What is AMME / AME?
Every aircraft must be inspected and certified by licensed engineers before it flies. This course teaches how aircraft are manufactured and assembled, and how engines, airframes, landing gear, avionics and hydraulics are maintained, repaired and overhauled to strict safety rules.
It is important to understand the two routes. A B.Tech in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering is an engineering degree from a university. An AME licence is issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after training at a CAR-147 approved institute, passing DGCA module exams and gaining practical experience; categories include B1 (mechanical: airframe and engines) and B2 (avionics). Some universities run integrated programmes that combine both. Only the DGCA licence lets you sign off an aircraft as airworthy.
Compared with Aeronautical Engineering, which focuses on design and analysis, this course is hands-on and regulation-driven, centred on hangar work, inspection and documentation.
Who is this course for?
- Students who like working with real machines and tools more than pure theory
- Those interested in airlines, airports and aviation careers
- People who are disciplined, detail-oriented and comfortable with checklists
- Students fine with shift work, hangars and outdoor ramp work
- Those who want a licence-based profession with clear career steps
- Students with good health and normal colour vision (needed for many aviation roles)
What you study
- Year 1
- Engineering Mathematics
- Engineering Physics
- Basic Electricity and Electronics
- Engineering Drawing
- Workshop Practice
- Communication Skills
- Year 2
- Basic Aerodynamics
- Aircraft Materials and Hardware
- Maintenance Practices
- Digital Techniques and Electronic Instrument Systems
- Human Factors in Aviation
- Aviation Legislation (DGCA CARs)
- Year 3
- Aircraft Structures and Systems
- Gas Turbine Engines
- Piston Engines
- Propellers
- Aircraft Manufacturing and Assembly Processes
- Non-destructive Testing
- Year 4
- Avionics Systems
- Aircraft Overhaul and Repair
- Reliability and Maintenance Planning
- Quality and Safety Management
- On-the-job Training in an MRO
- Project
Specialisations and electives
B1 – Mechanical (airframe, engines, systems)B2 – Avionics (electrical, instruments, radio)Aircraft Engine OverhaulStructures, Composites and RepairNon-destructive Testing (NDT)Maintenance Planning and Technical RecordsHelicopter MaintenanceAircraft Manufacturing and Assembly
Eligibility & admission
- Class 12 pass with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics; many institutes ask for about 45–50% in PCM (check each prospectus).
- Diploma holders in engineering may be eligible for AME training and for lateral entry into some B.Tech programmes.
- DGCA sets licence conditions (minimum age, education, module passes and experience) under CAR-66; read the current CAR on the DGCA website.
- A medical fitness check, including colour vision, is usually required by institutes and employers.
- Choose only DGCA CAR-147 approved institutes for AME training, and AICTE/UGC-recognised universities for the degree.
How admission works
- Decide whether you want a B.Tech degree, a DGCA AME licence, or an integrated programme offering both.
- For B.Tech, apply via JEE Main, a state CET or the university's own process.
- For AME training, check the DGCA list of CAR-147 approved institutes and apply through their entrance test or interview (some use the privately run AME CET).
- Clear the medical check and submit documents (marksheets, ID, medical certificate).
- During or after training, pass DGCA module exams and complete required practical experience to apply for the licence.
