Indian Army GD Height and Physical Requirements 2026 – Complete Detailed Guide
Overview
The Indian Army conducts recruitment rallies and examinations to select candidates for the post of Soldier General Duty (GD). This is one of the most popular entry-level positions for candidates who want to serve in the Indian Armed Forces after completing their 10th or 12th standard.
Apart from educational qualification and written examination, physical standards play a crucial role in the selection process. Height, chest measurement, weight proportion, and physical fitness tests are mandatory for selection.
This article explains the complete Indian Army GD 2026 height criteria and physical requirements in a structured format.
Important Dates
Indian Army GD recruitment is conducted through online notifications and recruitment rallies.
Notification Release: As per official Indian Army recruitment schedule
Online Application: As per recruitment rally announcement
Physical Test and Rally Dates: Announced region-wise
Common Entrance Exam (CEE): Conducted after physical screening
Candidates must regularly check the official Indian Army recruitment website for exact dates and region-wise notifications.
Eligibility
To apply for Indian Army Soldier GD 2026, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria.
The minimum educational qualification required is 10th pass (Matriculation) from a recognized board with minimum marks as specified in the official notification.
The age limit is generally between 17.5 years to 21 years. The exact age range is mentioned in the official recruitment notification.
Nationality must be Indian as per recruitment rules.
Candidates must meet prescribed physical standards including height, chest, and weight.
For Soldier GD, the minimum height requirement is generally 170 cm for most regions. However, there are relaxations in height for candidates belonging to certain regions such as North-East states, hilly areas, and tribal areas as per official rules.
The chest measurement for male candidates must be at least 77 cm with a minimum expansion of 5 cm.
Weight must be proportionate to height and age as per Indian Army medical standards.
Candidates must be medically fit and free from any physical deformities or chronic diseases.
Application Process
The Indian Army GD application process is conducted online through the official recruitment portal.
Candidates must register by providing personal details, educational qualifications, and uploading necessary documents.
After successful registration, candidates are assigned to a recruitment rally based on their region.
Admit cards for the rally and Common Entrance Examination are released online.
Candidates must carry required documents including educational certificates, domicile certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), and identity proof during the rally.
Selection Process
The Indian Army GD selection process consists of multiple stages.
The first stage is the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), which includes a 1.6 km run. Candidates are required to complete the run within the time specified in the official notification. Marks are awarded based on performance.
After the running test, candidates undergo Physical Measurement Test (PMT) where height, chest, and weight are measured according to prescribed standards.
Candidates who qualify in the physical tests are called for the Common Entrance Examination (CEE), which is a written test covering General Knowledge, General Science, and Mathematics.
Candidates who clear the written examination undergo a detailed medical examination conducted by Army medical authorities.
Final selection is based on performance in the written examination and medical fitness, subject to availability of vacancies.
Salary
Selected candidates join as Soldier General Duty under Pay Level 3 of the 7th Pay Commission.
The starting basic pay is approximately ₹21,700 per month.
In addition to basic pay, soldiers receive Military Service Pay, Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance (if applicable), and other field allowances.
The approximate in-hand salary ranges between ₹30,000 to ₹40,000 per month depending on posting location and allowances.
Soldiers also receive benefits such as medical facilities, pension benefits, risk and hardship allowances, and other service-related perks.
Direct Official Link
Candidates must refer only to the official Indian Army recruitment website for accurate and updated information regarding Soldier GD 2026 eligibility and physical requirements:
Always verify height criteria and physical standards from the official notification before applying.