DGCA-Approved FTO
Private Pilot Licence (PPL) in India
A Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is the licence issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that allows you to fly an aeroplane as pilot-in-command for your own purposes, but not for payment. It is the first full licence a pilot holds and, for most cadets, the first stage on the way to a Commercial Pilot Licence.
- 6 to 8 months, indicative
- Age 17+ · Class 10 pass
- Students from across India
This page explains what a PPL allows, what DGCA requires, and how ARCA Aviation, a DGCA-approved Flying Training Organisation, trains PPL cadets. If you are looking at training at the Hyderabad campus specifically, see Private Pilot Licence training in Hyderabad. This page covers the licence itself.
What is a private pilot licence in India?
A private pilot licence in India is a DGCA licence that permits the holder to act as pilot-in-command of an aeroplane that is not being flown for hire or reward. You can fly yourself, carry passengers who are not paying, and build hours. You cannot be paid to fly. For that you need a Commercial Pilot Licence.
Two things people often get wrong about the PPL. First, it is a real DGCA licence with its own medical, examinations and skill test, not a certificate from a school. Second, you do not need to hold a PPL before starting CPL training; most CPL programmes include the PPL stage. The PPL as a separate goal makes sense for someone who wants to fly privately, or who wants to test the career before committing to the full CPL route.
| Private Pilot Licence (PPL) | Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) | |
|---|---|---|
| Can I be paid to fly? | No | Yes |
| Who it suits | Private flying, or a first stage before CPL | Anyone who wants a flying career |
| Minimum age | 17 | 18 |
| Education | Class 10 pass | 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, or equivalent |
| Medical | Class 2 (Class 1 recommended if CPL is the goal) | Class 1 |
| Flying experience | Lower minimum, prescribed by DGCA | Not less than 200 hours, with sub-requirements, prescribed by DGCA |
| Where to read the exact rules | Schedule II, Aircraft Rules 1937, on dgca.gov.in | Schedule II, Aircraft Rules 1937, on dgca.gov.in |
Who should do a PPL?
A PPL suits three kinds of people: someone who wants to fly for pleasure with no plan to fly commercially; a candidate who wants to confirm they enjoy flying and can pass the medical and examinations before committing to a CPL; and a candidate whose circumstances mean the CPL must wait, so the PPL comes first.
If you already know you want an airline or charter career and you meet the CPL entry conditions, speak to admissions about going straight into the Commercial Pilot Licence programme. Doing a standalone PPL first can add cost and time without adding anything the CPL route does not already cover.
What does DGCA require for a private pilot licence?
DGCA prescribes the Private Pilot's Licence requirements in Schedule II of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. A candidate must be at least 17 years of age, hold a current DGCA medical assessment of the prescribed class, pass the DGCA theory examinations for the PPL, complete the prescribed flying experience including solo and cross-country flying, and pass a skill test with a DGCA-authorised examiner.
| Requirement | What DGCA prescribes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Minimum 17 years at the time of licence issue | Aircraft Rules 1937, Schedule II |
| Education | Class 10 pass from a recognised board. The 10+2 Physics and Mathematics condition on DGCA Pariksha applies to Flight Crew candidates other than PPL. | DGCA Pariksha FAQ |
| Medical | DGCA Class 2 medical assessment, issued through DGCA-empanelled examiners | DGCA |
| Computer Number | One unique Computer Number per candidate, allotted by DGCA's Central Examination Organisation | DGCA Pariksha FAQ |
| Theory examinations | PPL papers conducted through DGCA Pariksha, covering air regulations, air navigation, aviation meteorology and aircraft technical knowledge | DGCA Pariksha |
| Radio telephony | Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) licence from the WPC wing, Department of Telecommunications | WPC / DoT |
| Flying experience | Prescribed minimum flight time including dual, solo and cross-country flying, as set out in Schedule II | Aircraft Rules 1937, Schedule II |
| Skill test | A flight test with a DGCA-authorised examiner | Aircraft Rules 1937, Schedule II |
The exact hours and conditions are read from the current Aircraft Rules on dgca.gov.in. DGCA amends them from time to time, and the version in force on the day you apply is the one that counts.
