Wondering if you qualify to become cabin crew in India? The honest answer is: it depends on which part of the criteria you're asking about. Some rules — like the medical fitness check — are set by DGCA and apply to every airline. Others, like minimum height or maximum age, are set individually by each airline and vary more than most guides admit. This article separates the two, using each airline's own published criteria, so you know exactly where you stand before you apply.
Quick-Answer Eligibility Snapshot
| Criteria | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 18–28 years for freshers (varies by airline; up to 35 for experienced crew) |
| Education | 10+2 (Class 12) pass, any stream — no subject restriction |
| Height (female) | 155 cm minimum (most airlines) |
| Height (male) | 167.5–170 cm minimum (where male crew are hired) |
| Medical | DGCA cabin crew medical standard (CAR Section 7, Series C Part II) |
| Language | Fluent English and Hindi (mandatory at most Indian carriers) |
| Nationality | Indian national with valid passport (for Indian carriers) |
| Appearance | No visible tattoos/scars in uniform; BMI within airline-set range |
What's Regulated by DGCA vs. Set by the Airline
This is the distinction most guides skip — and it matters, because it tells you what's fixed and what varies by employer.
Set by DGCA (applies to every airline):
- Cabin crew training programme structure must follow CAR Section 7, Series M, Part I — Cabin Crew Member Training. This governs what airlines must teach and how, not individual candidate eligibility.
- Cabin crew must clear a medical exam under CAR Section 7, Series C, Part II — Cabin Crew Medical Standards, issued under Rule 38B of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, requiring an examination equivalent to a Class 2 medical.
- Flight Duty Time Limitations for working cabin crew are governed separately under CAR Section 7, Series J.
Note: unlike Europe's EASA framework, India's DGCA does not issue an individual "cabin crew attestation" license to each crew member the way it licenses pilots — training and certification happen through the airline's own DGCA-approved programme.
Set individually by each airline (varies):
- Minimum age and upper age limit
- Minimum height and BMI range
- Which genders are actively recruited in a given hiring cycle
- Grooming standards (tattoos, piercings)
- Language requirements beyond English/Hindi
Airline-Wise Eligibility Comparison (2026)
Pulled directly from each airline's own careers page.
| Criteria | Air India | IndiGo | Akasa Air |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age (freshers) | 18–27 years | 18–27 years | 18–28 years |
| Age (experienced) | — | — | Up to 35 years |
| Height (female) | 155 cm | 155 cm | 155 cm |
| Height (male) | — | — | 167.5 cm |
| BMI | 18–22 (female) | Proportionate to height | 18–23 (female), 18–25 (male) |
| Education | 10+2, 50%+ marks | 10+2 | 10+2 |
| ID documents | Passport, PAN, Aadhaar | Passport | Passport, PAN, Aadhaar |
| Vision | 6/6 | Not separately published | Medically fit per DGCA standard |
IndiGo's currently published cabin crew criteria list only female age/height figures — that reflects what's on their careers page in this hiring cycle, not a stated policy on male recruitment. Hiring criteria change between cycles, so always check the live careers page before applying.
🎯 Not sure if you meet the criteria, or which airline fits your profile? Talk to our aviation career experts — completely free.
Physical & Medical Requirements in Detail
Height and reach: Most Indian carriers set a minimum height rather than an arm-reach test. A reach requirement (commonly around 212 cm on tiptoes) shows up more often with Gulf carriers than domestic Indian ones.
Weight/BMI: Airlines use a BMI range rather than a fixed weight figure, so weight is assessed proportionate to height. Akasa Air's published range is BMI 18–23 for women and 18–25 for men.
Vision: Requirements typically call for correctable vision (6/6 with glasses or contact lenses); severe colour blindness is generally disqualifying under DGCA's aviation medical standards.
Tattoos/appearance: Universally enforced as "no visible tattoos or marks while in uniform" — not a ban on having tattoos, just a requirement that the uniform cover them.
Education Requirement — What Actually Counts
- Minimum: 10+2 (Class 12) pass from a recognised board — any stream, unlike the Physics/Maths requirement for CPL pilot training
- Air India's listing specifies a minimum 50% aggregate; other carriers reviewed here don't publish a minimum percentage
- A degree is not required for entry-level roles
Can You Apply Right After 12th?
Yes — if you meet the age minimum (typically 18) and the physical/medical criteria. You don't need a completed degree, a cabin crew course, or prior work experience to apply directly to most airlines. A certified training course (covered in our cabin crew course fees guide) isn't a stated requirement on any airline's own eligibility list, but it's commonly recommended because it demonstrates preparation for interview stage.
For the full breakdown of eligibility across all aviation careers — not just cabin crew — see our aviation course eligibility comparison.
Sources: DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements Section 7 (Series C Part II – Cabin Crew Medical Standards; Series M Part I – Cabin Crew Member Training; Series J – Flight Duty Time Limitations); Aircraft Rules, 1937 (Rule 38B); PIB press release on DGCA cabin crew medical regulations; Air India Careers (careers.airindia.com); IndiGo Careers (goindigo.in/careers); Akasa Air Careers (akasaair.com/careers-at-akasa-air) — verified July–August 2026.
