RTR(A) Exam Pattern & Syllabus Explained
DGCA RTR(A) Exam Pattern & Syllabus (Updated per CAR Sec 7 Series G Part VI)
The Restricted Radio Telephone Operator's Certificate of Proficiency, RTR(A), is the licence that legally permits you to operate an aircraft's radio and speak to Air Traffic Control. No Indian CPL or PPL holder can work a radio without it.
Important change — the DGCA now conducts this exam
The RTR(A) examination was conducted for decades by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Ministry of Communications. Since November 2025 the examination is conducted by the DGCA, under the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025, together with CAR Section 7, Series 'G', Part VI. Practical consequences for you: exam sittings are far more frequent than the old April / August / November cycle, and the written paper is held in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.
Note the distinction, because it is examinable: the WPC still remains India's radio spectrum and apparatus regulator — it licenses the aircraft's radio station and administers NFAP and SACFA. What moved to the DGCA is the operator's examination.
For a shorter student-facing checklist of what to do after the takeover (computer number, notices, centres, what the WPC still regulates), see RTR(A) after the DGCA takeover.
Pursuant to the latest DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 7 Series G Part VI, the examination structure has been modernized into a single comprehensive Written Examination in Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) format covering all three syllabus domains.The Complete RTR(A) Book
Master all 24 illuminated chapters covering Regulations, Radio Principles, and Aviation Phraseology. 100% free and structured for self-study.
Interactive RTR Radio Simulator
Practice live voice calls with ATC, read-back clearances, handle MAYDAY/PAN PAN emergencies, and get automated voice scoring before your exam!
Watch Detailed Video Breakdown by Ghost Aviator
Watch the Captain explain the new DGCA RTR(A) exam format, MCQ paper structure, syllabus breakdown, and preparation strategy.
New DGCA RTR(A) Examination Pattern
RTR Certificate & Licence Written Examination
Under DGCA CAR Section 7 Series G Part VI, the RTR(A) examination is conducted as a single Written Examination in Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) format evaluating your complete knowledge across all three syllabus sections:
Regulatory Guidelines
All RTR(A) training and examination standards in India strictly comply with DGCA CAR Section 7 Series G Part VI, ICAO Annex 10 (Vol I & II), ICAO Doc 9432 (Manual of Radiotelephony), and ITU Radio Regulations.
Syllabus Breakdown (Annexure A)
I. Regulations and Procedure
Covers national and international telecommunication rules, aviation regulations, and standard flight notification procedures:
- International Telecommunication Convention & Radio Regulations (ITU).
- ICAO Annex 10 (Vol I & II): Aeronautical 'Q' Code signals, abbreviations, and standard procedures.
- General Radiotelephone Communication Procedures for distress, urgency, and direction finding.
- Maritime Mobile Service distress communication procedures.
- ICAO Spelling Alphabet & Figures: Phonetic transmission rules.
- Licensing & Aircraft Radio Equipment: Minimum required radio equipment under ICAO Annex 6 and DGCA CAR in India.
- Indian Flight Information Regions (FIRs): Major radio communication, navigation facilities, and frequency allocations.
- Meteorological Codes & Pre-Flight Services: METAR, TAF, SPECI, and pre-flight briefing.
- Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs): Structure and usage issued by Indian Civil Aviation Authorities.
II. Radio Principles and Practice
Covers the physical and technical fundamentals of aeronautical radio communications:
- Electrical Fundamentals: Volts, Amperes, Ohms, Watts, Wavelength, and Frequency calculations.
- Radio Frequency Propagation: Day vs. night propagation, skip distance, fading, ground shadow, and HF frequency selection for maximum efficiency.
- Air-Ground Communication Systems: Aircraft intercoms, cabin announcements, and long-range HF/VHF comms.
- Radio Navigation Aids & Hardware: Operation of Microphones, Headphones, Squelch, Automatic Volume Control (AVC), Volume tuning, Simplex/Duplex operations, and interference mitigation.
III. Radio Telephony (Practical Phraseology)
Covers practical phase-of-flight transmissions using standard ICAO phraseology:
- General Operating Procedures: Transmitting techniques, call signs, time/number formats, read-back requirements, and confirmation rules.
- Aerodrome Control (Surface & Circuit): Engine start, push-back, taxi, takeoff, circuit join, final approach, landing, go-around, and essential aerodrome information.
- General ATS Surveillance Service: Radar identification, vectoring, radar assistance, and alerting phraseology.
- Approach & Area Control: IFR/VFR departures and arrivals, airway crossings, en-route holding, Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS), and Oceanic control procedures.
- Distress & Urgency Procedures: Transmitting MAYDAY / PAN PAN, imposing/terminating radio silence, emergency descents, and total radio communication failure procedures.
- Special Flight Handling: SELCAL, fuel dumping, wake turbulence, wind shear, Direction Finding (DF), and ACAS/TCAS conflict resolution.
Recommended Training Curriculum (Annexure B)
DGCA CAR Section 7 Series G Part VI mandates a minimum 48-Hour Training Module for approved Radiotelephony Training Organizations (RTTO):
| Module | Subject Area | Recommended Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Module 1 | Regulations (Aeronautical Telecom & Nav Aids) | 5.0 Hours |
| Module 2 | Radio Principles & Practice | 10.0 Hours |
| Module 3 | Procedures & Radiotelephony (incl. 2 Full Mock Tests) | 33.0 Hours |
| Total Program | Comprehensive RTR(A) Preparation | 48.0 Hours |
How to Master RTR(A) Communications
Confidence and thorough preparation are the keys to clearing the RTR(A) written examination. Use the Captain's free resources below to prepare:
Step 1: Read the Book
Study the 24 illuminated chapters of the Captain's RTR(A) masterbook for in-depth phraseology, radio theory, and regulations.
Start Reading →Step 2: Train on the Simulator
Simulate real departure, arrival, and emergency transmission calls with automated voice grading.
Open Simulator →The Captain's Exam Strategy
Master the MCQ fundamentals across Regulations, Radio Principles, and Standard ICAO Phraseology. Focus on precision, Q-codes, and standard radiotelephony discipline.
Quick answers
Who conducts the RTR(A) exam — the DGCA or the WPC?
The DGCA. It took the RTR(A) examination over from the WPC wing in November 2025, under the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025. The WPC remains India's radio spectrum and apparatus regulator, including the aircraft radio station licence — but the exam itself is now a DGCA examination.
What are the two parts of the RTR(A) exam?
Part 1 is a written paper of 50 questions in 1 hour. Part 2 is practical — a live radio telephony session with an examiner, covering transmission scenarios and a viva. Sittings are far more frequent since the DGCA took the exam over, and the written paper runs in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.
What changed for RTR(A) when DGCA took over from the WPC?
Since November 2025 the DGCA conducts the RTR(A) examination under the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and Licence Rules, 2025 and CAR Section 7 Series G Part VI. Sittings are more frequent, the written paper runs in major cities, and you need a DGCA computer number. The WPC still regulates radio spectrum and apparatus.
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