A regular DGCA exam costs ₹2,500 per paper. An OLODE (On-Line-On-Demand Examination) costs ₹5,000 per paper. Both are paid online through Bharatkosh, and neither fee is refundable once you submit your application.
That is the short answer to DGCA exam fees 2026. The harder question is when paying double for an OLODE is worth it. This guide puts the two fees side by side, works out real totals, shows the next sessions on DGCA's 2026 calendar, and links every figure to the DGCA document it comes from so you can check it yourself.
This guide covers Flight Crew (pilot) licence exams on the Pariksha portal. AME exams have their own manual and notices, and RTR(A) is covered in our RTR(A) exam guide.
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DGCA Exam Fees 2026 at a Glance
| Item | Regular session | OLODE | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee per exam paper | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 | Manual, Ch. 7 and Ch. 8; regular fee also in FAQ 13 |
| Oral paper (2nd and 3rd attempt only) | ₹500 | ₹500 | Manual, Ch. 7 and Ch. 8 |
| Payment gateway | Bharatkosh | Bharatkosh | Manual, Ch. 7 and Ch. 8 |
| Refund or carry-over to a later session | Not allowed | Not allowed | FAQ 14, Manual Ch. 7 to 9 |
| Sessions in 2026 | 4 | 8 | Programme of Examinations 2026 |
Key Takeaway: the OLODE fee is exactly double the regular fee for every paper. DGCA also states that the bank may add a small service charge or tax on top of the total.
DGCA's own calendar labels these sessions "OLOD", while the Pariksha manual and notices call them "OLODE". They are the same exam.
What Will You Actually Pay? Worked Examples
Fees are charged per paper and per attempt. Here is what the fees add up to:
| Scenario | Regular session | OLODE |
|---|---|---|
| 1 paper | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| 2 papers | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 |
| 3 papers | ₹7,500 | ₹15,000 |
| 5 papers (all CPL ground subjects*) | ₹12,500 | ₹25,000 |
| Retaking 1 paper | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
*The five CPL ground subjects are Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General and Technical Specific. See our DGCA CPL exam pattern and syllabus guide. The portal only lists papers you are eligible for. Totals are exam fees only and exclude bank charges and oral fees.
A mixed example: you sit five papers in a regular session (₹12,500) and fail one. Retaking it in an OLODE costs ₹5,000, so your total is ₹17,500. Waiting for the next regular session costs ₹2,500, so your total is ₹15,000. The ₹2,500 difference is what you pay to avoid waiting.
Regular vs OLODE: What Else Is Different?
The fee is the biggest difference, but the application process also differs. This table is taken from the Pariksha manual's chapters on each exam type.
| Feature | Regular session | OLODE |
|---|---|---|
| Fee per paper | ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Sessions in 2026 | 4 (about every three months) | 8 (short windows between regular sessions) |
| Portal form | "Examination Form" | "On Demand FC Examination Form" |
| Centre choice | Two centre choices; you get your first choice if available | One centre choice, then a slot chosen for each paper |
| Paper sections shown | General, Oral, Technical General, Technical Specific, Technical Performance | General, Technical, Technical Specific, Technical Performance |
| Applications per session | One | One |
| Aircraft type | One specific aircraft per session | One specific aircraft per session |
| Seat availability | Not mentioned in the manual | Live OLODE seat-availability page |
Seats and slots in an OLODE are limited, so check the seat page as soon as your application window opens. For the full list of dates, see our DGCA exam schedule 2026.
When Is an OLODE Worth the Extra ₹2,500 Per Paper?
DGCA does not tell candidates which session to choose, so this section is our own planning advice, not a DGCA rule.
An OLODE can be worth it when:
- A real deadline falls before the next regular session, such as a cadet programme application or a flying school schedule.
- You need to retake one or two papers, not the whole set.
- You are well prepared, so the extra fee is not paying for a second unplanned retake.
A regular session is usually the better choice when:
- You are sitting several papers. Five papers cost ₹12,500 more in an OLODE.
- It is your first attempt and you can plan around the calendar.
- You are still preparing. A paid retake in either format costs the full fee again. Our guide on how to clear DGCA exams in the first attempt can help reduce that risk.
