DGCA CAR-66 vs EASA Part-66: Is Your Study Material Useful in India?

If you are preparing for an aircraft maintenance engineer licence in India, you may wonder whether EASA Part-66 practice questions and textbooks apply to you. Since India's 2024 modernisation, the answer for the theory exams is largely yes. Here is the plain-English explanation, with official sources at the foot of the page.

At a glance

Does India use Part 66?

Effectively, yes — since 2024. India's licensing rules for aircraft maintenance engineers are set out in CAR-66 (“Licensing of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers”), issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The current edition is CAR-66 Issue III, Rev 0, dated 12 April 2024, and it is now in force.

Issue III modernised India's AME licensing — previously handled under the Aircraft Rules 1937 and the older CAR scheme — and brought it into alignment with EASA Part-66. As part of that update, India added the B2L and L categories, moving its category set closer to EASA's, and structured the regulation around EASA-style categories with module-based basic-knowledge examinations.

Are the modules and exams the same?

Since the 2024 harmonization, the basic-knowledge theory is closely aligned — which is why EASA study material is useful for DGCA candidates. Here is the side-by-side:

Specific exam parameters (such as the exact pass mark and question counts) are not quoted here because they are not consistently primary-sourced for the new Issue III framework. Where you see such figures elsewhere they are typically per training providers — confirm the current values directly with DGCA before relying on them.

The India licence structure — what changed

CAR-66 Issue III reorganised India's AME licence around modular, EASA-style categories and notably added two new categories, bringing India closer to the full EASA category set:

Holding an EASA licence, or EASA study? Using it in India

There is no automatic swap between EASA and DGCA licences — they are separate and not mutually recognised. But because CAR-66 Issue III is harmonized with EASA Part-66, your study carries over well:

1. 1. Theory maps across

   EASA Part-66 study material maps onto the CAR-66 Appendix I basic-knowledge modules, so EASA practice questions are useful preparation for the DGCA exams.

2. 2. Sit the DGCA exams

   The basic-knowledge examinations are conducted by the DGCA Central Examination Organisation (CEO), per Appendix I to CAR-66.

3. 3. Study local air law

   The aviation legislation module is Indian air law — study it from local DGCA material rather than EASA/EU regulation.

4. 4. Licence conversion is via DGCA

   Converting or basing a licence on a foreign qualification is handled through DGCA's own process. Confirm the current procedure and any credits with DGCA before you start.

What this means if you're an AME aspirant in India

Since the 2024 harmonization, EASA Part-66 practice questions are useful preparation for the DGCA CAR-66 basic-knowledge exams — the new Issue III framework is aligned with EASA Part-66 and uses module-based exams per Appendix I. Our question bank covers all the EASA modules, so it works for DGCA candidates and EASA candidates alike. Just remember that the aviation legislation module is India-specific and should be studied from local material — and, since this framework is new, confirm the current DGCA requirements before you commit.

EASA Part-66 study material for Indian AME students

Because CAR-66 Issue III is aligned with EASA Part-66, our EASA question bank, online quizzes and study notes are strong preparation for the DGCA basic-knowledge exams (Appendix I, conducted by the Central Examination Organisation). Everything covers all 17 modules across categories A, B1, B2, B2L and B3 — useful whether you sit the DGCA CEO exams or an EASA exam. Only the aviation-legislation module differs (study Indian air law locally).

EASA Part-66 in India — frequently asked questions

Sources

Primary statements on this page come from the DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) portal. The DGCA portal can be hard to access, so some details — including the Issue III notification date — are corroborated by regulatory trackers, which are labelled as secondary. Verify each point directly:

• DGCA — Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) portal · the official source for CAR-66 (Licensing of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers).
  dgca.gov.in/…/civilAviationRequirements
• DGCA — Aircraft Maintenance Engineer information page · AME licensing categories, examinations and procedures.
  dgca.gov.in/…/viewDynamicRuleContLvl2
• TeamLease RegTech — CAR-66 Issue III notification summary · secondary: 12 April 2024 amendment, added B2L/L, alignment with EASA Part-66.
  teamleaseregtech.com/…/dgca-notified-amendments-to-car-66