SSC CGL Eligibility Check

SSC CGL Physical and Medical Standards: Post-Wise Height, Walking and Vision Rules

SSC CGL has one common examination, but every post does not have the same physical and medical rules. Before placing CBIC Inspector, CBN, CBI, NIA, NCB or BRO high in your preference list, check the exact height, chest, walking, cycling, running and eyesight requirements.

Most important step Check the post before you rank the post. A good salary or popular job profile cannot compensate for a physical standard that you do not meet.

Many students prepare seriously for Tier 1 and Tier 2, but treat post preference like a last-minute formality. They assume that because SSC CGL is one exam, eligibility must also be common for all posts. The problem appears later when a selected Inspector or Sub-Inspector post asks for a fixed height, chest expansion, walking test, cycling test or vision standard.

This guide explains the SSC CGL physical and medical standards in a simple post-wise format. The aim is not to scare you away from field posts. The aim is to help you choose them only when your actual measurements and medical suitability match the latest official notice.

Official details checked on: 18 July 2026

Post-preference warning SSC makes allotment using merit, category, vacancy and the preference submitted by the candidate. If you receive a post and later fail its post-specific physical, medical or educational requirement, your candidature can be rejected and SSC may not shift you to another post. So this is a preference-planning issue, not something to check only after selection.

SSC

Official source used for this guide

SSC CGL 2026 Notice uploaded on 21 May 2026. Annexure XV contains standards for specified CBIC, CBN, CBI, NIA and NCB posts. Annexure XVI contains BRO physical-efficiency, regional physical and medical rules. The concerned user department conducts the measurements and tests after final selection and nomination.

Open Official Notice

Update rule A future SSC notice or departmental instruction can change a standard. Always read the notification for your own examination cycle before submitting the final option form.

Do all SSC CGL posts require a physical test?

No. Special physical, efficiency or vision standards apply only to specified posts. Many office-oriented posts are not listed under Annexure XV or XVI. However, “no special PET/PST in these annexures” should not be written as “no medical requirement at all,” because general medical fitness or departmental appointment rules may still apply.

Posts needing an extra check CBIC Central Excise, Examiner and Preventive Officer; Inspector and Sub-Inspector in CBN; CBI SI; NIA SI; NCB SI/JIO; and applicable posts in BRO.

Physical Standard Fixed measurements such as height, chest and weight.

Physical Efficiency Test Walking, cycling or running within the prescribed distance and time.

Vision Standard Distant and near eyesight written in forms such as 6/6, 6/9, 0.6 and 0.8.

Medical Examination Overall fitness decided by the authorised departmental medical board.

Clearing Tier 1 and Tier 2 proves your performance in the examination. It does not automatically clear a post-specific height measurement, walking test or medical board.

SSC CGL Post-Wise Physical and Vision Rules: Quick Comparison

Use this table only as a quick filter. Read the detailed post section before making a final decision because relaxations and departmental notes matter.

Post or Department	Male Height	Female Height	Chest / Weight	Walking / Cycling / Running	Vision	Important Note
CBIC Central Excise, Examiner, Preventive Officer; Inspector and SI in CBN	157.5 cm	152 cm	Male: chest 81 cm fully expanded with minimum 5 cm expansion. Female: minimum weight 48 kg.	Male: 1600 m walk in 15 min; 8 km cycle in 30 min. Female: 1 km walk in 20 min; 3 km cycle in 25 min.	Annexure XV does not give the same separate 6/6–6/9 line used for CBI/NIA/NCB.	Cycling is not applicable to SI in CBN. Walking still applies.
CBI Sub-Inspector	165 cm	150 cm	Male: 76 cm with expansion. Female: no chest requirement.	No walking, cycling or running test is listed in Annexure XV for CBI SI.	Distant: 6/6 and 6/9. Near: 0.6 and 0.8. With or without glasses.	Height relaxation of 5 cm for Hillsmen and Tribals.
NIA Sub-Inspector	170 cm	150 cm	Male: 76 cm with expansion. Female: no chest requirement.	No walking, cycling or running test is listed in Annexure XV for NIA SI.	Distant: 6/6 and 6/9. Near: 0.6 and 0.8. With or without glasses.	Male height is 5 cm higher than CBI SI. Height relaxation of 5 cm for Hillsmen and Tribals.
NCB Sub-Inspector / Junior Intelligence Officer	165 cm	152 cm	Male: 76 cm unexpanded with 5 cm expansion. Female: no chest requirement.	No separate walking, cycling or running test is listed in Annexure XV.	Distant: 6/6 and 6/9. Near: 0.6 and 0.8. With or without glasses.	5 cm relaxation applies only to the notified Hillsmen/Tribal regions and categories.
BRO Group C post, when reported	Region-wise: 152 to 162.5 cm	Only male candidates are eligible for BRO vacancies under the checked CGL 2026 notice.	Region-wise chest and weight standards.	One-mile run within 10 minutes.	6/12 each eye, or right 6/6 and left 6/24; corrective spectacles permitted subject to the notice.	Separate BRO medical board, regional standards and review procedure apply.

