Eligibility
Who may appear for DGCA examinations, and on what qualification.
What qualification do I need for the CPL exams?
A pass in 10+2 standard with Physics and Mathematics from a recognised board, plus a computer number allotted by the Central Examination Organization. Chemistry is not part of the stated requirement.
What qualification do I need for the PPL exams?
A pass in Class Ten or equivalent, plus a computer number. The 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics rule applies to the Commercial Pilot Licence, not the Private Pilot Licence.
Is there a maximum age to register with DGCA?
No. DGCA states there is no maximum age limit to register as a Flight Crew candidate. Age ceilings belong to airline recruitment and cadet programmes, which are separate from licensing.
Can I sit 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.
Examinations
Subjects, pass marks, validity and what a paper costs.
What is the pass mark for DGCA theory papers?
70% in each paper, with no aggregate across papers. A strong score in one subject cannot compensate for a shortfall in another. For the ATPL, 70% is also required in the oral examination.
How long does a cleared DGCA paper stay valid?
Five years for a CPL or ATPL paper, and two and a half years for a PPL paper. The shorter PPL window is rarely stated and changes how attempts should be staged.
How much does a DGCA exam paper cost?
Rs 2,500 per paper for Flight Crew Licence online examination, and the fee is not refundable under any circumstances. DGCA publishes no separate fee for the on-demand route.
What is OLODE?
The Online On-Demand Examination route. It lets a candidate book an available slot rather than waiting for a scheduled session. Syllabus, pass mark and eligibility are identical to a regular session.
Are DGCA ground classes mandatory?
No. The eligibility conditions are a computer number and the educational qualification for your licence. Ground school attendance is not among them, though a flying school may require it under its own contract.
Registration and documents
The computer number, and the paperwork that gates it.
What is a DGCA computer number?
The unique lifetime identifier allotted to a Flight Crew candidate by the Central Examination Organization. It is required to apply for any DGCA pilot examination, a candidate may hold only one, and it covers every Flight Crew examination category.
Is the computer number generated automatically when I submit?
No. For new candidates it is allotted only after DGCA scrutinises the online application against a hard copy posted to the Central Examination Organization.
What is a Board Verification Certificate?
A certificate from the relevant board confirming that your mark sheet is authentic. It is mandatory for all NEW candidates before registration. Candidates allotted a number before the Pariksha portal launched do not need one.
Can I upload a document after Final Submission?
No. Nothing can be uploaded after Final Submit, so every document must be assembled before you submit. Documents must be PDF; only the photograph and signature are JPEG.
Training abroad and conversion
What a foreign licence does and does not permit in India.
Can I fly commercially in India on a foreign licence?
Not without converting it. DGCA conversion under CAR Section 7, Series G, Part I requires written examinations through the Central Examination Organisation and a skill test with a DGCA-approved examiner in India.
What currency does DGCA require on a foreign licence?
At least 10 hours as Pilot-in-Command in the twenty-four months preceding the date of application, for the type of aircraft. This is the rule people discover too late.
About this site
How these answers are produced.
Where do these figures come from?
DGCA's own Civil Aviation Requirements and its Pariksha Flight Crew FAQ, named on each page. Where we cannot source a figure, we say so and leave it out rather than repeating what is widely stated.
Not answered here?
Every answer above links to the page that treats it in full, with its source named. If your question is about your own papers, medical or timeline, ask us — including when the answer is that you do not need us.