Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Airforce Medical checkup at AFCME

People clearing AFSB (Airforce Selection Board) are next send to AFCME i.e. Airforce Central Medical Establishment, New Delhi for a detailed medical checkup to certify that they are medically fit to discharge their duties in Indian Air Force. All different categories of candidate for IAF ie Flying Branch, Technical Entry and Ground Duty have the complete checkup at this venue. Apart from this this establishment is also the place where DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) send civilian pilots to have their medical fitness certificate issued or renewed.

AFCME is situated in the beautiful and very neatly maintained Western Air Command(WAC), Subroto Park which is located near to Dhaula Kuan. Except for Dental checkup , all other test, diagnostics and measurments are done in AFCME itself. For this its has several departments like Pathology(with the lab facilities), ENT, Radiology, Eyes, Ultrasound, Anthropology, Cardiac etc.

For the Airforce candidates the process is usually 4 day long. On our first day of arrival the business of the day started at 8:00 am with us filling a couple of forms and other necessary formalities. As usual these form filling take a lot of time and it was almost 11am by the time we were done.
Now the funny thing was that we were specifically told to come empty stomach for the tests otherwise it will take a day more. So there we were all fasting on empty stomach. and it turns out that now a days at AFCME there are no blood test done on first day so no need of the fasting(which b.t.w. sort of triggered a sinus pain in my eye, that too during the medical. what an irony !!!).
After the formalities we were send for the dental checkup which is done at a separate premise. In the dental clinic there were quite a few patients waiting for the doctors, so it took us around 3 hour time for the dental checkup to be done. Dental is usually straight forward affair and unless you have a decaying stuff up your jaws , its a clear affair. Though it is advised that you get teeth scaling done and take care of the decays or caries. In our group two guys were send to see doctor to get their nicotine marks removed.Since it became quite late so this was the only thing that was done on the first day.
I found that in almost all department and all the doctors were hard pressed with the load of the candidates, the civilian pilots and the patients. Its really a tough job for them to keep on doing their job without any mistakes or omissions.

Our lodging was in the Officers Mess and it was so tiring and hot day after getting the meal at 3 pm that for next three hours we slept deeply in the cozy dorms.

The next day again we reported at 7:30 am empty stomach and then our Chest measurement and Height and Weight measurements were taken. There is a height-weight-age chart for the candidates and its is strongly advised to get your tummy measure up to the numbers, Though the authorities give a lot of relaxation on these count. After this we were send to the pathology lab for Blood and Urine Tests. Next on card was the Ultrasound test in which abdomen, liver etc were checked if these parts were normal and to check there are no abnormal things like kidney stones and abnormal size of internal organs. Next we had Radiology in which around 5-6 X-Rays were taken of chest, Spine, Skull etc. Some of the people who had a large angle in the bones of the elbow had elbow X-ray done to determine that angle.After this we quickly had a couple of test one after another like ECG, Anthropological measurement(sitting height, leg length, thigh length and ENT.
For Ear they check for ear wax after that they apply a varying pressure to the ear and the machine generate a plot, it seemed like this test checks how the ear drum behaves in changing pressure. Then the Audio-metric test was done in which there is a headphone through which a few very faint beeps of different frequencies are emitted first in the left ear then in the right, on hearing each beep you have to press the button.The rest of the test of nose is basically one in which the doctor inserts a thong in your nose to check for DNS.
The last thing of the day was a basic test of the eyes in which we were to read a chart about 6mtrs away, a book of color blindness. After this we wore a setup with possibly a polarized lens and a light source was shined which caused a vertical line and a dot to appear.

The next day started with the detail checkup of eyes.Again this time the Medical Officer one by one made us read the Alphabet chart and the color blindness book.Next our eyes were dilated and something was checked by the doctor.
The results of ECG had come and in some cases there were doubts so two extra test 2D Color Doppler ECG and TMT or stress test was performed. In TMT I had to run for 15 minutes on a treadmill while the ECG machine was taking the reading continuously. The 2D Color Doppler ECG was similar to Ultrasound but only it was being done for Heart. Last but not the least we had surgical checkup in which different things like piles,hernia, flat foot , knocked knees etc are checked. Well this test requires you to divest of your clothes, it would seem funny , but actually this all feeling vanishes as soon as you are being checked.

