Physical Fitness Standards for Sainik School Medical Test 2026

Dixit ji sat across from me in October last year. His son was preparing for AISSEE. Class 5. Good student. Dedicated.

"Sharma ji, I want to make sure there are no surprises at the medical test. Can you tell me exactly what standards are checked? I want to start preparing now — not after results."

That's the right question to ask at the right time. October — six months before results, eight months before medical test. Plenty of time to check everything, fix anything fixable, and know in advance what to expect.

Here's the complete, specific breakdown of physical fitness standards for Sainik School medical test 2026.

Why Knowing Standards in Advance Matters

Most families discover medical standards after their child has already cleared written exam and been allotted a school. Some discover them on medical test day itself.

That's too late for anything that needed management.

Eyesight that's deteriorating can be stabilised with proper precautions — but only if you know it's an issue and start early. Dental work can be completed — but needs time. Weight managed — but needs months, not days.

Every parameter on this list is something that can be checked now. Some can be improved. Some can be managed. None should be a surprise.

Height and Weight Standards

Minimum height requirements (approximate, verify from current official notification):

For Class 6 entry (age 10-12): Minimum approximately 135-140 cm For Class 9 entry (age 13-15): Minimum approximately 148-152 cm

These are approximate figures based on historical standards. Exact minimums are published in the official AISSEE notification each year. Always verify from the current year's official document.

Weight requirement:

Weight must be proportionate to height. This is assessed as a BMI-based evaluation rather than a single fixed number. A child significantly underweight or significantly overweight for their height will be flagged.

There's no single "you must weigh X kg" rule. The standard is proportionality. A tall child needs proportionate weight. A shorter child needs less. The examiner uses standard height-weight charts for the relevant age group.

What can affect this:

Children who spend 6-8 months in sedentary study preparation — sitting at desks, no physical activity — sometimes gain significant weight by the time medical examination arrives. The written exam is in January. Medical examination happens in June-July. Five to six months where physical conditioning can change substantially.

Daily physical activity during preparation months isn't just good for health — it's exam preparation in a literal sense. 30-45 minutes of activity daily manages weight, builds stamina, and keeps the body in the condition that medical examination expects.

Eyesight Standards

Visual acuity:

Without glasses (naked eye):

• Better eye: 6/6 minimum
• Worse eye: 6/9 minimum

With glasses (corrected vision):

• Better eye must be correctable to 6/6

Refractive error limits:

Myopia (nearsightedness): Maximum -2.50 dioptre in the worse eye Hypermetropia (farsightedness): Maximum +3.50 dioptre Astigmatism (cylindrical): Maximum 1.50 dioptre

What these numbers mean in plain language:

If your child's glasses prescription shows -2.30 in one eye — within limits. -2.75 — outside limits, fails medical.

The difference between -2.40 and -2.60 is small in terms of vision quality. It's enormous in terms of medical eligibility. This is why exact measurement by an ophthalmologist matters — not an optician's rough estimate, not a school eye test, but a proper ophthalmology refraction assessment.

Squint (strabismus):

Manifest squint (visible misalignment of eyes) is typically disqualifying. Latent squint is usually acceptable.

Color vision:

Full color vision is required. Certain types of color blindness disqualify. The standard test is Ishihara color plates. Children who struggle to read Ishihara plates accurately should get a formal color vision assessment before medical examination.

What parents should do:

Get ophthalmologist examination done now. Not at a local optician — at a proper eye clinic or hospital with proper refraction equipment. Get exact measurements in writing. Know the numbers. If power is close to -2.50, monitor it actively. Heavy screen use causes myopia progression. Manage screen time during preparation months specifically.

Ear and Hearing Standards

Hearing requirement:

Normal hearing in both ears. Ability to hear normal conversational speech clearly.

Specific test: Child should be able to hear a whisper at 6 metres distance in each ear separately with the other ear covered.

Ear conditions that disqualify:

Active ear infection at time of examination. Perforated eardrum (tympanic membrane perforation). Chronic discharge from either ear. Significant hearing loss in either ear.

What parents should do:

If child has had recurrent ear infections or chronic ear conditions — get ENT consultation done in advance. Ensure any active infection is fully treated before medical examination. Don't attend examination with an active ear condition.

Nose and Throat Standards

Significant nasal conditions that impair breathing — large polyps, severely deviated septum causing breathing difficulty — can be flagged.

Chronic throat conditions, enlarged tonsils causing significant obstruction, or recurrent tonsillitis may be assessed.

Most children with normal nasal and throat health don't have issues here. The concern is significant, chronic, functionally impairing conditions — not routine seasonal allergies or occasional infections.

Dental Standards

Good dental health is required. Specific issues that can disqualify or cause flags:

Multiple untreated cavities (more than 4-5 significant cavities). Missing permanent teeth (not including normal milk tooth loss). Significant malocclusion causing functional impairment. Active gum disease or periapical infection.

