How to Prepare for DGCA Exam After 12th: A Complete Guide for Pilot Aspirants

If you are dreaming of becoming a pilot in India, you need to clear the DGCA exam after 12th. DGCA stands for Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India. The DGCA exam is a mandatory requirement for getting a pilot license in India.

The DGCA exam consists of six papers: Technical Specific, Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Technical General, Air Navigation and RTR (Aero). These papers test your knowledge and skills on various aspects of aviation such as aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight rules, weather, navigation and radio communication.

The DGCA exam is not easy to crack. You need to prepare well and follow a systematic plan to pass all the papers. In this article, we will give you some tips and tricks on how to prepare for DGCA exam after 12th and achieve your dream of flying.

Step 1: Start Preparation for DGCA Exam Just After the 12th Class Exam

The first step to prepare for DGCA exam after 12th is to start your preparation as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your board results or admission in a flying school. You can start studying for the DGCA exam right after your 12th class exam.

The advantage of starting early is that you will have more time to cover the syllabus and revise it. You will also be able to clear some papers before joining a flying school, which will save you time and money later.

To start your preparation, you need to get the DGCA syllabus and understand the topics that will be covered in each paper. You can get the syllabus from the official website of DGCA or from any reputed coaching institute or online platform.

You also need to get some good books and study materials for each paper. You can refer to the following books and sources:

• Technical Specific: Oxford Aviation Academy Series (for your specific aircraft type)
• Air Regulations: Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 7 Series B Part I and II, Aeronautical Information Circulars (AIC), Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP), Aircraft Rules 1937
• Aviation Meteorology: Aviation Weather Services by Jeppesen, Aviation Weather by Peter Lester
• Technical General: Aircraft Maintenance and Repair by Kroes et al., Aircraft Electricity and Electronics by Eismin
• Air Navigation: Air Navigation by Kermode, Navigation for Pilots by Underdown
• RTR (Aero): Radio Telephony Manual by DGCA, Radio Telephony Simplified by Capt. H.S. Khola

You can also use online platforms such as Pilot18.com, ClearDGCA.in, Pariksha.co.in etc. to access mock tests, question banks, video lectures and other resources.

Step 2: Get Your Medicals Ready – Class 2 Medical and then Class 1 Medical

The second step to prepare for DGCA exam after 12th is to get your medicals ready. You need to undergo two types of medical examinations before applying for a pilot license: Class 2 Medical and Class 1 Medical.

Class 2 Medical is the basic medical examination that you need to clear before joining a flying school or appearing for any DGCA paper. It tests your general fitness and health conditions such as vision, hearing, blood pressure, blood sugar etc.

Class 1 Medical is the advanced medical examination that you need to clear before applying for a commercial pilot license (CPL) or an airline transport pilot license (ATPL). It tests your physical and mental fitness and health conditions such as ECG, X-Ray, audiometry etc.

You can get your Class 2 Medical done from any authorized medical practitioner (AMP) approved by DGCA. You can find the list of AMPs on the official website of DGCA or from any flying school or coaching institute.

You can get your Class 1 Medical done from any authorized medical examiner (AME) approved by DGCA. You can find the list of AMEs on the official website of DGCA or from any flying school or coaching institute.

You should get your medicals done as soon as possible, as they are valid for a limited period of time and you may need to renew them periodically. You should also keep your medical reports and certificates safe, as you will need them for applying for a pilot license.

Step 3: Get Your DGCA Computer Number

The third step to prepare for DGCA exam after 12th is to get your DGCA computer number. This is a unique identification number that you need to register for the DGCA exam and apply for a pilot license.

You can get your DGCA computer number by filling an online application form on the official website of DGCA. You will need to upload some documents such as your passport, Aadhaar card, Class 2 Medical certificate etc. along with the form.

You will also need to pay a fee of Rs. 500 for getting your DGCA computer number. You can pay the fee online using a debit card, credit card or net banking.

You will receive your DGCA computer number by email within a few days of submitting the form. You should note down your DGCA computer number and keep it safe, as you will need it for all future communications with DGCA.

