Your Gateway to the Skies: How to Get Your DGCA Computer Number (2026 Step-by-Step Guide)

If you are planning to become a Commercial Pilot in India, your journey officially starts here. Before you can book ground classes, buy pilot uniform shirts, or sit for any examinations, you need a DGCA Computer Number. Think of it as your unique, lifetime identity card for your entire aviation career.

Getting this 10-digit number right on your first try is critical. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has notoriously strict rules, and minor errors lead to instant rejections. Fortunately, with the new DigiLocker integration, the days of waiting weeks or mailing physical documents to RK Puram are gone—you can now get verified and approved almost instantly!

Here is your foolproof, step-by-step blueprint to applying for your DGCA Computer Number flawlessly.

Prerequisites & Eligibility Criteria

Before filling out the online forms, make sure you meet the baseline requirements set by the DGCA:

• Age: Minimum 16 years
• Education: Must have passed 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics from a recognized board (for CPL/ATPL aspirants).
• Medical Fitness: While not strictly mandatory to apply for the number, it is highly recommended to have your Class 2 Medical Assessment sorted out first.
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Mandatory Document Checklist

You will need crisp, high-resolution scans of the following documents. Save them in the dimensions and sizes specified in the official DGCA Flight Crew User Manual:

The Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Create an eGCA Aspirant Account

Your first move is to register your profile on the central digital platform of civil aviation.

1. Go to the official eGCA Portal.
2. Click Login / Sign Up and select Aspirant as your user type.
3. Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your 10th-standard certificate.
4. Complete the multi-factor authentication (MFA) by submitting the separate OTPs sent to your mobile number and email address.
5. Note down your unique eGCA ID once it lands in your mailbox.

Step 2: Register on the Pariksha Portal

Once your pilot identity is generated, head to the examination management wing.

1. Navigate to the official DGCA Pariksha Portal.
2. Choose Flight Crew – New Candidate Registration.
3. Check the box stating: “I have never registered with DGCA for a computer number”.
4. Verify your contact details via email activation link within 24 hours to secure your login ID and password.

Step 3: Fast-Track via DigiLocker Verification

The fastest route to secure your number without human delay is using India’s digital locker infrastructure.

1. Log in to your newly made account on the DGCA Pariksha Portal.
2. Under “Student Registration”, choose Computer Number Application.
3. Select the DigiLocker Integration option if you belong to CBSE, ICSE, or participating state boards.
4. Consent to fetch your 10th and 12th documents automatically. If the data syncs perfectly, your background verification clears immediately.
5. Note: If your board is not on DigiLocker, you must upload high-resolution self-attested copies manually for processing by a DGCA officer.

Step 4: Final Profile Review and Submission

1. Select CPL (Commercial Pilot License) as your registration category.
2. Double-check every single field—ensure there are absolutely no typos in your date of birth or name.
3. Click Final Submit.
4. The system is entirely free of cost, so do not pay any agents claiming to process this for a fee.

How Long Does it Take to Allot?

• DigiLocker Auto-Route: subject to your digital board documents match perfectly, you can receive your 10-digit Computer Number on the exact same day or within 48 hours.
• Manual Scrutiny Route: If you upload documents manually, an official will review the queue. This standard procedure typically takes anywhere between 15 to 30 days.

Once approved, log back into the DGCA Pariksha Profile Dashboard to view and download your lifelong tracking document!