Complete Indian Army Medical Standards: A Detailed Checklist for All Candidates

There’s something about preparing for the Indian Army that hits diferently. It’s not like studying for a regular test or getting ready for a college interview. It feels bigger — heavier in a good way. You’re not just sharpening your mind; you’re shaping your entire lifestyle. And somewhere between running at dawn, doing push-ups on uneven ground, and trying to eat a clean diet when your friends are devouring pizza, you realize that the medical standards are just as important as the written exams or physical trails.

If you’re here, you probably want to understand exactly what the Indian Army expects from you medically. And honestly, that’s smart. Many candidates clear the written test and physical rounds, but the medical exam catches them off guard. This blog will walk you through every major requirement in a human, simple, and practical way — almost like we’re sitting down and discussing it over a cup of something warm.

Let’s break it all down step by step.

Understanding the Purpose of the Medical Standards

The Indian Army medical standards aren’t meant to intimidate you. They exist for a clear reason: soldiers must be healthy enough to handle unpredictable environments, tough terrains, and stressful operations. You might face cold mountains, humid jungles, or dry deserts, and your body needs to adapt without falling apart.

Think of the medical test as a filter that ensures you’ll be physically ready for the real deal. And trust me, every small detail matters — your vision, hearing, dental health, heart, lungs, and even tiny scars from childhood.

Height, Weight & Chest Measurements

Let’s start with one of the first things candidates worry about.

Minimum Height Standards

The required height varies by region and category. While most candidates need to be around 157–170 cm, certain regions receive relaxations due to natural demography.

For example:

Gorkhas
Candidates from the North Eastern region
Tribal areas

These communities have officially recognized height relaxations. Don’t assume — always check the official chart.

Official and accurate info. regarding height

Weight Standards

Weight isn’t random. It must align with your height and age according to the Army’s standard chart. The goal isn’t to be thin or muscular; it’s to be balanced.

Being underweight or overweight for your height can lead to rejection. If your weight is slightly off the mark, don’t panic — small variations can sometimes be re-checked in the review medical board.

Chest Measurements

The Indian Army requires:

A well-developed chest
Minimum expansion of 5 cm

This doesn’t mean a gym-body, but your chest should properly expand when you breathe deeply. Practice deep breathing exercises if your expansion is barely touching the requirement — it helps more than you think.

Vision Standards (Eyesight Requirements)

Your eyes play a major role in your selection. Even if you run like a cheetah and lift like a powerlifter, poor vision can hold you back.

Unaided Vision Requirements

Most trades require:

6/6 in one eye
6/9 in the other eye

Some technical branches have stricter requirements.

Use of Glasses

Spectacles are not allowed for most combat or frontline roles. Candidates with refractive errors above a certain limit are often declared unfit.
Contacts or temporary fixes won’t work — the medical board sees right through these tricks.

Color Vision

This is a big one.

CP-III is the minimum acceptable standard.
Severe color blindness? Unfortunately, it results in rejection.

Color plates will be used to check this, so don’t try to memmorize color patterns. It won’t help.

Hearing Standards

Your ability to hear clearly is essential for communication, commands, and situational awareness.

You should be able to hear a forced whisper from 6 meters in both ears — and that’s the bare minimum. Conditions like wax blockage, ear infections, or perforated eardrums can also cause temporary issues, so clean your ears properly before the exam. Avoid inserting sharp objects — that could do more harm than good.

Dental Health Requirements

This might sound minor, but dental health is checked very carefully.

You must have:

14 dental points minimum
Healthy gums
No severe cavities
No active infections

If you’ve been postponing dental treatments, now’s the time to fix them. Dental issues are among the most common reasons for medical rejection — and the saddest part? Most of them are completely preventable.

Heart & Lung Examinations

Army doctors examine your heart and lungs to check if you can withstand intense training, altitude changes, and long physical activity.

They will look for:

Abnormal heartbeat patterns
Asthma or breathing difficulties
Heart murmurs
Chest deformities

Even small issues that you never noticed may appear during these tests. Sometimes, they suggest further evaluations like ECG or X-ray. Don’t freak out — additional tests don’t equal rejection.

Musculoskeletal System (Bones, Joints & Movements)

This is where many candidates face unexpected challenges. Your bones, joints, and muscular structure must be healthy enough to endure rough training.

The exam checks for:

Flat feet
Knock knees
Joint instability
Bone deformities
Spinal issues like scoliosis

Flat Feet

If your foot arch is missing, you may be disqualified because it affects long-distance running and carrying loads.

A quick self-test:
When your feet are wet, stand on a flat surface. If the complete footprint appears, you might have flat feet. But don’t assume — only the medical board can confirm.

Knock Knees

When you stand straight with your heels together and your knees touch excessively, that’s considered knock knees. It affects balance and running posture.

Exercises sometimes improve mild cases, but there’s no gurantee.

Skin Conditions & Tattoos

Skin Diseases

Chronic skin disorders (eczema, psoriasis, infections) can make you unfit. Even temporary infections might pause your selection until recovery.

Tattoo Policy

This is where many candidates make mistakes.

Allowed:

Permanent tattoos on the inner forearm
Religious or customary tattoos for specific communities
Small-size, non-offensive tattoos

Not allowed:

Large tattoos
Tattoos on visible body parts
Designs promoting violence or anything considered inappropriate

Check your tattoo placement wisely before going ahead with it.

Blood Tests, Urine Tests & Internal Health

This part is detailed but straightforward. Doctors check for:

Diabetes
Kidney function
Liver function
Blood disorders
HIV
Hepatitis
Urinary infections

Most of these tests simply confirm that your internal systems are functioning properly. Drink enough water before the exam, but don’t overdo it — overhydration can affect urine results.

Mental Health & Psychological Evaluation

Even though it’s not talked about much, mental stability is crucial. The Indian Army checks whether candidates show:

Balanced emotional behavior
Clear thinking
No history of severe psychological disorders

This isn’t a hard interrogation. It’s more like ensuring that you’re capable of handling stress without breaking down.

What to Carry for the Medical Test

Here’s a quick checklist:

Original documents
Medical reports if you were treated earlier
A clean pair of undergarments
Basic toiletries
A calm mind — seriously, it helps

Avoid energy drinks, tobacco, or strange “tricks” suggested by random people. They don’t work and they might harm you.

Conclusion

Preparing for the Indian Army medical test isn’t just about passing a checklist. It’s about building a body and mindset that can keep up with one of the toughest and most respected forces in the world. Every small change you make — be it fixing your posture, cleaning your diet, or going for a quick run in the evening — adds up.

And if you’re serious about wearing that uniform one day, the medical standards shouldn’t scare you. They should motivate you. Because every requirement exists to make sure you can handle the pride and pain of the journey ahead. So keep training, stay disciplined, and don’t let small setbacks define you.

You’re closer than you think.

He who sweats more in training bleeds less in battle. — Spartan Maxim