Every student pilot in India hits the same first hurdle before a single DGCA exam: the computer number. It is a small thing, a ten-digit ID, but without it you cannot book a theory paper, and a rejected application can quietly set you back by weeks. Here is how the process works today and where most people trip up.
Quick answer: A DGCA computer number is your permanent candidate ID for DGCA pilot exams. You apply online through DGCA’s Pariksha portal with your Class 10 and 12 details, Aadhaar, a photo and a signature. Your marksheets must be verified, now mostly through DigiLocker. If everything matches, the number is issued, and it stays with you for your whole career.
What is a DGCA computer number?
A DGCA computer number is a unique ID that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation gives each pilot candidate. You use it to apply for theory exams such as Air Navigation, Meteorology and Air Regulations, and it links your exam results and records together. It does not change if you switch flying schools.
Think of it as your roll number with the regulator. Your commercial pilot licence requirements all sit on top of it: every exam credit you earn is recorded against this one number, so getting your details right at the start saves trouble later.
Who needs a computer number, and when should you apply?
Anyone planning to sit DGCA pilot theory exams needs one, usually after finishing Class 12 with Physics and Mathematics. Apply as early as you can, ideally before you join ground classes. Exam registration windows are short, and you cannot book a paper without the number.
Students often wait until their academy asks for it. That works if verification is instant, but it can leave you missing a whole exam session if your board’s records need extra checking. Applying early takes very little effort and removes that risk.
How do you apply for a DGCA computer number, step by step?
You register on DGCA’s Pariksha portal (pariksha.dgca.gov.in), fill in your personal and education details exactly as printed on your Class 10 certificate, and verify your marksheets. Then you upload a photo and signature and submit. Once verification passes, the computer number is issued to your account.
- Register on the Pariksha portal in the flight crew section, using a mobile number and email you will keep for years.
- Enter personal details (name, date of birth, address) exactly as they appear on your Class 10 certificate.
- Add education details for Class 10 and Class 12, including your board and year of passing.
- Verify your marksheets. Since late 2025, applicants report that DigiLocker-linked verification lets many boards’ records be checked online.
- Upload a photo and signature in the size and format the portal’s user manual specifies.
- Submit and track your application status. Respond quickly to any correction request.
What documents do you need?
Keep these ready before you start: your Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets and certificates, Aadhaar (Indian citizens) or passport (foreign nationals), a recent passport-size photo on a white background, and a scanned signature. Your name and date of birth must match on every document.
| Document | Why it’s needed | Common problem |
|---|---|---|
| Class 10 certificate | Proof of name and date of birth | Name spelt differently elsewhere |
| Class 12 marksheet | Proof of Physics and Mathematics | Board records not verified |
| Aadhaar / passport | Identity | Initials expanded or shortened |
| Photo | Identity on exam documents | Wrong size or background |
| Signature | Identity on exam documents | Unclear scan, wrong box |
What is board verification (BVC), and do you still need it?
Board verification proves that your Class 10 and 12 marksheets are genuine. Earlier, many students had to get a Board Verification Certificate (BVC) from their school board and wait for it to reach DGCA. Today DigiLocker covers many boards online, but some state boards still follow their own verification route.
If your board’s marksheets appear in DigiLocker, verification is usually quick. If they don’t, contact your board early and ask how it verifies certificates for DGCA. This is the step that most often turns a same-week process into a wait of several weeks.
Why do computer number applications get rejected?
Most rejections come from mismatches, not eligibility. The usual causes are a name or date of birth that differs between documents, unverified board records, a photo or signature that doesn’t meet the portal’s format, and missing proof of Physics and Mathematics in Class 12. Each of these can be fixed, but each fix takes time.
- Name mismatch: “R. Kumar” on one document and “Ravi Kumar” on another is enough to stop an application. Use the Class 10 version everywhere.
- Unverified marksheets: make sure your board’s verification is complete before you submit.
- Photo and signature format: follow the Pariksha user manual exactly. Small details like background colour matter.
- Subject gaps: CPL aspirants need Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level. Arts and commerce students usually add them through NIOS. DGCA proposed dropping this requirement in 2025, but as of mid-2026 training schools report that it hasn’t been formally notified, so check the current rule before you apply.
If DGCA asks for corrections, read the remark carefully and fix only what is asked. The same discipline helps later, when you apply for the licence itself. Our guide to why DGCA rejects pilot licence applications covers that stage.
How long does it take to get a computer number?
When your board’s records verify through DigiLocker and every detail matches, students report getting the number the same day or within a few days. When manual board verification is involved, it can take several weeks. That’s why we tell students to apply well before their first planned exam session.
What happens after you get your computer number?
You use it to log in and apply for DGCA theory exams in the open session, choosing your subjects and exam centre. It also connects to your wider DGCA records, including the eGCA portal used for licensing later in your training.
From here, the real work is preparation. A structured CPL course plans your ground subjects so that you sit each paper when you’re ready, not just when a window opens.
Frequently asked questions
Does the DGCA computer number expire?
No. It is a permanent ID that stays with you through training and your career, even if you change flying schools.
Can I apply for a computer number after Class 10?
CPL theory exams require 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, so most students apply after Class 12. Check the current Pariksha guidelines if you are on a different pathway.
Do I need a medical before applying?
A medical isn’t part of the computer number application, but it is wise to complete your DGCA Class 2 medical early, before investing in training.
My name is different on Aadhaar and my marksheet. What should I do?
Fix the mismatch before applying, either by correcting the document with its issuing authority or by following DGCA’s process for name differences. Applications with mismatched names are a common reason for rejection.
Where can I find the official instructions?
The Pariksha portal’s user manual has the current photo, signature and document rules. Rules change from time to time, so always check it before you submit.
Planning your first DGCA exams? At VeritasTech Pilot Academy, Ambattur, Chennai, our team walks students through the computer number process and the ground-school timeline that follows. See how our commercial pilot training program is structured.
