The UPSC Medical Test is a critical step for IAS aspirants. It ensures that candidates are not only mentally prepared for the rigours of public service but also physically capable of handling the demands of the role. While most focus on passing the exam and interview stages, the medical test often gets overlooked, despite its importance in the selection process. 

Beyond basic fitness, the UPSC Medical test helps identify conditions that could affect long-term performance. Moreover, the test underscores the significance of mental wellness, an essential yet less discussed aspect of leadership. Hence, knowing the key details of this stage of UPSC is important.

Why UPSC Medical Test for IAS

• Ensures physical and mental fitness for service, detecting any issues that could affect performance.
• Protects public safety by identifying health problems that could impact decision-making.
• Ensures long-term capability to meet career demands over time.
• Assesses candidates’ ability to handle the job’s physical and mental demands.
• Identifies pre-existing health conditions to prevent complications.
• Evaluates mental fitness to handle stress and lead effectively.
• Maintains professional standards and public trust through fitness checks.

Types of IAS Medical Tests

Blood and Urine Tests: Samples will be taken for specific medical evaluations.

Blood Pressure: Candidates should stay calm to avoid elevated readings. In some cases, the doctor may ask the candidate to perform physical activity like jumping to check the response.

Diabetes Mellitus: Tests for fasting blood sugar and HbA1C will be conducted after 8-10 hours of fasting to check for diabetes.

Hearing Ability: The candidate’s hearing will be examined, along with any ear conditions. If hearing can be corrected with an aid or surgery, the candidate is not automatically disqualified as long as there’s no serious ear disease.

X-ray: Chest X-rays and additional tests will be performed to check for conditions like hernia, and bone density will also be measured.

Lungs and Heart: The doctor will use a stethoscope to check if the heart and lungs are functioning normally, sometimes asking the candidate to vary their breathing pattern for accuracy.

Hernia: A test is conducted to assess the risk of hernia development.

Weight: The candidate’s weight is recorded in kilograms. Any fraction over half a kilogram is rounded up, while fractions below half are rounded down.

Ophthalmic Test:

• Normal Vision: Involves identifying letters of different sizes from a distance.
• Colour Vision: Requires recognizing characters or following a maze based on colour differentiation.

Where is UPSC Medical Test Conducted

The Medical Test would be conducted in the below-listed hospitals in Delhi.

1. Safdarjung Hospital
2. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
3. Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital
4. Succheta Kriplani Hospital
5. Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
6. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital
7. BR Ambedkar Hospital

The candidates belonging to the Physically Handicapped (PH) Category will be examined in the below hospitals.

1. Safdarjung Hospital
2. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital
3. LHMC
4. Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital
5. Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital

UPSC Medical Test for Female

For female candidates, the UPSC Medical Test includes a dedicated lady doctor as part of the Medical Board to ensure comfort and appropriate examination. This addition provides a gender-sensitive approach during the medical evaluation. It addresses specific health concerns while maintaining the same thorough standards required for all candidates.

UPSC Medical Test Requirements

There are no specific height, weight, or chest girth requirements for IAS candidates, unlike technical services. However, if a candidate’s body proportions are deemed abnormal, further investigation, including chest X-rays, may be required. Technical services, however, have strict minimum requirements.

Vision: The candidate must have distant vision of 6/6 or 6/9 in the better eye. Corrections like glasses, contact lenses, and surgeries like LASIK or ICL are allowed. Those with myopia causing macular degeneration are unfit. A squint is allowed, and night blindness is not grounds for disqualification.

Blood Pressure: If blood pressure exceeds 140/90, further tests are necessary to ensure it is not due to an underlying health issue. Only candidates without complications from hypertension will be considered fit.

Diabetes: Candidates with diabetes must not have any related complications to be declared fit.

Hearing: Good hearing is required in both ears. If a defect is present, further testing will determine if it can be corrected by surgery or hearing aids.

Pregnancy: Pregnant women are generally fit unless the role requires physical training. In such cases, they will be declared fit after childbirth.

Teeth, Heart, and Lungs: Teeth should be in good order, and the heart and lungs must function properly. Abdominal diseases must be absent.

Limbs and Joints: Feet, hands, and limbs must be well-formed with full joint mobility, and there should be no congenital deformities or signs of chronic illness.

Vaccination and Disease: Candidates must show marks of vaccination and be free from any communicable diseases.

