A Tejas Light Combat Aircraft crashed at the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, killing Wing Commander Namansh Syal. Official inquiry into the crash is ongoing, with no confirmed cause yet.

Following the crash, controversy erupted when a newspaper advertisement surfaced offering a very low monthly training stipend (under $390 / ~?35,000) for fighter pilot candidates. The ad went viral on social media and was linked by users to claims that Tejas pilots are underpaid, causing low morale and potentially affecting performance.

Critics and opposition figures are demanding 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. Public debate has shifted from technical causes of the crash to how India values and compensates its fighter pilots.

Note: This summary reflects information as reported and is subject to updates as the official inquiry progresses.