DGCA Medical Requirements for Pilots
To become a licensed pilot in India, it is mandatory to meet the medical fitness standards set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). There are two main types of medical examinations required:
✈️ Class II Medical Examination
Purpose: Required for obtaining a Student Pilot License (SPL) and joining a flying school.
Process:
- Must be done by a DGCA-approved medical examiner.
- Includes tests such as:
- Blood & urine analysis
- ECG
- Chest X-ray
- BMI and blood pressure check
- ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) evaluation
- After approval, examiner sends documents to DGCA for review.
- A medical file is created in your name, and you receive your DGCA Medical Assessment.
🧑✈️ Class I Medical Examination
Purpose: Mandatory for applying for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL).
Types:
- Initial Class I Medical: Required for first-time CPL applicants. Must be done at DGCA-authorized centers with a No Objection Certificate (NOC).
- Renewal Class I Medical: Must be renewed regularly. Validity:
- 1 year (under 60 in multi-crew ops)
- 6 months (over 40 in single-crew ops)
Special Notes:
- Exams at ages 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 & yearly after 60 must be at DGCA-authorized centers.
- Previous Medical Records (PMR) are sent to the examination center before your appointment.