Question : Vacant Post of Pilots

(a) whether all the three wings of Armed Forces are facing shortage of pilots and if so, the details thereof and number of pilots working in the armed forces, wing-wise;

(b) whether a number of posts of pilots are lying vacant in all three wings of armed forces and if so, the details thereof, wing-wise;

(c) the time period since when these posts are lying vacant, wing-wise and the reasons for delay in filling up such posts;

(d) whether the Government proposes to make recruitment process simpler and faster to address the shortage;

(e) if so, the steps taken / proposed to be taken to attract the youth for becoming pilots in the armed forces; and

(f) whether the Government is organizing / proposes to organize career fair in the Universities and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
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(a) to (c): The details are as follows:
Indian Navy:
The details are as follows:
Government Sanction : 735
Borne Strength : 653
Vacant Posts : 82
Indian Army:
The details of Army Aviation are as under:
Sanctioned : 794
Held : 602
Vacant : 192

Indian Air Force:
There is a marginal shortage of pilots in Indian Air Force against the authorised establishment. However, the available strength of pilots in the IAF is sufficient to meet the current operational requirements. With the accretions sanctioned by the Government in the recent past, these shortages would be mitigated.
(d) to (f): The induction process has been streamlined and simplified. Selection process in vogue is satisfactory, with proactive steps been taken by the armed forces to reduce the shortage, which includes participation in career fairs / exhibitions, advertisements in print and electronic media, motivational lectures in schools & colleges, visuals / signage at strategic locations, etc.
Apart from the above, regular Army Melas at Army Command level, Aviation specific demonstrations during NCC parades, advertisement through Additional Director General Public Information and on website in open domain are undertaken for increasing awareness and attracting youth to armed forces.

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