So since we were a bit late our conference was scheduled for the next day. All the files of the candidates were compiled, completed and all the test results were included in the dossier.At last when all the files were completed , we were sent to the President of AFCME, who called us one by one and declared the results which was either you are medically fit to fly or whatever problem was found it was told.

In our group some of the problem which caused them to be declared TR(temporary unfit) were fracture in spine, anemia, too much angle in elbow, eyes sight problem. Since in every case of TR you are given an opportunity to appear before an Appeal Board. In this case you have to submit application for Appeal to Air HQ and then in a week or so you get the date to appear for the Appeal Board in Army R& R Hospital.

So once I was done with the Medical Board, now all is done for joining AFA.

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Since lot of queries have been coming regarding individual medical conditions and suitability of these for IAF medical selection, but I am not a medical professional hence there will not much guidance I will be able to provide on the same.
However as a reference some of the links that you may go through to clarify some of your doubts are mentioned below.


General Physical Standards
http://www.careerairforce.nic.in/index1.asp?lid=48&ls_id=113&level=3&lang=1&pid=61

Additional Medical Standards for Flying Branch
http://www.careerairforce.nic.in/index1.asp?lang=1&ls_id=124&lid=87&level=3&pid=61 


A detailed list of probably all the applicable medical standards.
http://dgcamedicals.in/IAFMedstd.htm


92 comments:

  1. Hey shubham,
    excellent write up.i have been called for afsb mysore on aug2.i however am apprehensive about my visoin. I have short sightedness in one of my eye but my V/A is 6/6.will i be able to get through medical with respect to my eye vision.
    Please do reply..

    ReplyDelete
  2. good job,,,,,add a more detail plzz..about eyes check up

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Territorial Army PIB 2021 Result Declared: Territorial Army Preliminary Interview Board Result of 2021 Vacancy is Declared Preliminary Interview Board also known as PIB is an Interview Process that has to be cleared for Face SSB Interview Process.

      Delete
  3. sir,
    i also juzz went through all this procedure at AFCME..however i was declared medically unfit because of fracture in lower spine..(although i dint know it till then..as it never pained or gave any problem).. can u please help me by telling what was the result of the appeal those candidates filed about whom you mentioned in the last paragraph..please do reply

    Rgds
    YD
    yd.aero@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sir,

    if someone is totally fit except knock knee what about him. is he considered or routed back, if considered how much knee knocking is acceptable.

    Please reply

    Regards
    Ashutosh Gangele
    sirte.ashu@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. hi,
    i have gone through your blog entries related to your IAF selection quite throughouly! first of all congrats for achieving your dream... :D

    i have got a sound idea about the selection procedure after clearing the written...
    I have cleared the AFCAT and have my AFSB in december end; wanted to know to wht extent the selection procedure differs for girls and the ground duty branch selection?

    regards
    aarti

    ReplyDelete
  6. @aarti
    AFSB is all about finding the potential Officer Like Qualities in the candidate and the difference in gender or branch will not lead to much change in the OLQs.
    There might me some subtle differences since the Lady Officers serving in the forces will be subjected to slightly different physiological environment.
    But from a candidate's perspective nothing changes, just put up your best show. The people in charge of selection know their job well.

    Best of Luck.

    ReplyDelete
  7. @shubham
    Hi man.My name is Srinivas,i cleared the airforce ssb at the 2 afsb mysore and cleared my medicals at b'lore.I was fit only for tech nd gdoc as i'm unfit for flying due to eye power.currently me waiting for merit list which is supposed to release on 19-12-2011.I heard that there will be another weight check at the academy or will there be another entire medical process?.So please make it clear for me..Best of luck for you too buddy

    Regards Srinivas

    ReplyDelete
  8. Can you please tell me how the leg length is measured.Whether it is measured on outer side of leg or the inner side and between which two points on the leg?

