BharatNotes Standards are set by the Ministry of Health under the IAS (Medical Examination) Rules. Vision, hearing, BMI, cardiovascular and psychiatric fitness are checked at the post-Interview medical board. IPS/IFS have stricter physical thresholds (height, chest, eyesight) than IAS or other services.
When the Medical Test Happens
The medical examination is the final stage — only candidates recommended for appointment by UPSC are sent to designated medical boards. The notified medical boards for CSE candidates in Delhi NCR are:
- Safdarjung Hospital (default, also exclusive for PwBD)
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
- Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital
- Lady Hardinge Medical College and Smt. SK Hospital
- Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) referral panel
You cannot fail Prelims/Mains/Interview on medical grounds — the medical exam is post-selection. The schedule is sent by DoPT in March-April following the final result.
Service-wise Physical Standards
Sourced from the IAS (Medical Examination) Rules, 1958 (as amended) and Annexure II of the CSE 2026 Notification:
| Parameter | IAS / IRS / Most Services | IPS (Male) | IPS (Female) | IFS / Forest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min Height | No bar (general fitness only) | 165 cm (160 cm SC/ST; 162.5 cm Gorkhas/Garhwalis/Assamese/Kumaonis) | 150 cm (145 cm SC/ST) | 163 cm |
| Min Chest (Expanded) | — | 84 cm (5 cm expansion) | 79 cm (5 cm expansion) | 84 cm |
| Vision (Distant, corrected) | 6/6 or 6/9 (better eye); 6/12 or 6/9 (worse eye) | Same | Same | 6/6 better, 6/9 worse |
| Vision (Near, corrected) | J1 (0.6) / J2 (0.8) | Same | Same | Same |
| Hyperopia | Up to +4.00 D | Up to +4.00 D | Up to +4.00 D | Up to +4.00 D |
| Myopia | Up to −4.00 D | Up to −4.00 D | Up to −4.00 D | Up to −4.00 D |
| Colour vision | Normal preferred | Mandatory — protan/deutan defects disqualify | Same | Mandatory |
| Hearing | Normal speech at 20 ft | Same | Same | Same |
| BMI | 18.5–30 | 18.5–30 | 18.5–30 | 18.5–30 |
Commonly Disqualifying Conditions
- Defective colour vision — disqualifies for IPS and IFS (you can still get IAS/IRS).
- Malignancy (active or recent) — generally disqualifying except corneal transplants and certain cured leukaemias.
- Active tuberculosis, untreated leprosy, infectious skin disease.
- Heart conditions — uncorrected congenital defects, recent myocardial infarction, prosthetic valves.
- Uncontrolled hypertension (>140/90 on repeated measurement over three days).
- Diabetes with end-organ damage (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy).
- Severe psychiatric disorders that impair judgment (schizophrenia, bipolar with recent psychosis).
- Squint disqualifies for IPS (binocular vision required); does not disqualify for IAS/IRS.
- Knock-knees, flat foot, varicose veins, hammer toe are noted for IPS/IFS but case-by-case.
- BMI outside 18.5–30 triggers further assessment — both extremes problematic.
- HIV+ status alone is NOT a disqualification per Supreme Court ruling in S vs Union of India (2023) — UPSC removed HIV from the absolute disqualification list via MoHFW circular dated 4 October 2023.
Temporary vs Permanent Unfit
The medical board can declare you temporarily unfit — typically for reversible conditions (anaemia, transient hypertension, dental caries, minor hernia awaiting surgery). You get a re-examination after a fixed period (usually 3–6 months). Permanent unfit means the service offer is withdrawn, though you can apply for re-allocation to a service with relaxed standards.
Appeals
A candidate declared unfit can appeal to a Special Medical Board within one month from the date of communication of the unfit declaration, accompanied by a fee of Rs. 500 (deposited as 'Indian Audit and Accounts Department' challan). The appeal board's decision is final and not appealable further within UPSC, though writ jurisdiction remains.
Worked Scenario — The Borderline Vision Case
If you are a 26-year-old engineer with myopia of −3.5 D in both eyes (corrected to 6/6) and you've ranked 110 in CSE 2026 with IPS as preference 1:
- Distant vision (corrected): 6/6 → passes IPS
- Myopia: −3.5 D → within −4.00 D limit → passes IPS
- Colour vision: Ishihara plates clear → passes IPS
- Verdict: Fit for IPS.
But if your myopia is −5.0 D (corrected to 6/6), you are over the −4.00 D limit and would be declared unfit for IPS — possibly diverted to IRS or IAS-Posts. Get your refraction tested before filling DAF preferences.
Topper Insight — Avoiding the Last-Minute Scramble
Tina Dabi (AIR-1 CSE 2015) mentioned in her 2016 OpIndia interview that she took a full medical screening six months before her Mains, just to know in advance — "I didn't want any surprise at the medical board after seven years of effort."
Practical Tip — A Self-Check Six Months Before Interview
Get a private full-body health check at least six months before the Interview stage:
- Complete eye test (refraction + Ishihara colour test + fundus examination)
- ECG and 2D Echo if any cardiac history
- Chest X-ray PA view
- Fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, lipid profile
- BP measurements on three separate days (morning, afternoon)
- Hearing audiometry
- Treat any borderline issue early — the official board is strict and time-bound.
Recent Updates
- MoHFW Circular dated 4 October 2023 removed HIV+ status as an automatic disqualification, following the SC ruling in S vs UoI (2023).
- The Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) Notification dated 15 January 2024 added 'Specific Learning Disability' to the benchmark-disability list for medical-board consideration — relevant for PwBD candidates.
- PIB Press Release (12 March 2025) clarified that transgender candidates are to be examined per the gender they identify with, and IPS/IFS physical standards apply accordingly — though many states have not yet updated their cadre rules.
