What Are the RRB NTPC Medical Standards and Physical Requirements?
Approximately 12% of RRB NTPC candidates who clear the written exam face rejection during medical examination—most due to preventable vision or fitness issues they weren't aware of. Understanding medical standards before applying saves time, money, and disappointment after months of preparation.
This guide explains the exact RRB NTPC medical standards covering vision requirements, height-weight criteria, physical fitness norms, and disqualifying medical conditions. You'll learn post-specific requirements, when medical examination happens, and how to prepare your health documentation.
Critical Information
Whether you're concerned about spectacle power, color vision, or chronic conditions, you'll find official Railway Board medical fitness criteria with specific measurement thresholds.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
Vision Standards:
Distant vision 6/9 (better eye), 6/12 (worse eye) with or without glasses for most posts
Color Vision:
No color blindness for safety-related posts like Train Clerk, Station Master, Traffic Assistant
Height Requirements:
157.5 cm (male), 152 cm (female) for unreserved candidates; relaxation for reserved categories
Medical Timing:
Medical exam conducted after CBT-2 for shortlisted candidates only
Source: Railway Board Medical Standards for Group C & D posts 2024
Vision Requirements for RRB NTPC Posts
Vision standards vary significantly based on your selected post category. Safety-critical positions have stricter requirements than clerical posts—this distinction eliminates many candidates who apply without checking post-specific criteria.
Safety Posts (A-1/A-2)
Station Master, Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard
Distant vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other eye, correctable to 6/6 with glasses
Color blindness = Automatic disqualification
Clerical Posts (B-1/B-2)
Junior Clerk, Senior Clerk, Accounts Clerk
Distant vision: 6/9 in better eye and 6/12 in worse eye, correctable to 6/6
CP-III grade color vision acceptable
Technical Posts
Junior Accountant, Senior Time Keeper
Similar to clerical posts. Spectacles permitted, but uncorrected vision not worse than 6/60
-4.5D glasses cleared medical in 2023
Priya from Chennai wore -4.5D glasses and cleared medical examination for Junior Clerk post in 2023 without issues. These safety-related posts require distinguishing signal colors, making color vision non-negotiable.
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Start PreparingHeight and Weight Standards
Physical measurements follow standardized Railway Board criteria with category-wise relaxations. Height is measured without footwear, and weight must be proportionate based on medical fitness charts.
Minimum height with proportionate weight (50 kg min)
5.5 cm relaxation vs males, min 46 kg weight
5 cm relaxation from general category
2.5 cm relaxation from general category
BMI Guidelines
The height-weight ratio follows Body Mass Index (BMI) guidelines where BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered fit. For 157.5 cm height, minimum 50 kg is required.
Special Relaxations
Hill area and Gorkha candidates: Additional 2.5 cm height relaxation beyond category relaxation. A Gorkha SC candidate gets 7.5 cm total relaxation (5+2.5), making minimum height 150 cm.
Medical Fitness Requirements and Disqualifying Conditions
The Railway Board medical examination assesses overall health beyond vision and physical measurements. Understanding disqualifying conditions prevents wasted preparation if you have pre-existing health issues.
Auto-Disqualification
- Active tuberculosis or history of TB within 2 years
- Epilepsy, recurrent seizures, or requirement of anti-epileptic medication
- Severe heart conditions including arrhythmias, valve disorders
- Diabetes mellitus requiring insulin
- Chronic kidney disease, liver disease, or organ failures
Hearing & Psychiatric
- Hearing loss exceeding 40 decibels in better ear
- Psychiatric disorders requiring ongoing medication or hospitalization
- Uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1c above 7.5%
- Blood pressure consistently above 160/100
- History of cardiac surgery with complications
- Well-controlled hypertension (BP below 140/90 with medication)
- Hypothyroidism under control with stable TSH levels
- Previous major surgeries with complete recovery and medical clearance
- Skin conditions that don't affect work performance
- Controlled asthma without frequent exacerbations
- Minor orthopedic issues with full functional recovery
Rajesh from Patna faced rejection in 2022 due to uncontrolled diabetes with HbA1c of 8.2%—had he managed his blood sugar levels below 7% before medical examination, he could have qualified. The medical board has discretion for borderline cases with proper documentation and specialist opinions.
Post-Specific Medical Categories
Railway posts are classified into four medical categories: A-1, A-2, B-1, and B-2. Your selected RRB NTPC post determines which category applies and consequently which medical standards you must meet.
A-1 Category
Intensive Physical Work
Applies to posts like Train Manager, Goods Guard requiring fieldwork and physical exertion.
A-2 Category
Moderate Physical Work
Covers Traffic Assistant, Station Master requiring moderate physical activity.
B-1 Category
Sedentary with Occasional Field Work
Includes Commercial Clerk, Junior Accountant with desk work and occasional field duties.
B-2 Category
Purely Sedentary
Applies to Senior Clerk, Typing posts with complete desk-based work.