    ReplyDelete
  9. @shubham
    Hi. i am amit and i got declared unfit due to overweight 10 kg after applying range. I am trying my hard to lose this much but if i failed to achieve this, then is there any chance to get cleared in appeal board.??
    and
    Army R&R hospital will be the appeal boARD or it can be the BASE hospital ????
    PLS ANS. ASAP.....

    ReplyDelete
  10. i have a flat foot in my right foot will i be rejected please help

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Shubham
    I got recommended last month and cleared the medicals too for SSCW AE(L) .Though my AFCAT score is low I would like to know what are the chances of appearing in the merit list with AFCAT score as low as 145?
    And kindly tell me whether they conduct medical tests again in the academy before joining?
    I will be obliged to you if you can share your knowledge on these two points as I am looking forward to get answers for long.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am about to appear for my afcat2/2015 Ssb this December. I have scored relatively low marks 146 cut off this year was 144. What are my chances of getting into merit list if I clear Ssb.
      Did u make in ur final merit list ?
      Waiting for ur reply .
      Thankx

      Delete
    2. I am about to appear for my afcat2/2015 Ssb this December. I have scored relatively low marks 146 cut off this year was 144. What are my chances of getting into merit list if I clear Ssb.
      Did u make in ur final merit list ?
      Waiting for ur reply .
      Thankx

      Delete
    3. I am about to appear for my afcat2/2015 Ssb this December. I have scored relatively low marks 146 cut off this year was 144. What are my chances of getting into merit list if I clear Ssb.
      Did u make in ur final merit list ?
      Waiting for ur reply .
      Thankx

      Delete
  12. Can you please tell me how.leg length was measured ?

    ReplyDelete
  13. good effort
    colonel jayavel
    director defence academy coimbatore
    trainer for SSB interviews
    www.ssbcoaching.com
    can I add this in my web site?

    ReplyDelete
  14. @SSB Coaching Centre
    Please feel free to share the content or a link to this page on your website.
    I have visited your site, it appears quite helpful and informative.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. pls tell the medical exams which will be conducted at the academy after just joining.. pls.. or else mail me samim24293@gmail.com

      Delete
  15. @samim - the medicals at academy are just routine affair, probably not any detailed examination.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am selected for medical checkup of y' group airmen at Delhi on 10 July 2014.
    I am colorblind but don't know of which level.
    So still should i go for medical examination ?

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am not sure of your condition. The people at Medical board will be able to decide if your condition is serious or not.

    ReplyDelete
  18. eye testing only the professional can say what our eyes defect.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hello shubam,

    I wrote afcat 1 2014 and got 136/300. Attended 2 AFSB mysore and got recommended for flying. My medical is due on august 11. I was 83 kgs, now i have reduced upto 75 kgs and still working to reduce upto 70 kgs. According to their chart i should be between 62 and 68 kgs. I just wanted to know if they would give any relaxation to weight? And what are my chances of getting in merit list since my afcat score is only 136/300.

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. congrats vic,
      the medical chart for airforce is available on internet download it, measure ur height and reduce it by 1cm and check in the appropriate age goup and correct height column for ur ideal weight.
      now airforce gives weight relaxation of +10% to -10% on ideal weight
      if ur ideal weight should be 60kgs. then the relaxation is given upto 54kgs to 66kgs
      now if u r upto 5kgs more than the max allowable weight u will be allowed to continue but u have to reduce b4 joining.
      i.e (66+5=71kg ) *conditions applied
      *depends on ur medical fitness in other aspects
      *depends on doc.
      so try to make it 70kg bro.

      Delete
  20. Vicky - congratulations for AFSB selection.
    I am sure there is some percentage of margin allowed in case of overweight. Also if you are on the margins, you are given some time to reduce your weight.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi shubham

    i have 2 queries regarding the medical test
    i have medical test on 21st july 2014

    1st is about elbow angle . how they check elbow angle and what is appropriate angle? what should be taken care if one is doubtful about the angle measurements.

