IPS Physical Eligibility - Height, Weight and Other Physical Requirements

by Vajiram & Ravi

UPSC aspirants must meet certain physical requirements to be eligible for the Indian Police Service, one of the most prestigious All India Services. Selection is through the annual UPSC Civil Services Examination. Failure to meet the IPS physical requirements will result in rejection of the application, even if the candidate has qualified in other aspects of the exam. Therefore, IPS aspirants should familiarise themselves with the physical eligibility criteria, including height and weight requirements.

IPS Physical Eligibility

The Physical Eligibility Requirements to become an IPS Officer differ for both Male and Female. The physical eligibility requirements for IPS officers are strict because the job can be physically demanding and challenging. IPS officers are responsible for maintaining law and order, preventing and investigating crime, and protecting the public. They may have to work long hours in difficult conditions, and they may be required to perform physically demanding tasks, such as chasing criminals or apprehending suspects.

IPS Physical Eligibility for Male

UPSC lays down certain physical eligibility requirements for males to be eligible to become an IPS Officer. The physical eligibility guidelines for males is given below:

Category

IPS Physical Eligibility (Male)

IPS Height

165 cm

For ST (except SC/ OBC) – 160 cm

Chest

Minimum 84 cm

Expansion 5 cm

IPS Eyesight Requirements

6/6 or 6/9 distant vision for good eye

IPS Height and Weight

To become an Indian Police Service officer, candidates must meet certain physical eligibility requirements. These requirements are in place to ensure that IPS officers are physically capable of performing their duties, which can be physically demanding and challenging.

  • The height requirements for IPS officers are as follows:
  • Female (General Category): Minimum height of 150 cm, relaxable to 145 cm for STs and certain other specified races.
  • Male (General Category): Minimum height of 165 cm, relaxable to 160 cm for STs (except SC/OBC).

There is no maximum weight requirement for IPS officers, but they must be free from any physical defects or deformities that may interfere with their ability to perform their duties. IPS officers must also be in good physical condition and be able to pass a physical fitness test, which includes events such as the 100-meter dash, long jump, 800-meter run, high jump, and shot put. Successful candidates in the UPSC Civil Services Examination are required to undergo training at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA). The training program includes physical fitness training, self-defense training, and law enforcement training.

IPS Medical Test

IPS officer candidates must meet certain medical requirements in order to be eligible for the service. These requirements are assessed during two medical examinations: one after the interview phase of the IPS exam and one after the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

One of the most important medical requirements for IPS officers is chest expansion. Candidates who do not meet the chest expansion requirement during the first medical examination can appeal the decision or show their chest expansion during the second medical examination. However, if the candidate still does not meet the requirement during the second medical examination, they will be considered unfit for the IPS.

In addition to the chest expansion requirement, IPS officer candidates must also meet a number of other medical requirements, including:

  • Blood pressure: Candidates must have normal blood pressure for their age group.
  • Nasal: Candidates must not stutter.
  • Ear: Candidates must have good hearing and normal ear cavities. Hearing impairment in the 1000-4000 frequency range should not be more than 30 decibels.
  • Colorblind test: Candidates must pass a colorblind test with a high standard.
  • Vision: Candidates must have stereoscopic vision and no inherent night blindness.
  • Female candidates must not be pregnant at the time of the medical examination.
  • If a candidate does not meet any of these medical requirements, they will be considered unfit for the IPS.
  • The IPS medical requirements are designed to ensure that IPS officers are physically and mentally capable of performing their duties, which can be physically demanding and challenging. IPS officers must be able to withstand long hours of work in difficult conditions, and they may be required to perform physically demanding tasks, such as chasing criminals or apprehending suspects.

It is important for IPS officer candidates to be aware of the medical requirements and to prepare for the medical examinations. Candidates can prepare by exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet. They should also consult with a doctor if they have any health concerns.

