Only 8 out of 36 SSC CGL posts require physical and medical fitness tests. Yet every year, hundreds of selected candidates face rejection during the medical examination stage—not because they're unfit, but because they never checked if they met the basic height or chest requirements before giving their post preferences.
SSC CGL medical standards and physical tests are conducted by user departments after final selection and nomination. Failure to meet these standards results in disqualification for that post without consideration for alternatives.
Key Insight
This guide breaks down the exact physical requirements for each SSC CGL post, explains which medical tests you'll face, and helps you determine if you qualify before wasting a high preference on a post you can't join.
Quick Answer (30-Second Read)
Only specific SSC CGL posts require physical standards: Inspector roles in CBIC, Sub-Inspector positions in CBI/NIA/CBN, and Border Roads Organization posts. Key requirements:
- Height: 157.5-170 cm for males, 150-152 cm for females (varies by post)
- Chest (males only): 76-81 cm with 5 cm expansion minimum
- Vision: 6/6 in one eye, 6/9 in other eye (distant vision)
- Physical tests: Walking 1-1.6 km and cycling 3-8 km within specified times
Based on official SSC CGL 2024 notification and user department requirements.
Which SSC CGL Posts Require Physical Standards?
Eight specific post categories in SSC CGL mandate physical and medical fitness tests. These are primarily investigative, inspection, and field-duty roles where physical capability directly impacts job performance.
Posts WITH Physical Standards
- Inspector (Central Excise) in CBIC
- Inspector (Examiner) in CBIC
- Inspector (Preventive Officer) in CBIC
- Inspector in Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)
- Sub-Inspector in CBN
- Sub-Inspector in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Sub-Inspector in National Investigation Agency (NIA)
- Sub-Inspector/Junior Intelligence Officer in Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
Posts WITHOUT Physical Standards
- Tax Assistant
- Auditor
- Accountant
- Assistant Section Officer
- Postal Assistant
- And 23+ other administrative roles
All other SSC CGL posts—including Tax Assistant, Auditor, Accountant, Assistant Section Officer, and administrative roles—have no physical or medical standard requirements. You can apply regardless of height, weight, or fitness level.
When Are Physical Tests Conducted?
Physical and medical examinations occur after SSC declares the final merit list and nominates candidates to user departments. This means you'll complete Tier 1, Tier 2, document verification, and receive your selection before facing physical tests.
Stage 1: Written Exams
Complete Tier 1 and Tier 2 examinations successfully
Stage 2: Document Verification
Submit all required documents and certificates
Stage 3: Final Selection
Receive nomination to your allocated post
Stage 4: Physical Tests
User department conducts physical and medical examinations
The user department—CBI, NIA, CBIC, or CBN—conducts these tests at their designated centers. SSC plays no role in physical measurement or medical examination. If you fail, the user department rejects your candidature without SSC intervention.
Post-wise Physical Requirements Breakdown
Inspector Posts in CBIC (Central Excise/Examiner/Preventive Officer)
Physical Measurements
- Male Height: 157.5 cm minimum
- Female Height: 152 cm minimum
- Chest (Male): 81 cm fully expanded with 5 cm expansion
- Weight (Female): Minimum 48 kg
Physical Efficiency Tests
- Male Walking: 1,600 meters in 15 minutes
- Female Walking: 1 kilometer in 20 minutes
- Male Cycling: 8 kilometers in 30 minutes
- Female Cycling: 3 kilometers in 25 minutes
Height relaxations apply for specific communities: 5 cm relaxation for Garhwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas, and Scheduled Tribes members (males), 2.5 cm relaxation for the same communities (females).
Vision requirements: Distant vision 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other eye (with or without glasses). Near vision 0.6 in one eye and 0.8 in the other eye.
Sub-Inspector in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Physical Measurements
- Male Height: 165 cm minimum
- Female Height: 150 cm minimum
- Chest (Male): 76 cm with expansion
- Weight: Proportionate to height and age
Additional Requirements
- Height relaxable by 5 cm for hillsmen and tribals
- Vision standards: 6/6 and 6/9 distant vision
- Near vision: 0.6 and 0.8 in respective eyes
Sub-Inspector in National Investigation Agency (NIA)
Most Restrictive Requirements
- Male Height: 170 cm minimum (highest among all SSC CGL posts)
- Female Height: 150 cm minimum
- Chest (Male): 76 cm with expansion
Aditya from Lucknow secured Rank 742 in SSC CGL 2023 and ranked NIA Sub-Inspector as his first preference. His height measured 167 cm during the medical test. NIA rejected him, and because he had already been allocated NIA based on his high rank and first preference, SSC didn't consider him for any other post. His entire selection was forfeited.
Medical Examination Components
Beyond physical measurements, all selected candidates undergo comprehensive medical examination by authorized government medical officers. The medical test evaluates multiple health parameters.