    2nd doubt is related to scars or marks of surgery/stiches on right foot near ankle though it doesnt causing any problem and happened 3-4 year ago. is it a worry or not?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Raj - For elbow angle normally the hands are spread straight out towards the top and if the the bend in elbow appears excessive visually than exact measurements are taken.
    For any surgery you should consult with your physician before hand and you should be personally convinced you can take rigours of training rather than aggravating your condition. Normal stitches should not be an issue.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Shubham
    I was recommended in this may from 4 afsb varanasi. i have a doubt that like ssb during medicals also it will be mandatory to stay in subroto park mess?

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Shubham
    I am declared unfit for shortening of foot toe and now waiting for remedical.
    Till today I've never felt any kind of pain or anything weird with my foot.I run,play,jump etc. and completely enjoy everything.
    If you have any idea about the chances of my reccomendation and things which they are gonna check in re-med then please help me.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi
    Actually I hv tooth decay would that can create problem

    ReplyDelete
  26. is - 4.0 eyesight accepted for ground duty branch?? metrological branch of airforce...if yes does they give time for lasik and than take medical again

    ReplyDelete
  27. how do they measure leg length. can I know please Because there is no specific information on calculating leg length.

    ReplyDelete
  28. @Anon - for leg length measurement, they have specialist anthropometric setup in which you are made to sit and position of scales adjusted to measure parameters like sitting height, leg length, thigh length etc ..

    ReplyDelete
  29. will the medicals be just after selection, or will there be any time gap?

    ReplyDelete
  30. If flat foot is acceptable

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi i have been recommended for AE(M) and have my medical on 9/3/15 ,so i wanted to know about what is the exact power of specs allowed for technical branch( or 6/6 with specs is allowed).It would be very kind of you if you can help me in clearing this doubt. Thank You.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. @Abhinav Please go through Appendix B of this document
      http://dgcamedicals.in/IAFMedstd.htm

      Delete
    2. Thanks for the reply, but i think that the document might not be up to date because if we refer to 1.12.5 Ophthalmic Surgeries, it clearly rejects those who have done LASIK, whereas IAF nowadays accepts such cases with certain conditions.
      And for AE(M) they have written that max. myopia allowed is -3.5D whereas in advertisement they have said that medical board will decide for technical (which is a very ambiguous statement and for flying they have specified everything regarding the visual requirement) . So i was hoping to know that during your time of medical check someone with specs of more than -4.0D was accepted or rejected.

      Delete
  32. Bro,do we need to do any preparations like clearing the ear wax b4 goin 2 medicals?

    ReplyDelete
  33. Friends, I am having 2 plates n screws in my left forearm coz of an accident some 3..4 years back. Will it cause a problem during the medicals? There are no issues and forearms are perfectly alright.

    ReplyDelete
  34. hie...um so glad abt the details u provided..um suffering from asthma...am i supposed to attend medical test or should i drop...

    ReplyDelete
  35. What will be the supposed dates of AFSB , medical checks , final merit list...comes?
    I'm placed in Infosys (Doj - July 2015)and In dilema to prepare for Afcat-1 2015 or not. Please reply.

    ReplyDelete
  36. How important is the medical history for clearing the AFSB for technical branch? I had a disease but it was around 3 years ago. Will there be any problem?

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  37. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  38. i have front two teeth light yellow ,so it can be rejection for me?

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hii
    I have sight of -1.5 and -1.75. am I eligible for technical and ground duty branch. i think iam not eligible for flying. pls reply son to prepare for the exam

    ReplyDelete
  40. hello subham sir i have a question on cyst on leg.i have a cybecious cyst on my right leg.it creates no problem to me as suggested by the doct. so can it be a cause of rejection in SSB.for joining to IAF plz reply me as prompt as possible.I aam very worry about it

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hello.
    I have color blindness, but the degree of it is unknown. I have tried color book, I don't find/identify most of the numbers or patterns camouflaged in it accurately.
    Is it possible for me to be medically fit for technical stream

    ReplyDelete
  42. Is there any way to be fit...with piles....after surgery...for airforce selection
    Plz reply to my mail id nithinahru143@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. If someone have height more than required and selected flying branch will it be sended to any other branch or home

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Normally more height is not an issue. However later on if there is a restriction of excess height like in some fighter aircraft, you are not selected for that and given another type of aircraft to fly. For Helicopters and Transport there is no issue.

