New army rule: Physicals must even for brass

The Indian Army has recast its physical fitness rules to boost combat readiness within its ranks, promulgating new guidelines that will be applicable even to its topmost officers who will have to undergo and clear combined physical tests twice a year, officials aware of the development said on Wednesday.

- Rahul Singh

Officers and men up to the age of 50 had to thus far clear two separate physical tests (battle physical efficiency test, or BPET, and physical proficiency test, or PPT every year. This meant that the senior-most officers were exempt.

But now, the age limit for the new tests has been raised to 60, the officials said, asking not to be named.This means the new rules will cover everyone from Agniveers to three-star army commanders, and will come into force on April 1, 2026. In the army, the two tests will be replaced by combined physical tests, held twice a year.