The DGCA is India’s statutory body for civil aviation responsible for issuing licences approving training organisations and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. When you are reading about what are the requirements to become a pilotg and planning your aviation career in India DGCA approval is a cornerstone.
Legal recognition of licence: If you train at a flying school that is DGCA approved the licence you earn (for example a Private Pilot License (PPL) Commercial Pilot License (CPL) or Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)) will be legally valid under Indian regulations. Without approval your training may not lead to a recognised licence.
Quality assurance and standardised syllabus: DGCA mandates that approved schools follow a standard curriculum maintain required infrastructure flying hours qualified instructors and safe aircraft. This ensures that your training meets required standards.
Career opportunities: Airlines both in India and abroad look for pilots trained under DGCA approved programmes because this approval ensures compliance with regulatory and international norms. This boosts your employability and the legitimacy of your certificate.
Safety and global recognition: Since DGCA aligns with international aviation standards (via International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO frameworks) a DGCA approved licence has better recognition and the training you receive meets rigorous safety norms.
When you study the article about what are the requirements to become a pilotg you’ll see that along with age education flying hours and medical fitness DGCA approval forms an important part of the eligibility and training process. For example:
The article outlines that you must complete specific flying hours for the PPL CPL or ATPL.
It also mentions that you must clear certain modules/exams and hold the right medical certificate as per DGCA regulations.
But if your training institute is not DGCA approved even if you meet those hours or pass exams your licence might not be recognised thus blocking your professional progress.
Before you enrol in any flying school or training programme check that the institution is listed as a DGCA approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO). Ask to see the approval certificate. Training at a non approved school may seem cheaper or easier now but later you may face delays or find your licence not valid for airlines. In the context of the article on what are the requirements to become a pilotg this is a vital and often overlooked step.