New Delhi – The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started automatic generation of computer numbers for flight crew candidates applying through its Pariksha portal, in a move aimed at digitising licensing processes and reducing manual intervention.
The facility, which came into effect on October 16, will allow eligible applicants to receive computer numbers instantly upon successful online verification of their academic records.
The initiative forms part of the Civil Aviation Ministry’s broader plan to simplify procedures and enhance transparency through digital systems such as eGCA and DigiLocker under the Digital India programme.
DGCA aims to streamline pilot certification
A computer number is a unique identification code allotted by DGCA to candidates seeking pilot or flight crew examinations. It is mandatory for appearing in DGCA’s theoretical papers and for processing licences.
Until now, applicants had to upload scanned copies of educational certificates and wait for manual approval, a process that often took several weeks.
Under the new system, the Pariksha portal will automatically generate the computer number once the candidate’s eligibility is confirmed. The change is expected to shorten application timelines and improve accuracy in document verification.
In the first phase, the system will cover candidates who have passed their Class 10 and 12 examinations under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Their records will be verified digitally through DigiLocker, the government’s secure document storage platform.
In subsequent phases, DGCA plans to extend the facility to applicants from other recognised education boards whose mark sheets and certificates are available on DigiLocker. This phased rollout is intended to ensure smooth integration across different data systems.
DGCA digitisation drive
Officials said the move is in line with directives from Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu to digitise processes across DGCA and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
The aim is to promote “ease of flying” by cutting paperwork and reducing processing time for licences and approvals.
The auto-generation feature follows several other initiatives launched under eGCA, including online applications for pilot licensing, aircraft maintenance engineer exams and flight training organisation approvals.
By integrating DigiLocker with the Pariksha portal, DGCA expects to eliminate manual document handling and make the certification process faster, more transparent and less prone to error.
Officials said the transition to a fully digital verification system is expected to benefit student pilots and flight crew candidates, while aligning India’s aviation administration with international best practices.
