The DGCA manual provides a clear distinction between CPL (Commercial Pilot Licence) and ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot Licence) application requirements:
|
Aspect |
CPL Requirements |
ATPL Requirements |
|
Educational Qualification |
10th & 12th Standard with Physics and Mathematics from a recognized Board/University |
10th & 12th Standard with Physics and Mathematics from a recognized Board/University |
|
Proof of Licence |
Not required at initial application; CPL is the licence being sought |
Must hold a valid Indian CPL. Defence personnel may submit evidence of 500 hrs flying (200 hrs as PIC) |
|
Technical Paper (if applicable) |
Certificate of ground training for technical papers if applying for aircraft >5700 kg MTOW or twin-engine helicopters |
Same as CPL: Certificate and proof of DGCA approval for ground training if applying for technical papers |
|
Logbook/Flying Evidence |
Not required at initial application1 |
Required for Defence personnel: Flying summary and certified logbook pages showing total and PIC hours |
|
Security Clearance |
Required for foreign/OCI/PIO candidates |
Required for foreign/OCI/PIO candidates |
|
Document Uploads |
Photograph, signature, proof of DOB, educational certificates, address and ID proof, BVC, etc. |
All CPL documents plus CPL proof or Defence flying evidence, and ground training certificate if required |
|
Application Process |
Online registration, document upload, and compliance with document size/format requirements |
Same as CPL, with additional requirements for licence/flying evidence and technical papers if applicable. |
All information above is strictly derived from the DGCA Online Examination Portal User Manual.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, applicants are advised to refer to the official DGCA Pariksha portal and consult authorized professionals or aviation training institutions for guidance tailored to their specific cases. Wing Path and the authors are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from misinterpretation or misapplication of the information provided.