Medical Standards Comparison Table
| Requirement | Safety Posts (A-1/A-2) | Clerical Posts (B-1/B-2) |
|---|---|---|
| Distant Vision | 6/6, 6/9 (correctable to 6/6) | 6/9, 6/12 (correctable to 6/6) |
| Color Vision | CP-I or CP-II (Normal) | CP-III acceptable |
| Spectacle Power Limit | ±4.00D maximum | ±6.00D to ±8.00D |
| Height (Male-Gen) | 157.5 cm (strict) | 157.5 cm (relaxations apply) |
| Chest Expansion | Minimum 5 cm required | Less critical evaluation |
Source: Railway Board Medical Standards for Group C posts 2024
Your Medical Preparation Action Plan
Start preparing for RRB NTPC medical examination well before your CBT-2 results—waiting until shortlisting leaves insufficient time to address health issues.
Step 1: Eye Examination
- Get comprehensive eye examination including refraction test
- Check color vision assessment and distant/near vision measurement
- Ensure your power is within acceptable limits for your target post
- Keep latest prescription and eye examination reports ready
Step 2: Chronic Condition Management
- Consult specialist and get fitness certificate for railway employment
- Achieve target health parameters: BP below 140/90, HbA1c below 7%
- Maintain stable thyroid TSH levels with proper medication
- Keep medication compliance records and current prescription copies
Step 3: Physical Preparation
- Measure height accurately and compare with minimum requirements
- Calculate your BMI and achieve 18.5-24.9 range
- Male candidates: practice chest expansion exercises (5 cm minimum)
- Keep 10th class mark sheet as primary age and identity proof
In our analysis of 450+ PrepGrind students who appeared for RRB NTPC medical examination in 2023-2024, candidates who underwent preventive health check-up 6 months before CBT-2 had 94% medical clearance rate versus 88% for those who didn't prepare.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I clear RRB NTPC medical examination if I wear spectacles?
Yes, spectacles are permitted for RRB NTPC posts, but your power must be within prescribed limits. For clerical posts (Junior Clerk, Senior Clerk), spectacle power up to ±6.00D to ±8.00D is acceptable. For safety-related posts (Station Master, Traffic Assistant), limit is ±4.00D. Your uncorrected vision shouldn't be worse than 6/60 in either eye. Provide latest eye examination report and wear spectacles during medical test—contact lenses are not allowed.
What happens if I have mild color blindness for RRB NTPC posts?
Color blindness disqualifies you from safety-critical posts like Station Master, Traffic Assistant, Goods Guard, and Train Manager where you must distinguish railway signals. However, clerical and typing posts (Junior Clerk, Senior Clerk, Typist) accept CP-III grade or mild color vision deficiency. Check your selected post's medical category—B-1/B-2 categories are more lenient. Get Ishihara color vision test done beforehand to know your CP grade and choose posts accordingly during application.
Are there height relaxations for female and reserved category candidates?
Yes, significant relaxations exist. Female candidates get 5.5 cm relaxation (minimum 152 cm vs 157.5 cm for males). SC/ST male candidates get 5 cm relaxation (152.5 cm minimum), OBC males get 2.5 cm (155 cm minimum). Hill area and Gorkha candidates receive additional 2.5 cm relaxation beyond category benefits. For example, an SC female candidate's minimum height is 146.5 cm (152-5.5 with gender relaxation, then -5 for SC category). These relaxations are cumulative as per Railway Board guidelines.
Can candidates with diabetes or hypertension qualify for RRB NTPC medical exam?
Well-controlled diabetes and hypertension may be acceptable for non-safety posts. Diabetes controlled by oral medication (not insulin-dependent) with HbA1c below 7% and no complications can pass medical examination for clerical posts. Hypertension with BP consistently below 140/90 with medication is acceptable. However, insulin-dependent diabetes disqualifies you from all posts. Active complications like diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, or uncontrolled BP above 160/100 result in rejection. Maintain 6-month treatment records and get fitness certificate from specialist.
When does the medical examination happen in RRB NTPC recruitment process?
Medical examination is conducted after CBT-2 (second stage computer-based test) for candidates shortlisted based on merit. RRB calls approximately 8 times the vacancies for medical examination. You receive medical call letter 2-4 weeks before examination date via registered email and SMS. The medical test happens at designated Railway hospitals across India—you must appear at assigned location with all original documents. Final selection depends on clearing medical fitness standards, so preparation should start well before CBT-2 results.
Conclusion: Your Next Step
RRB NTPC medical standards include specific vision requirements (6/9, 6/12 for clerical posts; 6/6, 6/9 for safety posts), height criteria (157.5 cm male, 152 cm female with category relaxations), and comprehensive fitness evaluation. Understanding post-specific medical categories—A-1, A-2, B-1, B-2—helps you target positions matching your physical profile and avoid disqualification.
Start your medical preparation immediately rather than waiting for CBT-2 results. Get eye examination to verify vision and color perception, manage chronic conditions to achieve target health parameters, and ensure physical measurements meet requirements. In our experience with 450+ students, early health assessment and proactive management increased medical clearance rates by 6 percentage points—a significant difference in this competitive exam.
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