Medical Conditions: Those with hernias, varicose veins, or haemorrhoids are temporarily unfit but can be declared fit after surgery. Grade I haemorrhoids are acceptable. Candidates with malignancies or transplanted organs are unfit, except for corneal transplants.

Process of Medical Test

• Medical examinations (except for the PwBD category) are conducted in specific hospitals across New Delhi.
• UPSC informs candidates of the examination dates and venues after the Interview/Personality Test.
• The examination involves a physical assessment and a radiographic (X-ray) test.
• Candidates are expected to participate actively and cooperate during the process.
• PwBD candidates undergo their General Medical Examination at Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi.
• Benchmark Disability confirmation tests for PwBD candidates are conducted by the Benchmark Disability Expert Panel (BDEP) at AIIMS, New Delhi.

Post UPSC Medical Test

1. Candidates will interact with the Medical Board to complete any necessary procedures related to the UPSC medical test.
2. Medical Examination findings will be available on a secure website accessible to the candidates.
3. Those declared ‘Temporarily Unfit’ should not wait for final results but undergo re-examination promptly.
4. A Fitness Certificate from a Registered Medical Practitioner can be submitted for re-assessment.
5. Appeals against the Medical Board’s findings may result in delayed allocation and training if not resolved quickly.
6. Candidates can file an appeal online through DoPT’s website if dissatisfied with the Medical Board’s findings.
7. PwBD candidates can appeal a Benchmark Disability percentage under 40% via the DoPT website.
8. If the ADMB (Appellate Disability Medical Board) suggests a different percentage from BDEP (Benchmark Disability Expert Panel) at AIIMS, the higher percentage will apply.
9. Candidates should regularly check the DoPT website for updates on Medical Examination results and allocation status.
10. It is important to follow all instructions from the Department regarding the Medical Examination process.

How to Prepare for IAS Medical Test

1. Candidates should fast for at least 10 hours before the medical examination.
2. Do not take any medicine before the medical examination.
3. If using spectacles or a hearing aid, bring them along with their prescription.
4. If using contact lenses, stop using them at least 48 hours before the medical examination.
5. Candidates in the Physically Handicapped (PH) category must bring their ‘Disability Certificate’ from a Disability Medical Board, if applicable.
6. Pregnant candidates are fit for all services except those requiring physical training.

What Happens in case of UPSC Medical Test Failure

Failing the UPSC medical test can result in disqualification from the designated service. Candidates who do not meet the required health standards may be deemed unfit for their role. So, even if a candidate has cleared the three stages of UPSC examination, their induction into Civil services is not guaranteed. It highlights the importance of maintaining good physical and mental health to clear the examination and pursue a career in government services. In a way, it also underscores the decision of UPSC to safeguard the health of individuals from daily work pressures of the Civil Service roles.

IPS Physical Requirements

Category	Male	Female
Height	165 cm (General)160 cm (ST except SC/OBC)	150 cm (General)145 cm (ST except SC/OBC)
Chest	Minimum 84 cmExpansion: 5 cm	Minimum 79 cmExpansion: 5 cm
Eyesight (Distant Vision)	6/6 or 6/9 for good eye	6/12 or 6/9 for worst eye
Eyesight (Near Vision)	Not specified	J1 for good eyeJ2 for worst eye

Conclusion

While the UPSC medical test assesses physical and mental fitness, candidates should also be mindful of the psychological impact of the examination process. Anxiety or stress during the test could affect results, such as elevated blood pressure readings. To avoid this, practising mindfulness techniques or breathing exercises before the medical exam can help candidates stay calm and composed, ensuring more accurate results and a smoother evaluation experience.

FAQs

Is there any medical test for IAS?

Yes, there is a mandatory medical test for IAS. Candidates who successfully clear UPSC Prelims, UPSC Mains, and the final personality test will be called to take upa medical test at the designated hospitals. It is possible ot get disqualified at this stage, if health requirements aare not fitting the elgibility criteria.

What are IAS eyesight requirements?

The minimum required distant vision is 6/6 (20/20) for the better eye and 6/9 (20/30) for the worse eye. Candidates must not have conditions like color blindness or night blindness.

What is UPSC medical test eligibility?

The eligibility for UPSC medical test is passing UPSC Prelims and UPSC Mains along with the presnoality test. Only those candidates who cliear these three stages are eligible to under UPSC medical test. 

Is there UPSC medical test for HIV?

There is no explicit mention of HIV test in the UPSC medical test. However, if candidates are found to be HIV positive, there is no law at present which can prevent them from becoming an IAS or IPS, or any Civil servant.