DGCA Class 2 medical: process, examiners, tests, fees, and validity

A medical certificate is one of the first formal requirements on the path to a pilot licence in India. Before you can begin flying training toward a Student Pilot Licence (SPL) or Private Pilot Licence (PPL), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) needs to confirm that you meet its medical standards. For most trainees that starting point is the DGCA Class 2 medical.

This guide explains what the Class 2 medical is, who needs it, and how the process works through the eGCA portal in 2026. It covers the approved medical examiners, the tests you are likely to undergo, the documents to carry, the fee range, and how long the certificate stays valid. The application itself is written as a numbered sequence you can follow with the eGCA portal open in another tab.

What the DGCA Class 2 medical is for

The Class 2 medical is the entry-level aeromedical assessment for candidates beginning flight training in India. It confirms that you are medically fit to start flying as a student or private pilot. If you intend to fly commercially, you will eventually need the stricter Class 1 medical as well, but the Class 2 is what allows most candidates to begin training and to apply for an SPL.

In practice, the assessment looks at general health, vision, hearing, cardiovascular condition, and a set of laboratory results. The examiner uses these to decide whether you meet DGCA medical standards and to flag anything that may need a closer review. Because the certificate ties into your licence record, it is worth getting it done correctly and early rather than discovering a problem later in training.

If you are comparing the two assessments, our separate guide on the Class 1 medical for pilots sets out where the standards differ and why commercial candidates need it.

Before you start: the eGCA portal

DGCA licensing now runs through eGCA (Electronic Governance of Civil Aviation), the online platform used for medical, licence, and related applications. Your Class 2 medical assessment is requested and tracked here, so you will need an eGCA login before you can move forward.

If you have not registered yet, our walkthroughs on how to get your eGCA ID and the wider pilot registration process with eGCA cover the account setup. Having this in place first means the rest of the medical process flows without a pause to create credentials.

How to apply for the DGCA Class 2 medical

The steps below follow the current eGCA-based workflow. Exact menu labels can change as the portal is updated, so treat the navigation names as a guide and confirm against what you see on screen. [VERIFY]

1. Sign in to eGCA. Go to the eGCA portal at https://www.dgca.gov.in and log in with your eGCA user ID and password. If you do not have an account yet, register first using the eGCA ID guide linked above.

2. Find an approved medical examiner. From the DGCA list of approved Class 2 medical examiners, choose a doctor and book an appointment. You can have the required tests done at a diagnostic centre of your choice and carry the reports, or go directly to the approved examiner, who will guide you through the tests on site. [VERIFY]

3. Undergo the medical tests. Complete the examinations the examiner asks for. These commonly include a haemogram (Hb, TLC, DLC), ECG, chest X-ray, lipid profile, kidney function test, urine analysis, blood sugar, liver function test, and an ultrasound of the whole abdomen. Female candidates may be asked for additional tests such as mammography and an ultrasound of the lower abdomen. [VERIFY]

4. Have your reports reviewed. Once the tests are complete, the examiner reviews and signs off on the reports and forwards your application and results to DGCA for processing. [VERIFY]

5. Receive your assessment. After DGCA processes the file, a record is created in your name with a file number, and your Class 2 medical assessment is uploaded to eGCA. You can view and download it by logging in to the portal, or collect the assessment from the DGCA Medical Cell in Delhi. [VERIFY]

For the official screen-by-screen flow, DGCA publishes an eGCA user manual covering how to apply for the issuance of a Class 2 medical assessment. We also have a focused walkthrough on how to apply for the Class 2 medical assessment on eGCA if you want the application steps in more detail.

The Class 2 medical at a glance

DGCA-approved medical examiners

The Class 2 medical must be carried out by a DGCA-approved examiner. The current list of approved doctors is published by DGCA, and choosing from it matters because an assessment from a non-approved doctor will not be accepted. Examiners practise across most major cities, so you can usually find one within reach, but availability and waiting times vary, which is another reason to book early rather than close to a training start date. [VERIFY]

Tests and examinations

The exact panel of tests depends on your history and what the examiner decides is needed, but the common set for a Class 2 medical includes:

• Blood work: haemogram (Hb, TLC, DLC), lipid profile, blood sugar, kidney function, and liver function tests.
• Urine analysis.
• Resting ECG.
• Chest X-ray.
• Ultrasound of the whole abdomen.
• Vision and hearing checks as part of the in-person examination.

