DGCA Exams for CPL
The five theory papers every Indian commercial pilot must pass, how they are taken, and how to prepare.
Quick answer
The DGCA CPL theory exams are five papers: Air Regulations, Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Technical General and Technical Specific. Each needs 70%. They are taken online through DGCA's PARIKSHA system, at a reported ₹2,500 a paper (₹5,000 on demand).
What are the five DGCA papers?
| Paper | What it covers | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Air Navigation | Maps, charts, flight planning, instruments, radio navigation | Hardest for most |
| Aviation Meteorology | Atmosphere, clouds, winds, weather reports and forecasts | Moderate |
| Air Regulations | Aircraft Rules, CARs, rules of the air, air traffic services | Moderate, memory heavy |
| Technical General | Aerodynamics, engines, systems, instruments | Moderate |
| Technical Specific | The aircraft you train on, such as the Cessna 172 | Easier if done with flying |
Source: DGCA Central Examination Organisation syllabus. Difficulty from FundMyCampus student feedback. Checked on 1 Nov 2026.
Each subject has its own guide with the syllabus, a study plan and practice questions.
How are the exams conducted?
- Online, through DGCA's PARIKSHA system
- Multiple choice questions
- 70% needed in each paper
- Regular sessions are held through the year. Online on demand slots are available at a higher fee
- You need a DGCA computer number to book
Exam dates and results are published by DGCA. Check the latest notice before you plan your schedule.
In which order should you take the papers?
There is no fixed order. This sequence works well for most students.
- Air Regulations and Aviation Meteorology first, as they need less maths.
- Technical General next, alongside early flying.
- Air Navigation when you have the most study time.
- Technical Specific once you know your training aircraft.
Add the RTR(A) exam during this period. It is needed before you fly solo cross-country.
How long should you prepare?
Ground school
Most ground schools run 4 to 6 months for all five papers.
Self study
Plan 4 to 8 weeks per paper. Give Air Navigation the longest.
Practice
Use past paper style question banks and timed mocks. Aim for 75% or more before booking.
What do the DGCA exams cost?
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Regular session, per paper | ₹2,500 (reported) |
| Online on demand, per paper | ₹5,000 (reported) |
| All five papers, first attempt, regular | About ₹12,500 |
| Ground school for all papers | Varies by school. Ask for a written fee quote |
Source: DGCA PARIKSHA fees as reported by ground schools. Confirm on DGCA before paying. Checked on 1 Nov 2026.
Exam fees are small. Ground school and re-attempts add more, so keep a buffer in your loan plan.
DGCA exam terms you will hear
- CPL syllabus: the five papers plus RTR(A)
- PPL vs CPL: a private licence needs fewer papers and hours than a commercial one
- OLODE: online on demand exam, booked at a higher fee
- DGCA exam result: published on the DGCA portal after each session
A 6 month study plan for all five papers
| Month | Focus | Exam target |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Air Regulations and RTR(A) basics | Book Air Regulations |
| Month 2 | Aviation Meteorology | Book Meteorology |
| Month 3 | Technical General | Book Technical General |
| Month 4 to 5 | Air Navigation, with daily chart and computer practice | Book Air Navigation |
| Month 6 | Technical Specific for your training aircraft, plus re-attempts | Book Technical Specific |
Source: FundMyCampus suggested plan. Match it to DGCA session dates. Checked on 1 Nov 2026.
Do you need DGCA ground classes?
Ground classes are the most common way to prepare. They suit students straight out of 12th.
- Classroom ground school: structured, with mocks and doubt sessions
- Online classes: flexible, useful while doing NIOS
- Self study: works for disciplined students with good books and question banks
Ask any ground school for its recent pass rates per paper and its fee in writing.
Find the right loan for your training
Tell us where you will train, whether you have property and whether you have an LOI. A counsellor will show you the loan that fits and what you pay each month.
DGCA exam dates and results
- DGCA publishes session dates on its website.
- You book papers through PARIKSHA with your computer number.
- Results are published on the DGCA portal after the session.
- Passed papers count towards your CPL. Failed papers can be booked again.
Common DGCA exam mistakes
- Booking all five papers in one session without enough preparation
- Leaving Air Navigation to the end with no time for a re-attempt
- Learning question banks by heart without understanding
- Missing the booking window for a session
PPL vs CPL: which papers do you need?
- PPL: a smaller set of papers for flying as a private pilot
- CPL: all five papers plus RTR(A), for flying as a paid pilot
If you aim for an airline career, prepare for the CPL papers from the start. It saves repeating study later.
What happens on exam day?
- Reach the centre early with your ID and booking details.
- Complete identity checks.
- Take the online paper on PARIKSHA within the set time.
- Use only the items the centre allows, such as approved calculators where permitted.
- Check the DGCA portal for your result after the session.
Rules for what you can carry change. Read the instructions in your booking notice before exam day.
Budget for re-attempts and ground school
- Plan for at least one re-attempt, usually in Air Navigation
- On demand slots cost more but can save weeks
- Ground school fees vary widely, so get a written quote
- Books, question banks and a navigation computer add a small cost
Add these to your loan plan so exam costs never delay flying. See pilot training cost in India.
DGCA papers if you train abroad
If you earn your CPL abroad, you still write DGCA papers on return. Conversion students usually take Air Regulations and Composite, a combined navigation and meteorology paper.
See the steps on DGCA licence conversion.
Key takeaways
- Five papers, 70% each, booked on PARIKSHA with your computer number
- Give Air Navigation the most time and leave room for one re-attempt
- Track DGCA exam dates and results on the official portal
How to pay for pilot training
Most families use an education loan. There are three ways to do it, and the right one depends on two things: whether you have property for collateral, and whether a sponsoring airline has given you an LOI.
| Government bankWith property as collateral | NBFC, with an airline LOINo property needed | NBFC, without an LOINo property needed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interest rate | Around 9.5%, linked to the RBI repo rate. Around 8.5% if you pay simple interest during the course | Around 11% to 13%, based on income | |
| During training | Nothing to pay (full moratorium), or monthly simple interest for the lower rate | A fixed partial EMI each month | The full EMI on the amount paid out so far |
| After training | Full EMI starts | The same EMI continues | |
| How much is funded | 85% of the fees. You pay 15% yourself (the margin) | 100% of the fees, up to ₹1.5 crore | |
| Processing fee | 1%, refunded later apart from about ₹10,000 | About 1% | |
| Loan insurance | About 1% to 2.5% of the loan | About 2% to 8% of the loan | |
| Co-borrower income | Checked by the bank | A minimum yearly income, set by the loan amount | Monthly income about ₹30,000 more than the EMI |
| Speed | Slow (weeks) | Faster | |
What is an LOI, and why does it matter?
An LOI (Letter of Intent) is a conditional pre-employment letter from a sponsoring airline. It promises you a future role with that airline once you finish training and meet its conditions.
Because a job is lined up, lenders see the loan as low risk. So they offer a partial EMI without collateral: a fixed amount each month during training, with the full EMI only after you finish. Without an LOI, the full EMI starts from the first payment to the school.
Not every government bank gives a full moratorium on pilot training loans, and government banks are usually slow because of property checks. If you need a fast sanction and an easier process, talk to the FundMyCampus team first.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers to what students and parents ask us about pilot training
Plan your pilot training loan
Tell us where you will train, whether you have property and whether you have an LOI. A counsellor will call you with the loan that fits and what you pay each month.
FundMyCampus is a loan facilitation platform. Loans are sanctioned by the lending bank or NBFC at its discretion. Rates are approximate and change with the RBI repo rate and your profile. We never promise approval or a rate.