Where did you guys hear about the cancellation of special exams altogether?
As far as i know only the last special exam was cancelled, reasons for which are given on the dgca website.
and validity of cpl, atpl papers is 5 years
http://dgca.nic.in/cars/D7B-B1.pdf
6.6 Validity of Written Papers
The Technical and other examinations for the issue of a licence, rating or type
rating under Schedule II of Aircraft Rules, 1937 shall be completed within a
period of two and a half years immediately preceding the date of application
for the issue of the licence or rating, except for issue of Commercial Pilot’s
7CIVIL AVIATION REQUIREMENT SECTION 7
SERIES’B’ PART I 12
NOVEMBER, 2010
Licence (CPL) and Airline Transport Pilot’s Licence (ATPL), and for issue of
CPL and ATPL, such period shall be five years.