The Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) in Amethi has made significant progress in the second phase ranking of Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) released by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). From its previous 25th position, IGRUA has now secured the 5th rank, marking a notable improvement.
Background of the Ranking
In October 2025, MoCA published its first-ever FTO ranking, where IGRUA was placed 25th among 35 evaluated FTOs. The evaluation parameters included safety and compliance, operational efficiency, and training outcomes such as trainee hours, assistance to students, and instructor availability. In the latest ranking, IGRUA has been placed in Category B, which indicates a score between 50% and 70%. Only one FTO achieved Category A (above 70% but less than 85%), while 17 FTOs were placed in Category B, and the remaining 17 fell into Category C (below 50%).
Reasons for Improvement
Air Commodore Vipul Singh, Director of IGRUA, attributed the academy's progress to several key measures. The aircraft utilisation rate increased from 65 hours per month per aircraft to 161 hours per month per aircraft. Additionally, the number of flying instructors was doubled, and ground instructors increased by 50% between July and November 2025. Since September 1, 2025, IGRUA has maintained non-stop flying operations with only two breaks—on Diwali and Holi. The academy also improved aircraft availability by 40% and enhanced motivation and work ethics among staff.
About IGRUA
Founded in November 1985 by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, IGRUA is the oldest FTO in India. Currently, over 400 candidates are undergoing training at the academy. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) introduced the FTO ranking system last year to strengthen India's pilot training framework.
Ranking Objectives
The FTO ranking is published bi-annually. While releasing the second phase, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated that the objective is to make pilot training more transparent and to promote flying as an attractive career option for the youth. The ranking system aims to encourage FTOs to improve their standards and provide quality training to aspiring pilots.