Standard Medical Tests
- General physical health assessment
- Cardiovascular fitness evaluation
- Respiratory system examination
- Musculoskeletal condition check
- Vision and hearing tests
- Blood pressure and pulse rate measurement
Disqualifying Conditions
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Severe hypertension
- Significant hearing or vision impairment
- Major orthopedic disabilities
- Myopia exceeding -4.00 D
- Hypermetropia exceeding +4.00 D
Physical Standards Comparison Table
| Requirement | CBIC Inspector (M/F) | CBI SI (M/F) | NIA SI (M/F) | NCB SI (M/F) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 157.5 cm / 152 cm | 165 cm / 150 cm | 170 cm / 150 cm | 165 cm / 152 cm |
| Chest (Male only) | 81 cm (5 cm expansion) | 76 cm with expansion | 76 cm with expansion | 76 cm with expansion |
| Weight (Female) | Minimum 48 kg | Proportionate | Proportionate | Proportionate |
| Walking Test (M) | 1600m in 15 min | Not specified | Not specified | Required |
| Cycling Test (M) | 8 km in 30 min | Not specified | Not specified | Not applicable |
| Distant Vision | 6/6 and 6/9 | 6/6 and 6/9 | 6/6 and 6/9 | 6/6 and 6/9 |
Source: SSC CGL Official Notification 2023-24
Special Provisions for Persons with Disabilities
Persons with disabilities must meet the same physical standards (height, chest, weight) as other candidates for inspector posts. However, orthopedically disabled candidates receive specific relaxations in physical efficiency tests.
Allowed Relaxations
- Walking test waived for One Leg (OL) and One Arm & One Leg (OAL) categories
- Cycling test waived for One Arm (OA), One Leg (OL), and One Arm & One Leg (OAL) categories
Unchanged Requirements
- Vision standards remain unchanged for all categories
- Must meet 6/6 and 6/9 vision requirements
- Height and chest requirements apply equally
Your Action Plan: Checking Eligibility
Before applying for SSC CGL :
Measure Height Accurately
Use a stadiometer at a government hospital. Home measurements are often inaccurate.
Check Chest Measurement
Get measured at both unexpanded and fully expanded states for male candidates.
Test Vision Professionally
Visit an ophthalmologist for accurate vision assessment with correction.
When filling post preferences:
Carefully review physical requirements before ranking posts. If you fail physical tests after selection, you forfeit your entire selection without consideration for other posts.
Do This
- List physical standard posts only if you meet all requirements
- Consider backup options with lower requirements
- Rank posts strategically based on your measurements
Avoid This
- Don't waste high preferences hoping for leniency
- Don't assume minor variations will be accepted
- Don't rank NIA if you barely meet 170 cm height
People also search for
Can I apply for SSC CGL if I don't meet physical standards for Inspector posts?
Yes, absolutely. Physical standards apply only to 8 specific posts out of 36 total SSC CGL positions. All other posts including Tax Assistant, Auditor, Accountant, Assistant Section Officer, and Postal Assistant have no physical requirements. Simply avoid selecting the 8 physical standard posts in your preference form.
If I fail the medical test after SSC CGL selection, will I be considered for other posts?
No. If you fail physical or medical tests after being allocated a post, your entire candidature is rejected without consideration for any other post or department. This is why verifying your eligibility before submitting preferences is critical. SSC's post allocation is final and irreversible.
Are vision standards relaxable for candidates who wear glasses?
Vision standards explicitly state "with or without glasses," meaning you can wear corrective lenses. However, you must achieve 6/6 and 6/9 vision even with glasses. If your corrected vision doesn't meet this standard, you'll be disqualified. Additionally, candidates with myopia exceeding -4.00 D or hypermetropia exceeding +4.00 D face automatic disqualification regardless of corrected vision.
Can height requirements change between application and medical examination?
No. Physical standards are fixed as per the official SSC CGL notification and remain constant throughout the recruitment cycle. However, your actual measured height can vary slightly (±1-2 cm) based on time of day, measurement method, and posture. Get measured professionally before applying to know your exact height and avoid surprises during the medical test.
Do female candidates need to meet chest measurement requirements?
No. Chest measurement requirements apply only to male candidates for all SSC CGL posts with physical standards. Female candidates must meet height and weight requirements (where specified) plus physical efficiency tests like walking and cycling. Vision standards apply equally to both genders.
Conclusion: Know Before You Apply
SSC CGL medical standards and physical requirements aren't designed to exclude candidates—they ensure selected personnel can handle the demanding fieldwork these specific posts require. Eight posts need physical fitness; twenty-eight posts don't.
The key is knowing which category you fit into before filling your post preference form. Measure your height professionally, test your vision with an ophthalmologist, and honestly assess your physical capabilities against the walking and cycling requirements. These simple checks prevent the heartbreak of losing your selection due to preventable disqualification.
If you meet the standards, these physical posts offer exciting field roles with good career growth. If you don't meet them, SSC CGL still offers numerous excellent positions with identical pay scales and advancement opportunities—just different job profiles.
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