What parents should do:

Take child to dentist now. Treat any existing cavities. Address any significant dental issues. Regular dental maintenance through preparation months. Healthy teeth are not just about appearance — they're a medical examination parameter.

This is one of the most preventable reasons for complications at medical examination and one of the most neglected areas of preparation.

Musculoskeletal Standards (Bones and Joints)

Flat feet (Pes Planus):

The arch of the foot is examined. Classification roughly as:

Normal arch — passes without issue. Mild flat feet — often passes. Examiner's discretion based on functional assessment. Moderate flat feet with some arch — borderline. May pass or may be flagged. Severe flat feet with no arch whatsoever — typically disqualifying.

How to check at home: Have child stand barefoot on a flat surface. Look at the inner side of the foot. Normal foot shows a visible gap between the inner sole and the ground. No gap at all — investigate further.

If there's any concern, orthopedic consultation gives you a clear clinical assessment before medical examination day.

Knock knees (Genu Valgum):

Child stands straight with feet together. Measure the gap between ankles. Normal: ankles touch or are very close. Mild knock knees: small gap, usually acceptable. Severe knock knees: significant gap (more than 8-10 cm typically) — tends to disqualify.

Bow legs (Genu Varum):

Opposite condition — legs curving outward. Significant bowing is assessed similarly.

Spine:

Basic spinal assessment for obvious deformity. Significant scoliosis (abnormal lateral curve of spine) visible on examination is assessed. A child with known scoliosis should get a current orthopedic assessment and bring the report to medical examination.

Limb abnormalities:

Any obvious deformity, amputation, or significantly reduced mobility of a limb.

Cardiovascular Standards (Heart)

Heart is examined by stethoscope. Doctors listen for:

Normal regular rhythm. No significant murmurs. No obvious cardiac abnormality.

What this means:

Most children have normal hearts and pass this without issue.

Known heart murmur cases:

Some children have been told they have an "innocent murmur" — a sound that is functionally normal and clinically insignificant. Many of these pass medical examination, especially with cardiologist documentation confirming the murmur is benign.

If your child has a known murmur or any documented cardiac finding — get current cardiologist assessment done. Bring the cardiologist's letter to medical examination specifically stating that the condition is benign and the child is fit for physical activity. This documentation significantly helps borderline cardiac cases.

Respiratory Standards (Lungs)

Chest examination by stethoscope. Normal breathing sounds expected.

Asthma:

Mild, well-controlled asthma is not automatically disqualifying. But it needs to be managed and documented. If your child has asthma — get current pulmonologist assessment. Have medication documented. Bring records to examination.

Severe asthma or asthma requiring frequent hospitalisation is more likely to be flagged.

Active respiratory infection:

If child has active chest infection, pneumonia, or significant respiratory illness at time of examination — request rescheduling. Don't attend examination while unwell. Physical examination of unwell respiratory system gives inaccurate picture.

Skin Standards

Significant chronic skin conditions affecting large body areas may be assessed. Localised conditions typically don't cause issues. This is one of the less common examination failure points.

Neurological Assessment

No obvious neurological abnormalities. Normal reflexes. Normal gross motor function. Epilepsy or seizure disorders are typically disqualifying.

The Complete Pre-Examination Checklist for Parents

Given all the above standards, here's what every family should complete before Sainik School medical examination:

Eyes: Ophthalmologist examination. Exact refraction measurements. Color vision test.

Ears: ENT check if any history of ear conditions. Confirm no active infection.

Teeth: Dentist visit. Treat any cavities. Address significant issues.

Flat feet / knock knees: Stand barefoot, assess yourself. Orthopedic if any concern.

Height and weight: Measure accurately. Maintain physical activity to keep weight proportionate.

Heart: If any known murmur or condition, get cardiologist clearance in writing.

Lungs: If asthma, get pulmonologist assessment and bring documentation.

Do this entire check 3-4 months before medical examination. That gives time to address anything that needs attention.

For families who want complete support through the AISSEE preparation process including medical preparation planning — Sainik Study coaching guides students and families through every stage, not just the written exam.

Bottom Line

Sainik School medical test 2026 checks: height and weight proportionality, eyesight (limit -2.50 myopia), color vision, hearing, ears, dental health, flat feet, knock knees, spine, heart, lungs, and general physical fitness.

Most common failure points: eyesight beyond power limits, severe flat feet, weight issues, dental problems, color blindness.

Every parameter is checkable in advance. Most issues that can be addressed need months — not days.

Get full medical assessment done 3-4 months before examination. Know every number. No surprises on examination day.

Eyesight specifically: ophthalmologist examination, exact measurements, monitor if borderline.

Physical activity during preparation months maintains weight and fitness — it's part of exam preparation, not separate from it.

Need complete guidance on medical preparation alongside AISSEE written exam preparation? Contact us for honest, specific support tailored to your child's situation.

Want more detailed information about Sainik School medical standards and admission process? Read our blog for everything parents need to know before examination day.