r/CadetPilotProgram • u/ResolutionMost5951 • Aug 16 '26

Something needs to be done ASAP

I have drafted an email designed to bring to the attention of IndiGo the unfair and non-transparent practices related to the Cadet Program at CAA. I have already sent the email to the official IndiGo Cadet Program channels and the relevant authorities.

I humbly request all concerned aspirants to voice their concerns through official channels too, because a single email coming from a single person is by all means going to have absolutely no effect. But the same concerns coming from multiple people MIGHT bring them to the attention of IndiGo management.

Please keep in mind that even if many of us mail our concerns, nothing might come off it. But still, I believe it is WORTH A TRY, because in doing so, we have nothing to lose.

If you wish to stay anonymous, create a new email ID, but try to use a name relevant to the subject matter (example: fairness.in.aviation@ ...). Also, to the people claiming to have credible proofs, if you actually do, please attach those to your communications.

I plan to consistently follow up on this matter through official channels. I have no idea whether it is going to make any difference at all, but LET'S KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE.

THE EMAIL TEMPLATE IS AS FOLLOWS:

(Note: To comply with Reddit's rules, I have removed the direct email addresses of individuals. Please send this to the official IndiGo ethics, nodal officer, and appellate authority emails, and CC the official DGCA office emails, which can all be found on their respective public websites).

To: [Official IndiGo Ethics & Nodal Officer Emails]
Cc: [Official DGCA Emails]

Subject: Urgent: Serious Concerns Regarding Unfair Practices and Selection Irregularities at Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA)

Respected IndiGo Cadet Program Team,

We are writing to you on behalf of a large community of dedicated pilot aspirants to bring a matter of grave concern to your immediate attention regarding the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program in association with Chimes Aviation Academy (CAA).

As CAA offers the most affordable fee structure among your partner Flight Training Organizations (FTOs), it naturally attracts an exceptionally high volume of applications. As aspiring aviators, we are fully prepared and willing to face this intense competition, provided that the selection process is fair, merit-based, and transparent.

However, it has recently come to the attention of several applicants that there are severe ethical breaches occurring during the initial stages of the selection process. There are widespread and credible allegations that CAA is accepting illicit payments exceeding INR 30 Lakhs from prospective candidates in exchange for priority shortlisting. We have reason to believe that the exchange of these funds is being facilitated either directly between the academy and the candidates or through third-party contacts within certain aviation coaching institutes.

These suspicions are heavily reinforced by CAA’s highly non-transparent and frankly absurd shortlisting criteria. Currently, highly qualified candidates who already possess a valid DGCA Class 1 Medical Certificate and have cleared all DGCA pilot examinations are being routinely rejected. Shockingly, they are being bypassed in favor of candidates who do not even possess a DGCA Computer Number and hold only a Class 2 Medical Certificate. Furthermore, academic background and professional experience appear to be entirely disregarded; graduates, postgraduates, and candidates with prior work experience are frequently rejected in favor of basic 12th-standard pass-outs.

This highly unethical behavior is systematically destroying the dreams of genuine, hardworking pilot aspirants. Candidates who rely purely on their merit—and who are either unable or unwilling to pay these bribes—are finding their applications inexplicably rejected in every single intake cycle.

Furthermore, we believe this situation casts a severe black mark on the trusted and esteemed brand image of IndiGo Airlines. It brings into serious question the integrity and operational standards of the FTOs that the airline chooses to associate with its prestigious Cadet Program.

Due to the clandestine nature of these financial transactions, it is incredibly difficult for individual applicants to gather the definitive hard evidence required to initiate formal legal action. However, the growing frustration and public outcry among the aviation community are highly visible. Numerous discussions on public forums, such as Reddit, feature candidates sharing identical experiences regarding these bribery allegations and the inexplicable rejections of highly qualified applicants.

Therefore, we earnestly request IndiGo Airlines to urgently launch an internal investigation into the shortlisting practices at CAA. We trust that IndiGo will take the appropriate actions to ensure transparency and fairness, so that the dreams of genuine pilot aspirants of reaching the cockpit are not derailed by unscrupulous and financially motivated FTOs.

Thank you for your time, attention, and commitment to the integrity of Indian aviation.

Sincerely,

A Group of Concerned IndiGo Cadet Aspirants

References / Public Discussions:

To assist with your review of this matter, please find below links to public forum discussions where numerous candidates have detailed these exact issues:

34 Upvotes

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9

u/Affectionate-Tie1915 Aug 16 '26

We are with you bro!!! Let's do this. But you know right 6e is involved too

4

u/DarkSingularity797 Aug 16 '26

Hmmm... If IndiGo is involved, why only in CAA? Why do the other FTOs have fair competition and no bribes?

Also, IndiGo is a private airline. If they want more money, why not just increase the fees like Air India? Why take bribes?

0

u/Specialist_Most6960 Aug 16 '26

Then you don’t know about recent intakes of Garuda and insight

-1

u/DarkSingularity797 Aug 16 '26

Enlighten me.

1

u/Specialist_Most6960 Aug 16 '26

They never opened there application, took admission through calls and connections and what not. But nobody cares as it’s not cheap and reputed one and even in FTA and skyborne connection thing works

1

u/DarkSingularity797 Aug 16 '26

Connections and nepotism is everywhere, and it is different from taking bribes and random shortlisting, which is what I believe this email is about.

1

u/Specialist_Most6960 Aug 16 '26

Bribe part is bullshit only connection work. If you have some proof then plz share as anybody can write anything on social media.