Female candidates may be asked for additional tests, such as mammography and an ultrasound of the lower abdomen. [VERIFY] If you have an existing medical condition or take regular medication, mention it to the examiner early, since it may change what is required or trigger a referral for further review.

Documents to carry

For the Class 2 medical, bring:

• Aadhaar card (identity proof).
• Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets.
• Recent passport-sized photographs.

Carry both originals and copies. If you already hold an eGCA file number or any prior medical records, take those as well so the examiner can attach them to your record. [VERIFY]

Fees

The cost of the DGCA Class 2 medical depends on where the examination is done, such as an Air Force hospital or an approved private hospital, and on the specific tests required. As a general guide, candidates have historically paid in the range of about Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000, though the exact figure varies by examiner and city. [VERIFY] Confirm the current charge with your chosen examiner when you book, since diagnostic costs change over time.

Validity of the Class 2 medical

How long the certificate stays valid depends on your licence stage and age. As a general rule that has applied to trainees in India:

• SPL holders in flying training in India: Class 2 validity of around 24 months from the date of the last examination. [VERIFY]
• The associated Class 1 requirement, where it applies, has typically run for a shorter period of around 12 months. [VERIFY]
• PPL holders: a Class 2 validity of around 24 months. [VERIFY]

Candidates training abroad are generally treated as standard PPL holders and renew their Class 2 medical roughly every two years or sooner if required. [VERIFY] Because validity rules can be revised and may vary with age and licence type, confirm your own renewal date against your assessment and the current DGCA requirements rather than relying on a fixed figure.

Processing time and checking status

From the point your documents reach DGCA, processing has typically taken in the region of four weeks before the assessment is issued. [VERIFY] You can track the status of your application on eGCA by logging in, rather than travelling to the Medical Cell to ask in person. Once the assessment shows as issued, you can download it from the portal or collect it from the DGCA Medical Cell in Delhi.

How the Class 2 fits the wider licence path

The Class 2 medical is one early checkpoint, not the whole picture. Commercial candidates go on to the Class 1 medical for pilots, and there are separate eGCA processes for renewals and related medical paperwork, such as how to apply for a Class 1 medical renewal on eGCA and how to apply for a medical NOC on eGCA. Knowing how these connect helps you plan your medicals around your training rather than reacting to expiry dates.

Keeping your hours alongside your medical

Your medical certificate and your flight time are the two records that follow you through training and into a flying career. Once you start logging hours toward your SPL, PPL, or CPL, those entries need to be accurate and easy to produce when a school, examiner, or employer asks. Wingman is a digital pilot logbook used by 30,000+ pilots across 400+ airlines, and it keeps your hours, currency, and licence details in one place across iOS, Android, and Web.

Wingman is a global product rather than an India-only tool, and it produces regulator-compliant exports for DGCA alongside the FAA, EASA, UK CAA, GCAA, GACA, NZCAA, HKCAD, CASA, and CAAS. For India specifically, there is a focused walkthrough on keeping a DGCA pilot logbook in India. There is a free tier up to 250 logged hours, so you can start recording your training flights from day one without committing anything up front, and you can create an account when you are ready.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DGCA Class 2 medical?

It is the entry-level aeromedical assessment that confirms you are medically fit to begin flying training in India as a student or private pilot. It is usually the first medical requirement on the path to an SPL or PPL, and commercial candidates later add the stricter Class 1 medical.

How do I apply for a DGCA Class 2 medical?

Register or log in on the eGCA portal, choose a DGCA-approved Class 2 medical examiner, undergo the required tests, and let the examiner forward your reports to DGCA. After processing, your assessment is uploaded to eGCA, where you can view and download it. [VERIFY]

How much does the DGCA Class 2 medical cost?

The fee depends on where you are examined and which tests are needed. Candidates have historically paid roughly Rs 3,000 to Rs 8,000, with Air Force hospitals and approved private hospitals charging differently. Confirm the current figure with your examiner when booking. [VERIFY]

How long is the Class 2 medical valid?

Validity depends on your licence stage and age, but for trainees in India the Class 2 has generally been valid for around 24 months from the last examination, with shorter periods applying to certain Class 1 requirements. Check your own assessment and current DGCA rules for your exact renewal date. [VERIFY]

Is the Class 2 medical the same as the Class 1 medical?

No. The Class 2 is the entry-level assessment for student and private pilots, while the Class 1 is the stricter medical required for commercial flying. Many candidates begin with the Class 2 and complete the Class 1 later in training. See our guide on the Class 1 medical for pilots.