Getting a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) is the basic professional qualification that allows you to be paid to fly.
But if you are starting from scratch, the process can look unnecessarily complicated. The easiest way to understand it is to break the journey into stages.
This guide covers the conventional route to obtaining a DGCA CPL in India. If you are comparing conventional training with an airline cadet program, I have covered that separately. Click here to read.
I have gone through this process myself, trained pilots as a flight instructor and later joined an airline in India. So alongside the regulatory requirements, I will also point out where I believe students commonly waste time or money.
Broadly, the process is:
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Meet the educational and age requirements
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Register on eGCA and obtain your Computer Number
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Complete your DGCA medicals
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Choose a flight school
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Complete the required theory examinations
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Complete at least 200 hours of flight training
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Complete RTR/FRTOL and English proficiency requirements
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Complete the required flying skill tests
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Apply for your DGCA CPL
The order does not always have to be exactly the same. Several of these steps can and should be completed in parallel.
In India, the regulatory body dealing with civil aviation is the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which comes under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The DGCA issues licences based on certain requirements, for specific purposes for pilots.
1. Student Pilot Licence (SPL) – required to undergo flight training.
2. Private Pilot Licence (PPL) – allows you to fly with passengers but its prohibited to be paid for it.
3. Commercial Pilot licence (CPL) – allows you to be paid for flying.
4. Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) – required to become a captain.
Before spending money on flight training, make sure you meet the basic requirements.
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Age: You must be at least 18 years old for the issue of a CPL. You can begin preparing and training before that.
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Education: You must have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, or an accepted equivalent. If you did not study these subjects in school, you can complete them separately through an accepted board such as NIOS.
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Medical: Complete your DGCA Class 2 medical first, followed by Class 1. I would personally complete the medicals as early as possible before making a major financial commitment to training.
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eGCA Registration: Create your eGCA profile early because your medical, licensing and other DGCA records are linked to it.
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Computer Number: Register on the DGCA Pariksha portal and obtain your Computer Number. You need it to appear for DGCA flight-crew examinations. The Computer Number has lifetime validity.
My Suggested Order
I would personally do these three things in parallel:
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Start your Class 2 / Class 1 medical process.
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Create and check your eGCA profile.
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Apply for your Computer Number.
Do not wait for one to finish before starting the next.
Also, the Computer Number process is now easier. DGCA introduced automatic Computer Number generation through DigiLocker for eligible candidates whose 10th and 12th records can be verified digitally.
The one thing I would not do is make a large non refundable payment to a flight school before I am reasonably confident about my medical eligibility. Click here to see the costs to become a pilot.
Joining A Flight School
Once your medical, eGCA profile and Computer Number are underway, you can start seriously evaluating flight schools.
You broadly have two choices:
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Train in India at a DGCA approved Flying Training Organisation
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Train abroad and later convert the foreign CPL to an Indian DGCA licence
Do not choose a school only because it says it is the cheapest or shortest completion time.
Before paying, check:
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Aircraft availability
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Number of students per aircraft
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Instructor availability
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Average flying hours students actually get per month
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Maintenance and aircraft downtime
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Total cost, including hidden/additional charges
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Refund and cancellation terms
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Accommodation and living costs
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Recent student experiences
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How long students are actually taking to complete training
The most important number is not “200 hours”. It is how quickly and consistently the school can get you those 200 hours.
A cheaper school where you fly 8 to 10 hours a month can ultimately cost you more than an expensive school where you fly faster and more consistently.
I have covered this in much greater detail in my guide on choosing the right flight school.
DGCA Ground Exams
If you plan to complete your flight training in India, you will have to clear the required DGCA ground exams before the flight school begins your flying training.
The subjects include:
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Air Navigation
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Aviation Meteorology
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Air Regulation
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Technical General
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Technical Specific
DGCA conducts Flight Crew examinations through the Pariksha portal.
This is only the start! Piloting requires a lifelong of study, constantly upgrading yourself with certifications, Type Ratings and endorsements.
