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 treated as an automatic disqualification; courts have held that candidates cannot be denied public employment merely for being HIV-positive, and selection is based on functional fitness for the role.
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.
Avoid the Last-Minute Scramble
The most common medical-stage regret is discovering a borderline issue (refraction over the limit, high BP, an untreated condition) only at the official board, after years of effort. A quiet private screening months in advance gives you time to correct what can be corrected.
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.
Note on Verifying Standards
Medical and physical standards are periodically refined (for example, the treatment of HIV-positive status and recognition of disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016). Because the precise thresholds and disqualifying conditions are revised from time to time, always confirm the exact standard for your target service against the current CSE notification (Appendix on medical standards) and the IAS (Medical Examination) Rules rather than older summaries.
