Before booking your seafarer medical, one honest question is on every sailor’s mind: how much will it actually cost? It is a fair thing to ask. You are often paying out of your own pocket between contracts, and the internet is full of vague answers and hidden “extra test” charges that appear only at the billing counter.
This guide gives you the straight version. We will break down what a DG Shipping / ILO seafarer medical realistically costs in Delhi in 2026, exactly what that fee should include, why two candidates can pay very different amounts, and how to keep your cost sensible without gambling on a certificate that later gets rejected.
Quick answer: what a seafarer medical costs in Delhi (2026)
For a DG Shipping–approved pre-employment or ILO medical in Delhi, most seafarers pay somewhere in these ranges, depending on their role, age and what their company asks for:
| Type of medical | Typical cost range (2026) |
|---|---|
| Pre-sea / cadet / student medical (basic panel) | ₹4,000 – ₹5,500 |
| Standard in-service ILO / DG Shipping fitness medical | ₹5,500 – ₹7,000 |
| Enhanced / company-specific PEME (extra tests + vaccines) | ₹8,000 – ₹10,000+ |
| Add-on: Yellow Fever vaccination (if required) | Charged separately |
These are general market ranges for Delhi NCR, not a fixed quote. Your exact fee depends on your role, the shipping company’s checklist and any add-on tests — message the centre for a precise figure before you travel.
What the fee actually includes
A proper DG Shipping medical is not a single test — it is a full occupational-health screening. When the price looks higher than a routine “health check,” it is because a genuine seafarer medical bundles all of the following in one go:
- Physical examination by a DG-approved doctor (general build, blood pressure, BMI, systemic check).
- Vision and colour vision testing, including near, distant and Ishihara colour plates.
- Audiometry (hearing) in a soundproof room.
- Pathology / blood work — fasting sugar, HbA1c, complete blood profile, and infectious-disease screening.
- Chest X-ray and ECG.
- Dental and ENT assessment.
- Certificate processing and upload of your “Fit to Sail” certificate to the DG Shipping portal.
If a quote looks suspiciously cheap, check what is missing from that list — a low headline price often means some tests are billed separately later, or done at an outside lab you have to visit on your own.
Why two seafarers pay very different amounts
There is no single fixed price, and that confuses people. Here is what genuinely moves the number:
1. Your role and age
Deck officers face stricter vision standards, and older or in-service seafarers are usually screened more thoroughly than first-time cadets. More screening, slightly higher cost.
2. Your shipping company’s checklist
This is the biggest swing. Many companies add their own “enhanced PEME” requirements — extra blood markers, drug and alcohol testing, additional cardiac or lung tests, or specific vaccinations. Every add-on raises the bill. Always ask your company or manning agent for their exact test list before you book.
3. Vaccinations
Yellow Fever and other travel vaccinations are charged separately from the medical itself. If your voyage or company requires them, budget for these on top.
4. Speed and convenience
A centre that does every test under one roof and issues a same-day certificate saves you days of running between labs — that convenience is part of what you are paying for, and it is usually worth it when a joining date is close.
5. Re-tests and referrals
If a borderline reading needs a repeat test or a specialist referral, that can add cost. This is exactly why a quick pre-check beforehand often saves money — more on that below.
The hidden costs nobody warns you about
The sticker price is not always the final price. Watch for these:
- Split-lab charges: at smaller clinics, your X-ray, ultrasound or blood work may be sent to outside labs, each with its own bill and its own queue.
- Repeat-visit costs: if you are marked temporarily unfit for a fixable reason (high BP, high sugar), re-examination usually means paying again.
- A rejected or invalid certificate: the most expensive outcome of all — a certificate from a non-approved doctor, or one your company won’t accept, can cost you a joining date and a contract.
Is the cheapest centre really the best deal?
It is tempting to simply pick the lowest number. But for a seafarer, the true cost of a medical is not the fee — it is what happens if the certificate fails. A saved ₹1,000 means nothing if a missed test or an unaccepted certificate delays your sign-on by weeks.
