UPSC Medical and Physical Standards: Eligibility Criteria

The UPSC Medical and Physical guidelines specify visual impairment categories and provisions for eligible candidates who need a scribe or compensatory time. These facilities depend on the candidate’s disability category and the required medical certification.

Vishal Pathaniya22 Oct, 2026

UPSC Civil Services Examination involves understanding the eligibility requirements for different services. Candidates may have questions about medical fitness, physical measurements, eyesight requirements, and the facilities available to candidates with disabilities.

The UPSC Medical and Physical Standards cover two related aspects of eligibility. Medical standards concern a candidate's medical fitness, while physical standards relate to physical requirements applicable to particular services.

Candidates should understand these requirements separately from the facilities available during the written examination, such as scribe assistance and compensatory time.

What Are UPSC Medical and Physical Standards?

UPSC CSE medical and physical standards help determine whether candidates meet the applicable requirements for appointment to a civil service. However, the specific conditions may depend on the service concerned. Understanding the difference between these standards is important for three reasons.

Medical standards: These concern medical fitness and include visual impairment assessment where applicable.
Physical standards: These concern physical requirements that may apply to particular services.
Examination facilities: Eligible candidates with specified disabilities may receive assistance, including a scribe or compensatory time, under the examination rules.

The UPSC Medical and Physical Standards should therefore be considered alongside the relevant service requirements and examination provisions. Meeting the general eligibility conditions for the examination does not, by itself, establish medical fitness for every service.

UPSC Physical Fitness Criteria

The UPSC physical fitness criteria refer to physical requirements that candidates may need to meet for appointment to particular civil services. Candidates should check the requirements applicable to their preferred service rather than assume that the same physical conditions apply to every service.

The physical requirements candidates may want to verify include:

Minimum height and weight, where applicable
Chest measurements, where applicable
Physical fitness or endurance requirements
Other physical conditions specified in the relevant service rules

Physical measurements, medical fitness requirements and endurance standards may vary by service. Candidates should consult the applicable official UPSC notification and service-specific medical examination rules to confirm the requirements for their preferred service.

UPSC CSE Eligibility Criteria

UPSC Medical Standards

Medical standards determine whether candidates meet the health requirements for appointment to the civil services. Candidates should distinguish these requirements from the disability-related facilities UPSC provides during the written examination.

The examination rules specifically explain how visual impairment is classified. They consider the best-corrected vision of the better and worse eyes, along with certain visual field conditions.

Visual Impairment Criteria for UPSC

The visual impairment assessment includes different percentages of impairment and corresponding disability categories.

Visual impairment criteria	Percentage of impairment	Disability category
Both eyes have best-corrected vision between 6/6 and 6/18	0%	0
Better eye has vision between 6/6 and 6/18; worse eye between 6/24 and 6/60	10%	0
Better eye has vision between 6/6 and 6/18; worse eye below 6/60 to 3/60	20%	I
Better eye has vision between 6/6 and 6/18; worse eye below 3/60 to no light perception	30%	II (One-eyed person)
Both eyes have vision between 6/24 and 6/60, or specified visual field impairment applies	40%	III a (Low vision)
Specified combinations of reduced vision in both eyes	50%–60%	III b–III c (Low vision)
Specified combinations of severe visual impairment	70%–80%	III d–III e (Low vision)
Severe visual impairment or specified visual field restriction	90%	IV a (Blindness)
Only HMCF or specified light-perception conditions in both eyes	100%	IV b (Blindness)

The applicable category depends on the visual acuity and visual field conditions specified in the assessment criteria.

Important: The examination rules state that concessions admissible to blind candidates are not admissible to candidates suffering from myopia.

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Service-Wise Medical Standards

Medical and physical requirements depend on the civil service for which a candidate is being considered. Candidates should verify the applicable standards before finalising their service preferences.

IAS and other civil services: Check the applicable medical fitness requirements and any service-specific conditions.
IPS: Check the prescribed physical and medical standards applicable to appointment to the Indian Police Service.
Other services: Refer to the relevant service rules for any additional physical measurements, medical requirements or fitness conditions.

Candidates should consult the official UPSC notification and applicable medical examination rules for exact measurements, standards and exemptions. Do not assume that the requirements are identical across all services.

Scribe Facility Under UPSC Rules

Candidates who have difficulty writing their examination answers may qualify for a scribe, subject to the prescribed conditions.

The rules cover the following categories.

Candidates with blindness: Eligible candidates can use a scribe under the specified provisions.
Candidates with cerebral palsy: The rules include this category for scribe assistance.
Candidates with locomotor disability affecting both arms: Eligible candidates can use a scribe.
Other benchmark disabilities: Candidates must provide the prescribed medical certificate confirming their physical limitation and the need for a scribe.
Specified disabilities below 40%: Candidates who have difficulty writing may qualify by submitting the required certificate from a competent medical authority.

Eligible candidates may bring their own scribe or request one from the Commission. The scribe must be at least a matriculate, and their qualification must not exceed the examination's minimum qualification criteria.

Candidates should follow the prescribed application procedure and the Commission's instructions regarding the scribe's eligibility and conduct.

Compensatory Time for Eligible Candidates

Compensatory time allows eligible candidates additional time to complete the written examination. The applicable provisions depend on the candidate's disability category and the required medical certification.

Particulars	Details
Compensatory time	20 minutes per hour of examination
Specified eligible categories	Blindness, cerebral palsy and locomotor disability affecting both arms
Other benchmark disabilities	Certificate confirming physical limitation to write
Specified disabilities below 40%	Certificate confirming limitation and difficulty in writing
Availing the facility	The candidate must request the facility and meet the applicable conditions

Candidates should obtain the required certificate from the prescribed medical authority wherever applicable. They should also provide the necessary information through the online application process.

Failure to follow the Commission's instructions regarding scribe eligibility and conduct may lead to cancellation of candidature and other action.

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How to Check UPSC Medical and Physical Standards

Candidates can follow these steps to understand the requirements relevant to their circumstances.

Identify the applicable requirement: Determine whether you need information about medical fitness, physical measurements or examination assistance.
Review visual impairment criteria: Understand the prescribed categories and the conditions used to assess visual impairment.
Check certificate requirements: Confirm which medical certificate is needed if you require a scribe or compensatory time.
Understand the examination facilities: Review the eligibility conditions for scribe assistance and additional time.
Verify service-specific eligibility: Consult the applicable official rules for physical measurements and medical fitness requirements not covered by the examination guidelines.

Understanding the UPSC Medical and Physical Standards helps candidates distinguish between the requirements for service eligibility and the facilities available during the written examination. Candidates should verify the applicable conditions before making decisions about their eligibility or service preferences.