The RTR(A) exam stands for Radio Telephony Restricted (Aeronautical). It is a mandatory test conducted in India for those who want to operate radio communication equipment on board aircraft pilots flight dispatchers and other aviation professionals.
Completing the RTR(A) exam is part of the wider DGCA rules when you follow the CPL DGCA syllabus (CPL exam syllabus DGCA). In the cpl exam syllabus dgca / cpl exam pattern dgca, one of the subjects you must clear is radio telephony i.e. hold a valid RTR licence. Without it you cannot fully meet the cpl syllabus for cpl dgca exam syllabus for cpl requirements.
Here are important facts about the RTR(A) exam in relation to the CPL exam syllabus DGCA:
Who Conducts It: The RTR exam used to be conducted by the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) wing under the Ministry of Communications. From November 2025, DGCA will take over RTR(A) exam administration.
How Often: The exam happens every two months (i.e. six times a year).
Where: In major Indian cities like Delhi Mumbai Chennai Kolkata Hyderabad.
Structure / Subjects: RTR(A) has two main parts:
Written exam (Theory) – covering radio telephony regulations communication rules basics of electronics navigation aids, etc.
Practical / Oral (Viva) – you are tested on speaking and using radio communications, procedures clarity responding properly to situations.
Relation with CPL Syllabus DGCA: In the CPL exam subjects DGCA you’ll find Radio Telephony or equivalent in the DGCA syllabus cpl exam syllabus. So RTR exam is aligned with that specific subject in the cpl syllabus dgca exam.
If you are following the CPL exam syllabus DGCA think of RTR(A) exam as the radio communication subject in that syllabus which you need to pass. It ensures you can safely use aircraft radios. Passing RTR (A) springs you closer to getting your commercial pilot licence under DGCA rules.