How Long Does It Take to Clear All DGCA Exams? Realistic Timeline for Students

Every aspiring pilot starts with a vision of stripes on their shoulder and a view from 30,000 feet. But before you can touch the controls of a Cessna or verify your first flight plan, you have to conquer the “Paper Mountain.”

In India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) exams are the gatekeepers of your flying career. We often hear legends of students clearing everything in 3 months, while others get stuck in the loop for two years.

So, what is the real timeline?

This guide breaks down the realistic duration it takes to clear all DGCA exams, the new “fast-track” changes for 2025, and how to plan your year to avoid burnout.

The Requirement: What Exactly Are You Clearing?

To get your Commercial Pilot License (CPL) in India, you must clear 5 Core Subjects + 1 Radio License.

1. Air Regulations
2. Aviation Meteorology
3. Air Navigation
4. Technical General
5. Technical Specific (Aircraft specific, e.g., Cessna 172 or Diamond DA40)
6. RTR (Aero): This is the Radio Telephony Restricted license. Note: This is conducted by the WPC Wing, not the DGCA, which makes it a separate challenge.

Phase 1: The “Computer Number” (Timeline: 2 Days to 1 Month)

The Change: As of late 2024/2025, the game has changed.

You cannot book a single exam without a Computer Number—your unique identity with the DGCA.

• For CBSE/DigiLocker Students:The DGCA has introduced auto-generation for candidates whose 10th and 12th mark sheets are verifiable via DigiLocker.
  • Timeline: Almost Instant to 48 hours.
• For State Boards/Non-DigiLocker:You may still need to go through a verification process.
  • Timeline: 20 to 30 Days.

Phase 2: The Core Ground Subjects (Timeline: 3 to 9 Months)

The Hurdle: The Exam Cycle.

DGCA conducts “Regular” exams 4 times a year (roughly March, June, September, December). They also hold “On-Demand” (OLODE) exams in between sessions.

• Strategy A (The Sprinter): Attempt all 5 papers in one session.
  • Reality: High risk of failure. If you fail 3 subjects, you lose morale.
• Strategy B (The Realist): Split them into two batches.
  • Batch 1: Navigation + Meteorology (The concept-heavy subjects).
  • Batch 2: Technical General + Regulations + Specific (The memory-heavy subjects).

Realistic Timeline for an Average Student:

• Session 1 (e.g., March): Clear 2 hard subjects.
• Session 2 (e.g., June): Clear the remaining 3 subjects.
• Total Time: 6 Months (Two quarters).

Phase 3: The RTR (Aero) Bottleneck (Timeline: 4 to 8 Months)

The Hurdle: The WPC Wing.

This is often the reason students get delayed. The RTR exam tests your radio communication skills with a rigorous “Part 1” (Transmission) and “Part 2” (Oral).

• Why it delays you: Most students require 2 to 3 attempts to clear RTR. Since exams happen every alternate month, this can easily eat up half a year.
• Pro Tip: Start your RTR preparation immediately. Run this parallel to your DGCA papers.

The Preparation: Ground Classes and Mock Tests

To stay on the fast track, your preparation strategy must be flawless.

1. DGCA Ground Classes: Coaching vs. Self-Study
   • Coaching: Highly recommended for Technical General and Air Navigation. These subjects are calculation-heavy and require structured teaching. Good dgca ground classes can condense months of self-study into 6-8 weeks and provide the clarity needed to pass on the first attempt.
   • Self-Study: Feasible for Air Regulations and Aviation Meteorology, which are more about memorization and understanding theory. If you have a strong study background, you can save money here.
2. The Power of DGCA Mock Test
   • Treating the actual exam like a surprise is the fastest way to fail. You must use a comprehensive DGCA Mock Test series religiously.
   • Identify Weakness: Mock tests quickly highlight if you are weak in Meteorology or Technical General.
   • Time Management: The DGCA exams are computer-based and strictly timed. Mock tests train you to manage your time pressure, a crucial factor in the actual exam center. Aim for an 80% score in your mocks before booking the actual paper.

The Verdict: How Long Does it Really Take?

Let’s look at the numbers based on student data.

Important Note: Avoid These

We kept this for the end because it’s administrative, but it is critical.

The #1 reason for delays isn’t failing exams—it’s application rejection. When applying for your Computer Number, avoid these common mistakes:

• Name Mismatch: Your name on the 10th Marksheet, 12th Marksheet, and Aadhaar/Passport MUST match letter-for-letter. If one says “Kumar” and the other doesn’t, it will be rejected.
• Blurry PDFs: The DGCA rejects documents that are even slightly unreadable. Scan at high resolution.
• Signature Errors: Ensure your uploaded signature matches the one on your ID proofs.

Your goal: Be done with the paperwork so when you finally sit in the cockpit, your mind is on the flying, not on the exam results.