Entrance Exam for AME Course in India: Official DGCA Clarification
Entrance Exam for AME Course in India: Official DGCA Clarification
Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) is a specialised aviation profession governed by national civil aviation authorities in alignment with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
In India, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India, which is the statutory authority responsible for oversight of AME training standards, examinations, and licensing, along with the complete operation of the civil aviation industry of India.
Unlike conventional academic programmes, the AME profession leads to the grant of a professional licence after fulfilling the requirements laid down under DGCA CAR-66 regulations. Because of this licensing-based structure, the admission and qualification pathway for AME is different from university degree programmes, which sometimes leads to confusion among aspirants and parents.
It is often assumed that admission to AME courses follows a system similar to national-level entrance examinations such as state CET, JEE, NEET and other similar kinds of examinations. However, AME training and licensing operate under a separate regulatory framework prescribed by DGCA.
To address misunderstandings related to such so-called entrance examinations for AME courses, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued an official Public Notice dated 18 April 2019. This article explains that clarification is solely for public awareness, using simple language and direct reference to DGCA’s published notice.
Who Regulates Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in India?
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India, is responsible for:
Regulation of AME training organisations (CAR-147)
Conduct of AME licence module examinations (CAR-66)
Grant and renewal of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer licences
Oversight of aviation safety standards
DGCA’s regulatory role focuses on aircraft maintenance engineering training quality and licensing, not on conducting or managing college admission entrance examinations or entrance tests.
Why DGCA Issued a Public Notice on AME Entrance Exams
As stated by DGCA, it was brought to their notice that some private entities were conducting entrance tests such as AME CET, JEE AME and similar examinations for admission into DGCA-approved AME institutes.
These tests were being promoted with claims suggesting that:
Admission would be based on such entrance tests, and
These tests were mandated or managed by DGCA
To prevent confusion and protect aspirants, DGCA issued a formal clarification with the Entrance Test (AME CET and JEEAME) for admission in DGCA approved AME institutes by private entities.
DGCA Official Clarification on Entrance Examinations for AME Courses
The following clarifications are based strictly on the Public Notice issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on 18 April 2019 and are presented here for public awareness.
DGCA Does Not Conduct Any Entrance Examination for AME Admissions
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has clarified that it does not conduct, mandate, prescribe, approve, or authorise any entrance examination for admission into DGCA-approved Aircraft Maintenance Engineering institutes.
DGCA Has Not Authorised Any Agency to Conduct AME Entrance Examinations
DGCA has further stated that it has not mandated, prescribed, approved, or authorised any private entity or agency to conduct entrance examinations for admission into DGCA-approved AME institutes.
DGCA Clarification on References Made to Its Name in Entrance Examinations
As stated in the public notice, DGCA has clarified that references suggesting such entrance examinations are mandated or managed by DGCA do not align with the information officially issued by the Directorate.
Difference Between AME Admission Process and DGCA Licensing
A common area of confusion among aspirants and parents is the distinction between the admission process followed by training institutes and the licensing process regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). DGCA clearly differentiates between admission-related activities and the statutory licensing requirements under the applicable aviation regulations.
Accordingly, DGCA’s regulatory involvement begins from the training and licensing stages and does not extend to conducting or approving entrance examinations for admission into AME institutes.
How Admission to AME Institutes Generally Works
Based on established industry practice and the regulatory framework prescribed by DGCA, AME admissions typically involve the following components:
Educational Eligibility Requirements
Candidates seeking admission to AME training programmes generally need to meet one of the following educational criteria, as applicable under DGCA regulations:
Successful completion of 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM), or
Completion of a relevant engineering diploma recognised by competent authorities
Medical Fitness
Applicants are usually required to meet basic medical fitness standards, as applicable to aviation training. Medical assessment requirements may vary depending on institute policies and applicable aviation guidelines.
Institute-Level Admission Procedures
Admissions are normally processed at the individual institute level. These procedures may include:
Academic merit evaluation
Counselling or aptitude assessment
Document verification
The exact admission method may differ from one DGCA-approved AME institute to another.
Important Regulatory Clarification
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation does not prescribe, conduct, mandate, approve, or authorise any uniform national entrance examination for admission into DGCA-approved AME institutes. Admission procedures remain institution-specific, provided they comply with DGCA eligibility and training regulations.
What Students and Parents Should Know Before Applying for the AME Course
Students and parents often compare aviation education with engineering or medical fields, where government-mandated national entrance examinations such as JEE or NEET determine admission. Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME), however, operates under a different regulatory and licensing framework.
AME training is regulated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and leads to a professional aviation licence, not a conventional university degree. Because of this structural difference, the admission process for AME does not follow the same model as other centrally administered entrance-based programmes.
Understanding DGCA’s official clarification regarding AME entrance examinations helps aspirants and families in several important ways:
Prevents Confusion
Awareness of DGCA’s regulatory role helps distinguish between admission procedures and licensing requirements, reducing misunderstandings about how AME institutes select candidates.
Reduces Unnecessary Anxiety
Clear information from official sources helps students and parents avoid stress caused by assumptions that AME admissions require clearing a single national-level mandatory entrance examination.
Encourages Informed Decision-Making
When aspirants rely on DGCA’s published notices and regulations, they are better equipped to:
Evaluate AME institutes objectively
Understand AME eligibility and training requirements
Plan their aviation career path realistically
Key Takeaway for Aspirants and Parents
For Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in India, official guidance from DGCA should always be treated as the primary reference point. Verifying information through DGCA regulations and public notices helps ensure that admission decisions are based on facts rather than assumptions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there any DGCA-mandated entrance exam for the AME course in India?
No. DGCA has officially clarified that it does not mandate or conduct any entrance exam for admission into DGCA-approved AME institutes
Does DGCA authorise any private organisation to conduct AME entrance exams?
No. DGCA has stated that it has not authorised any entity or agency to conduct entrance tests for AME admissions
Are entrance exams required for obtaining an AME licence?
No. AME licensing depends on DGCA-regulated module examinations, practical experience, and skill assessments—not on entrance tests.
Can institutes have their own admission procedures?
Yes. Individual institutes may have their own admission processes, but these are separate from DGCA’s licensing framework.
Disclaimer
This article is published solely for educational and public awareness purposes. It is based on an official public notice issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India. The content does not intend to criticise, accuse, or comment on any individual, organisation, or institution. Readers are advised to refer directly to DGCA’s official communications and approved training institutes for the most current information.
Reference (Official Source)
Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Government of India
Public Notice File No. : 5‐2419/2015 AI (II), Dated 18 April 2019, regarding subject: Entrance Test (AME CET and JEEAME) for admission in DGCA approved AME institutes by private entities
Author: SkyInsight Aviation Editorial Team
Last Updated: January 2026
