How and When to Give DGCA Exams: Eligibility, Registration and Schedule

What are DGCA CPL exams?

DGCA conducts Flight Crew licence examinations through its Central Examination Organisation (CEO). The examinations are generally conducted online at designated examination centres, with the current schedule and instructions published through the official Pariksha portal.

For a CPL candidate, theory papers are an important part of the licensing journey. The exact papers, eligibility and examination procedures can change, so use the latest DGCA syllabus, notices and Pariksha instructions when planning your attempts.

When should you start giving DGCA exams?

You do not have to wait until you have completed your flying hours. In most cases, it is sensible to clear the applicable theory papers early in your CPL journey or alongside flight training, provided you meet the requirements for the paper and are properly prepared.

The main advantage of starting early is that theory does not become a bottleneck near the end of your CPL training. The mistake to avoid is booking an exam simply because a session is available when you are not ready.

• Start planning after you have confirmed your educational and other applicable eligibility requirements.
• Get your Computer Number and complete the relevant Pariksha registration steps before applying.
• Give yourself enough preparation time rather than studying only around the application deadline.
• Check the latest Pariksha notice for the session opening, closing date, fee, centre and paper-specific requirements.

How many months before the exam should you start studying?

For one subject, around 3–6 weeks of focused preparation is a useful planning range for many students. A harder subject such as Navigation may need longer, especially if you are starting from scratch.

If you want to work through the main CPL theory subjects systematically, plan around 3–5 months rather than trying to complete everything in a few weeks. Students with strong ground-school knowledge may move faster, while students balancing flying, college or work may need more time.

These are preparation recommendations, not DGCA deadlines. Your actual study time should be based on the current syllabus, your baseline knowledge and your mock-test performance.

When should you take each DGCA subject?

There is no single DGCA-mandated order in which every student must take the subjects. The sequence below is a practical CPLGrid preparation recommendation designed to move from regulation and memory-heavy material toward more calculation and technical work.

Your actual examination order should still depend on the papers available in the current Pariksha session and the rules applicable to you.

• Air Regulations (REG): A good first subject for many students. Allow roughly 3–4 weeks for focused preparation, with repeated revision of regulations, procedures and terminology.
• Aviation Meteorology (MET): A useful early subject because it builds a strong theory base. Allow roughly 4–6 weeks, with emphasis on concepts, charts, weather systems and application-based questions.
• Air Navigation (NAV): Usually deserves the longest preparation window because it combines concepts, calculations and problem-solving. Allow roughly 6–8 weeks if you are learning it from the beginning.
• Technical General (TECH GEN): Plan roughly 4–6 weeks depending on your technical background. Build understanding first and then use chapter-wise question practice. CPLGrid has a full Technical General question bank for chapter-wise practice and mock tests.
• Radio Telephony (RTR): Treat RTR as a separate preparation track because its current examination instructions and process can differ from the other Flight Crew papers. Prepare according to the latest applicable RTR notice rather than assuming it follows the same timetable.

A practical CPLGrid preparation sequence

If you want a simple sequence, a practical starting point is: REG → MET → NAV → TECH GEN → RTR. This is a CPLGrid study recommendation, not an official DGCA examination order.

The sequence can be adjusted around your flight-school schedule, your existing knowledge and the examination sessions available when you are ready.

• Phase 1: REG — build confidence with the first subject and learn how DGCA-style questions are framed.
• Phase 2: MET — add a concept-heavy subject and continue regular revision of REG.
• Phase 3: NAV — give yourself the largest preparation window and practise calculations repeatedly.
• Phase 4: TECH GEN — cover the technical syllabus systematically and revise weak chapters.
• Phase 5: RTR — follow the current RTR-specific requirements, notices and preparation plan.

Step 1: Meet the basic eligibility requirements

DGCA's current Flight Crew FAQ states that applicants other than the PPL category must have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics from a recognised board or university, or an equivalent qualification. Paper-specific and licence-specific requirements can also apply.

