This complete step-by-step guide explains how to become an AAI ATC
Officer in 2026 — covering eligibility, qualifications, age limits, CAT-III
medical fitness, exam pattern, subject-wise weightage, cutoff trends, voice
test, document verification, training at CATC Prayagraj, salary structure,
promotions, and full career growth. Ideal for B.Sc. and B.Tech aspirants
preparing for ATC, this guide provides everything you need to start your
journey toward one of India’s highest-paid and most respected aviation careers.
How to Become an AAI ATC Officer (Complete Step-by-Step Guide)
Everything
you need to know about qualification, selection, exam pattern, medicals,
training, and career path.
Becoming an Air Traffic
Control Officer (ATCO) in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is
one of the most respected PSO career options. ATCOs ensure the safe and
efficient movement of aircraft in Indian airspace—making it a
high-responsibility, high-salary, and high-prestige job.
This guide
explains the entire process of how to become an AAI ATC Officer, step by
step.
1. Understand
the Role of an ATC Officer Careerwave.org
An
Air Traffic Controller is responsible for:
·
Guiding aircraft during takeoff & landing
·
Monitoring flights on radar
·
Maintaining safe distance between aircraft
·
Issuing clearances and instructions
·
Managing airports’ airspace
·
Handling emergency situations
·
Coordinating with pilots & other ATC units
2. Check Eligibility for AAI ATC Officer
To become an ATC Officer, you
must meet three main requirements:
A. Educational
Qualification
You must have ANY ONE of the
following:
No minimum percentage required.
Final-year students can apply,
but must submit degree at DV.
B. Age Limit
|
Category |
Maximum
Age |
|
General/EWS |
27
years |
|
OBC
(NCL) |
30
years |
|
SC/ST |
32
years |
|
PwBD-UR |
37
years |
|
PwBD-OBC |
40
years |
|
PwBD-SC/ST |
42
years |
|
AAI
Apprentices |
+10
year extra |
Age is calculated on the date of
ATC notification.
C. Medical Fitness (CAT-III) See fitness categories
An ATC Officer must pass AAI’s Class
III Medical Test:
|
Parameter |
Requirement (CAT-III Medical – ATC) |
|
Vision |
6/6 (with or without spectacles) |
|
Colour Vision |
Normal colour vision – CP-II standard |
|
Speech |
Clear speech; no stammering or articulation issues |
|
Hearing |
Normal hearing; should detect sounds above 34 dB |
|
Physical Fitness |
No major physical disability; normal locomotor function |
|
Mental Fitness |
Mentally sound; no psychological disorders |
|
Other Requirements |
No chronic diseases affecting duty; normal BP, respiratory &
cardiac health |
|
Licensing Condition |
Class-III Medical clearance is mandatory for issuance/renewal
of ATCOL |
3.
Apply for the AAI
JE-ATC Recruitment
AAI releases ATC vacancies every
1–2 years.
Steps:
4. Clear the AAI ATC Written Examination (CBT)
The computer-Based
Test (CBT) is the main elimination stage.
Exam Pattern
(Latest)
Subject-wise Marks
|
Section |
Questions |
Marks |
|
Physics |
30 |
30 |
|
Mathematics |
30 |
30 |
|
English |
20 |
20 |
|
Reasoning |
15 |
15 |
|
General
Knowledge |
10 |
10 |
|
Aptitude
& Misc |
15 |
15 |
|
Total |
120 |
120 |
Tip: Since there is no negative marking, accuracy + speed both matters.
5. Document Verification (DV)
If you clear CBT cutoff, you will
be called for DV, where AAI checks:
6. Voice Test
This is a short but critical
test. Including a short interview with paragraph reading and sound test.
AAI checks:
7. CAT-III Medical Examination
You must clear:
8. Training at AAI ATC Training Centers
Selected candidates undergo Basic
ATC Training at:
·
CATC Prayagraj (main centre),
·
GONDIA and
·
HYDERABAD
. Training
includes:
·
Aerodrome
control
·
Approach
control
·
Area control
·
Radar
simulation
·
Aviation
regulations
·
Aircraft
navigation
After passing the Basic Rating,
candidates undergo:
On-the-Job Training (OJT)
You work under a senior ATCO
until you qualify for your SATCOL license.
9. Get Your ATC License
After completing:
·
Basic
training
·
OJT
·
Assessments
· Medical
· clearance
You receive the ATCO License
from AAI/DGCA.
Now you can officially operate live traffic.
10.
Quick PYQ
Weightage Summary
|
Section |
Approx
Weight |
|
Physics |
30 |
|
Mathematics |
30 |
|
English |
20 |
|
Reasoning |
15 |
|
GK |
10 |
|
Aptitude |
15 |
11. Final Preparation Tips
Technical
·
Revise NCERT
Physics & Maths
·
Maintain
formula sheets
·
Solve PYQs
of 2021–2024
·
Practice
numerical questions
Non-Technical
·
Solve 10–15
mocks
·
Practice
daily English comprehension
·
Stay updated
with current affairs
·
Strengthen
speed math
Know more
about - ATC syllabus
pdf and previous year question papers.
