The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has drafted a revision of CAR-147 (Basic), the regulation that governs institutes approved to train aircraft maintenance engineers. The draft, Issue 1 Revision 1, was reported in June 2026 and aligns Indian training rules with the latest CAR-66 and EASA Part-147. For students planning an AME career, it signals changes in how institutes can operate and what licence categories they can train for.
Quick Answer
What is changing in CAR-147? The draft aligns CAR-147 (Basic) with CAR-66 Issue III Revision 02 (29 September 2025), removes the cap of two student batches per category per year, adds the new B2L licence category, and revises guidance on instructors, knowledge examiners and practical assessors. It is a draft, and we could not confirm a final notification as of 28 October 2026.
What Are CAR-147 and CAR-66?
Two DGCA regulations shape AME careers. CAR-66 covers the licensing of aircraft maintenance engineers. CAR-147 covers the approval of the maintenance training organisations (the institutes) that deliver the basic training and examinations leading to that licence. CAR-147 is based on EASA Part-147, and the original CAR-147 (Basic) Issue 1 Revision 0 was dated 27 December 2017.
In practice, a student studies at a DGCA-approved institute, completes training and passes the DGCA modules, and then applies for the licence. The institute’s approval status therefore matters as much as its fees or location. You can see the full path on the AME course details page and the AME syllabus page.
Key Changes in the Draft CAR-147 (Basic)
- Alignment with latest rules: The draft aligns CAR-147 with CAR-66 Issue III Revision 02 (29 September 2025) and updated EASA Part-147 regulations.
- No cap of two batches per year: The existing limit of two student batches per category per year is proposed to be removed, giving institutes more flexibility in training capacity.
- New B2L licence category: The draft adds B2L training provisions, matching amendments already made in CAR-66. CAR-66 Issue III (12 April 2024) added the B2L and L categories.
- Instructor and assessor standards: Guidance on the qualification, competency assessment and revalidation of instructors, knowledge examiners and practical assessors has been revised.
- Infrastructure and quality still required: Approved institutes must still maintain classrooms, workshops, instructional equipment, training material, quality systems and documented arrangements with approved maintenance organisations for practical training where needed.
- Transition pathway: Organisations approved under earlier DGCA training regulations can move to the CAR-147 framework through long-term technical arrangements with approved maintenance organisations.
What It Means for AME Students
A draft does not change your admission, but it points to where training is heading. Here is what to keep in mind:
- Choose a DGCA-approved institute: Approval under the CAR-147 framework is what allows an institute to run licence-track training and examinations. Ask for the approval details and verify them.
- Expect more seats and flexibility: If the batch cap is removed, approved institutes may be able to admit more students. That could widen choice, but it also makes it important to compare faculty, workshops and practical training.
- Ask about practical training: Check how and where the practical component is delivered, and with which approved maintenance organisation.
- Know your licence stream: B1 covers mechanical systems (B1.1 to B1.4) and B2 covers avionics. Newer categories such as B2L reflect the move toward EASA-style licensing. See AME scope and career opportunities.
- No change to entry rules is reported: The reported summary does not mention changes to eligibility or course length, so current norms still apply until DGCA says otherwise.
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). See the AME syllabus |
| 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. See AME salary |
Other routes include the B.Tech in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, the B.Sc in AME and the EASA licence course. You can also compare Aeronautical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering.
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, practise with previous year papers and review AME placement details.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CAR-147?
CAR-147 is the DGCA regulation that sets the requirements for approved maintenance training organisations, meaning the institutes that run basic Aircraft Maintenance Engineering training and examinations. It is based on EASA Part-147.
What is the difference between CAR-66 and CAR-147?
CAR-66 covers the licensing of aircraft maintenance engineers (who can hold a licence and what it allows). CAR-147 covers the approval of the training institutes that prepare students for it.
Is the revised CAR-147 already in force?
DGCA issued a draft revision, CAR-147 (Basic) Issue 1 Revision 1, which was reported in June 2026. We could not confirm a final notification as of 28 October 2026, so students should treat the changes as proposed until DGCA publishes the final CAR.
What is the B2L licence category?
B2L is a licence category added to CAR-66 in Issue III, alongside category L, as part of harmonisation with EASA Part-66. The draft CAR-147 adds the matching training provisions. Check the final CAR for its exact scope.
Will the new CAR-147 change AME course duration or eligibility?
The summary of the draft does not mention changes to course duration or student eligibility. The DGCA AME course currently runs about 3 years in 6 semesters, and eligibility is 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics (or a 3-year engineering diploma), age 16 to 28, no colour blindness, and a qualifying AME CEE score.
How can I check that an AME institute is DGCA approved?
Ask the institute for its DGCA approval details and its Maintenance Training Organisation approval reference, and verify them with DGCA. Also ask how practical training is arranged with approved maintenance organisations.
How do I apply for AME 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.