CBIC Inspector and CBN Physical Test

Height + Chest/Weight + Walking + Cycling

This common standard covers Inspector (Central Excise), Inspector (Examiner), Inspector (Preventive Officer), Inspector in the Central Bureau of Narcotics and Sub-Inspector in the Central Bureau of Narcotics. The first mistake students make is checking only the height. These posts also include an efficiency test.

Male Candidates

Height157.5 cm

Chest81 cm fully expanded, with minimum 5 cm expansion

Walking1600 metres in 15 minutes

Cycling8 km in 30 minutes

Height is relaxable by 5 cm for Garwalis, Assamese, Gorkhas and members of Scheduled Tribes.

Female Candidates

Height152 cm

Weight48 kg

Walking1 km in 20 minutes

Cycling3 km in 25 minutes

For Gorkhas, Garwalis, Assamese and members of Scheduled Tribes, height is relaxable by 2.5 cm and weight by 2 kg.

Special rule for Sub-Inspector in CBN Cycling is not applicable to SI in CBN. This does not remove the walking requirement. A candidate should not read “cycling not applicable” as “no physical test.”

PwD relaxation in the CBIC physical test

For Inspector (Central Excise/Examiner/Preventive Officer), candidates with disabilities must still meet the prescribed physical standards of height, chest and weight. The notice gives a limited relaxation in the efficiency test for specified orthopaedic categories:

• The walking test is not insisted upon for OL and OAL categories.
• The cycling test is not insisted upon for OA, OL and OAL categories.

These abbreviations relate to specific disability classifications. Do not assume that every locomotor-disability certificate receives the same relaxation. Match your exact category with the post-suitability table and the latest notice.

CBI, NIA and NCB: Do Not Treat These Posts as Identical

Height + Chest + Vision

These investigation posts are often grouped together in social-media preference lists, but their height and chest rules are not completely the same. The most visible difference is the male-height requirement for NIA.

CBI Sub-Inspector

Male Height

165 cm

• Female height: 150 cm
• Relaxation: 5 cm for Hillsmen and Tribals
• Male chest: 76 cm with expansion
• Female chest: No requirement
• Distant vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other
• Near vision: 0.6 in one eye and 0.8 in the other
• Glasses: Eye-sight may be with or without glasses

NIA Sub-Inspector

Male Height

170 cm

• Female height: 150 cm
• Relaxation: 5 cm for Hillsmen and Tribals
• Male chest: 76 cm with expansion
• Female chest: No requirement
• Distant vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other
• Near vision: 0.6 in one eye and 0.8 in the other
• Glasses: Eye-sight may be with or without glasses

NCB SI / JIO

Male Height

165 cm

• Female height: 152 cm
• Male chest: 76 cm unexpanded with 5 cm expansion
• Female chest: No requirement
• Distant vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other
• Near vision: 0.6 in one eye and 0.8 in the other
• Glasses: Eye-sight may be with or without glasses

Who should check CBI SI carefully?

