagging behind demand.
Quick Answer
Why does India need 10,000+ new aircraft maintenance engineers by 2030? Indian carriers have more than 1,500 aircraft on order for delivery through 2031, airlines and MRO companies are building large hangars that will hire thousands, and the country trains only about 3,500 maintenance graduates a year. Industry experts have estimated that about 2,000 ordered aircraft could need roughly 14,000 AMEs within 8 to 10 years, so 10,000+ by 2030 is a conservative planning figure.
The Numbers at a Glance
| Indicator | Figure | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Aircraft on order by Indian carriers | More than 1,500, for delivery through 2031 | Industry report, 2026 |
| AME graduates trained each year | About 3,500 from 57 DGCA-approved institutes | Indian Aerospace and Defence Bulletin, March 2026 |
| AMEs working in MRO facilities | Around 7,000 | Industry experts (older estimate) |
| Expert estimate of demand | About 14,000 AMEs for around 2,000 ordered aircraft in 8 to 10 years | Aviation expert, as reported by trade media |
| Hiring at IndiGo’s Bengaluru MRO | More than 1,000 vacancies for engineers, technicians and support staff | Company and trade reports |
| Air India’s Bengaluru MRO | About 1,200 jobs expected | Announcement at launch |
| India MRO market | Projected to grow from about USD 3.1 billion (2026) to USD 6.9 billion (2036) | Industry report |
Why Demand for AMEs Is Rising
- Fleet expansion: IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air have placed very large orders. More aircraft means more line checks, base checks and certifications.
- New MRO hangars: Air India broke ground on a nine-acre MRO hangar at Delhi’s airport in October 2026, and both Air India and IndiGo are developing large facilities in Bengaluru. Read the full story on the MRO boom in India.
- Airlines building in-house capability: Carriers want to reduce reliance on outside MRO providers, which increases direct hiring of B1 and B2 licence holders.
- Newer aircraft with complex systems: Modern fleets rely on advanced avionics and digital systems, raising demand for B2 (avionics) engineers as well as B1 (mechanical).
- Safety rules: An aircraft cannot be released to service after maintenance without certification by a licensed engineer, so growth in flights directly means growth in certifying staff.
Why the Current Training Output Falls Short
India produces roughly 3,500 maintenance graduates a year from 57 DGCA-approved AME institutes. That sounds like a lot, but not every graduate becomes a certifying engineer. Many newly licensed engineers still need type-specific, hands-on experience before airlines will rely on them for certification. Graduates are also recruited by airlines, MROs, manufacturers, defence and overseas employers, so the supply that is ready for Indian certifying roles is smaller than the headline number.
That is why quality training and practical exposure matter as much as seat numbers. Check how an institute delivers practical training and whether it follows the DGCA’s AME syllabus and approval norms. For more on this, see what changed in CAR-147.
What It Means for Students
- Two licence paths: B1 for mechanical systems (B1.1 to B1.4) and B2 for avionics. Explore the scope of AME and career opportunities.
- Strong job prospects: AME CEE cites starting salaries of around INR 7 to 8 lakh per year. See the AME salary and placement pages.
- International options: Engineers aiming for overseas careers can look at the EASA licence course.
- Degree options: Prefer a degree? See the B.Tech in AME and B.Sc in AME.
AME Course Details at a Glance
The Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (DGCA) course is a licence-based programme approved by DGCA. Here is a summary of AME engineering:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Course | Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME), DGCA licence programme |
| Duration | About 3 years, in 6 semesters with practical training (other sources list 2 to 4 years by institute and category) |
| Eligibility | 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, or a 3-year engineering diploma. See full AME eligibility |
| Age limit | 16 to 28 years at the time of admission |
| Medical | No colour blindness |
| Entrance exam | AME CEE 2027 |
| Licence streams | B1 (mechanical, B1.1 to B1.4) and B2 (avionics) |
| Syllabus | 17 DGCA modules (Modules 1 and 2 are not required for the DGCA course in India) |
| Tuition fees | Roughly INR 3 to 6 lakh for the full course, plus hostel of about INR 25,000 to 40,000 per semester. See AME fees |
| Starting salary | Around INR 7 to 8 lakh per year as cited on AME CEE |
How to Get Admission: AME CEE 2027
AME CEE is the national-level common entrance exam for admission to AME and other aviation programmes. Registration for 2027 is open.
- Visit amecee.in and click Apply Now.
- Complete the registration with personal and additional details.
- Pay the registration fee: INR 1,200 for male candidates in the General and OBC categories, INR 1,000 for female candidates, SC/ST candidates and defence, navy or freedom-fighter categories.
- Receive the payment receipt by email, then check important dates and the AME admission process.
Scholarships of up to 100% on first-semester tuition are available based on All India Rank. See the scholarship page and practise with previous year papers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many aircraft maintenance engineers does India need?
Estimates vary by source and timeframe. One aviation expert has estimated that around 2,000 aircraft ordered by Indian carriers could need about 14,000 AMEs over the next 8 to 10 years, and other industry commentary points to tens of thousands of AMEs, technicians and ground staff over the coming years. This article uses 10,000+ new engineers by 2030 as a conservative planning figure.
Why is there a shortage of aircraft maintenance engineers in India?
Fleets are growing faster than training output. India produces roughly 3,500 maintenance graduates a year from 57 DGCA-approved AME institutes, and many newly certified engineers lack the type-specific hands-on experience airlines want.
What is driving demand for AMEs in India?
Large aircraft orders by Indian carriers (more than 1,500 aircraft on order for delivery through 2031), new MRO hangars in Delhi and Bengaluru, newer aircraft types with more complex systems, and the rule that every aircraft must be released to service by licensed engineers.
What is the difference between B1 and B2 AME licences?
B1 covers the mechanical side of an aircraft (airframe, engines, landing gear) and is divided into B1.1 to B1.4. B2 covers avionics: electrical, radio, navigation and instrument systems. Both are in demand.
What is the AME course duration?
The DGCA-approved Aircraft Maintenance Engineering course typically runs about 3 years, split across 6 semesters that combine classroom study and practical training. Some sources list a range of 2 to 4 years depending on the institute and licence category.
What is the eligibility for the AME course?
Candidates need 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (or a 3-year engineering diploma), must be 16 to 28 years old at admission, must not be colour blind, and must qualify the AME CEE entrance exam.
What is the starting salary for an aircraft maintenance engineer in India?
AME CEE cites a starting salary of around INR 7 to 8 lakh per year. Actual pay depends on the employer, licence category, type ratings and experience.
How do I get admission through AME CEE 2027?
Visit amecee.in, click Apply Now, complete the registration and pay the fee. Scholarships of up to 100% on first-semester tuition are available based on All India Rank.
Ready to start your AME career? Apply for AME CEE 2027 and compete for scholarships of up to 100%. Questions? Call 8377006001 or 8377006002, or email info@amecee.in.