Medical Standards

Medical Standards and Procedure of Medical Examination:   

Medical Standards and Procedure of Medical Examination for Technical Graduate Course are given below:

Medical Standards:

(i) Medical standards described in the following paragraphs are general guidelines. These standards are subject to change with advancement in the scientific knowledge and change in working conditions of Armed Forces due to introduction of new equipment/ technology. Medical Officers, Spl Medical Officers and Medical Boards will take appropriate decisions based on following guidelines and principles.

(ii) Candidates must be physically and mentally fit according to the prescribed standards. Medical fitness criteria given below are as per existing guidelines as on date of publication and these guidelines are subject to revision. A number of qualified candidates are rejected subsequently on medical grounds. Candidates are, therefore, advised in their own interest to get themselves medically examined before submitting their applications to avoid disappointment at the final stage.

(iii) Permanent body tattoos are only permitted on inner face of forearm i.e from inside of elbow to the wrist and on the reverse side of palm/ back (dorsal) side of hand.  Permanent body tattoos on any other part of the body are not acceptable and candidates will be barred from further selection.  Tribes with tattoo marks on the face or body as per their existing custom and traditions will be permitted on a case to case basis. Commandant Selection Centre will be competent authority for clearing such cases. For tattoo policy in detail, please visit our website www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.

(iv) Medical examinations are carried out meticulously by Armed Forces Medical Services

Medical Officers. These Medical Officers are well oriented to specific working condition of Armed Forces after undergoing basic military training. Medical examinations are finalized by the Board of Medical Officers. The decision of the Medical Board is final. In case of any doubt about any disease/disability/ injury/genetic disorder etc noticed during selection/ induction to training/ commissioning, the benefit of doubt will be given to State.

(v) All candidates who are selected will be undergoing tough military training and will be deployed to perform military duties in any terrain, weather and austere conditions. In such condition’s ill health of any member of the team can jeopardize the military operations or endanger lives of the entire team. Therefore, medical examinations are carried out to select candidates who are "Medically fit to perform military duties in any terrain, weather and austere conditions". Candidate should be:

1. Medically capable of undergoing training and withstand physical and mental demands of performing Military duties of Armed Forces.

2. Medically fit to adapt to the military environment without the necessity of geographical area limitations and capable of performing military tasks without access to specialized medical care.

3. Free of medical conditions or physical defects that would entail excessive loss of time from duty for treatment and hospitalization.

4. Free of contagious diseases that might endanger the health of other personnel.

(vi) To be deemed ‘Medically fit’, a candidate must be in good physical and mental health and free from any disease/syndrome/disability likely to interfere with the efficient performance of military duties in any terrain, climate, season incl sea and air, in remote areas, in austere conditions with no medical aid. Candidate also should be free of medical conditions which require frequent visit to medical facilities and use of any aid/drugs.

It will, however, be ensured that candidate is in good health. There should be no evidence of weak constitution, imperfect development of any system, any congenital deformities/diseases /syndrome of malformation.

1. No swelling/s including tumours/cyst/swollen lymph node/s anywhere on the body. No sinus/es or fistula/e anywhere on the body.

2. No hyper or hypo pigmentation or any other disease/syndrome /disability of the skin. 

3. No hernia anywhere on the body.

4. No scars which can impair the functioning and cause significant disfigurement.

5. No arterio-venous malformation anywhere in/on the body. 

6. No malformation of the head and face including asymmetry, deformity from fracture or depression of the bones of the skull; or scars indicating old operative interference and malformation like sinuses and fistualae etc.

7. No impairment of vision including color perception and field of vision.

8. No hearing impairment, deformities/disabilities in ears vestibule-cochlear system.

1. No impediment of speech due to any aetiology. 

10. No disease/disability/congenital anamoly/syndrome of the bones or cartilages of the nose, or palate, nasal polyps or disease of the naso-Pharynx, uvula and accessory sinuses. There should be no nasal deformity and no features of chronic tonsillitis.

11. No disease/syndrome/disability of the throat, palate tonsils or gums or any disease or injury affecting the normal function of either of  mandibular joints.

• No disease/syndrome/disability of the heart and blood vessels incl congenital, genetic, organic incl hypertension, and conduction disorders.

13. No evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis or previous history of the disease or any other disease/syndrome/disability chronic disease of the lungs and chest including allergies/immunological conditions, connective tissue disorders, musculoskeletal deformities of chest.

• No disease of the digestive system including any abnormality of the liver, pancreas incl endocrinal, congenital, hereditary or genetic disease/syndrome/ disabilities.