How do the DGCA PPL exams work?
DGCA conducts the PPL theory examinations through its online portal, Pariksha. You first obtain a Computer Number, then register for the PPL papers in an examination session. Results are published on the portal. The syllabus covers air regulations, air navigation, aviation meteorology and aircraft technical knowledge at PPL level, which is narrower than the CPL papers.
Practical points:
- Apply for the Computer Number early. Nothing on Pariksha moves without it.
- Examination dates, fees and the validity of a pass are published by DGCA on Pariksha. Read the current notice rather than a forum post.
- If you intend to continue to a CPL, ask admissions whether it is better to sit the CPL papers directly. The CPL papers cover the PPL syllabus and more.
Our article on the DGCA exam for pilots explains registration and the process step by step. ARCA's DGCA ground classes cover the theory for both PPL and CPL.
Eligibility and prerequisites
To start PPL training at ARCA you need to be at least 17, have passed Class 10, be able to obtain a DGCA Class 2 medical assessment, and obtain a Computer Number from DGCA. If you expect to continue to a CPL, complete a Class 1 medical at the outset so that nothing is discovered later.
Before you enrol anywhere:
- Book a DGCA medical with an empanelled examiner. Class 2 is the starting point; take the Class 1 if the CPL is your goal.
- Apply for your Computer Number on Pariksha.
- Gather your school certificates, identity and address proof, passport if held, and photographs.
How ARCA Aviation trains you for the PPL
ARCA Aviation's PPL programme runs ground school, simulator and flying on one campus at Begumpet Airport (VOHY), Hyderabad, a controlled aerodrome with live air traffic control. Cadets fly the Tecnam P2010 TDI, a single-engine IFR-certified aircraft with the Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit, and use the ELITE PI-1000 flight simulator for procedures before and alongside aircraft time. ARCA's PPL programme is structured around 60-plus hours of flying.
The programme in phases:
- 1
Ground school. PPL theory in ARCA's classrooms, aimed at clearing the Pariksha papers early.
- 2
Simulator. Cockpit familiarisation, instrument scan and emergency drills on the ELITE PI-1000.
- 3
Dual flying. Effects of controls, circuits, stalls, forced landings and general handling with an instructor at Begumpet.
- 4
First solo. The first flight as the only person on board, cleared by the instructor and by Begumpet ATC.
- 5
Navigation and cross-country. Dual and solo flights to other aerodromes, with flight planning and radio work.
- 6
Skill test preparation. Consolidation before the DGCA skill test.
Every flight and ground session is logged on the FlightLogger training management system, so progress against the plan is visible to the cadet and to the training department. ARCA runs pilot training, aircraft maintenance (MRO) and continuing airworthiness management (CAMO) together on the same campus, which supports aircraft availability for training.
For the campus, the aerodrome and life in the city, read Private Pilot Licence training in Hyderabad.
How long does a PPL take?
ARCA's PPL programme is planned as an indicative 6 to 8 months. The actual time depends on weather, aircraft serviceability, aerodrome and air traffic constraints, instructor availability, your own progress, DGCA examination cycles and medical timelines. ARCA does not guarantee a completion date. Admissions will give you a plan based on the current batch and your starting point.
Clearing the theory papers early, holding the medical before the first flight and living close to the airfield remove most avoidable delays.
What does a PPL cost?
ARCA publishes its fee structure on the ARCA fee structure page, and the admissions team explains what is included and what is charged separately, such as DGCA examination fees, medicals, licence processing and any flying beyond the programme. Figures are not repeated here because they change and because each candidate's plan differs.
