Police service offers dynamic public authority, stable government remuneration, and direct avenues to serve your community. However, unlike standard desk jobs, law enforcement recruitment places equal importance on physical fitness and endurance.
Every year, thousands of candidates prepare rigorously for the written exam but face unexpected disqualification during the Physical Standard Test (PST) due to height or unexpanded chest measurements. In this guide, Ravi Kumar compiles standard physical eligibility norms across prominent state police forces and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
1. Physical Standard Test (PST): Height & Chest Benchmarks
General Norms for Male Candidates:
- Height (General / OBC / SC): Minimum 168 cm (In Delhi Police & Central CAPFs: 170 cm).
- Height (ST Candidates): Minimum 160 cm to 162.5 cm depending on state rules.
- Chest Measurement: Minimum 79 cm unexpanded, with a mandatory minimum expansion of 5 cm (i.e. 84 cm expanded). For ST candidates: 77 cm unexpanded, 82 cm expanded.
General Norms for Female Candidates:
- Height (General / OBC / SC): Minimum 152 cm (Delhi Police: 157 cm).
- Height (ST Candidates): Minimum 147 cm to 152 cm.
- Minimum Weight: Mandatory minimum body weight of 40 kg. (Chest measurement norms do not apply to female candidates).
2. Physical Endurance Test (PET): Running Timings by Department
| Police Department / Commission | Male Running Benchmark | Female Running Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh Police (UPPRPB) | 4.8 km in 25 minutes | 2.4 km in 14 minutes |
| Delhi Police (SSC DP Constable) | 1.6 km in 6 minutes + Long Jump (14 ft) + High Jump (3.9 ft) | 1.6 km in 8 minutes + Long Jump (10 ft) + High Jump (3 ft) |
| Bihar Police (CSBC Constable) | 1.6 km in 6 minutes (Graded marks based on speed) + Shot Put + High Jump | 1.0 km in 5 minutes (Graded marks) + Shot Put + High Jump |
| Rajasthan Police | 5.0 km in 25 minutes | 5.0 km in 35 minutes |
| SSC GD Constable (CAPFs / BSF / CRPF) | 5.0 km in 24 minutes | 1.6 km in 8.5 minutes |
3. Tactical Running Training Schedule by Ravi Kumar
Transitioning from a sedentary student routine to running 4.8 km or 5.0 km requires gradual aerobic progression to prevent shin splints and knee stress:
- Week 1 - 2: Alternating jogging and walking (300 meters jog, 200 meters brisk walk for 3 km total).
- Week 3 - 4: Continuous slow pacing (run 2.5 km at conversational speed without stopping).
- Week 5 - 8: Distance building (stretch total running volume to 6 km at a steady pace to build mental stamina beyond the actual exam distance).
- Final Month: Timed practice runs on official track grounds twice a week.
Common Medical Disqualifiers to Check Early:
Knock Knees (knees touching while standing with feet together), Flat Feet, Varicose Veins, and Color Blindness are standard grounds for medical rejection in police forces. Have a qualified government physician perform a preliminary assessment before investing months of preparation.