If you're training to become a pilot in India, you've probably run into three letters that come up constantly in ground-school conversations but rarely get properly explained: RTR(A). Short for Radio Telephony Restricted (Aeronautical), it's the licence that certifies you can operate an aircraft's radio communication equipment and talk to air traffic control the way every pilot is expected to — correctly, clearly, and within DGCA's regulatory framework.
This guide walks through what RTR(A) actually is, how the exam is structured, and how to think about preparing for it in 2026.
What Is RTR(A), and Why Does It Matter?
RTR(A) is a licence issued through the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) that certifies a candidate can communicate over aircraft radio using standard ICAO phraseology, correctly interpret ATC instructions, and follow the procedures set out in India's regulatory framework — chiefly CAR Section 7 Series G Part VI and the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS AAI). For student pilots and aviation aspirants, it's a required step on the path to a flying career, not an optional add-on.
The Two Parts of the RTR(A) Exam
Something that trips up a lot of first-time aspirants: RTR(A) isn't one exam. It's two separate, independent DGCA programmes that happen to share a name — Part 1 (Theory) and Part 2 (Practical Oral). You don't move through them like modules of a single course; each has its own format, its own pass criteria, and Part 2 has its own eligibility requirement.
Part 1 — Theory
- A computer-based MCQ exam delivered through the Pariksha portal
- 50 questions, with 70% (35 out of 50) required to pass
- No negative marking
- Covers radio wave theory and propagation, navigation aids, ICAO/ITU regulations, ATC procedures, general and emergency phraseology, and related regulatory material
Part 2 — Practical Oral
- A face-to-face oral exam with a DGCA examiner
- Structured as one continuous flight scenario worked through six sequential stages
- A pass requires satisfactory performance across all six stages — not just a good average
- Currently held only in Delhi (36 slots per day, morning and afternoon sessions) and Chennai (18 slots per day, only morning sessions), and booking your own exam slot is your responsibility, so plan ahead
- Requires that you've already cleared Part 1 — unless you qualify for one of DGCA's specific exemptions (more on that below)
Who Can Go Straight to Part 2?
Most aspirants need to clear Part 1 before they're eligible for Part 2. There are two exceptions: CPL holders from Commonwealth countries or the Philippines are exempt from Part 1 entirely, as are defence (Army/Navy/Air Force) or Coast Guard pilots with a minimum of 1,000 hours of flying experience. Everyone else follows the standard sequence.
How the Exam Is Regulated
RTR(A) preparation and testing is built around a specific set of regulatory references: CAR Section 7 Series G Part VI, the Manual of Air Traffic Services (MATS AAI), ICAO's standard phraseology, and the Q-code system used throughout aeronautical communication. Good prep material should be aligned to these — not to a generic "aviation English" course.
How to Prepare
The most useful way to think about RTR(A) prep is as two different skills, not one. Part 1 is a knowledge problem — regulations, procedures, terminology — and it responds well to structured self-study, module-by-module coverage, and timed mock tests. Part 2 is a delivery problem — saying the correct call, in the correct format, out loud, under the pressure of a live examiner — and that's much harder to self-assess honestly. Reading a script and being able to deliver it smoothly when someone's listening are not the same skill.
That's the gap The RTR Coach's Part 1 Studybook and RTR Voice Simulator are each built to close — the Studybook for structured, DGCA-aligned theory coverage with mock tests, and the Voice Simulator for practicing spoken delivery before you're in front of a real examiner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the pass mark for RTR(A) Part 1?
70% — 35 out of 50 questions correct, with no negative marking.
Where is the RTR(A) Part 2 exam held?
Currently held only in Delhi (36 slots per day, morning and afternoon sessions) and Chennai (18 slots per day, only morning sessions). Slots are limited, and booking is the candidate's own responsibility.
Can I skip Part 1 and go straight to Part 2?
Only if you qualify for one of DGCA's specific exemptions — certain CPL holders, or defence/Coast Guard pilots with 1,000+ flying hours. Everyone else needs to clear Part 1 first.
Is Part 1 harder than Part 2, or the other way round?
They test different things, so "harder" depends on you. Part 1 rewards disciplined study of regulations and terminology. Part 2 rewards composure and clear, correct delivery under pressure — which is why the two need genuinely different preparation.