That is precisely why it belongs near the start of your plan rather than the end. It is the one step that can stop the whole project, and it is far cheaper to discover that before committing to flying training than after.
Where the initial examination can be done
The initial Class 1 assessment is not something any doctor can perform. It is carried out at centres specifically authorised by DGCA, primarily Indian Air Force medical establishments, with the Air Force Central Medical Establishment in New Delhi and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bengaluru as the principal centres.
Renewals are more flexible: they can be done at IAF centres or with DGCA-empanelled Class 1 examiners, including a number of civil hospitals. DGCA publishes the current panel with each examiner's city and empanelment validity, so check that list rather than relying on a name someone gave you.
Class 1 or Class 2, which do you need first
A Class 2 medical is the lower standard, associated with private flying and often taken first by student pilots. A Class 1 is the commercial standard.
If your goal is a CPL, the sensible move is to establish early whether you can hold a Class 1, because that is the certificate the career depends on. Clearing a Class 2 tells you comparatively little about whether you will clear a Class 1.
What catches people out
- Do this before you spend money on flying training, not after. A condition discovered at the Class 1 stage is disappointing; the same condition discovered after paying for a training slot is expensive.
- Vision, hearing, cardiac and ENT findings are the usual causes of difficulty. If you already know of something, get an informed opinion before you build a plan around a CPL.
- A certificate has an expiry. Track the renewal date, because an expired medical grounds you regardless of everything else being in order.
Questions
How long is a DGCA Class 1 medical valid?
Generally 12 months if you are under 40, and 6 months once you are 40 or older.
Where can I do my initial Class 1 medical?
Only at centres authorised by DGCA for initial assessment, primarily Indian Air Force medical establishments, with AFCME New Delhi and the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Bengaluru as the main ones. Renewals can be done with DGCA-empanelled examiners.
Should I do the medical before joining ground classes?
You do not need it to attend ground classes, but you should not defer it for long. It is the step most capable of ending the plan, so establishing it early protects everything you spend afterwards.
Does wearing glasses disqualify me?
Corrected vision within the permitted limits is generally acceptable, but the standards are specific. Have the examination done rather than relying on second-hand advice, this is exactly the question the Class 1 exists to answer.
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