If you are completing your flight training abroad, the sequence can be different. You can complete your foreign training first and then clear the applicable DGCA conversion examinations after returning to India.
This is one of the practical differences between training in India and training abroad, and it should be considered when planning your overall timeline. Time spent in studying and passing these exams, without any prior knowledge, before even starting to fly VS going abroad and starting flying immediately and then writing the exams with full knowledge later, as part of the conversion process.
The important thing is to understand the examination requirements for the route you choose before committing to a training plan.
Flying Requirement
For the issue of a DGCA CPL with Instrument Rating, you need a minimum of 200 hours of total flight time.
But simply reaching 200 hours is not enough. Those hours have to contain the required experience.
| Flying Requirement | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Total Flight Time | 200 hrs |
| Pilot in Command (PIC) | 100 hrs |
| PIC Cross Country | 50 hrs |
| Instrument Time | 50 hrs |
| Recent PIC | 15 hrs in the preceding 6 months |
| Night Flying | 5 hrs PIC, including at least 10 take offs and 10 landings |
| Long Cross-Country | 300 NM with full stop landings at two different aerodromes |
DGCA’s Aircraft Rules set out these experience requirements for a CPL with Instrument Rating. Up to 20 hours of the required instrument time may be completed on an approved simulator.
Your flight school will structure the syllabus so these requirements are completed as you progress through training. But cross check these in case you are planning to fly abroad, as the syllabus in some countries may differ.
Do Not Focus Only on Reaching 200 Hours
Those 200 hours are when you should be learning to operate independently, make decisions, navigate, deal with weather, understand the aircraft and gradually move from being a student to thinking like a professional pilot.
How quickly you complete the hours also matters. Flying regularly helps you retain skills and progress more efficiently. Long gaps between flights usually mean spending additional time revising things you had already learnt.
That is one reason aircraft availability and the actual number of hours students fly per month should be one of the most important considerations when choosing a flight school.
The objective is not simply to accumulate 200 hours. It is to come out of those 200 hours as a competent and proffesional pilot.
RTR, FRTOL and English Language Proficiency
Along with your flying and DGCA theory exams, you also need to complete the radio telephony and language requirements for your CPL.
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RTR (Restricted): DGCA now conducts the RTR examination through the Pariksha portal. The current system has been in place since the regular examination sessions starting in December 2025.
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FRTOL: Once you meet the applicable RTR and licensing requirements, DGCA issues the Flight Radio Telephone Operator’s Licence. New FRTOLs are now issued electronically under DGCA’s Electronic Personnel Licence system.
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English Language Proficiency (ELP): You must hold a valid ELP assessment as required by DGCA for flight crew licensing. A minimum of Level 4 is required, where a retest is conducted every 3 years and the maximum Level 6 is given when no retests are required.
Do not leave these until the very end of your training. Start the process early enough that your RTR, FRTOL and ELP are ready when the rest of your CPL requirements are complete.
The objective is to have your exams, flying, medical, RTR/FRTOL and ELP all converge at roughly the same time, so that one unfinished requirement does not unnecessarily delay your licence application.
Final Flying Skill Tests
Before applying for your CPL, you need to complete the required flying skill tests and make sure they are valid at the time of application.
For a CPL with Instrument Rating, this generally includes:
| Skill Test | Requirement |
|---|---|
| General Flying Test | Day |
| General Flying Test | Night |
| Cross Country Test | 250 NM by day |
| Cross Country Test | 120 NM by night |
| Instrument Rating Test | On the applicable aircraft/type |
These tests form part of the proof that you have demonstrated the required flying competency, not just accumulated the minimum number of hours.
Once your flying, exams, medical, RTR/FRTOL, ELP and skill tests are complete, you can proceed with the licence application through eGCA.