Example from the 2026 calendar: Regular Exam 03 ends on 26 September 2026. Counting from that date, OLODE Session 7 begins 32 days later (28 October), OLODE Session 8 begins 53 days later (18 November), and Regular Exam 04 begins 80 days later (15 December). Choosing OLODE Session 7 instead of waiting for Regular Exam 04 saves 48 days (about seven weeks) and costs ₹2,500 extra per paper. That assumes an application window is open and a seat is available.
Upcoming Sessions and Application Windows (as of 23 October 2026)
| Session | Exam dates (DGCA Programme 2026) | Portal window shown on Pariksha at last check |
|---|---|---|
| OLODE Session 7 | 28 to 30 October 2026 | Not shown on the banner; see the public notice |
| OLODE Session 8 | 18 to 20 November 2026 | 25 September to 2 November 2026 |
| Regular Exam 04 | 15 to 19 December 2026 | 28 September to 15 November 2026 |
The Pariksha Notice Board lists one public notice covering OLODE Sessions 7 and 8 and Regular Session 4. DGCA also states that exam dates are tentative and can change because of holidays or other reasons, so confirm both dates and windows on the notice board before you pay.
How to Pay the DGCA Exam Fee, Step by Step
- Log in to Pariksha with your Computer Number. If you do not have one yet, follow our DGCA Computer Number guide.
- Select the open session and your category. Choose your centre (two choices for a regular session; one centre plus a slot for each paper in an OLODE).
- Select your papers and review the application. You can submit only one application per session, and DGCA does not accept changes after you submit it.
- Proceed to payment. You are redirected to Bharatkosh, where you pay by net banking, credit card or debit card.
- Pay before the deadline. DGCA advises paying by 23:00 on the closing date. A payment confirmed by Bharatkosh after 23:59 may not be counted.
- If a payment fails, wait at least one hour before trying again.
- Download your admit card once DGCA finalises the schedule.
Are DGCA Exam Fees Refundable?
Generally, no. DGCA's FAQ states that the fee paid for an examination is not refundable under any circumstances. The manual adds that the fee cannot be carried over to a later session, and that it will not be refunded if you miss the exam at your allotted centre.
There is one exception. If your Bharatkosh payment succeeded but DGCA delivered no service, you can apply for a refund through your Pariksha login (Examination, then Refund of fail Transactions). You must upload a self-attested copy of the Bharatkosh receipt and an identity proof. DGCA states it processes these requests within 90 days.
Costs Not Included in These Figures
- Bank service charges or taxes on the Bharatkosh payment.
- Oral papers: ₹500 per oral paper, charged only for the 2nd and 3rd attempt.
- Computer Number: the registration chapters of the manual state no fee for obtaining one.
- Everything else on the road to a CPL, such as ground school, medicals and flight training. For those costs, read our pilot training cost in India guide.
Mistakes That Waste Exam Fees
- Choosing the wrong aircraft type. In one session you can appear for only one specific aircraft.
- Submitting without a final check. DGCA accepts no changes or refunds after submission.
- Applying for an OLODE without checking seats. Look at the seat-availability page first.
- Sitting papers in a poor order. Our guide on which DGCA exam to give first explains how to sequence your papers.
- Paying an agent. DGCA has issued a public warning against brokers who promise exam passes or Computer Numbers. Read the DGCA exam fraud warning. You pay exam fees only on the official portal, through Bharatkosh.
Official Sources (Checked 23 October 2026)
- Pariksha User Manual for Flight Crew Licence Examination: fees (Chapters 7 and 8), payment steps and refunds (Chapter 9).
- Pariksha FAQ: FAQ 13 (₹2,500 per paper) and FAQ 14 (no refund).
- Programme of Examinations 2026: all 2026 session dates.
- Pariksha Notice Board: public notices and application windows.
We found no revised fee notice from DGCA for 2026. If a new notice is issued, the notice board will show it first, so check it before you pay.
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Last updated: 23 October 2026. Sources: DGCA Pariksha User Manual (Oct 2024), Pariksha FAQ and Programme of Examinations 2026 (all official).
