How to Obtain Your DGCA Remote Pilot License (RPL) — The Complete 2026 Roadmap

A step-by-step walkthrough covering eligibility, DGCA-authorised training schools, examination structure, costs, and the timeline from application to cert...

A step-by-step walkthrough covering eligibility, DGCA-authorised training schools, examination structure, costs, and the timeline from application to certification.

The DGCA Remote Pilot License is the mandatory certification for any individual operating drones commercially in India.

Here's everything you need to know about obtaining yours.

Eligibility Requirements Indian citizen, minimum 18 years of age Class 2 medical certificate (aviation medical examiner) No criminal convictions in the preceding 24 months Completion of training at a DGCA-authorised RPTO (Remote Pilot Training Organisation) Training Structure The training programme is divided into two phases: Ground School (25 hours minimum): Aviation meteorology fundamentals Air regulations and Drone Rules 2021 Airspace classification and management Basic aerodynamics and flight principles Emergency procedures and risk mitigation Practical Flight Training (10 hours minimum): Pre-flight checks and mission planning Normal flight operations (hover, transit, orbit patterns) Emergency procedures (signal loss, low battery, geofence breach) Night operations (if applicable to your category) Documented flight log entries The Examination The DGCA RPL examination consists of: Written Test: 100 multiple-choice questions, 2-hour time limit.

Minimum passing score: 75% Practical Skills Test: Supervised flight demonstration with a DGCA-designated examiner Oral Examination: Knowledge verification covering regulations, emergency procedures, and operational decision-making Costs & Timeline Component Estimated Cost --- --- Medical Certificate ₹3,000–5,000 RPTO Training Fees ₹50,000–1,20,000 DGCA Examination Fees ₹5,000 License Issuance ₹3,000 Total ₹61,000–1,33,000 Timeline: Approximately 4–8 weeks from training commencement to license issuance, depending on RPTO scheduling and DGCA processing times.

Maintaining Your License RPL holders must maintain a minimum of 10 flight hours annually and undergo a proficiency check every 24 months to keep their license current.

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