Application For CPL
The final application is done on eGCA. Before submitting the application, check that your records are complete and consistent:
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Personal details on eGCA
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Medical status
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Examination results
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Flying experience
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Skill test reports
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RTR/FRTOL
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English Language Proficiency
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Logbook entries
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Supporting certificates and documents
The biggest practical mistake at this stage is assuming that because you have completed the flying, the licence application is automatic.
DGCA will scrutinise the documents and flying records you submit, so make sure the totals on your logbook, certificates and application all match.
My advice: treat the final application like a document check, not just an online form. Most avoidable delays happen because something does not match or a required document is missing.
Career Opportunities With A CPL
Most CPL holders ultimately want to work for an airline, but with around 200 hours of flying experience, getting that first airline job can still be difficult.
That does not mean the CPL has no value until an airline hires you.
Depending on your qualifications, ratings, experience and the vacancies available, you can also explore opportunities such as:
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Flight instructor
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Charter or non-scheduled operator
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Air ambulance flying
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Cargo operations
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Survey and mapping flying
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Corporate or private aviation
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Government or specialised flying roles
If you are open to working abroad, there may also be opportunities in areas such as bush flying, skydiving operations or other entry-level commercial flying, depending on local licence and work-permit requirements. Have a look at websites like aviationCV.com.
My own career did not go directly from CPL to an Indian airline. I worked as a flight instructor and freelance pilot, built experience and later joined an airline. That experience is one reason I never had to spend money on any type rating. Click here to read my career story.
Building useful flying experience while being paid can strengthen your CV, reduce the pressure of training loans and make you a more experienced pilot when an airline opportunity eventually comes.
Your first flying job does not have to be your final career destination. Sometimes the most valuable first step is simply the one that lets you keep flying, learning and building experience.
FAQs
1. How many flying hours are required for a CPL in India?
For a DGCA CPL with Instrument Rating, you need a minimum of 200 hours total flight time, including the required PIC, cross country, night and instrument experience.
2. Do I need to clear DGCA exams before starting flight training?
If you train in India, flight schools generally expect the required DGCA exams to be completed before flying begins. If you train abroad, you can complete your foreign flight training first and clear the applicable DGCA conversion exams after returning to India.
3. What is the minimum age for a CPL in India?
You must be at least 18 years old for the issue of a CPL. However, you cant start pilot training at the age of 16.
4. Do I need Physics and Mathematics in 12th?
Yes. You need 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, or an accepted equivalent.
5. Do I need a Class 1 medical before starting training?
I would strongly recommend completing your medical requirements as early as possible, preferably before making a large non refundable payment toward training.
6. Can I train abroad and still get an Indian CPL?
Yes. You can complete your flight training abroad and later convert the foreign CPL to an Indian DGCA CPL, provided you meet the applicable conversion requirements.
7. How long does it take to get a CPL?
There is no fixed timeline. It depends on aircraft availability, weather, exam progress, instructor availability, how consistently you fly and whether you train in India or abroad.
8. How much does it cost to get a CPL in India?
The total cost varies considerably depending on the flight school, training route, country and additional expenses. I have covered this separately in my guide on the cost of becoming a pilot in India.
Final Approach
Getting a CPL is not complicated once you understand the sequence, but poor planning can make the process much slower and more expensive than it needs to be.
My advice is simple: complete your medical and administrative requirements early, choose your flight school carefully, understand exactly what flying and examination requirements apply to your route, and avoid treating the process as nothing more than accumulating 200 hours.
The objective is not just to get a licence. It is to become a competent professional pilot.
These are of course just my opinions based on my experiences and gained knowledge. Differences in opinion are welcome.
How do we find non airline related jobs in India?
Stuff like charter pilot, air ambulance pilot, etc?
I’m just beginning my journey to become a pilot, and I don’t know much about the field of aviation in India
Many times you can find jobs on the internet, websites like aviationcv.com. Other times its upto you to network. As you start training, you’ll meet people, make connections. Keep growing that network. At the same time you have to be careful and not trust everybody you meet in aviation, as there are many scams out there. All the best.
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