How to Get a DGCA Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) in India
A practical guide to the DGCA remote-pilot pathway in India, with current terminology, authorised training, eligibility checks and official-so...
> Verify before enrolment or flight: DGCA requirements, forms, fees, exemptions, registration status and authorised training pathways can change. The official DGCA rules and guidance page and DigitalSky airspace map take priority over this explanatory article. This page is educational guidance, not legal advice or a guarantee of eligibility, approval, certificate issuance or timeline.
India's current regulatory material uses the term Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC) in the training framework, while older pages and industry conversations still say RPL or remote pilot licence. The correct pathway depends on the aircraft category, operation and current DGCA/DigitalSky requirements. Do not rely on a static blog page as a substitute for the live official process.
This guide is an operational orientation for prospective pilots and drone-service clients—not legal advice and not a promise that one checklist applies to every category.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility and training requirements must be checked against the current DGCA/DigitalSky process and the chosen aircraft category. The commonly published baseline includes age, education, identity and fitness requirements, but applicants should confirm the live requirement with the authorised RPTO before paying a fee. Nano and non-commercial micro-drone exemptions, where applicable, should not be treated as permission for commercial operations.
To apply for a Remote Pilot License in India, you must meet the following statutory criteria:
Citizenship: Must be an Indian citizen.
Age: Minimum 18 years and maximum 65 years of age.
Education: Must have passed at least Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognised board.
Medical Fitness: Must possess a valid Class 2 Medical Certificate issued by an authorised military or civil aviation medical examiner.
Background Verification: No criminal convictions in the preceding 24 months.
Training Structure
All training must be completed at a DGCA-authorised Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO). The standard training course is divided into ground school and practical flight sessions:
Ground School (25 Hours Minimum)
Aviation Meteorology: Understanding weather patterns, wind shear, cloud formations, and temperature variations affecting flight. Air Regulations: Detailed study of the Aircraft Act, Drone Rules 2021, and temporary flight restrictions. Airspace Classification: Grasping controlled vs. uncontrolled airspace, flight restrictions near airports, borders, and sensitive zones. Aerodynamics & Systems: Basic principles of flight, multirotor mechanics, payload options, and fail-safe setups. Emergency Mitigation: Handling signal loss, battery issues, geofencing breaches, and forced landings.
Practical Flight Training (10 Hours Minimum)
Pre-flight Inspections: Mission planning, site assessment, battery checks, and sensor calibration. Basic Flight Manoeuvres: Supervised hovering, transiting, figure-8 patterns, and altitude control. Emergency Drills: Practising manual overrides, return-to-home overrides, and handling motor failures. Night Operations: Flight coordination using navigation lights (where applicable under the training curriculum). Flight Log Book: Maintaining records of training flights signed by a certified flight instructor.
The Examination
The evaluation process is rigorous and comprises three distinct assessments:
Written Examination: A 100-question multiple-choice test covering aviation weather, regulations, navigation, and systems. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass. Practical Skills Test: A flight test supervised by a DGCA-designated examiner, evaluating the applicant's ability to safely execute takeoff, flight patterns, emergency procedures, and landing. Oral Examination (Viva Voce): A face-to-face session testing theoretical knowledge, air traffic guidelines, and critical decision-making under operational stress.
Costs & Timeline
Component Description Estimated Cost --- --- --- Medical Fitness Class 2 Medical Examination ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 RPTO Training Full Ground School + Flight Training ₹50,000 – ₹1,20,000 DGCA Exam Examination and Assessment Fees ₹5,000 License Issuance Application processing fee on eGCA ₹3,000 Total All-inclusive Certification Cost ₹61,000 – ₹1,33,000
Timeline: Typically takes 4 to 8 weeks from beginning training to receiving the digital license on the eGCA platform, depending on the RPTO's slot availability and DGCA application queues.
Maintaining Your License
Your Remote Pilot License is valid for 10 years. However, to maintain currency, pilots must: Log a minimum of 10 flight hours annually. Undergo a recurrent proficiency check every 24 months with an authorised trainer. Maintain a clean operational track record without any safety infractions.
Skyviews Studio Editorial Team. Safe Flying. Certified Operations. Professional Standards.