Of the 160 persons shortlisted for Air India, 56 were rejected.
In the wake of the horrific German Wings plane crash in which 149 people died, Air India revamped its recruitment process for pilots to include evaluation of mental health. But the process has run into trouble, with the rejected candidates calling the system flawed and unscientific.
Of the 160 shortlisted persons, 56 were rejected as they failed the mental health or psychometric test - a verbal procedure, some of the candidates told NDTV. Air India says those who didn't make the cut had failed on other parameters as well.
"This is a joke," said one of the rejected candidates on condition of anonymity. "Psychometric tests are dynamic in nature, are written and 3 hours long. It is not verbal. Also, elsewhere, if the candidates aren't up to the mark, they are counselled."
"We got all our medical tests at places recommended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. We can't be called medically unfit," said another.
Air India has justified the new system, saying it is modelled on best global practices. Also, it incorporates systems developed by the IAF that go beyond brain mapping and check behavioural patterns, the airline said. It has denied claims that there were no verbal tests earlier.
In a press statement, Air India said for the first time, an Indian Air Force psychologist was on the interview panel. Candidates were chosen based on marks scored in the simulator test as well as the interview.
The DGCA says that psychometric tests are not mandatory for airlines, and they have developed their own yardstick but talks are on with all stakeholders to put new guidelines in place.