Step 4: Join a Flying School

The fourth step to prepare for DGCA exam after 12th is to join a flying school. A flying school is an institution that provides practical training and flight hours for aspiring pilots.

You need to join a flying school that is approved by DGCA and has a good reputation and infrastructure. You can find the list of approved flying schools on the official website of DGCA or from any coaching institute or online platform.

You can choose a flying school based on various factors such as location, fees, facilities, aircraft type, instructors etc. You should also visit the flying school personally and check the quality of training and equipment before enrolling.

You should join a flying school as soon as possible, as it will help you gain practical knowledge and skills that are essential for passing the DGCA exam and becoming a pilot. You will also be able to clear some papers while doing your flying training, which will save you time and money later.

Step 5: Get a Pilot License

The fifth and final step to prepare for DGCA exam after 12th is to get a pilot license. A pilot license is a document that certifies that you are qualified and authorized to fly an aircraft.

There are different types of pilot licenses in India such as student pilot license (SPL), private pilot license (PPL), commercial pilot license (CPL) and airline transport pilot license (ATPL). Each license has different requirements and privileges.

To get a pilot license, you need to fulfill the following criteria:

• Clear all the six papers of the DGCA exam
• Complete the required flight hours and training as per the syllabus
• Pass the skill test conducted by an examiner approved by DGCA
• Apply for the license online on the official website of DGCA
• Pay the fee and submit the documents such as medical certificate, logbook, flight test report etc.
• Receive the license by post or collect it from the regional office of DGCA

You should apply for the license as soon as you meet all the criteria, as it will help you start your career as a pilot. You should also keep your license updated and renewed periodically, as it is valid for a limited period of time.

Conclusion

We hope this article has given you some useful information on how to prepare for DGCA exam after 12th and become a pilot in India. We wish you all the best for your preparation and career.

Some Common FAQs

Can I join DGCA after 12th?

Yes, you can join DGCA after 12th if you have passed the board exam with physics, chemistry and maths as your subjects and an aggregate of 50% score in all subjects. You need to apply for a DGCA computer number and register for the DGCA exam online. You also need to clear a Class 2 Medical examination before appearing for any DGCA paper.

When should I start studying for DGCA exam?

You should start studying for DGCA exam as soon as possible after your 12th class exam. The earlier you start, the more time you will have to cover the syllabus and revise it. You will also be able to clear some papers before joining a flying school, which will save you time and money later.

Is DGCA exam easy?

DGCA exam is not easy to crack. It requires a lot of hard work and dedication. You need to have a good knowledge and understanding of various aspects of aviation such as aircraft systems, aerodynamics, flight rules, weather, navigation and radio communication. You also need to practice a lot of mock tests and previous year papers to get familiar with the exam pattern and difficulty level.

How many attempts are there for DGCA?

There is no limit on the number of attempts for DGCA exam. You can appear for any paper as many times as you want until you clear it. However, you should try to clear all the papers as soon as possible, as they are valid for a limited period of time and you may need to renew them periodically.

What is pass marks in DGCA?

The pass marks in DGCA exam are 70% for each paper. You need to score at least 70% in each paper to clear it. If you score less than 70% in any paper, you will have to reappear for it.

What are the 5 papers of DGCA?

The 5 papers of DGCA exam are:

• Technical Specific: This paper tests your knowledge on the specific aircraft type that you are flying or intend to fly.
• Air Regulations: This paper tests your knowledge on the civil aviation rules and regulations in India such as CARs, AICs, AIPs etc.
• Aviation Meteorology: This paper tests your knowledge on the weather phenomena and their effects on aviation such as clouds, winds, pressure, temperature etc.
• Technical General: This paper tests your knowledge on the general principles of aircraft systems, aerodynamics, performance etc.
• Air Navigation: This paper tests your knowledge on the methods and techniques of navigation such as charts, instruments, calculations etc.
   

What is the duration of DGCA exams?

The duration of DGCA exams varies depending on the paper. The Technical Specific paper is of 1 hour duration. The Air Regulations paper is of 2 hours duration. The Aviation Meteorology paper is of 2 hours duration. The Technical General paper is of 3 hours duration. The Air Navigation paper is of 3 hours duration.