The real value is a centre that is DG-approved, does every test in-house, gives you an honest pre-check, and turns the certificate around the same day. That combination is what protects your joining date — and that is where your money is actually well spent.
How to keep your cost sensible (without cutting corners)
- Get your company’s exact test list first. You only pay for what you actually need — no guessing, no surprise add-ons.
- Choose an all-under-one-roof centre. One visit, one bill, no separate lab trips or duplicate charges.
- Do a quick pre-check if you have a borderline reading. Fixing a high BP or sugar level before the exam is far cheaper than a re-test after a “temporary unfit.” Our guide on why seafarers get declared unfit shows what to check.
- Carry all your documents and past records. Missing paperwork can mean a repeat visit — and a repeat cost.
- Verify the examiner is DG-approved. A cheap certificate that your company rejects is the costliest mistake of all.
Seafarer medical cost at Edge Imaging & Diagnostics, West Delhi
At Edge Imaging & Diagnostics (Edge Marine Medicals) in West Delhi, your complete DG Shipping / ILO medical is done by a DG-approved doctor with every test under one roof — pathology, digital X-ray, ultrasound, ECG, vision and audiometry — in a single NABH-accredited facility. That means one transparent bill, no running between labs, an honest pre-check if any reading looks borderline, and a same-day “Fit to Sail” certificate so you never miss a joining date.
Because the exact fee depends on your role and your company’s test list, the simplest way to get a precise, all-inclusive quote is to message us with your requirement — you will get a clear number before you travel, with no hidden extras. You can also read our full DG Shipping ILO medical in Delhi guide for the complete test list and process.
📩 Get your all-inclusive seafarer medical quote on WhatsApp | Call 9555999960
Frequently asked questions
How much does a DG Shipping medical cost in Delhi in 2026?
Most seafarers in Delhi pay roughly ₹4,000–₹5,500 for a basic pre-sea medical and ₹5,500–₹7,000 for a standard in-service ILO fitness medical. Enhanced, company-specific PEMEs with extra tests and vaccinations can run ₹8,000–₹10,000 or more. The exact figure depends on your role and your company’s checklist.
Why is my company’s medical more expensive than my friend’s?
Because shipping companies set their own “enhanced PEME” requirements. One company may ask for extra blood markers, drug-and-alcohol testing or specific vaccines that another does not — and each add-on raises the cost. Always get your company’s exact test list before booking.
Does the shipping company reimburse the medical cost?
Many companies reimburse or cover the medical once you are signed on or in active service, but the initial pre-employment screening is often paid by the candidate. Check your company’s policy — and keep your bill and receipts.
Are vaccinations included in the medical fee?
Usually no. Vaccinations such as Yellow Fever are charged separately from the medical examination. If your voyage requires them, budget for these on top of the base fee.
Is a cheaper medical certificate risky?
It can be. A low price sometimes means missing tests billed later, or a certificate from a doctor who is not DG-approved — which your company may reject. For a seafarer, an unaccepted certificate is far more expensive than the fee you saved. Always confirm the examiner is DG-approved and that all required tests are included.
How long is the certificate valid, so I know how often I pay?
A standard DG Shipping medical certificate is valid for two years (one year if you are under 18 or over 55). Planning your renewal a little early avoids a last-minute rush — and a last-minute premium.
The bottom line
A seafarer medical is not the place to chase the lowest number — but you should never overpay through hidden extras either. Know the realistic range, get your company’s exact test list, choose a DG-approved centre that does everything under one roof, and use a quick pre-check to avoid costly re-tests. Do that, and you pay a fair price once — for a certificate that actually gets you back to sea.
Reviewed by the DG Shipping–approved medical team at Edge Imaging & Diagnostics, West Delhi — a NABH-accredited diagnostic centre offering complete seafarer medicals under one roof. Cost ranges are general market estimates for 2026 and are not a fixed quote; your exact fee depends on your role and your company’s requirements. This article is for general information only. Last updated: 2026.