A general-category male candidate close to 165 cm should get an accurate measurement rather than depending on a wall mark or an old health-card entry. A candidate using spectacles should also compare corrected vision with the stated distant and near standards instead of assuming that glasses automatically cause rejection.

Why NIA needs a separate decision

NIA requires 170 cm for men under the checked notice, while CBI requires 165 cm. That five-centimetre difference can completely change a candidate’s preference order. Female height is 150 cm in both sections, but the official relaxation and chest wording must still be read carefully.

Exact NCB height-relaxation note

The notice provides a 5 cm height relaxation for Hillsmen and Tribal candidates from the notified areas: Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Lahaul and Spiti district, Pangi Sub-division of Chamba district in Himachal Pradesh, the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.

Do not shorten this rule casually A regional relaxation is not the same as a general relaxation for every reserved-category candidate. You must satisfy the category or regional condition stated in the notice and possess valid supporting documents.

BRO Physical Efficiency and Medical Standards

Male Candidates Only in Checked Notice

The SSC CGL 2026 post list includes UDC/SSA in BRO, and the notice states that only male candidates are eligible for BRO vacancies, if reported. BRO should be treated separately because Annexure XVI uses its own physical-efficiency, regional-measurement and medical system.

BRO Physical Efficiency Test

One-mile run within 10 minutes. Candidates qualifying through SSC have to pass this run at GREF Centre, Pune, before proceeding to the further medical examination.

Who conducts it? The test is conducted at GREF Centre or the applicable recruitment centre by a Board of Officers detailed by Headquarters, Director General Border Roads.

BRO region-wise physical standards

Western Himalayan

J&K, Himachal Pradesh, notified Punjab Hills and Uttarakhand.

158 cm height, 75 cm unexpanded chest + 5 cm expansion, 47.5 kg.

Eastern Himalayan

Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam, notified West Bengal hills and Andaman Nicobar.

152 cm height, 75 cm unexpanded chest + 5 cm expansion, 47.5 kg.

West Plain

Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Western Uttar Pradesh.

162.5 cm height, 76 cm unexpanded chest + 5 cm expansion, 50 kg.

Eastern Plain

Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and Jharkhand.

157 cm height, 75 cm unexpanded chest + 5 cm expansion, 50 kg.

Central Region

Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Chhattisgarh.

157 cm height, 75 cm unexpanded chest + 5 cm expansion, 50 kg.

Southern Region

Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.

157 cm height, 75 cm unexpanded chest + 5 cm expansion, 50 kg.

Gorkhas (Indian Domicile)

152 cm height, 75 cm unexpanded chest + 5 cm expansion, 47.5 kg.

The schedule also records relaxation of 2 cm in height, 1 cm in chest and 2 kg in weight for sons of serving or ex-GREF personnel, and for the notified DD cases applying to an own or adopted son. Read the exact eligibility wording before claiming either relaxation.

BRO eyesight rule

The checked notice states visual acuity of not less than 6/12 in each eye, or right eye 6/6 and left eye 6/24. Corrective spectacles are permitted during the visual test. Where corrected vision is used, unaided vision should not be below 6/60 in each eye and corrected vision must meet the stated standard.

Temporary unfit, permanent unfit and re-measurement

• A candidate declared temporarily unfit for medical reasons can use the review process within the notified period.
• For shortage in weight or chest, the notice can allow reasonable time, not exceeding two months, to reach the standard.
• A written protest against measurement can lead to re-measurement through the prescribed board and time process.
• For height below the permanent standard, there is no normal appeal against the measurement, although a protesting candidate can be re-measured on the same day as provided.
• A candidate declared permanently unfit for medical reasons has a review/appeal route within the period stated in Annexure XVI.

BRO medical rules are detailed because service can involve high altitude, remote areas and difficult terrain. Read Annexure XVI directly instead of relying on a one-page coaching chart.

SSC CGL Eyesight Rules and Glasses: What the Numbers Mean

Students often treat eye power, clear vision and colour vision as the same thing. They are not. A vision line such as 6/6 or 6/9 measures distant visual acuity, while 0.6 and 0.8 in the Annexure XV sections refer to near vision.

