The three pilot licences share almost nothing at the examination stage. Different subjects, different entry qualifications, different validity on a cleared paper. Confusing them is the most common planning error in Indian pilot training, and it is expensive, because a paper cleared under the wrong assumption can expire before you use it.
The full comparison
| PPL | CPL | ATPL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer number | Required | Required | Required |
| Qualification to appear | Passed Class Ten or equivalent | Passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics | Must hold an Indian CPL |
| Subjects | Composite Paper; Aircraft & Engine / Instruments in general and specific | Air Navigation; Aviation Meteorology; Air Regulation; Aircraft & Engine / Instruments in general, specific and performance | Air Navigation; Aviation Meteorology; Air Regulation; Radio Aids and Instruments; Aircraft & Engine / Instruments in general, specific and performance; plus Oral |
| Pass mark | 70% per paper | 70% per paper | 70% per paper and 70% in the oral |
| Validity of a cleared paper | Two and a half years | Five years | Five years |
| Aircraft restriction | — | — | Not issued on a single-engine aircraft |
Source: DGCA CAR Section 7, Series ‘B’, Part I (Issue III, 24 March 2017, Revision 2, 13 February 2019).
Three things this table settles
A PPL does not need 10+2 with PCM
It needs a pass in Class Ten or equivalent. The 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics rule is a Commercial Pilot Licence rule, and applying it to the PPL turns people away who are eligible.
A PPL paper expires in half the time
Two and a half years, against five for CPL and ATPL. If you clear PPL papers and then pause — for money, for a medical, for a flying slot — they lapse considerably sooner than the five-year figure everyone quotes. Stage PPL attempts against when you will actually be flying.
An ATPL is not a first licence
DGCA states an ATPL applicant should hold an Indian CPL. The exception is for defence personnel, who may qualify instead on 500 hours of flying experience including 200 as Pilot-in-Command. And the ATPL is not issued on a single-engine aircraft — a constraint that shapes which aircraft your hours need to be on, and that almost no guide mentions.
What sits outside these papers
RTR(A), the Radio Telephony Restricted (Aeronautical) licence, is a separate examination with its own syllabus and a practical component. It is not one of the theory papers above, it is not covered by a typical ground-class package, and its administration has moved between authorities — confirm the current examining body before you apply.
Technical Specific is aircraft-type specific. Your source material is the manual for the type you nominate, not a general coaching handout, and no package covers every type.
How to sequence them
- Get the computer number first. Nothing can be booked without it, and for new candidates it requires a posted hard copy and a Board Verification Certificate.
- Start with the stable subjects. Aviation Meteorology and the general technical paper change least and reward self-study best.
- Treat Air Regulation as perishable. It is built on CARs and circulars that get revised. Studying it from an old edition is the most common avoidable failure.
- Stage attempts against validity, not ambition. Two cleared papers are banked. Four half-prepared papers are four non-refundable fees.
Frequently asked questions
How many papers are there for a CPL in India?
DGCA lists Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulation, and Aircraft and Engine / Instruments in general, specific and performance. RTR(A) is a separate radio-telephony examination outside this set.
What subjects does the PPL exam cover?
A Composite Paper, and Aircraft and Engine / Instruments in general and specific. The PPL set is smaller than the CPL set.
What is the pass mark for DGCA theory papers?
70% in each paper. There is no aggregate across papers, so a strong score in one subject cannot compensate for a shortfall in another. For the ATPL, the 70% requirement applies to the oral examination as well.
How long does a cleared DGCA paper stay valid?
Five years for CPL and ATPL papers. Two and a half years for PPL papers — a distinction that is rarely stated and that changes how you should stage attempts.
Can I take the ATPL exam without a CPL?
DGCA states an ATPL applicant should hold an Indian Commercial Pilot Licence. Defence personnel may instead qualify on 500 hours of flying experience, of which 200 should be as Pilot-in-Command.
Is an ATPL issued on a single-engine aircraft?
No. DGCA states an ATPL licence is not issued on a single-engine aircraft.
Related
Syllabus and eligibility are revised periodically. Verify against the current CAR before planning around any of this.