That adds even more historical depth to the story. Let’s weave Urmila K. Parekh’s groundbreaking achievement into the narrative as the first-ever Indian woman to hold a pilot’s licence. Here’s the fully updated news article:
India Tops Global List of Women Pilots — A Journey That Began in 1930 with Urmila K. Parekh
New Delhi, April 9 — India has officially taken the lead in promoting women in aviation, with the highest percentage of female pilots in the world, according to a 2018 report by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). The report notes that 13 per cent of pilots in India are women, compared to the global average of just 5 per cent, meaning one in every eight Indian flights is now flown by a woman.
But this modern success story has its roots in the pioneering efforts of women who dared to dream big—nearly a century ago.
The journey began with Urmila K. Parekh, who made history in 1930 by becoming the first Indian woman to obtain a pilot’s licence. At a time when women’s roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere, Parekh’s achievement was nothing short of revolutionary.
Two decades later, Prem Mathur further shattered aviation’s glass ceiling by becoming India’s first woman commercial pilot in 1951, flying for Deccan Airways. Her professional flying career set a precedent for women aspiring to take the captain’s seat.
Adding to the legacy, Durba Banerjee took another giant leap in 1987, becoming the first woman to co-pilot an Airbus A300 on the Calcutta–New Delhi–Calcutta route, proving women could master even the most complex aircraft.
Today, India’s top airlines—IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India—are among the biggest recruiters of women pilots, with strong support systems for training and mentorship.
From Urmila Parekh’s licence in 1930 to commanding commercial jets in 2025, Indian women have come a long way in aviation—and they’re flying higher than ever before.
