Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Launches Career Guidance Programme in Aviation for School Students

New Delhi: In a significant move to cultivate young talent for India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu today launched a ‘Career Guidance Programme in Aviation’ for school students. The inaugural session was held at the Indian Aviation Academy in New Delhi and witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of Classes 11 and 12.

The initiative aims to provide early exposure to the vast career opportunities within aviation — including roles in piloting, air traffic control, aircraft design, airport management, and other related fields.

A key highlight of the session was an interactive exchange between students and women pilots, who shared their professional experiences and answered a wide range of questions posed by the students. The interaction served as both informative and empowering, especially for young girls considering careers in aviation.

Addressing the gathering, Ram Mohan Naidu, India’s youngest Cabinet Minister, outlined the vision behind the programme. “We want to capture that passion. We want more people involved in aviation. The way Indian aviation is growing is like no other country,” he said.

Highlighting the scale of opportunity, he noted that India is expected to add 1,700 new aircraft, creating a demand for 34,000 pilots alone. “We don’t want foreigners to come here and pilot our planes. We want our own Indian students to rise to the occasion,” the Minister emphasized.

Naidu also underlined the government’s commitment to infrastructure expansion and legislative reforms. “In 2014, there were 74 airports. Today, we have 159. As Minister, I plan to build 50 more airports in the next five years,” he said. The government has also set an ambitious goal to add 120 new air destinations across the country over the next decade.

To support these developments, the Ministry has introduced key legislative reforms, including the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam and the Aircraft Protection of Interest in Aircraft Object Bill, aimed at strengthening India’s aviation regulatory and operational ecosystem.

Calling aviation “a universe of possibilities,” Naidu urged students to take charge of their ambitions. “As early as you decide, as early as you tap into the passion that you have, it becomes much easier to guide yourself in that path,” he said.

The Minister also acknowledged the contributions of women pilots at the event, stating, “A lot of the charm and guidance today came from the women pilots who patiently answered every question. Their presence is inspiring the next generation to look beyond conventional career paths.”

The programme marks a promising beginning in nurturing aviation talent at the school level, aligning with India’s vision of becoming a global aviation hub.