School for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (SAME) and IndiGo announce the launch of a Pioneering Cadet AME Program
The collaboration aims to create a future-ready workforce for India’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem
New Delhi, April 2, 2026. The School for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (SAME), promoted by InterGlobe Group and one of India’s leading AME schools, is pleased to announce that it has been selected by IndiGo, India’s preferred airline, as the official training partner for its Cadet AME program. This specialized training pathway is designed to identify, train, and prepare high-potential students to become market-ready Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, meeting the escalating demands of India’s booming aviation sector.
With the country projected to become one of the world’s top aviation markets, the rapid growth in passenger traffic and aircraft induction has created an urgent need for technically skilled, DGCA‑licensed professionals. The Cadet AME Program directly addresses this gap by creating a structured, high‑performance talent pipeline. Cadets will be trained in an environment that mirrors the real-world operational expectations, ensuring a seamless transition into active maintenance roles.
By combining SAME’s academic excellence with IndiGo’s operational ecosystem, the Cadet AME program sets a new benchmark for technical aviation education in India. The program leverages SAME’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, advanced training aids, and a faculty of seasoned industry professionals to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and airline-specific readiness. This collaboration aims to strengthen India’s long-term maintenance workforce and provide a direct pathway to aspiring engineers towards impactful, future-ready careers.
Mr. Aditya Pande, Group Chief Executive Officer, InterGlobe Enterprises, said, “The Indian aviation sector is on a remarkable growth trajectory, accentuated by the country’s massive aircraft orders. This requires an equally robust and skilled workforce of competent Aircraft Maintenance Engineers. Our collaboration with IndiGo for the Cadet AME Program is a strategic step towards building this critical talent pool. It ensures that future AMEs are not just academically proficient but are job-ready, contributing directly to India’s aviation safety and efficiency. At InterGlobe, we remain committed to nurturing the next generation of aviation professionals.”
Parichay Datta, Senior Vice President Engineering, IndiGo, said, “India is the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market and is increasingly emerging as a key driver of global aviation growth. IndiGo mirrors this trajectory, with an order book of over 900 aircraft scheduled to join our fleet over the next decade, underscoring our long-term commitment to scale and network expansion. In this context, our collaboration with SAME to launch the Cadet AME Program is both timely and strategic. This initiative will play an important role in building a sustainable talent pipeline, developing highly skilled, industry-ready aviation maintenance professionals who will, in time, form the backbone of IndiGo’s expansion and contribute meaningfully to the broader development of India’s aviation ecosystem.”
Through this program, the School for Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (SAME) will select 30 cadets in the Category B1.1 (Aeroplanes Turbine) category from its 2026-27 academic intake. The selection involves a rigorous screening process, including an entrance examination and academic evaluation. Shortlisted candidates will then undergo a final personal assessment administered by IndiGo. The Cadets will complete theoretical instruction and practical workshop training at SAME’s world class facilities, while Actual Environment Training (AET) will be conducted at IndiGo’s maintenance bases. The curriculum will be further strengthened with an enhanced focus on DGCA modules, technical accuracy, regulatory compliance, and conceptual depth.
The program offers a direct professional trajectory for aspiring engineers as IndiGo will offer employment to cadets as Junior Cadet AMEs, subject to full compliance with all prescribed terms and conditions, as well as the successful completion of all required DGCA-approved modules and examinations. By aligning academic rigor with industry-leading operational standards, this Cadet AME Program aims to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled engineers to support the safety and scale of India’s growing aviation sector.