IPS Physical Eligibility for Female

UPSC lays down certain physical eligibility criteria for Females to become eligible to become an IPS Officer. The physical eligibility guidelines for females is given below:

Category

Physical Requirements for IPS (Female)

IPS Height

150 cm

For ST (except SC/ OBC)- 145 cm

Chest

Minimum 79 cm

Expansion 5 cm

IPS Eyesight Requirements

6/12 or 6/9 for worst eye. Near vision J 1 for good eye. J2 for worst eye

IPS Physical Training

Once candidates have met all of the IPS physical eligibility and medical requirements, they will be selected for the Indian Police Service and begin their training period. The first three months of the two-year training period will be spent at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie for the foundation course. After completing the foundation course, candidates will then move on to the eleven months of academic training at the National Police Academy in Hyderabad. At the NPA, IPS officers will receive both indoor and outdoor training.

  • During the IPS physical training period, candidates will attend institutes across the country as part of their training. Additionally, the selected candidates will undergo 6 months of training in their assigned cadre. After completing the 6 months of training in their assigned cadre, candidates will return to the NPA for one month of additional academic training. Once the additional academic training is completed, candidates will return to their assigned cadre as verified IPS officers.
  • The IPS training program is designed to prepare IPS officers for the physical and mental demands of the job. The training program includes a variety of topics, such as law enforcement, criminal investigation, and public relations. IPS officers also receive training in physical fitness and self-defense.
  • The IPS training program is rigorous, but it is essential for preparing IPS officers for the important work that they do. IPS officers play a vital role in protecting the public and maintaining law and order.

FAQs

Who is unfit for IPS?

Candidates who are unfit for the IPS include those who do not meet the physical eligibility requirements, the medical requirements, or the educational requirements.

Physical eligibility requirements

  • Height: Minimum height of 150 cm for female candidates and 165 cm for male candidates, with a relaxation of 5 cm for STs and certain other specified races.
  • Chest expansion: Minimum chest expansion of 5 cm for male candidates.
  • Other physical requirements: Candidates must be free from any physical defects or deformities that may interfere with their ability to perform their duties. They must also have good vision and hearing.

Is IPS physical training hard?

Yes, IPS physical training is very hard. It is designed to prepare IPS officers for the physical demands of the job, which can be very challenging. IPS officers must be able to withstand long hours of work in difficult conditions, and they may be required to perform physically demanding tasks, such as chasing criminals or apprehending suspects.

The IPS physical training program includes a variety of activities, such as:

  • Running
  • Swimming
  • Weightlifting
  • Obstacle courses
  • Self-defense training

IPS officers are also required to maintain a high level of physical fitness throughout their career.

The IPS physical training program is rigorous, but it is essential for preparing IPS officers for the important work that they do. IPS officers play a vital role in protecting the public and maintaining law and order.

Does IAS require physical fitness?

Yes, IAS officers require physical fitness. They are expected to be in good physical condition so that they can perform their duties effectively. IAS officers often have to work long hours in difficult conditions, and they may be required to perform physically demanding tasks, such as travelling to remote areas or responding to natural disasters.

The UPSC, which conducts the IAS exam, does not have any specific physical fitness requirements for candidates. However, all candidates are required to undergo a medical examination after the interview stage of the exam. The medical examination is conducted to assess the candidate's overall health and fitness.

Can I become IPS with eye power?

Yes, you can become an IPS officer with eye power. However, there are certain restrictions on the amount of eye power that is allowed.

The minimum visual acuity requirement for distant vision is 6/6 or 6/9 in the better eye and 6/9 or 6/12 in the worse eye. Candidates should not have color blindness or night blindness. Refractive errors, such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), or astigmatism, should not exceed the following limits:

  • Myopia (including cylinder): -4.00 D (including cylinder)
  • Hyperopia (including cylinder): +4.00 D (including cylinder)
  • Manifest astigmatism: ±2.00 D
  • Anisometropia: ±2.00 D

If you have eye power that is within these limits, you will be eligible to become an IPS officer. However, if your eye power exceeds these limits, you will not be eligible to become an IPS officer.