Pre-Employment Medical Checkup: Tests Required by Industry in India

A pre-employment medical checkup should be designed around the job, not a generic package. Here is how Indian employers typically match tests to roles.

Manufacturing and hazardous processes

Workers exposed to noise, dust, fumes or chemicals commonly need audiometry, spirometry (PFT), chest X-ray, vision and process-specific blood tests. State factory rules may prescribe the tests and a certifying surgeon's role.

Construction, work at height and confined spaces

Height pass fitness usually includes blood pressure, blood sugar, vision, balance and a history of seizures or vertigo. Construction workers under the BOCW framework may also need basic fitness and communicable disease screening.

Drivers and crane or forklift operators

Vision, colour vision, hearing, reflexes and, where indicated, ECG and blood sugar are standard.

Food handlers

Food businesses should align with FSSAI medical fitness requirements for food handlers, including a physical examination by a registered doctor.

Office roles

A baseline of vitals, blood sugar, lipids and vision is usually enough, and gives the employee a starting point for future checkups.

Reading the fitness opinion

HR should receive a clear fit, fit with restrictions or unfit opinion for the role — not raw lab values. Under the DPDP Act, 2023, detailed results belong to the candidate and should be shared only with consent.

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Requirements vary by state, process and headcount, so confirm the rules that apply to each site with your factory inspectorate or a qualified adviser.

Set up role-based medicals with our pre-employment medical checkup service.

Plan My Health delivers pre-employment medical checkup, periodic medical examination of workers and corporate health checkup packages for companies across India — talk to our corporate health team for a proposal matched to your workforce.