DGCA Exams
DGCA Exam Dates 2026: Regular and OLODE Session Calendar
By We One Aviation Ground SchoolPublished 3 min read
Short answer
DGCA runs two examination streams for flight crew candidates in 2026: four regular sessions in March, June, September and December, and eight OLODE sessions spread across the year. Registration windows close weeks before each session, and the Rs 2,500 per-paper fee is non-refundable, so book only papers you are ready to sit.
What are the DGCA regular exam dates in 2026?
| Session | Dates |
|---|---|
| Exam 01/2026 | 10 to 14 March 2026 |
| Exam 02/2026 | 16 to 20 June 2026 |
| Exam 03/2026 | 22 to 26 September 2026 |
| Exam 04/2026 | 15 to 19 December 2026 |
Dates follow the published 2026 examination calendar. Always confirm against the current notice on the DGCA Pariksha portal before booking, since sessions can be revised.
What are the OLODE session dates in 2026?
OLODE is the online distance open delivery examination stream. It gives candidates eight extra opportunities across the year instead of waiting three months for the next regular session.
| OLODE session | Dates |
|---|---|
| Session 1 | 21 to 23 January 2026 |
| Session 2 | 04 to 06 February 2026 |
| Session 3 | 22 to 24 April 2026 |
| Session 4 | 20 to 22 May 2026 |
| Session 5 | 15 to 17 July 2026 |
| Session 6 | 19 to 21 August 2026 |
| Session 7 | 28 to 30 October 2026 |
| Session 8 | 18 to 20 November 2026 |
How many chances do you get in a year?
Twelve sittings in total across both streams in 2026. That changes how you should plan. Under the older three-sessions-a-year system a failed paper cost you four months. Now a failed paper can be re-attempted within weeks, which makes it worth booking a subject as soon as your mock scores cross 80 per cent rather than waiting for perfect readiness.
How do you book a DGCA exam session?
- 1. Hold an approved computer number: No booking is possible until the Chief Examination Officer has approved your candidate application.
- 2. Watch the registration window: Each session has its own opening and closing dates published on DGCA Pariksha, weeks ahead of the exam.
- 3. Select papers individually: Choose only the subjects you intend to write. Each is booked and paid for separately.
- 4. Pay Rs 2,500 per paper: The fee is non-refundable, including for a no-show.
- 5. Download the admit card: Released before the session. Check the centre, date and reporting time carefully.
A realistic 12-month plan around the calendar
- Months 1 to 2: computer number approved, Class 2 medical cleared, ground school starts
- Months 3 to 4: write Air Regulation and Aviation Meteorology in the first available session
- Months 5 to 7: write Technical General, keep Air Navigation practice running daily
- Months 8 to 9: write Air Navigation, book RTR(A) Part 1
- Months 10 to 12: write Technical Specific once the aircraft type is fixed, clear RTR(A) Part 2
Keep at least one spare session in the plan. Students who assume a first-attempt pass in every paper end up rushing the licence application.
Frequently asked questions
- How many times a year does DGCA conduct exams?
- In 2026 there are four regular examination sessions and eight OLODE sessions, giving flight crew candidates twelve sittings across the year.
- What is OLODE in DGCA exams?
- OLODE is the online distance open delivery examination mode. It runs additional sessions between the four regular exam windows.
- Can I book more than one paper in the same session?
- Yes. Papers are booked individually and most students take two or three in a single session.
- Is the DGCA exam fee refundable if I miss the exam?
- No. The Rs 2,500 per paper fee is not refundable under any circumstances, including a no-show.
- Where do I check the official DGCA exam calendar?
- The examination notice and calendar are published on the DGCA Pariksha portal at pariksha.dgca.gov.in. Confirm dates there before planning.
Sources
- DGCA Pariksha, flight crew examination portal and notices
- DGCA 2026 examination calendar, regular and OLODE sessions
Fees, exam dates and regulatory limits change. Confirm current figures against the DGCA Pariksha portal and the applicable Civil Aviation Requirements before acting on them.