Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University

Overview

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University (RGNAU) is a unique Central University that aims to provide qualified professionals to the exponentially growing aviation sector in India. Located in the district of Amethi in Uttar Pradesh, it offers both full time courses (BMS - UG and a PG Diploma in Airport Operations - PGDAO), in addition to part time executive courses and certificate programs (e.g. in Firefighting). It also conducts several Management Development Programs to help upskill existing senior professionals in the civil and commercial aviation industry in India. As a University with excellent industry connections, the ratio of Visiting Faculty members to full time Professors is 4.5:1, ensuring that students have a clear idea of corporate requirements before entering the workforce.

Despite its relatively young age, RGNAU has an excellent placement record. Over the past few years, the top aviation companies in India have been involved in full time hiring, including top airports in India (e.g. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Jaipur International Airport, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport), large aviation companies in India and abroad (e.g. IndiGo, Qatar Airways), and large MNCs (e.g. Wipro, FedEx, DB Schenker).

The location of RGNAU near the Indira Gandhi National Flying Academy ensures that students have direct access to a commercial pilot training organization with a fleet of 24 aircraft; therefore, adequate practical training is ensured even before the fourth year of the BMS course which is spent in industry immersion. The campus also has world class extracurricular activities to enable its students to pursue their interests in sports and cultural events outside the classroom.

Highlights

Fees

The academic fees for students of Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University have multiple components e.g. tuition fees, examination charges, registration fees, and caution deposits. The fee structure for the PGDAO program is as follows:

• Caution Deposit: INR 5,000. This will be refunded after the end of the 18 month program if no harm is caused to University property.
• Certificate Verification Fee: INR 2,500. This must be paid when the student joins RGNAU.
• Academic Fee: INR 3.3 Lakh. This is divided among the three semesters as follows:
  • First semester: INR 1,30,470.
  • Beginning of second semester: INR 1 Lakh.
  • Beginning of third semester: INR 1 Lakh.

The fee structure for the BMS course is as follows:

• Caution Deposit: INR 5,000. This will be refunded after the end of the first 3 years of the BMS program, subject to the good conduct of the student.
• Admission Fee: INR 1,000 (one time, paid before the first semester starts).
• Tuition fee: INR 2.5 Lakh (with INR 50,000 each paid at the beginning of the first five semesters).
• Other academic fees: INR 15,000 (INR 7,500 each paid at the beginning of the first two years).
• Apprenticeship Facilitation Fee (paid to help the University process the industry placement during the final year): INR 4,000.
• Composite Insurance Premium fee: INR 2,500 (paid during the sixth semester).

Female candidates pay 10% lower tuition fees than male candidates.

The living cost has four main components:

• Hostel caution deposit: INR 5,000 (refundable).
• Hostel rent: INR 23,650 per semester.
• Mess fee: INR 30,800 per semester.
• Transportation fee: INR 8,800 per semester.

Admissions

The eligibility criteria for admission to Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University are as follows:

• PG Diploma Airport Operations:
  • All applicants require a UG degree offered by a recognized University in any discipline.
  • Students in the final year of such a degree may also apply, provided that they can submit the final mark sheet for verification by 31 October of the year in which they apply.
  • General Category and OBC Candidates require an aggregate UG percentage of either 55% or equivalent CGPA. This is relaxed by 5% for SC and ST category applicants.
  • The candidate’s age must be less than 25 as of 31 August in the year of application.
• BMS:
  • Applicants must have a 10+2 pass certificate issued by a recognized Board of Secondary Education in India or abroad. Students in Standard XII may also apply, subject to submitting the final certificate before joining.
  • The cut-off is 50% in the Standard 12 Board Examination, or 45% for reserved category candidates. 
  • The maximum age allowed is 21, as of 31 August in the year of application.

Students who wish to apply to Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University must follow these steps:

• PGDAO:
  • Visiting the RGNAU website at the end of June every year to fill up the application form.
  • Creating an applicant account by validating contact details.
  • Paying the application fee to access the online application form.
  • Filling up the application form with accurate academic and personal information.
  • Uploading soft copies of identity documents, academic transcripts, and caste certificates (if applicable) and submitting the application before mid-August.
  • Appearing for the all India entrance test conducted by RGNAU. This is multiple choice and paper-based (OMR). There are multiple centers across India, and candidates who sign up are sent details via email.
  • The final merit list is prepared based solely on the entrance test score.
• BMS:
  • A similar process is to be followed by applicants to the BMS program. However, applications are open between 10 May and 21 June every year.
  • In addition, there is usually a Personal Interview round conducted in addition to the online or offline Aptitude Test. The final BMS merit list is based on a composite of both scores. 
  • Candidates who are given offers of admission must pay the first installment of the academic fee to confirm their acceptance and participate in the academic registration process.

Placements

As one of the top Universities in India, the placement highlights of Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University are as follows: 

• The PGDAO program has had consistently strong placement records since its inception, from the first batch in 2019.
• Multiple students were placed in some of India's top airports, including the Mangalore Airport (built and operated by Adani), Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (operated by GMR), Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (operated by Adani), and Jaipur International Airport.
• Other students were placed in top airline companies, both international (e.g. Qatar Airways) and domestic (e.g. IndiGo).
• There were also successful placements in logistics departments of companies related to the aviation sector, including Wipro, DB Schenker, FedEx, and Updater Services Limited.
• All PGDAO students must complete 6 month mandatory internships during the last third of their diploma program. Some companies which accept PGDAO students of RGNAU for internships are Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport (in Hyderabad and Delhi respectively).
• RGNAU also encourages its students to acquire professional certifications, and supports their efforts during the examinations, including ICAO, IATA, ACI, and Airport College. Their theoretical qualifications added to practical experience in airport operations ensures that they are well prepared for the corporate world of aviation.