12. ATC Cutoff Trends (2018–2025)
|
Year |
Exam Format |
General |
EWS |
OBC |
SC |
ST |
|
2018 |
Marks |
90.0 |
NA |
86.5 |
78.0 |
74.1 |
|
2021 |
Marks |
95.6 |
91.00 |
~92 |
~85 |
~84 |
|
2022 |
Percentile |
99.82 |
99.61 |
99.60 |
98.67 |
97.83 |
|
2023 Feb |
Normalized Marks |
100–104 |
91.00 |
96–98 |
90–92 |
85–88 |
|
2023 Dec |
|
103.06-103.33 |
99.82 |
99.82-100 |
93.35-93.35 |
91-91.13 |
|
2025 |
Marks |
108.00 |
105.00 |
105.02 |
100 |
95.35 |
Trend: Competition increases every year → Cutoff also increases.
13. AAI ATC Salary & Promotion (2025–2026 Updated Guide)
Air
Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) is one of the highest-paid and fastest-growing
central government careers in India. The post comes under the Airports
Authority of India (AAI) and includes operational + technical
responsibilities that keep India’s airspace safe.
This guide explains the complete salary structure, allowances,
career growth, and promotion ladder for ATC aspirants.
13.1 ATC
Salary Structure – Full Breakdown
AAI
follows the Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA) pay scale, which gives
higher allowances compared to other central govt jobs.
Junior Executive Salary Pay: ₹1300000 CTC per annum
· Monthly In-Hand Salary (After Training)
|
Component |
Amount (Approx) |
|
Basic Pay |
₹40,000 |
|
Dearness Allowance (DA) |
₹10,000–12,000 |
|
House Rent Allowance (HRA) |
₹10,000–18,000 |
|
Shift Allowance |
₹10,000–20,000 |
|
License Allowance |
₹12,000–18,000 |
|
Other Allowances |
₹8,000–12,000 |
|
Total In-Hand |
₹80,000–₹1,10,000 per month |
Note: In metro airports, salary is on the higher side due to HRA + shift load.
Know More About - AAI JE ATC In-Hand Salary
13.2
Allowances That Increase ATC Salary
ATC salary is special because of
aviation-specific allowances.
I. Shift Allowance
ATC works 24×7, so night shifts
get additional pay.
II. License/Rating Allowance: Paid after clearing ATC ratings:
More ratings = higher salary.
13.3
Accommodation/HRA
HRA varies by city:
13.4 Medical & Health
Benefits: Full medical coverage + family
reimbursement.
13.5 Travel and Leave Benefits
·
LTC (Leave
Travel Concession)
·
Paid leaves
·
Overtime
benefits
14. Salary After Promotions
As
officers rise in rank, their basic pay and allowances increase sharply.
|
Post |
Approx Monthly Salary |
|
Junior Executive (ATC) |
₹80k–₹1.1 lakh |
|
Manager (ATC) |
₹1.2–1.5 lakh |
|
Senior Manager (ATC) |
₹1.6–1.9 lakh |
|
AGM (Assistant General Manager) |
₹2–2.3 lakh |
|
DGM (Deputy General Manager) |
₹2.3–2.8 lakh |
|
JGM (Joint General Manager) |
₹2.8–3.2 lakh |
|
GM (General Manager) |
₹3–3.8 lakh |
|
Executive Director (ED) |
₹4–5 lakh+ |
This is one of the highest-paying
civilian technical careers in India.
15. Promotion
Path of an ATC Officer
ATC promotions are structured and fast, based on:
·
Years of
service
·
Performance
·
ATC ratings
·
Operational
skill
·
Seniority
16. Full
Promotion Ladder:
1.
Junior
Executive (ATC) – Entry-level
2.
Manager
(ATC)
3.
Senior
Manager (ATC)
4.
Assistant
General Manager (AGM)
5.
Deputy
General Manager (DGM)
6.
Joint
General Manager (JGM)
7.
General
Manager (GM)
8.
Executive
Director (ED) – Top of ATC cadre
Each jump brings better pay, higher allowances, and more
authority.
17. How Fast Are Promotions? (Realistic Timeline)
|
Post |
Typical Time |
|
JE → Manager |
3–5 years |
|
Manager → Senior Manager |
4–6 years |
|
Senior Manager → AGM |
5–9 years |
|
AGM → DGM → JGM |
Merit + seniority |
|
GM → ED |
Senior-most positions |
Important:
If you clear ratings quickly (ADC, APP, ACC, Radar), promotions come faster.
18. Benefits of Career Growth
in ATC
·
High salary
jumps
·
Guaranteed
increments
·
Leadership
roles
·
Exposure to
international aviation systems
·
High job
respect
·
Stable PSO
career
ATC is a mix of technical expertise + administrative growth,
making it highly rewarding.
19. Why ATC Is One of India’s
Best Jobs
1)
Highest
Salary for B.Sc. /B. Tech Graduates
No
other exam gives such pay at entry-level.
2) Strong Career Stability
AAI is a Mini-Navratna-level PSO (Public
Sector Organization).
3) Opportunity to Work at Airports
A dynamic, high-tech work environment.
4) Fast Allowance Growth
Ratings + experience = continuous increase in
salary.
Conclusion
AAI ATC offers one of the best
salary packages, fastest promotions, and highest career stability
among central government technical jobs. With every rating and promotion,
salary increases significantly making it a dream career for B.Sc. and B. Tech
graduates.
If you aim for ATC 2026,
now is the best time to start preparing.
To prepare
effectively for both Tech + non-Tech, consider joining Career Wave
Super-50, India’s most trusted ATC mentorship program.
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