Air traffic controller qualification: Selection Process in India 2021

Air traffic controller qualification and selection process

There are many people who do not know much about Air traffic controller qualification. Or what should be the basic education for this ATC? What courses are available to become an ATC? Also, whether the course will be beneficial for our future or not. So, through this article, we will know everything in detail.

Air traffic controller qualification

Air traffic controller Educational Qualification

There are some basic guidelines that must be met to become an ATC. Applicant should have passed 12th standard from any recognized board with PCM subjects. In addition, to become an ATC, the applicant must have a bachelor’s degree.

So, applicants can graduate from these respective branches for the air traffic controller job.

Bachelor Degree

Firstly, the applicant has to graduate from these respective branches. Only then can they apply for the ATC job. And also it is mandatory to have 60% marks in graduation.

Bachelors degree (BSc) with Science/ Maths ( 3 years program)
BE/B.Tech (Engg.) degree from the Electronics branch.
Telecommunication,
Radio Engineering
Electrical & Electronics
Information Technology

Master Degree

Since the chances of promotion in this field are very high, it is a better option to pursue a Masters’s course. So for the PG course, the Candidate should have B.Sc in Science or B.Tech/B.E. Degree with a minimum total of 60% marks. Finally, after doing these courses, the candidate can apply for an ATC job.

Therefore, the candidate can apply for an ATC job by obtaining a master’s degree from various fields.

Masters in Wireless communication
Radio Physics and Electronics
Radio Engineering
Masters in Electronics

Eligibility Criteria

First of all, he/she should be a citizen of India.
Male candidates, as well as women, can apply for this position.
Eyesight must be 6/6.
The candidate should not have the problem of color blindness.
Also, the candidate must be physically and mentally fit.

Age Limit

What is the age limit for air traffic controllers?

The age limit is an important factor for ATC post. Because age limit plays a very big role for OBC (NCL) and SC / ST. So here are the complete details of the age limit for all the groups.

The age limit for this post must be between 18 and 27 years old.
The OBC caste has been given a relaxation of up to 3 years for this post.
While there is a relaxation of up to 5 years for SC / ST.
Ten years of relaxation for candidates who are in regular service of AAI.

Selection Process For Air traffic controller Job

Through AAI (Airports Authority of India)

The AAI is a statutory body that comes under the Ministry of Civil Aviation. It is the largest recruitment authority in India, which holds vacancies for the ATC job post every year. Since air navigation is one of the important functions of AAI, it conducts its own entrance exam every year.

Although the selection process for this post is a bit difficult still the demand for this job is very high. Therefore, to be employed on this job post, one has to go through the following steps.

1. Online Written Test

What is the ATC exam?

Firstly, the candidate has to take the online written test. To clear this written test, the applicant has to prepare for these various subjects. The written exam pattern is divided into two parts, both parts have a similar weightage of 50%.

Questions of 30-30 marks are asked from both Maths and Physics (Total 60 marks).
Apart from this, 60 marks questions are asked from Reasoning, English Language, Aptitude, and General Knowledge.

Therefore, these online written test consists of 120 questions with a total score of 120. The important part of this written test is that there is no negative marking in it.

2. Voice Interview

After passing the written test, the applicant qualifies for the next round (Voice Test). Voice testing is a very important part of the ATC job. In which all these aspects are taken care of.

Communication skill
Fluency
Pronunciation
Local Language Effect
Volume of voice

However, many such students remain quite afraid of voice rounds. Therefore, students should also decide on all the above aspects while preparing for their written test.

3. Personal Interview

After clearing the voice round, the applicant has to give a short personal interview. Sometimes this personal interview is conducted during the voice test of the applicant. Generally, the questions asked in this interview are of this type.

Tell me about yourself.
What are your hobbies?
Why did you choose this profession?
How do you handle stressful situations?

Therefore, in a personal interview, your thinking and attitude are tested.

4. Medical Test

A medical test is a very important part of this ATC job profile. And if you fail the medical test, your selection process will end there itself. Therefore, the applicant should keep in mind that there are two types of medical tests for an ATC job.

Medical Test before Joining:-

When you have a selection for an air traffic controller job, the applicant is called for document verification. At that time, the applicant has to submit a medical report verified by the Medical Officer.

Medical Test after Joining:-

And after a thorough selection of the applicant, a medical test is done by the AAI authority. All medical tests are performed in AAI-verified hospitals.

Generally, 4 to 5 tests are done in the applicant’s medical test, Which is of class III level. And all these types of medical tests are as follows.

Sugar level Test
Blood pressure test
Color Blindness problem
ECG test
Ear test
Urine test

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Air Traffic Controller Job Training

How long is ATC training in India?

After selection, the applicant has to complete a 1-year training course. In this training, the applicant has to gain both theoretical and practical knowledge. During training, students have to study the following subjects.

Air Navigation
Communication Procedures
Air Traffic Service
Search and Rescue
Meteorology
Aerodromes and Ground Aids

After training, the applicant will have to take the final exam and score 70% in it. Also, if a student fails this exam, then the students have only two chances to clear that exam.

And also, during training, students get a stipend of Rs 8000 per month. After passing the training period and examination, the students are selected for the ATC officer rank (Junior Executive).

NOTE: Applicants visit various centers (Allahabad or Hyderabad) for 1-year training. And at the same time, the expenses of this one-year training is controlled by the AAI itself.

FAQ

1. Is ATC a stressful job?

ATC job is a bit stressful because a lot of things have to be taken care of. And at the same time, the job schedule varies from day to night.

2. How can I apply for ATC in India?

For this, applicants have to apply online by visiting the official website of the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Also, keep all your necessary documents with you while applying.

3. What does an ATC do?

Air traffic controllers work–

An ATC track the take-off and landing process of the airplane.
In addition, they provide safe altitude for airplanes.
Based on flight data and flight plans, they handle the contingency of airplanes.
Notifying the pilots, keeping in mind the weather conditions.
Providing the pilot a safe runway during landing.
Keeping continuous attention on the movement of aircraft.

4. How much do ATC controllers get paid in India? or the Salary of an ATC.

If we talk about the starting salary of this job post then it is INR 40k per month. However, in this field, the chances of promotion are very high, so with the increase in experience and rank, salary also increases.

5. What qualification required for Air traffic controller?

Regular full-time bachelor’s degree (3 years) in science (BSc) with physics and maths.

Bachelor’s degree (B.E./B.Tech) in the following branches of Electronics / Telecommunications /Information Technology with minimum 60% marks.

6. Key skills and qualities for air traffic controllers

The following skills are necessary to have in ATC.

Good listening power
Good communication and teamwork skills.
Awareness towards contingency
Ability to work in any shift.

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