DGCA CPL Technical General exam-day guide
DGCA CPL Technical General · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed admit card / exam confirmation
Download the admit card or confirmation for your Technical General slot from the DGCA Pariksha/eGCA portal and print it. Check that your name, roll number, paper, date, time and centre address are correct. If no printable card is issued, carry the confirmation email/SMS. Format can change, so confirm with the provider.
Original valid photo ID
Carry an original government photo ID (passport, Aadhaar, driving licence). The name must match your application. Photocopies and images on a phone are normally not accepted.
Passport-size photographs
Some centres ask for one or two recent passport photographs for verification. Carry them in case they are requested, but confirm with the provider whether they are required for your centre.
Exam centre address and travel plan
Print or save the centre address and a map. Do a dry run or check transport timings. Plan to reach the centre at least 45–60 minutes before the reporting time shown on your admit card; exact reporting rules vary by centre, so confirm with the provider.
Transparent water bottle
A clear, label-free water bottle is often allowed, but rules differ by test centre. Confirm with the provider or invigilator before taking it into the hall.
Pen or pencil for rough work
Computer-based tests usually provide rough sheets and a pen, but this is centre-specific. Carry a simple pen or pencil only if permitted; confirm with the provider.
Leave electronic devices behind
Do not carry phones, smartwatches, calculators, earbuds, or any storage device into the exam hall. Use the centre locker if one is provided, or leave them at home.
One-page revision sheet
Prepare a single page of high-yield Technical General facts: engine limits, system diagrams, instrument errors, electrical bus logic, and any formulas you keep forgetting. Review it before entering the centre, then store it away.
Confirm question count, duration and marking
Technical General is commonly reported as 100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, but confirm the current paper pattern, duration, and whether there is negative marking from the DGCA/Pariksha instructions for your slot. Do not rely on hearsay.
Light snack and water for after the exam
Keep a snack and water outside the exam hall for after the test. Food and drink are usually not allowed at the workstation; confirm centre rules.
Plan the day
Download and print the admit card and verify every detail. Confirm the centre location, reporting time and travel plan. Switch from new topics to revision: review engine systems, aircraft systems, instruments, electrical power, and limitations. Do at least one timed practice set under exam conditions, then review only your error log. Protect sleep.
Pack the admit card, original photo ID, photographs if required, and any permitted items in one bag. Re-read the DGCA/Pariksha candidate instructions, especially on prohibited items, breaks and marking. Do a short revision of your one-page sheet only. Avoid heavy cramming, alcohol and late screens. Set two alarms and plan to sleep 7–8 hours.
Eat a light breakfast and drink water. Leave early enough to reach the centre 45–60 minutes before reporting time. Keep the admit card and ID in your hand, not in a bag. Switch off and store your phone before entering the centre. Use the washroom before check-in. Do not join last-minute discussions that raise anxiety.
Follow the invigilator's verification process. Keep your ID and admit card ready. Ask where to store prohibited items if you have carried any. Confirm the workstation number and that your name and paper appear correctly on screen before starting. Report any mismatch immediately.
Read the on-screen instructions. Check the number of questions, time remaining, and whether there is a negative-marking warning. If rough sheets are provided, write down key formulas immediately. Start with questions you know to build rhythm; do not spend more than about 60–90 seconds on any single question early on.
Work in passes: answer easy questions first, flag uncertain ones, then return. Keep an eye on the clock and aim to leave 10–15 minutes for review. Attempt every question unless the instructions clearly state negative marking. If the computer freezes, raise your hand and inform the invigilator immediately; do not touch cables or restart the machine.
Review flagged questions. Check that no question is left blank if there is no negative marking. Confirm your answers are saved and submit only when you are ready. After submission, collect your belongings and leave quietly without discussing the paper in the centre area.
Rules to check
Carry the original photo ID and printed admit card. Photocopies, expired IDs, or a phone image of the ID are normally not accepted. The name on the ID must match your application; if you have a name mismatch, contact the provider before exam day.
Electronic devices, smartwatches, calculators, notes and unauthorised material are prohibited in the exam hall. Possession can lead to disqualification, so leave them at home or use the centre locker if one is available.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times. Do not talk, gesture or exchange material during the test. Raise your hand for a technical problem, a washroom emergency, or a replacement rough sheet.
Scheduled breaks are normally not provided during a computer-based paper; confirm the current policy with the provider or invigilator. If you need to leave the workstation, you may be escorted and your time may not be paused.
Scoring rules can change. Confirm from the DGCA/Pariksha instructions whether there is negative marking and what the pass mark is for Technical General. A commonly cited CPL pass mark is 70%, but verify it for your exam cycle rather than assuming.
Attempt all questions if there is no negative marking. If negative marking applies, answer only when you can eliminate at least two options. In either case, do not leave a question blank simply because it looks difficult.
Keep rough sheets and any provided materials at your workstation. Do not remove them from the hall. Return them if the invigilator asks.
If you believe there was a computer error, timing problem or other irregularity, report it to the invigilator before leaving the centre and note the time and workstation number. Follow the provider's complaint procedure afterwards.