6/6 Broadly indicates that the tested eye can see at six metres what standard vision is expected to see at six metres.

6/9 Broadly indicates slightly lower distant acuity than 6/6 under the testing system.

With or without glasses The stated acuity may be assessed with correction where the notice permits it. It does not waive every other eye condition.

Final authority The authorised department or medical board decides fitness, not a self-test or an online answer.

Eye power alone is not the complete answer A candidate may have spectacles and meet corrected visual acuity. Another candidate may read a distance chart well but have a different post-specific eye condition. The final decision cannot be made only from a prescription number.

Colour blindness, squint, LASIK surgery, night blindness, one-eyed vision and high eye power should not be given one universal yes-or-no answer for every SSC CGL post. Medical suitability can depend on the exact department, duties, detailed service rules and the authorised medical board. Do not rely only on an old YouTube video or a coaching screenshot.

How Height and Chest Are Actually Relevant

• Official height measurement is normally taken without shoes.
• A measurement made at home can be useful for screening, but it is not the final departmental measurement.
• Chest expansion applies only where the notice specifically lists it.
• Female candidates have no chest requirement in the CBI, NIA and NCB sections discussed above.
• A category or regional relaxation needs valid eligibility and supporting documents.
• When the minimum is fixed, even a small shortage can matter. Do not round your height upward while planning preferences.

There is no safe trick to manipulate height or chest. The practical solution is accurate measurement and a preference list that matches your real eligibility.

Three-Week Walking and Cycling Preparation Plan

This is a simple beginner plan for CBIC/CBN candidates. It is not a guarantee of passing. Candidates with an injury, breathing issue or other medical concern should take appropriate professional advice before starting intense activity.

Week 1

Build a Comfortable Baseline

Walk at an easy pace for 20–30 minutes on four days. Cycle comfortably on two or three days. Do not chase the test time immediately. Learn your current pace and check footwear, cycle height and road safety.

Week 2

Add Timed Practice

Practise the notified distance using a timer. Keep one easier recovery day between harder sessions. Record the time honestly and work on a steady pace rather than starting too fast and slowing badly at the end.

Week 3

Rehearse the Exact Test

Perform two or three full-distance rehearsals with proper recovery. Reduce heavy effort in the final days. Focus on warm-up, hydration, sleep and reaching the distance comfortably within the limit.

Simple preparation rule Practising random long distances is less useful than practising the exact required distance, timing your attempt and avoiding injury. Use comfortable footwear, warm up gradually and do not test yourself hard every day.

Four Eligibility Scenarios Before You Fill Preference

Scenario 1: Male candidate below CBI SI height

A general-category male candidate measures 164 cm and does not fall under the notified relaxation. CBI SI requires 165 cm in the checked notice, so placing it high creates a clear eligibility risk. This is an illustration; official measurement and the latest notice remain final.

Scenario 2: Female candidate comparing CBI and NCB

A female candidate measuring 151 cm meets the checked CBI SI height of 150 cm but not the NCB height of 152 cm, unless an applicable relaxation exists. Similar job names do not mean identical standards. This is an illustration; official measurement and rules remain final.

Scenario 3: Candidate wearing glasses

A candidate uses spectacles and meets the corrected 6/6 and 6/9 distant-vision requirement plus the near-vision standard. The wording “with or without glasses” means spectacles alone do not automatically disqualify the candidate, but the departmental medical board still decides final fitness.

Scenario 4: Written exam cleared, walking test failed

A candidate receives a CBIC post but fails the required walking test. Clearing Tier 2 does not replace the physical test, and SSC may not move the candidate to another post. This is why the preference check must happen before allotment.

SSC CGL Post-Preference Physical Eligibility Checklist

Complete this checklist before locking your final post order:

I checked my height using a reliable measurement.

I checked whether chest or weight applies to my chosen post.

I compared male and female standards correctly.

I checked the exact category or regional relaxation.

I checked walking, cycling or running requirements.