Where a PPL can lead
A PPL lets you fly as pilot-in-command for your own purposes and is the usual first stage before the Commercial Pilot Licence. It does not permit paid flying, so it is not a career qualification on its own. For most ARCA cadets it is the foundation that the CPL and later ratings are built on. What it opens:
- Private and recreational flying as pilot-in-command
- Hour-building towards a Commercial Pilot Licence
- Flying for personal travel or aerial photography on a non-commercial basis
- Entry to the CPL programme with the basics already in hand
Any paid flying role requires a CPL and the further ratings an operator asks for.
What comes after the PPL?
After the PPL, the next step for a career pilot is the Commercial Pilot Licence programme, followed by multi-engine and instrument ratings. Alongside the PPL, most candidates also complete the RTR (Aero) licence for radio telephony. The full route from Class 12 to an airline cockpit is set out in how to become a commercial pilot in India.
Frequently asked questions about the PPL in India
Can I earn money with a private pilot licence?
No. A PPL permits flying for your own purposes and carrying non-paying passengers. Any flying for hire or reward requires a Commercial Pilot Licence issued by DGCA. If your aim is a flying career, plan for the CPL from the start and treat the PPL as a stage within it.
What is the minimum age for a PPL in India?
DGCA prescribes a minimum age of 17 for the issue of a Private Pilot's Licence under Schedule II of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. Training can begin before that, with the licence issued once the age and all other requirements are met. For a Commercial Pilot Licence the minimum age is 18.
Do I need Physics and Mathematics in 12th for a PPL?
No. The DGCA Pariksha FAQ applies the 10+2 Physics and Mathematics condition to Flight Crew candidates other than PPL. A Class 10 pass is the educational requirement for a PPL. For a CPL, Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 or an equivalent is required, so plan ahead if the CPL is your goal.
Should I do a PPL first or go straight to CPL?
If you meet the CPL entry conditions and want a flying career, most candidates go straight into a CPL programme, which includes the PPL stage. A standalone PPL first makes sense if you want to fly privately, want to test the career before committing, or cannot start the full CPL yet.
Which medical do I need for a PPL?
A DGCA Class 2 medical assessment is required for a PPL. If you intend to continue to a CPL, take the Class 1 assessment at the outset, because a Class 1 issue discovered later can end the plan after money has been spent. Both are issued through DGCA-empanelled medical examiners.
What is a first solo?
A first solo is the first flight a cadet makes as the only person on board, usually a short circuit at the home aerodrome. It happens when the instructor is satisfied with handling, judgement and radio work. At ARCA, first solos take place at Begumpet Airport under live air traffic control.
Do I need an RTR licence for a PPL?
A Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) licence, issued through the WPC wing of the Department of Telecommunications, is required to operate aircraft radio. It is normally obtained alongside PPL training. ARCA runs a separate RTR (Aero) programme that covers the examination.
Is there a maximum age for a PPL?
DGCA Pariksha states there is no maximum age limit to register as a Flight Crew candidate. Medical fitness, not age, is the practical limit for private flying, and many people take up a PPL later in life.
Which aircraft does ARCA use for PPL training?
ARCA's PPL training is on the Tecnam P2010 TDI, a single-engine IFR-certified aircraft with the Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit and a Continental CD-170 diesel engine. The fleet also includes the twin-engine Tecnam P2006T for later multi-engine training. The ARCA fleet page holds the current list.
Official regulatory sources
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Aircraft Rules 1937, Schedule II, which prescribes the PPL requirements.
- DGCA Pariksha: Flight Crew registration, Computer Number, examination notices and FAQ.
- Department of Telecommunications, WPC wing: Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) licence.
Last reviewed: October 2026 Next regulatory review: on any relevant DGCA regulatory change, or within 3 months of the last review Technical review: ARCA Aviation Training Department
Regulatory requirements can change. This page is for general guidance. Candidates must verify current requirements with DGCA and with ARCA's admissions team before making financial or training commitments.