directorate general of civil aviation
Now airline pilots will not need to carry paper licenses. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started Electronic Personal License (EPL) service for Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). This means that now the pilots’ license will be available in digital form on the mobile phone, which can be shown and verified anytime and anywhere.
ATPL is a license which is compulsorily held by captain pilots of large passenger aircraft. DGCA has decided to make it digital so that the possibility of fake licenses can be eliminated, tampering in documents can be prevented and the airport authority or airline can check the license immediately at any time.
License can be accessed through eGCA mobile app
This digital license can be accessed through the eGCA mobile app. According to DGCA, this system has been designed as per the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and modern security features have been added to it, so that the genuineness of the license can be verified immediately.
Actually, DGCA had started digital license in February 2025 itself. At that time this facility was implemented for Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and Flight Radio Telephone Operator License (FRTOL). Now by including ATPL in it, this entire system has become stronger.
Transparency will increase in the entire system
This initiative is being considered a major reform for the aviation sector. This will relieve pilots from the worry of maintaining their licenses, simplify the verification process for airlines and authorities, and increase transparency in the entire system. Also, dependence on paper processes will reduce and work will become more digital and faster.
DGCA says that this digital initiative will improve the quality of service, transparency and trust in the aviation sector. According to experts, this step directly strengthens the safety of passengers and the reliability of the Indian aviation system.