DGCA Computer Number in 2026: how to apply, documents and timeline

The Computer Number is your permanent identity with the DGCA examination system. Nothing in the ground-exam route starts without it: you cannot register for a paper, and you cannot register for RTR(A). It is free and it never expires, so get it out of the way early.

What it is and why it gates everything

Every candidate in the DGCA exam system is identified by a Computer Number. It ties together your registrations, admit cards, results and, later, your licence file. Because it is a one-time permanent identifier, the DGCA verifies your eligibility, principally your 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, before issuing it. That verification is the only slow part of the process.

Pariksha vs eGCA, two portals, two accounts

This is the single most common source of wasted weeks. They are different systems:

Register on both early. Your Computer Number comes from Pariksha; your medicals and RTR(A) practical come from eGCA.

Document checklist

Most records are now pulled electronically through DigiLocker, but have clean scans of everything ready in case a manual upload is needed:

• Class 10 certificate and marksheet (date of birth proof)
• Class 12 marksheet and pass certificate showing Physics and Mathematics (or NIOS records if you took that route)
• Address proof (Aadhaar or passport)
• Recent passport-size photograph, plain background, within the portal's size limits
• Scanned signature, within the portal's size limits
• Passport, if you have one (useful later for eGCA and RTR)

If your board is not integrated with DigiLocker, or your name differs across documents, plan for extra verification time and keep the physical originals to hand.

The steps

1. Register on Pariksha. Create the account, verify email and mobile.
2. Link DigiLocker so the portal can fetch your Class 10 and 12 records directly.
3. Open the Flight Crew Computer Number application, fill your personal and education details exactly as they appear on your certificates, and upload the photo and signature.
4. Submit and pay nothing: the Computer Number application carries no fee.
5. Wait for board verification. The DGCA confirms your education record with the board. Watch the portal status and your email for any query.
6. Collect your Computer Number from the portal once the status shows verified. Save it, you will type it for years.

Timeline

Budget around 15 working days from a clean submission, and more if there is any mismatch in your records or your board is slow to respond. Because ground-exam registration windows are short and close weeks before each session, apply for the Computer Number at least 6 to 8 weeks before the session you are aiming at. Students who leave it late routinely miss a session by days.

Common mistakes

• Name mismatches between Class 10, Class 12 and Aadhaar. Fix these before you apply; they trigger manual verification.
• Applying on eGCA expecting a Computer Number. Wrong portal.
• Photo or signature rejected for size or background, read the spec on the upload screen.
• Leaving it until the registration window is open. The Computer Number has to exist before you can register for a paper.

FAQ

AviationGrade editorial team

From the Pariksha portal workflow and DGCA notices on DigiLocker integration

We build the DGCA question banks these guides link to. Corrections welcome and credited.