DGCA Class 1 vs Class 2 Medical: What Aspiring Pilots Need (2026)

Before you pay a flying-school deposit, understand the two medical assessments that matter most on the Indian path: Class 2 and Class 1. They are issued under DGCA’s medical framework (Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 7, Series C) and booked through eGCA. This guide explains which licence needs which class, where initials are done, how validity is commonly summarised, and what fees look like at IAF centres—always confirm the current CAR and circulars, because medical instructions are revised.

Unsure whether to book Class 2 or Class 1 first? Get free one-to-one guidance. Bring any known medical history when you talk to a counsellor. Under 18? Please involve a parent.

Quick comparison

Topic

Class 2

Class 1

Typical use

Student Pilot Licence / Private Pilot Licence path; usual first medical before training spend

Required to exercise CPL (and ATPL) privileges

Where (typical)

DGCA-empanelled Class 2 (and eligible Class 1) examiners

Initial at IAF boarding centres or DGCA-approved aeromedical centres; renewals also via empanelled examiners/centres per rules

Booking

eGCA

eGCA

Do this before large fees?

Yes—strongly recommended

Book before you treat CPL issue as certain

Broader eligibility context: Pilot eligibility: PCM, NIOS, age and medicals.

Class 2: the practical first step

Most aspiring commercial students start with a Class 2 assessment because it is what you need to begin the student/private training path and it is usually easier to schedule with an empanelled examiner near you.

Do Class 2 before paying large training fees. Finding a disqualifying issue after a deposit is an expensive way to learn. Class 2 is not a full substitute for Class 1 standards, but it is the cheapest early filter.

Investigations for Class 2 vary with age and whether the exam is initial or renewal; examiners may add tests based on clinical findings. Use NABL/NABH/ISO accredited labs as directed and ensure reports carry ID verification when required.

Class 1: required for CPL privileges

A Class 1 medical assessment is required for commercial (and airline transport) licence privileges. The initial Class 1 is restricted to designated centres. DGCA’s published examiner/centre material has long listed the IAF boarding centres:

• AFCME, New Delhi (Subroto Park)

• IAM, Bengaluru

• MEC (East), Jorhat

plus DGCA-approved aeromedical evaluation centres / empanelled civil facilities as updated on DGCA’s lists (Class 1 centres and examiners PDF on DGCA’s public inventory—lists change; download the current file before you travel).

FCL Circular 03 of 2025 (Revision 2, July 2025) sets general instructions for Class 1 medicals at IAF boarding centres and related examinations, including reporting empty-stomach at 0730 hrs at IAF centres, carrying ID used on eGCA, previous assessments where applicable, and paying applicable amounts through Bharatkosh (circular copy).

Validity bands (confirm current CAR / Rule 39C)

Validity is set in the Aircraft Rules and the medical CAR. A widely used summary—confirm against the current CAR before you rely on it—is:

• Class 2: generally 2 years up to age 50, then 1 year.

• Class 1: generally 1 year up to age 60 for typical multi-crew operations; six-monthly after 60; and six-monthly above age 40 for single-crew commercial operations (and related instructional contexts as stated in current rules).

Rule 39C was amended in December 2019 to raise the Class 1 age band that triggers more frequent exams; older blog posts that say “every six months after 40 for everyone” may be quoting pre-amendment wording. Read the current rule/CAR for your age and type of operation.

Secondary explainers that walk through the same CAR language include WeOne Aviation’s Class 1 / Class 2 summary—useful for orientation, not a substitute for DGCA text.

Fees at IAF centres (label carefully)

FCL Circular 03 of 2025 focuses heavily on investigation charge schedules at IAF boarding centres paid via Bharatkosh. Separately, public summaries of DGCA/IAF centre practice (for example the WeOne explainer above) state IAF-centre medical fees of about ₹5,000 for Class 1 and ₹3,000 for Class 2/Class 3 (initial or renewal), with laboratory/investigation charges extra.

Treat ₹5,000 / ₹3,000 as the centre medical fee line commonly quoted for IAF centres, not as your all-in cost. Empanelled private examiners set their own professional charges; labs bill separately. Always check the payment instructions shown on eGCA/Bharatkosh for your appointment.

How booking works (high level)

1. Create/login to eGCA with the same name and DOB you use on Pariksha.

2. Choose Class 2 examiner or Class 1 centre pathway as applicable.

3. Complete medical declarations honestly—false declarations are treated seriously.

4. Complete investigations as listed for your age/occasion; upload reports where the portal requires.

5. Attend the examination; keep CA-35 / assessment downloads as directed once issued.

Initial Class 1 boards can take more than one day depending on investigations and findings (FCL Circular 03 of 2025 notes 1–3 days). Arrange your own travel and stay.

Want help sequencing Class 2, Class 1 and your training deposit? Get free one-to-one guidance.

Class 2 first vs jumping to Class 1

You can plan Class 1 early—especially if you are close to CPL issue or converting a foreign licence—but most beginners still benefit from an early Class 2 so they do not discover basic issues after paying for flying. If both are done, follow current spacing/acceptance rules for investigations (radiology validity windows appear in FCL Circular 03 of 2025). When in doubt, ask the empanelled examiner in writing.

Conversion students returning from abroad still need Indian Class 1 standards—see Flight training abroad and DGCA conversion.

Common mistakes

• Paying a large FTO fee before any DGCA medical.

• Using a different name spelling on eGCA vs Pariksha.

• Travelling to AFCME/IAM/Jorhat without checking the current initial-centre list and appointment rules.

• Assuming spectacle use automatically means unfit—standards are clinical; only an empanelled examiner/board decides.

• Ignoring renewal calendars until the assessment has already lapsed.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Class 1 or Class 2 to start training?

To begin on a Student Pilot Licence path you typically need Class 2. Class 1 is required for CPL privileges. Confirm against current DGCA medical requirements for the exact licence you hold.

Where is the initial Class 1 done?

At designated IAF boarding centres (AFCME New Delhi, IAM Bengaluru, MEC East Jorhat) and DGCA-approved aeromedical centres on the current DGCA list—not at every neighbourhood clinic.

How long is a Class 1 medical valid?

Commonly summarised as one year under age 60 for multi-crew operations, with shorter validity after 60 and for single-crew operations above 40. Confirm the current CAR/Rule 39C for your case.

How long is a Class 2 medical valid?

Commonly summarised as two years to age 50, then one year. Confirm the current CAR.

What does the medical cost?

At IAF centres, public summaries cite about ₹5,000 (Class 1) and ₹3,000 (Class 2) as centre fees via Bharatkosh, plus investigation charges. Private examiners and labs charge separately. Check your eGCA/Bharatkosh instructions.

Can glasses stop me from becoming a pilot?

Not automatically. Vision and colour perception are assessed against the standards DGCA applies (including ICAO Annex 1 references in the medical CAR). Only the examination result counts—get assessed rather than guessing from forums.

Wrap-up

Book Class 2 early, plan Class 1 at an authorised initial centre before you treat a CPL as certain, pay attention to Bharatkosh fees versus investigation extras, and re-read the current CAR whenever someone quotes validity from memory. Medical rules protect safety; they also protect your wallet when you check them before large training payments.

Get free one-to-one guidance on medical timing. Students under 18, please involve a parent.

Related: Pilot eligibility · How to become a pilot after 12th · Pilot Journey home

General information only, not legal, medical or financial advice. Rules, fees and dates change; always confirm with DGCA (dgca.gov.in), the Pariksha portal and the institution concerned. No training route guarantees employment.