If your educational qualification is from an international board, diploma route or another non-standard pathway, check the current DGCA instructions before assuming that you are eligible.

Step 2: Get your DGCA Computer Number

The Computer Number is your unique identifier for the DGCA Flight Crew examination journey. DGCA states that a candidate is authorised to have one Computer Number and that it is valid for life.

The current Pariksha system has procedures for new and existing candidates, including newer auto-generation arrangements for specified boards and circumstances. Follow the current Pariksha instructions that apply to your case rather than relying on an old checklist.

Step 3: Register on the Pariksha portal

DGCA uses the Pariksha portal for Flight Crew examination registration and related services. After your Computer Number and profile are in place, use the portal to check the available examination sessions and apply for the papers you intend to take.

Do not leave registration until the last day. Portal opening and closing dates are session-specific, and an application or payment submitted after the stated deadline may not be considered.

Step 4: Choose the right examination session

DGCA publishes regular examination sessions and Online On-Demand Examination (OLODE) sessions for eligible Flight Crew examinations. The availability of a paper, centre, date and seat depends on the particular session.

Regular sessions follow the published examination schedule. OLODE can provide more flexibility because candidates choose from available slots, but seats are limited and availability can change. Always use the current Pariksha calendar and notices rather than an old timetable.

Step 5: Apply for your papers

Once the relevant session is open, select the papers you are ready to attempt, complete the application and pay the applicable examination fee. The current DGCA Flight Crew FAQ lists the online examination fee as ₹2,500 per paper.

The current FAQ also states that the examination fee is non-refundable if the examination form is rejected, so check your details carefully before final submission.

How many subjects should you take at once?

There is no single ideal number for every student. If you have enough study time and strong preparation, multiple papers can be planned together. If your time is limited, fewer papers with stronger preparation are usually easier to manage.

A useful rule is to apply for a paper when your mock-test performance shows that you are consistently close to your target level, rather than simply because the application window is open.

• Strong preparation + enough study time: consider multiple papers in one session.
• Limited study time: take fewer papers and prepare them thoroughly.
• Difficult subject: give it a longer preparation window rather than relying on last-minute practice.
• Already cleared some papers: use the next suitable session to target the remaining requirements.

What should you do before the exam?

• Read the current DGCA syllabus for the paper.
• Study concepts before relying on question-bank memorisation.
• Practise questions chapter by chapter.
• Use timed mock tests to check speed and accuracy.
• Review incorrect answers and identify the underlying topic.
• Keep your documents, login details and examination information ready.
• Check the latest Pariksha notice and admit-card instructions before travelling to the centre.

What about RTR?

Radio Telephony is an important part of the pilot examination and licensing journey, but its examination process can have separate notices and procedures. Check the current RTR instructions and session notice before applying rather than assuming that every RTR step is identical to the other Flight Crew papers.

A simple DGCA exam timeline

If you are starting your CPL journey, use this as a practical planning framework:

• Confirm your educational and other applicable eligibility.
• Obtain your DGCA Flight Crew Computer Number.
• Register and maintain your profile on Pariksha.
• Choose a realistic 3–5 month theory preparation window.
• Prepare REG → MET → NAV → TECH GEN, while keeping RTR as a separate track.
• Apply for the examination sessions and papers that match your preparation and the current portal availability.
• Write and clear the required examinations.
• Continue or complete the remaining flight-training and CPL requirements.

The most important rule: check the latest DGCA notice

DGCA examination dates, application windows, centres, procedures and requirements can change. The Pariksha portal states that its FAQs should be read together with the latest user manuals, notices and instructions, and that the latest DGCA instructions take precedence if there is a difference.

Use CPLGrid for structured preparation, question practice, mock tests and revision, but use the official DGCA and Pariksha portals for the final word on eligibility, registration, examination dates, fees and licensing requirements.