The requirement for passing the 12th grade with maths and physics as compulsory subjects was introduced somewhere in the year 1994
Until then 10th with Maths and Science as subjects were enough
Even today if you can prove that you started flying prior to the rule coming into effect you are still eligible for a DGCA CPL
From what I have heard from a retired Indian Pilot was that someone bribed the DGCA to introduce the rule so as to prevent those who studied non science/math subjects from becoming pilots at the time
Remember 1992/1993 was the year when India witnessed its 1st Aviation Boom when the Govt of India allowed private companies to start their own airlines
Jet Airways , East West , Damania , Modiluft , Air Sahara all started up because of this new liberalisation and hence demand for pilots soared at the time
Ofcourse any pilot who has been through the Indian system with 12th Maths and Physics would realise that these are primarily aimed at those pursuing engineering or medicine or higher studies in the maths and science subjects than of any
real world use to a pilot
AOPA India had started a petition to remove this requirement for PPL ( you only need 10th pass for PPL ) as obtaining the verification letter from the board was quite cumbersome for candidates who passed out decades ago
You can read about it here
http://www.aopa.in/20130624_scion_ao...ertificate.pdf
I have seen this system also harass a lot indian pilots that did not study at an Indian Govt approved Education Board ( especially NRI's )
They had to run after the Association of Indian Universities in New Delhi in order to obtain an EQUIVALENCY CERTIFICATE saying that their 10th and 12th grade is equal to the Indian 12th standard
While I doubt the rules will be changed anytime soon there is something you can do
I have seen many pilots of commerce background take coaching , study and pass physics and maths ( if they didnt have maths in 12th ) from the National Institute of Open Schooling aka NIOS
Home: The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
I believe the exams are on demand so you can give it when you feel you are ready . I dont know what the marks are in order to pass but i think its around 33 or 35%
The DGCA does not care how much you score as you long as you pass and they accept Maths and physics from NIOS provided you have the Indian board or equivalent 12th std pass
If you can score 55% or above in Maths , Physics and English individually then you will be eligible for the IndiGo Cadet Pilot program .
Although expensive this is a pretty good program for an Indian Citizen in order to make it as an airline pilot in India especially given the large number of unemployed pilots
For more details look at the following link
Indigo Pilot Program - CAE Oxford Aviation Academy