• No disease/syndrome/disability of any endocrinal system, reticuloendothelial system. 

16. No disease/syndrome/disability genito-urinary system including malformation, atrophy/hypertrophy of any organ or gland.

17. No active, latent or congenital venereal disease. 

18. No history or evidence of mental disease, epilepsy, incontinence of urine or enuresis.

19. No disease/deformity/syndrome of musculo-skeletal system and joints incl skull, spine and limbs.

20. There is no congenital or hereditary disease/syndrome/disability.

(vii) Psychological examinations will be carried out during SSB selection procedure. However, any abnormal traits noticed during medical examination will be a cause for rejection. 

(viii) Based on the above mentioned guidelines usual medical conditions which lead to rejection are:

1. Musculo skeletal deformities of spine, chest and pelvis, limbs eg scoliosis, torticollis, kyphosis, deformities of vertebrae, ribs, sternum, clavicle, other bones of skeleton, malunited fractures, deformed limbs, fingers, toes and congenital deformities of spine. 

2. Deformities of Limbs.  Deformed limbs, toes and fingers, deformed joints like cubitus valgus, cubitus varus, knock knees, bow legs, hyper mobile joints, amputated toes or fingers and shortened limbs.

3. Vision and Eye. Myopia, lesions of cornea, lens, retina, squint and ptosis.

4. Hearing, Ears, Nose and Throat. Substandard hearing capability, lesions of pinna, tympanic membranes, middle ear, deviated nasal septum, congenital abnormalities of lips palate, peri-auricular sinuses and lymphadenitis/adenopathy of neck Hearing capacity should be 610 cm for Conversational Voice and Forced Whispering for each ear.

5. Dental conditions 

1. Incipient pathological conditions of the jaws, which are known to be progressive or recurrent.

2. Significant jaw discrepancies between upper and lower jaw which may hamper efficient mastication and/or speech will be a cause for rejection. 

3. Symptomatic Temporo-Mandibular Joint clicking and tenderness.  A mouth opening of less than 30 mm measured at the incisal edges, Dislocation of the TMJ on wide opening. 

4. All potentially cancerous conditions.

5. Clinical diagnosis for sub mucous fibrosis with or without restriction of mouth opening.

6. Poor oral health status in the form of gross visible calculus, periodontal pockets and/or bleeding from gums.

7. Loose teeth: More than two mobile teeth will render the candidate unfit. 

8. Cosmetic or post-traumatic maxillofacial surgery/trauma will be UNFIT for at least 24 weeks from the date of surgery/injury whichever is later.

9. If malocclusion of teeth is hampering efficient mastication, maintenance of oral hygiene or general nutrition or performance of duties efficiently.

6. Chest:  Tuberculosis, or evidence of tuberculosis, lesions of lungs, heart, musculo skeletal lesions of chest wall.

7. Abdomen and Genito-Urinary System:

Hernia, undescended testis, varicocele, organomegaly, solitary kidney, horseshoe kidney & cysts in the kidney/liver.  Gall bladder stones, renal and ureteric stones, lesions/deformities of urogenital organs, piles, sinuses and lymphadenitis/pathy.

8. Nervous system: 

Tremors, speech impediment and imbalance.

1. Skin:  Vitiligo, haemangiomas, warts, corns, dermatitis, skin infections and hyperhydrosis. 
10. Following investigations will be carried out during SMB However, examining medical officer/ medical board may ask for any other investigation deemed fit:

1. Complete haemogram.

2. Urine RE.

3. Chest X-ray.

4. USG abdomen and Pelvis 

(k) Vision standards: 

*LASIK or equivalent kerato-refractive procedure

1. Any candidate who has undergone any kerato-refractive procedure will have a certificate/operative notes from the medical centre where he has undergone the procedure, specifying the date and type of surgery. 

• .    Absence of such a certificate will necessitate the Ophthalmologist to make a decision to reject the candidate with specific endorsement of “Unfit due to undocumented Visual Acuity corrective procedure.

2. In order be made FIT, the following criteria will have to be met:-

a. Age more than 20 yrs at the time of surgery. 

b. Minimum 12 months post LASIK.

c. Central corneal thickness equal to or more than 450 µ.

d. Axial length by IOL Master equal to or less than 26mm.

e. Residual refraction within the standards prescribed for the specific entry being applied for.

f. Normal healthy retina(excluding cases of lasered lattice).

g. Corneal topography and ectasia markers can also be included as addl criteria. 

  Candidates who have undergone radial keratotomy are permanently unfit.