'Giving Wings to Fly' – A National Aviation Career Initiative for Women from Economically Disadvantaged Backgrounds

New Delhi | 20 June 2026 : BharatCares (CSRBOX), with support from IndiGoReach, the CSR arm of IndiGo, is implementing "Giving Wings to Fly", a national women’s empowerment and aviation career initiative designed to support young women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds in pursuing professional careers in aviation and becoming industry-ready commercial pilots.

The programme is being implemented by BharatCares (Shri Mahakal Education and Charitable Trust – SMEC). Selected candidates will undergo pilot training at Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA), a DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO). The initiative seeks to create access to structured aviation training, mentorship, and career pathways for young women aspiring to build professional careers within India's rapidly growing aviation sector.

As India continues to witness significant growth in civil aviation and increasing demand for skilled aviation professionals, the programme seeks to bridge the gap between aspiration and access by supporting young women who possess the talent, determination, and ambition to build careers in aviation but may face financial and social barriers in pursuing such opportunities.

Key Programme Benefits

●      Support for Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Training

●      Support for ATR Type Rating training

●      Accommodation and meals during training

●      Mentorship and guidance from aviation professionals

●      Exposure to structured aviation career pathways

Application and Selection

Applications for Batch 1 are currently open and will remain open until 30 June 2026. The selection process will be conducted through a structured multi-stage assessment process, including application screening, aptitude assessments, interviews, and final shortlisting.

The programme is intended for aspiring young women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who demonstrate the academic eligibility, commitment, and motivation required to pursue a professional career in aviation and become commercial pilots.

Broad Eligibility Criteria Include

●      Applicant must be an Indian female citizen.

●      Applicant must be between 18 and 35 years of age, as of 1st May 2026.

●      Must have completed Higher Secondary (10+2) with English, Physics, and Mathematics as subjects.

●      Must have secured a minimum of 51% marks in each of the three subjects in Class 12 (10+2).

●      Must belong to an economically weaker section (EWS) eligible household as per the prevailing Government of India guidelines.

●      The applicant must hold a valid Indian passport. Candidates without a passport may still apply but must obtain one before Phase 3 of the selection process.

●      The applicant must be prepared to participate in every stage of the comprehensive evaluation and selection journey.

(*All applications must be submitted exclusively through the official ScholarsBox portal. Applications submitted through external links, agencies, intermediaries, or third-party channels shall not be considered for the programme.)

Candidate Support

For candidate support, application-related queries, or additional information:

Email: indigoreachgwf@scholarsbox.in

Contact Number: +91 84010 19730

Application Portal: https://indigoreachgwf.scholarsbox.in/

For Media Queries

Bhagavan Bidarakote

Associate Vice President – Impact and Growth

BharatCares (CSRBOX Group)

Email: indigoreachgwf@scholarsbox.in

Contact: +91 70434 31452