What Is a DGCA Computer Number and How Do You Apply for It Online?
Author : Sky Reach Aviation Academy | Published On : 20 Jul 2026
Every pilot aspirant in India eventually hits the same wall.
You have cleared Class 12. You know you need to appear for DGCA exams. You search online and the first thing every guide tells you is — “first get your DGCA computer number.”
And then nothing explains what that actually is, how to get it, or what happens if you delay it.
If you are preparing for DGCA ground classes in Jaipur or anywhere in India, understanding the computer number process is the administrative step that unlocks everything else — exam registration, exam scheduling, and eventually, your CPL.
What Is a DGCA Computer Number?
A DGCA computer number is a unique identification number issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to every individual who registers for pilot licensing in India.
Think of it as your permanent aviation ID. Once assigned, this number stays with you for your entire career — through every exam attempt, every medical renewal, every licence upgrade. It links your personal details, exam records, flying hours, and medical certificates under one traceable identity in DGCA’s system.
Without a DGCA computer number, you cannot:
- Register for any of the eight DGCA written exams
- Apply for a Student Pilot Licence (SPL)
- Submit flying hours for CPL evaluation
- Apply for a Commercial Pilot Licence
It is not optional and it is not something to apply for “later.” The earlier you get your computer number, the earlier every subsequent step can begin.
Who Needs to Apply for a DGCA Computer Number?
Anyone pursuing a pilot exam registration in India needs one. Specifically:
- Students enrolled in CPL training — whether flying in India, the USA, South Africa, or Canada
- Candidates planning to appear for DGCA ground theory exams
- Applicants for Student Pilot Licence or Private Pilot Licence
If you are enrolled in DGCA ground classes and preparing for your written exams, your computer number application should be the first administrative task you complete — ideally before or during the first month of ground training.
How to Apply for a DGCA Computer Number Online: Step by Step
The application is made through the DGCA’s eSWAAN portal — the official digital platform for all pilot licensing services. Here is the exact process:
Step 1 — Visit the DGCA eSWAAN Portal Go to eswaan.dgca.gov.in.
This is the only official portal for DGCA computer number application. Do not use third-party agents or unofficial websites.
Step 2 — Register as a New User
Click on “New User Registration.” Enter your name exactly as it appears on your passport, your date of birth, email address, and mobile number. Create a secure password.
Step 3 — Log In and Select the Application Type
After registration, log in and navigate to the licence/computer number section. Select “Apply for Computer Number” from the services menu.
Step 4 — Fill in Personal Details
Enter your full personal details including:
- Full name (as on passport)
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Gender
- Permanent address
- Educational qualification details (Class 12 with Physics and Maths)
- Contact information
Step 5 — Upload Required Documents
Scan and upload the following documents in the formats specified by the portal:
- Passport (valid, all pages)
- Class 12 marksheet showing Physics and Mathematics
- Class 12 passing certificate
- Passport-sized photograph (recent, white background)
- Aadhaar card or government-issued ID
Ensure all documents are clear, correctly oriented, and within the file size limits specified on the portal. Blurry or incorrectly formatted uploads are the most common reason for delays.
Step 6 — Pay the Application Fee
The DGCA computer number application fee is paid online through the portal. Fee amounts are updated periodically — check the current fee on the eSWAAN portal at the time of application.
Step 7 — Submit and Track Your Application
After submission, you receive an acknowledgment number. Use this to track your application status on the portal. DGCA typically processes computer number applications within 15 to 30 working days, though this can vary.
Step 8 — Receive Your Computer Number
Once approved, your computer number is sent to your registered email and is also accessible on the eSWAAN portal dashboard. Note it carefully — you will use it for every subsequent DGCA interaction.
Common Mistakes That Delay the Application
Getting your DGCA computer number rejected or delayed is frustrating — especially when your ground classes are already running. These are the errors that cause it most often:
Name mismatch — Your name on the application must match your passport exactly, including middle names and spelling. A single character difference triggers a rejection.
Blurry document uploads — Scan, do not photograph. Documents photographed on a phone in poor lighting regularly fail the system check.
Incorrect photograph format — DGCA requires a specific photograph format. White background, recent, no glasses in most cases. Check the portal specifications before uploading.
Expired passport — Your passport must be valid at the time of application. An expired passport is an automatic rejection.
Missing Physics or Maths on Class 12 marksheet — DGCA requires both subjects to appear on the marksheet. If your board certificate and marksheet are separate documents, upload both.
Applying too late — The most consequential mistake. A 30-working-day processing time means a late application pushes back your entire exam timeline. Apply the moment you begin ground training.
What Comes After Your DGCA Computer Number?
Once you have your computer number, the path forward is clear:
Register for DGCA written exams — Eight papers covering Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulation, Airframe and Engine, Flight Planning and Performance, Human Performance and Limitations, Operational Procedures, and Radio Telephony. All eight must be cleared with a minimum of 70% each.
Complete DGCA ground classes — Structured ground training is what prepares you for these papers. The exams are specific, technical, and require sustained, guided preparation — not self-study alone.
Log flying hours — Minimum 200 flying hours are required for CPL. Your computer number links your logbook to your DGCA file.
Apply for CPL — Once exams, flying hours, and medical clearance are complete, your computer number is the identifier under which your Commercial Pilot Licence is issued.
Every single step in this chain passes through your computer number. There is no parallel track.
Why DGCA Ground Classes in Jaipur Make This Process Easier
Most pilot aspirants navigate the computer number process alone — and many delay it by months because they did not know it was the first step.
Enrolling in structured DGCA ground classes in Jaipur at a recognised institute changes this immediately. At Skyreach Aviation Academy, students receive direct guidance on the computer number application as part of onboarding — documents required, common errors to avoid, and how to track the application correctly.
The DGCA ground program at Skyreach covers all eight mandatory exam subjects over six months, with only 6 seats per batch — the smallest batch size available at any aviation institute in Rajasthan. New batches begin on the 15th of every month.
Captain Gunjan Dua, who leads training at Skyreach, is the author of Aircraft Technical & General — a reference text used by DGCA ground class students across India, available on Amazon. Faculty who have operated aircraft bring a quality of instruction to the technical papers that classroom-only educators cannot replicate.
Course fees: ₹1,00,000 to ₹1,75,000 depending on the program track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a DGCA computer number and why do I need it?
A DGCA computer number is a unique identification number issued by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation. It is your permanent aviation ID — required for all exam registrations, licence applications, and flying hour submissions. Without it, you cannot appear for any DGCA written exam.
Q: How long does it take to get a DGCA computer number?
DGCA typically processes computer number applications within 15 to 30 working days of submission on the eSWAAN portal. Delays are most often caused by document errors or name mismatches. Applying early — at the start of ground training — avoids timeline disruption.
Q: What documents are needed for DGCA computer number application
You need a valid passport, Class 12 marksheet with Physics and Mathematics, Class 12 passing certificate, a recent passport-sized photograph, and a government-issued photo ID. All documents must be uploaded in the format specified on the eSWAAN portal.
Q: Can I appear for DGCA exams without a computer number?
No. A DGCA computer number is mandatory for pilot exam registration in India. It must be obtained before you can register for any of the eight DGCA written examinations.
