Constable Recruitment 2026: SSC changes physical, medical assessment norms

Prayagraj: The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has issued revised guidelines for the Constable Recruitment Examination 2026, introducing changes to the physical and medical assessment process.The revised norms aim to streamline the Physical Standard Test (PST) while ensuring that prescribed health standards are maintained.Under the new provisions, the PST will be limited to recording basic physical parameters such as height, weight and chest measurements. Medical officers will no longer be involved at this preliminary stage, a move officials said is intended to speed up the screening process and reduce procedural delays.SSC officials clarified that the final assessment of a candidate’s weight and overall fitness will be conducted during the Detailed Medical Examination (DME) and Review Medical Examination (RME). During these stages, medical officers will recheck weight and carry out a comprehensive evaluation as per the prescribed medical standards before declaring a candidate fit or unfit.The commission has further stated that height and chest measurements recorded during the PST will remain valid during medical examination, while greater emphasis will be placed on weight and other health indicators at the DME and RME stages.A key addition to the revised guidelines is the inclusion of Body Mass Index (BMI) as a criterion for fitness assessment. As per the new rules, candidates must have a BMI between 18 and 25. Candidates with a BMI below 18 will be classified as underweight, while those above 25 will be considered overweight, and may be declared unfit for recruitment.The revised guidelines are expected to bring greater clarity, consistency and efficiency to the recruitment process, ensuring fair assessment while meeting the physical and medical requirements for service.