The short answer
An ATPL—Airline Transport Pilot Licence—is India’s highest pilot licence. It authorises you to act as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) on multi-crew transport aircraft once you meet experience and training requirements laid down in Schedule II, Section M of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and the related Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 7. You must pass DGCA written papers and an oral exam, hold a valid Class 1 medical, and meet specific flight-time experience before DGCA issues the licence.
ATPL vs CPL—what actually changes
- CPL lets you work as a professional pilot; in airlines you typically fly as First Officer.
- ATPL is the command licence—what you need to be Captain on multi-crew, transport-category aeroplanes. Indian rules package the knowledge via ATPL written + oral under CAR Section 7, with experience thresholds in Schedule II, Section M.
Eligibility at a glance
DGCA’s Schedule II, Section M page states the requirements for issue of ATPL (Aeroplanes). In practice, you will need:
- Minimum age: 21 years at licence issue.
- Medical: DGCA Class 1.
- Knowledge: Pass ATPL written papers and ATPL oral per CAR Section 7.
- Experience: Meet flight-time minima set in Schedule II, Section M.
DGCA hosts the rule text under Act & Rules → The Aircraft Rules, 1937 → Schedule II → Section M, and publishes the ATPL syllabus—including oral—under CAR Section 7.
The exams—what you actually study
DGCA prescribes the ATPL syllabus and runs the tests via PARIKSHA. For Aeroplanes, candidates study advanced topics across Air Regulations, Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, and Radio Aids/Instrumentation, plus operational knowledge aligned to ICAO Annex 1. The oral exam tests systems, performance, procedures and decision-making at command level. Schedules, results and eligibility lists are posted on the PARIKSHA Notice Board.
Where to register and track results: pariksha.dgca.gov.in—DGCA’s official exam portal for flight crew.
Flight-time experience—how much is enough?
India’s Schedule II, Section M lays down the aeronautical experience for ATPL issue. The framework includes total time and specific sub-categories such as Pilot-in-Command (PIC), cross-country, night, and instrument time, along with rules on how much co-pilot time under supervision can be credited. DGCA’s page groups these under “Requirements for issue of licence”; CAR Section 7 ties the knowledge and oral to those privileges.
Practical takeaway: plan toward the classic airline-command profile—broad cross-country exposure, night proficiency, sustained IFR recency, and multi-crew experience. Section M also limits how much co-pilot time can be counted toward PIC requirements; read the Section M credit rules carefully before you log a plan. For context, training resources used by Indian pilots summarise these Section M credits and thresholds. Always treat the DGCA rule text as the final word.
Step-by-step: the ATPL pathway in India
- Meet the base prerequisites
Hold Class 1 medical and the educational background required under Schedule II for professional licences. Most pilots approach ATPL after significant airline time as CPL/IR, but the legal minimums live in Section M.
- Register on PARIKSHA
Create your account, secure the Computer Number, and book the ATPL written papers as per the exam calendar. Results and oral-eligibility lists appear on the Notice Board.
- Prepare using the official syllabus
Study to CAR Section 7 (ATPL—Aeroplanes). It maps topics—Regulations, Nav, Met, Radio Aids/Instrumentation, human performance, operations—and aligns with ICAO Annex 1 knowledge.
- Pass the ATPL written papers and the oral
The oral evaluates command-level systems understanding, performance planning, procedures, and decision-making. DGCA posts oral exam schedules and eligibility lists session-wise.
- Complete and document the required experience
Ensure your logbook proves the Section M experience categories—total time and the PIC, cross-country, night, and instrument components—plus any multi-crew time you intend to credit under the supervision rules.
- Apply for licence issue
With passes, oral, medical and experience in hand, submit your eGCA application with supporting documents for DGCA’s verification and licence grant.
Smart preparation—what actually helps
- Align your study to CAR Section 7. Many candidates over-index on generic question banks and under-index on syllabus depth—the CAR document is your blueprint.
- Plan the logbook early. If you rely on co-pilot time under supervision or multi-crew operations for credit, ensure your evidence matches Section M credit rules before you apply. Supplementary guides summarise these rules, but defer to DGCA text.
- Watch the PARIKSHA Notice Board. Written, oral, and result updates are posted there—don’t miss windows.
- Keep Class 1 medical current. You cannot exercise ATPL privileges without a valid DGCA Class 1 medical; renew on time through DGCA-empanelled examiners.
Bottom line
Treat Schedule II, Section M as your legal checklist and CAR Section 7 as your academic map. Clear the ATPL written + oral on PARIKSHA, keep your Class 1 current, and build the right mix of flight time—PIC, cross-country, night and instrument—documented exactly as DGCA asks. Do that, and ATPL stops feeling mysterious and starts looking like what it is: a structured, achievable milestone on the way to the left seat.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need ATPL to be hired as an airline First Officer in India?
No—the ATPL is the command licence. First Officers typically fly on a CPL with IR and multi-engine, and many airlines expect you to clear ATPL theory early in your career. The legal authority for ATPL privileges is in Section M; the knowledge syllabus is in CAR Section 7.
Is the ATPL oral mandatory?
Yes. Schedule II, Section M read with CAR Section 7 requires both written and oral assessments. Eligibility lists and results are posted on PARIKSHA.
Where do I find the official study outline?
In CAR Section 7—ATPL (Aeroplanes) Syllabus. It details the knowledge areas and depth expected for command.
Is Instrument Rating part of ATPL privileges?
Yes—DGCA clarifies that Instrument Rating on ATPL (Aeroplanes) is integral to the licence’s privileges, consistent with Section M.
How do I register for exams and track dates?
On pariksha.dgca.gov.in—DGCA’s integrated portal for flight-crew exams—with Notice Board updates for schedules, oral sessions, and results.
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.