DGCA Class 1 Renewal Medical at IAM (and info for AFCME)

 

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My Experience at IAM for DGCA Class 1 Renewal Medical

I did my DGCA Class 1 renewal medical at IAM on 1st September 2025. Since DGCA recently mandated that certain tests must be done at IAF boarding centres (IAM / AFCME), many crew are still uncertain about the process.

This post is not about how to book an appointment, but what actually happens on the day of the medical and what you should carry along. (The process at AFCME is almost the same.)

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Before You Leave Home

·       Validate your medical on the eGCA portal (the night before or early morning). You’ll see a pop-up saying you can visit your examiner.

·       Don’t upload reports yet — you’ll do that later in the day.

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Tests Done Only at IAM / AFCME

·       Blood and urine tests

·       ECG

·       PTA (Audiometry)

·       USG Scan (if needed — routine or post-surgery, etc.)

📌 TMT, 2D Echo and similar tests are not done here.
📌 Check DGCA Public Notices dated 02 July 2025, 10 July 2025, and FCL 03/2025 for details.

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What to Carry

·       Printout of last medical assessment (with your eGCA ID written on it) - Essential.

·       Printouts of any reports required this time (based on last assessment and eGCA instructions).

·       Cure certificate from your doctor (if you had surgery or illness). Should mention treatment, recovery, and fitness for duty — ideally on letterhead with doctor’s stamp.

·       NOC if your medical is early or delayed.

·       Transparent folder to carry all papers.

·       Same original ID you uploaded on eGCA (Aadhaar, DL, etc.).

·       Device (phone/tab/laptop) to scan & upload reports.

·       Packed food if you want (or use the Officers’ Institute cafeteria — card only).

·       Printout of fee receipt (just in case the system is down).

·       Recent passport-size photo (rarely needed, but useful backup).

·       For FATA crew / Defence personnel: refer to FCL 03/2025.

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Reporting at IAM

·       Arrive by 0730 hrs after 12 hours fasting (drink plenty of water).

·       Deposit all your 'digital lifelines' at the guardroom lockers.

·       By 0800 hrs, staff arrive. You’ll be escorted to the waiting room near MEC, and the duty NCO gives a short briefing. Tip: Special medical (post-unfit) cases go first — let the NCO know.

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Step-by-Step Process

1. ID verification & assessment check at the ground floor counter, after that → you get requisition slips for required tests.

    o Tip. If you need to undergo a USG, do that first → only then give blood/urine samples (saves you from drinking water repeatedly).

2. Blood & urine tests (ground floor next building).  

      3. After the tests, Go upstairs (1st floor):

o Height, weight, BP, etc. is recorded.

o PTA and ECG done here (ECG printout is given, check name spelling; there's no printout for PTA).

o ECG must be signed by Medical Specialist before scan and upload.

4.                  Payments → Collect slip from ground floor → pay at accounts (card only, no cash/UPI).

5.                  Specialist check-ups (ENT & Eye) → While awaiting the test results, visit the Eye and ENT specialists who will enter details in the registers.

o If you had surgery or illness, meet that specialist and show cure certificate + reports here beforehand for any additional tests or opinions.

o Depending on your temporary unfitness, Opinion of the Aerospace Medicine Specialist is required → A case sheet is then initiated.

6. Wait for reports (ready around noon).

o Collect them → scan & upload to eGCA (done in Guard Room waiting area).

o Once uploaded, meet Medical Specialist for final assessment.

7. Final check by NCO on the ground floor → CA-35 is sent online to Board President’s office for collection signature.

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After the Medical

• If all reports are normal, you’re usually done same day.
• If extra opinions are needed, expect 2–3 days (DGCA info sheet also advises keeping buffer days).
• If you have been Temporarily Unfit - you cannot fly until you receive the Medical Assessment from DGCA; the CA35 is not an authority for you to commence flying. 

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Extra Tips

• IAM does not do medicals on Wednesdays & Saturdays. Avoid booking on those days (even if eGCA shows them). Also check for public holidays.
• Only food option nearby is the Officers’ Institute cafeteria (card payment only).
• For post-illness/unfitness medicals, see DGCA AIC #3, 4, 5 of 2007.
• If you know you that you need specialist opinions, consult them within 30 days before IAM. Carry their reports to save time. (mentioned in the Public Notice
• Nearest big hospital: Manipal Hospitals, 2 km away.

Uploading Reports on eGCA 

 o You must tick all boxes and upload reports in one go (that is, select and upload one by one, but all have to be ticked and uploaded). Hence you cannot upload the reports unless you have the IAM files scanned and ready.

o Scan the IAM reports into a single PDF on your mobile (eGCA permits max 40MB, across 15 files).

o “Stitch” files together beforehand for convenience and keep ready (for tests not being done at IAM and being carried with you - TMT, 2D etc).

·     Important:- If someone in your company's Operations or other person is uploading your  reports for you, please ensure that only your reports are uploaded. There was a curious case of a wrong pilot's reports being uploaded - luckily the NCO finalising the eGCA process caught it in time and the story had a happy ending 😀.

·                   Forgot a printout? There are shops 5 min leftwards from IAM gate (not sure they open at 0730). Or order via Blinkit.

·     Special Medical / Additional Reports. The DGCA PN of 10th July 25 clarifies that 'There are instances where pilots are aware of their illness/clinical condition which may require concerned specialist / super-specialist opinion.  In such cases, to reduce the time taken for completion of the Medical Examination at the centre, the crew can carry opinion of the concerned specialist / super-specialist to avoid re-referrals by IAF Boarding centres'. As correctly commented below - a good method is this -  do your tests a little less than 30 days before the date of medical even if there is no known illness.  In case there are any abnormal readings in the reports, then you should consult the relevant specialist near you, for a detailed opinion and any additional tests that may be necessary. Carry these reports and opinions along with you. (Thank you for these comments)

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Final Word

The process is smooth, the doctors and staff are very efficient, and most cases finish the same day. The only real change is that instead of one day, it may sometimes take two in case of any special report / opinion is needed.

Stay healthy, and Happy Landings !!

 Do comment below if I have missed out on any info or you want to know something more. 

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I have written a few more blog posts. One that everyone as a pilot should definitely read is  about making a Will. If you have not made one, or know of anyone who ought to be making one but is unsure of how to do this, please visit this five-part blog about Making a Will.