Entrance exams
JEE Main / state CETsfor B.Tech Aircraft Maintenance Engineering seats at universities that use them
AME CETa privately run test used by many AME institutes; it is not a government exam
Institute entrance testsfor university integrated B.Tech + AME programmes
DGCA AME module examinationsrequired to obtain the AME licence (B1/B2 categories)
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Top colleges for AMME / AME
| College | City | Why it stands out |
|---|
| Indus University – Indus Institute of Aviation Technology and Engineering | Ahmedabad | B.Tech (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering) with a DGCA-approved partner institute |
| Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University of Science and Technology | Murthal (Sonipat) | State university listed as offering B.Tech Aircraft Maintenance Engineering; confirm current admission route |
| Srinivas University – College of Aviation | Mangaluru | B.Tech Aircraft Maintenance Engineering |
| Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science | Chennai | Deemed university offering B.Sc Aircraft Maintenance Engineering alongside aeronautical/aerospace B.Tech |
| Madras Institute of Technology, Anna University | Chennai | Government aeronautical engineering programme; a strong design-side alternative |
| Punjab Engineering College | Chandigarh | B.Tech Aerospace Engineering; alternative for those wanting a core degree |
Ranks are from the NIRF 2025 India Rankings where shown. Check each college’s official website for this year’s seats, fees and cut-offs.
Careers & salary
Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (B1/B2)Inspects, repairs and certifies aircraft as fit to fly after maintenance.
Aircraft TechnicianCarries out scheduled and unscheduled maintenance tasks under supervision in a hangar or on the ramp.
MRO EngineerWorks in a maintenance, repair and overhaul organisation on heavy checks and component repairs.
Engine Overhaul EngineerStrips, inspects and rebuilds jet engines and their modules.
Production / Assembly EngineerBuilds and integrates aircraft structures and systems at manufacturers such as HAL or their suppliers.
Quality / Airworthiness EngineerAudits maintenance records and processes to meet DGCA and international standards.
Maintenance Planning EngineerSchedules checks and parts so aircraft spend minimum time on the ground.
Top recruiters & sectors
Air India and Air India ExpressIndiGoSpiceJetAkasa AirAir India Engineering Services (AIESL)GMR Aero TechnicHindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)Indian Air Force and Navy civilian/technical postsTata Advanced SystemsHelicopter operatorsAir Works and other MROsFlying training organisations
Salary
Unlicensed graduates and trainees typically start at ₹2.5–5 LPA (approx.). Pay rises sharply after obtaining a DGCA licence and type rating on a specific aircraft: licensed engineers at airlines commonly earn ₹8–20 LPA (approx.), and experienced type-rated engineers, especially overseas in the Gulf or Southeast Asia, can earn more.
Key factors are licence category, aircraft type ratings, employer (airline vs MRO vs manufacturer) and years of experience. Figures vary; check current placement reports.
Scope & higher studies
Indian airlines have ordered hundreds of new aircraft, and the government is pushing to bring aircraft maintenance (MRO) work back to India, which earlier went abroad. Both trends increase the need for licensed maintenance engineers and technicians, a group the industry often describes as short of skilled staff.
Manufacturing is also growing, with Airbus and Tata assembling aircraft in India and HAL producing military platforms. Students should choose DGCA-approved institutes carefully, plan for licence exams and accept that early years involve hard, hands-on work before pay rises.
After this course
- Aircraft type rating courses (e.g. A320, B737) after licensing
- M.Tech in Aerospace or Aeronautical Engineering via GATE
- MBA in Aviation Management
- EASA Part-66 licence modules for work in Europe and abroad
- Specialist certifications in NDT or composite repair
AMME / AME FAQs
Is AME a degree or a licence?
AME by itself is a DGCA licence, not a university degree. Some universities offer a B.Tech in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering or integrated degree-plus-licence programmes.
Is AME CET compulsory?
No. AME CET is a privately conducted test used by many institutes, not a DGCA or government exam. Admission rules differ by institute, so check each one.
What is the difference between B1 and B2 licences?
B1 covers mechanical work on airframes, engines and systems, while B2 covers avionics such as electrical, instruments and radio systems. Your training must match the category you want.
How do I check if an AME institute is genuine?
Look for the institute on the DGCA's official list of CAR-147 approved organisations. Also check the validity of approval and the aircraft types covered.
Is Aircraft Maintenance Engineering better than Aeronautical Engineering?
They lead to different jobs. AME is hands-on maintenance and certification; aeronautical engineering is about design and analysis. Choose based on whether you prefer hangar work or design offices.
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