“When is the next DGCA exam?” is the question that fills every ground school WhatsApp group a few weeks before a session, and the honest answer is always the same: it depends which kind of session you mean. Pilot theory papers are not held on one fixed date like a board exam. They follow a rhythm of regular sessions with extra sittings in between. Once you understand that rhythm, planning your attempts gets much easier.
Quick answer
DGCA conducts flight crew theory exams in regular online sessions held four times a year, plus extra Online On-Demand Examination (OLODE) sittings announced separately. Exact dates are not fixed in advance for good: each session is published as a public notice on the Pariksha portal with its application period. Check that notice, and your admit card, for the dates that apply to you.
How often does DGCA conduct pilot exams?
When DGCA announced on-demand exams in October 2021, reports described the existing regular online exams as being held four times a year, with on-demand sittings added on top. That means a candidate has several chances across a year instead of one or two fixed windows, though each chance has its own application period.
Training schools report that the pattern has continued, but the calendar is DGCA’s to set and can change. We do not list session dates on this page for that reason. A date copied into a blog post can be out of date within weeks, and a missed application window is a frustrating way to find out.
What is the difference between a regular session and an on-demand session?
A regular session is the scheduled exam window that comes round four times a year. An on-demand session is an extra sitting with its own public notice, its own application period and its own slots. Both are booked through the Pariksha portal using your DGCA computer number.
| Question | Regular session | On-demand (OLODE) session |
|---|---|---|
| How often? | Four times a year, per DGCA’s 2021 announcement | Extra sittings between regular sessions |
| Where are dates announced? | Public notice on the Pariksha portal | A separate public notice for each session |
| How do you apply? | Through your Pariksha login | Through the on-demand form in your Pariksha login |
| Best for | Planning a full set of papers in advance | Picking up a remaining paper without a long wait |
If you want the step-by-step mechanics of the on-demand form, read our guide to the DGCA OLODE on-demand exam.
Where do you find the dates for the next DGCA exam?
The dates are published as a public notice on the DGCA Pariksha portal, the official online registration and examination site for flight crew and AME candidates. Log in with your computer number, read the notice for the session you want, and note the application period before anything else.
Third-party calendars exist, and some are tidy and useful, but treat them as a prompt to check the portal, not a replacement for it. DGCA can move dates for holidays or other reasons, and the notice is the only version that counts. Our post on applying for DGCA exams on the Pariksha portal shows where to look once you are logged in.
How far ahead should you apply for a DGCA exam?
Apply as soon as the application period opens, and never leave it to the closing date. The portal manual advises completing payment by 23:00 on the closing date, and a payment confirmed after midnight may not be accepted. A failed transaction also needs a gap before you retry, so a buffer of several days is sensible.
There is one more reason to hurry: slots. Candidates choose a slot for each paper while applying, and for on-demand sittings, reports at the launch described seats as first-come, first-served. A late applicant may get a less convenient slot, or none.
How do you plan your attempts around the sessions?
Work backwards from the exam date. Fix the session you are aiming for, count back to the application period, then count back again to the date you need your mock scores to be consistent. A simple sequence keeps you honest and stops the last month turning into a panic.
- Confirm your computer number is active and you can log in to Pariksha.
- Read the latest public notice and note the application period and closing date.
- Choose the papers you are genuinely ready for, strongest first.
- Apply early, review the summary screen, and complete payment with time to spare.
- Download the admit card when it appears and check the centre and slot.
- Spend the last week on timed mocks, not new topics.
Our explainer on the DGCA pass mark and negative marking will help you decide how strong your mock scores need to be before you book.
What do you need on exam day?
Bring your admit card and an original photo ID, and arrive well before your slot. Training schools report that candidates who turn up late or without ID can be turned away, and that phones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the hall. Your admit card carries the final instructions for your centre.
Download the admit card as soon as it is available instead of the night before. If a detail looks wrong, you want days to raise it, not hours. If you are still building your plan for the papers themselves, see what DGCA exams look like and how to prepare.
Do DGCA exam dates ever change?
Yes. DGCA can reschedule sessions, so a date you saw months ago may not hold. The public notice and your admit card are the reliable sources. If you are travelling to a centre, confirm the date on the portal shortly before you book tickets, and avoid paying for non-refundable plans too early.
The same caution applies to the way sessions are structured. The 2021 announcement described four regular sessions a year, but the pattern could be revised, which is another reason to read the current notice rather than rely on any article, including this one.
Frequently asked questions
How many times a year does DGCA conduct pilot exams?
When on-demand exams were announced in October 2021, DGCA’s regular online exams were reported as being held four times a year, with on-demand sittings added in between. Check the current public notice for the latest pattern.
Where are DGCA exam dates announced?
Dates are announced as public notices on the DGCA Pariksha portal. Each notice lists the application period and session details, so read it before planning your attempt.
Can I take a DGCA paper without waiting for a regular session?
Often yes. Online On-Demand Examination sittings are held in addition to the regular sessions, each with its own notice and application period, so a remaining paper does not always mean a long wait.
Do I need a computer number to apply for a DGCA exam?
Yes. Candidates register on the Pariksha portal using their DGCA computer number before applying for any flight crew examination.
Can DGCA change the exam date after I apply?
It can reschedule sessions for various reasons. Treat the public notice and your admit card as the final word, and confirm the date shortly before you travel.
Mapping your DGCA papers around your flying schedule? Ground classes at VeritasTech Pilot Academy, Ambattur, Chennai, are planned around the exam cycle so theory and flying move together. Explore our commercial pilot training program.
