In November 2025, a Tejas LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) crashed at the Dubai Airshow, killing Wing Commander Namansh Syal. Following the crash, a newspaper advertisement offering a very low monthly training stipend for fighter pilot candidates (under $390 / ~₹35,000) went viral on social media and was linked by users to claims that Tejas pilots are underpaid, raising concerns about morale and potential impact on performance. The Indian Air Force (IAF) denied the claims, calling the advertisement fake and stating that recruitment is conducted through UPSC and the Air Force Academy. Critics and opposition figures are calling for a parliamentary inquiry, citing anonymous online testimonies alleging unequal allowances between pilots of indigenous aircraft (Tejas) and imported aircraft (Rafale). Defence analysts say the issue highlights a broader morale and policy problem, not just the crash itself. The Defence Ministry has promised strict action against those behind the fake advertisement. The official inquiry into the Tejas crash is ongoing, with no confirmed cause yet. Public debate has shifted from technical causes of the crash to how India values and compensates its fighter pilots.
