India – India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has officially issued revised guidelines governing the issuance of Class 1, 2, and 3 medical assessments for flight crew and aviation license holders. The updates, announced via public notice dated July 15, 2025, and effective from September 1, 2025, aim to streamline medical certification processes while ensuring regulatory compliance and flight safety across civil aviation.

• Revised rules apply to Class 1 and Class 2 medical assessments; Class 3 and cabin crew assessments remain unchanged.

• Fit Medical Certificates (CA-35) issued by empanelled DGCA or IAF examiners will be sufficient for license privileges in cases where a DGCA Medical Assessment is not mandatory.

• For initial, re-initial, invalid, special, temporary or post-unfit review cases, DGCA-issued assessments remain mandatory for both Class 1 and Class 2.

• Updated renewal periodicity:

  • Class 1:

    • Up to 40 years – every 3 years

    • 41–50 years – every alternate year

    • 51–65 years – annually

  • Class 2:

    • Up to 40 years – every 4 years

    • 41–50 years – every alternate year

    • 51–65 years – every alternate year

• Class 1 initial medicals may now be applied for directly using a valid CA-35 certificate issued by a Class 2 examiner.

• DGCA reserves the right to conduct random scrutiny of submitted medical assessments; any findings will be applied retroactively from the date of assessment issuance.

• The updated circular is referenced as AV/22025/1/DMS/Med/2025 and signed by the Director General of Civil Aviation.

About Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
DGCA is India’s civil aviation regulatory authority, responsible for ensuring aviation safety, regulating air transport services, overseeing licensing and medical standards, and enforcing Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs).

Source: DGCA