      Delete
  44. Thank you v. Much

    I want to know one more last thing that if someone fails in PABT then will it selected for ground duty or will be sended home

    ReplyDelete
  45. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  46. hello subham can you tell me
    that i have some abnormally teeth
    bole to tede mede that can creat problem in airforce medical

    ReplyDelete
  47. hello, can you please tell me that if a person had been operated before due to some reason , so while in medical will the person be not eligible.

    ReplyDelete
  48. hello, can you please tell for technical branch...officer post, what medical parameters they see?

    ReplyDelete
  49. hello, i appeared in airforce medical exam for gp x&y.
    they give me remedical for right typanosclerosis(ear problem) while my hearing power is normal...
    am i fit for iaf ??

    ReplyDelete
  50. hello i have a surgical mark on my right ankle . will it create any problem in medical selection

    ReplyDelete
  51. can anyone help me out ? I am applying for ground duty branch . and I have negative eye powers on both my eyes. I am wearing spectacles for almost a decade now. So am I eligible for ground staff or I don't have any scope in the medical test ?

    ReplyDelete
  52. One of my incisors teeth is inward am i eligible for airmen test

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  53. hey shubham,

    your thoughts on AFSB helped alot for candidates like me.And also I have serious doubt here,I have sight o 1.5 in nright eye and 1.0 in let eye still applied for ground duty non tecchnical dept.And thre is info. in the notification is that candidates with spercts also eligible for particulars courses i have applied for.Since you have gone through the procedure ami I eligible for ground duty non technical posts.
    thank you ,
    sk. umar

    ReplyDelete
  54. Hi Shubham,

    Will hypothyroidism lead to rejection for flying branch ?

    ReplyDelete
  55. There will be going to declare AFCAT Result 2017 very soon. Check more about the AFCAT Result 2017 with here.

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  56. Very good information available here in respect to the AFCAT.

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  57. Very nice information mention into the way of AFCAT. Check all of the latest updates into the interest for AFCAT with here.

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  58. SIR I AM COLOR BLINDNESS PACIENT. CAN I JOIN THE AIR FORCE GROUND DUITY STAF

    ReplyDelete
  59. AFCAT Result 2017 indian Air force announnouces is going to announce the AFCAT result 2017 at main site.

    ReplyDelete
  60. AFCAT Result 2017 DeclaredAif is going to announce the result of AFCAT exam. candidates can check out the details of AFCAT cut off and score,AFCAT merit list 2017 roll number wise.

    ReplyDelete
  61. i was selected in afcat , but i have piles problem, can i rejected in medical test??

    ReplyDelete
  62. Afcat application form is going to be start soon on careerairforce 2018, you can check all details on the official website of AFCAT Exam.

    ReplyDelete


  63. AFCAT Application Form will be started from 15th December 2018 on the official website, apply
    online for AFCAT Online Form by the last date.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Latest updates the AFCAT Application Form 2018 from is start in 16 december 2017. you can apply AFCAT Application online Form 2018 befor last date.

    ReplyDelete
  65. hey i just have a query.....at school age i had a skin disease it was cured but left a scar on my lower middle body ... will i be qualified for medical examination or not ?? help me asap !!

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  66. latest news AFCAT Admit Card 2018 candidates are now download their AFCAT Call Letter from the official site.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hello AFCAT Admit Card 2018 can download AFCAT Admit Card 2018 from the webpage. AFCAT Feb Exam 2018 will be on 25th Feb 2018.

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  68. i have a case 0f minor piles,which cant be operated as its too minor. will i be rejected by the authorities? and how do they check for piles?

    ReplyDelete
  69. Good news the AFCAT Admit Card 2018 will be on 25th Feb 2018 i.e. tomorrow. Those candidates are now download their AFCAT Call Letter 2018.

    ReplyDelete
  70. afcat application formhas been Candidates can fill online application form of AFCAT Exam. India Air Force (IAF) very recently published application form for AFCAT at below mentioned officially website publicly. careerairforce

    ReplyDelete
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