Cut-Offs

Admission to the courses offered by Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University have cut-offs based on the Standard XII Board Examination average (for BMS aspirants) or UG aggregate (for PGDAO applicants). BMS applicants (General Category and OBC) must have a minimum percentage of 50% in the 10+2 examination. PGDAO aspirants must have an aggregate over all UG semesters, or equivalent GPA, of at least 55%. This is relaxed by 5% for SC, ST, and PwD applicants.

Faculty & Alumni

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University is home to 4 full time Faculty members. Of these,  two are highly qualified Academic Consultants, one is a Research Associate, and one is a Junior Faculty member. In addition, there are 18 Visiting Faculty members who help students with domain specific learning. They have extensive industry experience, and are able to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical corporate requirements. They also assist the University with guest lectures, workshops, interactive sessions, and seminars to enhance the overall employability.

RGNAU is a young University; for example, the first batch of BMS students, who joined the University in 2021, is yet to graduate. As the pool of alumni from the BMS and PG Diploma program grows in size, it is expected that they will work closely with current students of the University to aid their transition into working in India's rapidly growing aviation industry. They will work closely with the Placement Cell to enhance the employment opportunities available, while also mentoring the students one-on-one. It is also expected that regular Alumni Meets will be held both virtually and in person.

Scholarships

As in other top Universities in India, there are multiple financial aid options available to students of Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University. The RGNAU Act of 2013 empowers the University to institute and award scholarships and fellowships, and students of the University are also allowed to apply to national and state financial aid schemes, and private trusts and CSR Departments of companies. Examples of external scholarships to which students of RGNAU apply are:

1. Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarships: The UP Government has a Scholarship and Fee Reimbursement Online system through which students of RGNAU can search for and apply to financial aid schemes for which they are eligible. For example, the Saksham Scholarship offered by the UP Government in the Post Matric category offers monthly scholarship amounts to students based on both socially disadvantaged backgrounds and financial need. SC and ST students with family incomes below INR 2.5 LPA are eligible for the Saksham scheme, as are OBC, Minority, and General category candidates with family incomes below INR 2 LPA. It is offered in four groups, with the highest amount being INR 550 per month for day scholars, and INR 1,200 per month for hostel residents.

2. Government of India Central Scholarships: These are awarded either by the UGC or different Government Departments via the National Scholarship Portal (NSP). There are multiple main scholarships under this umbrella, including the National Scholarship for SC students, the National Fellowship for Higher Education for ST students, the National Fellowship for OBC students, the National Fellowship for Students with Disabilities, the Savitribai Jyotirao Phule Single Girl Child, and the Maulana Azad National Fellowship for Minority Students. These financial aid schemes typically cover the full cost of tuition and provide a stipend to help with living costs.

Preparation & FAQs

Admissions to Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University for both PGDAO and BMS programs are based on entrance examinations conducted by the University. Candidates must first go through previous years’ exam papers to understand the unique test pattern. After analyzing the type and difficulty of questions, they should go through the topics and work out practice multiple choice questions to improve their speed and accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Which is the top University in India?

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University is one of the best Universities in India. It is ranked #41 among the best Central Universities in India, according to the IIRF 2024 ranking list.

Q. What are the application fees to Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University?

The application fees to Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University vary according to the level of the program to which the student is applying (undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD). For example, the application fee for the PG Diploma in Airport Operations is INR 950 (general and OBC students) or INR 475 (SC, ST, and PwD students).

Q. What are the expected dates of Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University recruitment 2025?

The expected dates, mode of application, and submission deadlines for all part time and full time roles offered by Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University in 2025 can be found on its website. Most of the open positions are senior management roles in the University Administration.

Q. What industrial exposure is offered to BMS students of Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University?

The BMS course offered by Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University lasts 4 years; the final year (25% of the course) is dedicated to apprenticeship with industry experts.

Q. Which Management Development Programs (MDPs) are offered by Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University?

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University offers a popular Management Development Program (MDP) in Safety Management Systems (SMS), which increases the awareness of global safety standards in the aviation industry, while providing middle management and young professionals a clear blueprint for implementing these standards and ensuring health & safety compliance.

Q. What are the benefits of the Executive Development Program (EDP) offered by Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University?

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University offers a popular Executive Development Program (EDP) on the topic of Aviation Management. This ordinarily lasts three days, and is held in coordination with the US India Aviation Cooperation Program. Multiple professionals from India’s largest aviation companies take part every year.

Q. Which companies participate in the Executive Development Program (EDP) offered by Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University?

The RGNAU EDP attracts successful professionals from some of India’s largest aviation companies, including Air India, the Airports Authority of India, Bell Helicopters, Bengaluru International Airport Limited, GMR Group, IndiGo, the Indian Air Force, Bird Group, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Both policy making bodies and corporate entities are represented.

Q. Which certificate programs are offered by Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University?

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University offers a six month BFFC (Basic Fire Fighters’ Certificate) program in association with GMR Airports Limited.

Q. What is the program fee for the Basic Fire Fighters’ Certificate course at Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University?

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University charges INR 2.95 Lakh for the six month BFFC course offered in association with GMR Airports Limited.

Q. What are the advantages of the Basic Fire Fighters’ Certificate course offered by Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University?

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University has a 100% placement record, on average. It is also flexible, with up to 4 batches commencing in the year 2022, for example. This allows students who wish to join the aviation sector to choose a convenient time to start their BFFC training.

Q. Which organizations has Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University collaborated with to ensure strong placements for its students?

Rajiv Gandhi National Aviation University has 5 major MoUs with large players in the aviation industry, including Rolls Royce (to develop curricula and invite international experts for guest lectures and seminars), Bird Group, US India Aviation Collaboration, GMR Aviation Academy, and the MRO Association of India.