Medical examination of mine workers under Rule 29B: initial at joining, then at least every 5 years

Last updated 23 Oct 2026 · India

Short answer. Under Rule 29B of the Mines Rules 1955 (framed under the Mines Act 1952), every person employed in a mine must undergo an initial medical examination on employment and a periodical medical examination at intervals of not more than five years, by a qualified medical officer, in the form and with the tests the rules and the DGMS prescribe. The mine owner, agent or manager keeps the records. For exam preparation (Overman, Sirdar, Mate) this is a standard question: initial, then every five years at most, and earlier where the medical officer or DGMS directs.

What the manager should track

Item	Rule of thumb
Initial medical examination	Before or on employment; no one works underground or in a hazardous job without it
Periodical examination	Interval not exceeding 5 years
Who examines	A qualified medical practitioner as required by the rules
Records	Kept at the mine and shown to the DGMS inspector

Why it matters

Occupational diseases in mining (such as pneumoconiosis and noise-induced hearing loss) are notifiable under the Mines Act. Periodical examination finds them early, and the record is the first thing checked after an occupational disease is reported.

Common mistakes

Contract workers left out. The rule applies to persons employed in the mine, including through contractors.
Counting five years from the wrong date: count from the last examination actually done.
Not reading the latest DGMS circulars, which set the tests (for example chest X-ray standards and audiometry).

Checklist

List of every person employed, with last exam date
Due list for the next 12 months
Examination reports filed
Latest DGMS circular on medical tests checked

Frequently asked questions

How often is periodical medical examination done in mines?

At intervals of not more than five years, under Rule 29B of the Mines Rules 1955.

Is the initial medical examination compulsory?

Yes. Every person employed in a mine must have an initial medical examination on employment.

Where can I find the current medical examination requirements?

In the Mines Rules 1955 on India Code and the DGMS circulars on dgms.gov.in.

Official sources

Not legal or medical advice. This is a free explainer of public rules for exam preparation and general awareness; confirm the current text of the Mines Rules and DGMS circulars before acting. Last checked 23 Oct 2026.

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