I checked distant and near vision standards.

I did not assume that wearing glasses automatically disqualifies me.

I read Annexure XV or XVI for the exact post.

I understand that failure may not lead to another post allotment.

I kept practical backup preferences that match my eligibility.

Which SSC CGL Posts Usually Do Not Have These Special Physical Tests?

Desk-oriented posts such as many Assistant, Auditor, Accountant, Tax Assistant, Postal Assistant and similar office roles are generally not listed in Annexure XV and XVI as having the special height, walking, cycling or investigation-post vision standards explained above.

That does not mean every such appointment is “medical-free.” General medical fitness, disability suitability, skill requirements and user-department rules may still apply. The safe method is to compare the current post list with Annexure XV and XVI instead of trusting an old “posts without physical test” image.

Common Mistakes That Can Damage a Good Preference List

Assuming every Inspector post has the same physical requirement.

Confusing Income Tax Inspector with CBIC Inspector posts.

Treating CBI and NIA male-height rules as identical.

Reading only the male standard or only the female standard.

Checking height but ignoring walking or cycling.

Believing that spectacles automatically cause rejection.

Claiming a regional or ST relaxation without valid eligibility.

Ranking a popular field post before checking physical suitability.

Following an old notification screenshot instead of the current annexure.

Assuming SSC will automatically allot a backup post after medical rejection.

Related Guides for a Safer SSC CGL Decision

SSC CGL Post Preference Guide Compare salary, work profile, promotion, posting and eligibility before ranking posts. SSC CGL Vacancy and Preference Reality Understand how tentative vacancies, score and eligibility affect allotment. Government Jobs Without Physical Test Separate no-PET posts from posts that still require medical or skill standards. Government Exams for Colour Blind Candidates Learn why colour vision and visual acuity need a post-wise check.

Final Recommendation Before You Submit Post Preference

Candidates who comfortably meet the standards can keep the desired field or investigation post according to their interest, score expectation and career priority. Candidates close to a minimum limit should get an accurate measurement and read the exact annexure before taking a risk.

A candidate who clearly does not meet a required standard should not place that post above suitable alternatives only because the salary, uniform, authority or social-media image looks attractive. Post preference is not only about salary and job profile; physical eligibility is part of the decision.

FAQs on SSC CGL Physical and Medical Standards

Does every SSC CGL post require a physical test?

No. Special physical standards or efficiency tests apply to specified posts such as selected CBIC, CBN, CBI, NIA, NCB and BRO posts. Many office posts are not listed under these special annexures, although general medical fitness or departmental requirements may still apply.

What is the height requirement for CBIC Inspector posts?

Under the checked SSC CGL 2026 notice, the minimum is 157.5 cm for male candidates and 152 cm for female candidates. The notice gives specific relaxations for Garwalis, Gorkhas, Assamese candidates and members of Scheduled Tribes.

Is there a walking or cycling test for CBI Sub-Inspector?

Annexure XV of the checked notice lists height, chest and vision for CBI SI but does not list a walking, cycling or running test for this post. Candidates should still check any fresh notice or departmental instruction applicable to their cycle.

Can candidates wearing glasses apply for CBI, NIA or NCB posts?

The checked Annexure XV writes the stated eyesight standard as “with or without glasses.” Spectacles alone therefore do not automatically disqualify a candidate, but the required distant and near acuity and the authorised medical board’s decision still apply.

What happens if a candidate fails the physical standard after post allotment?

The SSC notice warns that candidature may be rejected and the candidate may not be considered for another post or department. This is why post-specific eligibility should be checked before final preference submission.

Are male and female physical standards different?

Yes, they differ for several posts. For example, CBIC/CBN uses male height and chest but female height and weight, while the CBI, NIA and NCB sections do not prescribe a chest requirement for female candidates.

Is colour blindness allowed in every SSC CGL post?

There is no safe universal answer for every SSC CGL post. Colour-vision suitability can depend on the exact department, job duties, detailed medical rules and the authorised medical board. Check the post-specific official rule instead of relying only on a general SSC answer.