AE(M) and AE(L) Medical Category
AFCAT Ground Duty Technical covers Aeronautical Engineer Mechanical and Electronics. In the project source, both AE(M) and AE(L) are listed under A4G1 medical category.
| Branch / role | Medical category | Key standard |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch - Pilots, WSO, flying cadets | A1G1 | Strictest standard: NIL myopia, CP-I colour vision, 162.5 cm standing height and cockpit anthropometry. |
| Administration / Weapon Systems Branch (ground) | A4G1 | Ground standard with CP-II colour perception and correctable 6/6 each eye. |
| AE(M) / AE(L) Ground Duty Technical | A4G1 | Corrected visual acuity 6/9 each eye, CP-II colour perception. |
| Meteorology | A4G1 | 6/6 better eye and 6/18 worse eye, CP-II colour perception. |
| Accounts / Logistics / Education | A4G1 | 6/6 better eye and 6/18 worse eye, CP-III colour perception. |
Technical Branch Eyesight
AE(M) / AE(L) use A4G1 refractive limits, but their visual acuity row is separate: corrected visual acuity 6/9 each eye, with CP-II colour perception.
| Branch / medical category | Refractive limit | Visual acuity | Colour perception |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch A1G1 | Hypermetropia +1.5 D Sph; manifest myopia NIL; retinoscopic myopia NIL; astigmatism +0.75 D Cyl within +1.5 D max | 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, correctable to 6/6 only for hypermetropia | CP-I |
| Admin / Weapon Systems ground A4G1 | +3.5 D hypermetropia; -3.50 D myopia; +/-2.50 D Cyl | Correctable to 6/6 each eye; glasses compulsory when VA below 6/6 | CP-II |
| AE(M) / AE(L) A4G1 | Same as A4G1 limits | Corrected VA 6/9 each eye | CP-II |
| Meteorology A4G1 | Same as A4G1 limits | 6/6 better eye, 6/18 worse eye | CP-II |
| Accounts / Logistics / Education A4G1 | Same as A4G1 limits | 6/6 better eye, 6/18 worse eye | CP-III |
Height, Weight and Chest
| Branch / entry | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Flying Branch - pilots / FTE / WSO Su-30 MKI | 162.5 cm | 162.5 cm |
| Flying Branch - other aircrew | 157 cm | 157 cm |
| Ground Duty branches | 157.5 cm | 152 cm |
| Ground Duty relaxation: North-East / Uttarakhand hills / Gorkhas | 152.5 cm | 147 cm |
| Ground Duty relaxation: Lakshadweep | 155.5 cm | 150 cm |
- Ground Duty male minimum: 157.5 cm.
- Ground Duty female minimum: 152 cm.
- Regional relaxations apply only to Ground Duty rows listed in the source.
- Chest minimum: 77 cm with 5 cm expansion.
- Weight is judged by height-weight chart with +/-1 SD logic.
System-wise Medical Checks Still Matter
A4G1 is more permissive than A1G1 on some aviation-specific parameters, but it is not easy. AFCAT medical still checks cardiovascular, respiratory, GI, urogenital, endocrine, dermatological, musculoskeletal, CNS, ENT, dental and haemopoietic systems.
BP
Persistent BP above 140/90 mmHg leads to rejection and 24-hour ABPM review.
Asthma
History of repeated bronchial asthma, wheezing or allergic rhinitis is a rejection risk.
Kidney stones
Any history or radiological evidence of renal calculi is unfit.
ACL surgery
ACL reconstruction surgery is permanently unfit.
Dental
Minimum 14 dental points required.
Skin
Significant palmoplantar hyperhidrosis and chronic serious eczema are unfit.
Medical board decisions are made by Armed Forces medical specialists. This page is a structured preparation guide, not a substitute for an official medical board opinion.
FAQs
Is Ground Duty Technical medical easier than Flying Branch?
It is less strict on flying-specific standards but still detailed. AE(M)/AE(L) use A4G1 and must clear full Air Force medical checks.
What colour vision is required for AFCAT Technical?
CP-II is required for AE(M) and AE(L).
What eyesight is required for AE(M) / AE(L)?
A4G1 refractive limits apply, with corrected visual acuity 6/9 each eye.
Does Ground Duty Technical need 162.5 cm height?
No. 162.5 cm is the Flying Branch pilot standard. Ground Duty male minimum is 157.5 cm and female minimum is 152 cm.
Can a Technical candidate have spectacles?
Yes, if the candidate is within the A4G1 refractive and visual acuity standards.