Short answer: In the latest official RPF Constable notice, CEN RPF 02/2024, men need a height of 165 cm and women 157 cm (General, EWS and OBC). SC/ST candidates need 160 cm (men) and 152 cm (women). Men also need a chest of 80 cm unexpanded and 85 cm expanded. Men run 1600 m in 5 minutes 45 seconds; women run 800 m in 3 minutes 40 seconds.
These numbers are from CEN RPF 02/2024, the most recent RPF Constable notice we could check, published by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). A new notice can change them, so read the next official notice for your RRB before you start training for a particular number. Every figure on this page comes from that PDF. The link is at the end.
What is the RPF Constable physical test?
After the computer-based test (CBT), shortlisted candidates are called for three things together: the Physical Efficiency Test (PET), the Physical Measurement Test (PMT) and Document Verification (DV). The notice says up to 10 times the number of vacancies in each category (male, female, ex-servicemen) are called, in order of CBT merit.
Both PET and PMT are qualifying only. No marks are given. You must clear every part to stay in the selection. The medical examination comes after this, and your final selection depends on CBT merit, so the physical test is a pass-or-fail gate, not a place to score extra.
RPF Constable PET: running and jumping standards
This is the PET table from the notice (para 12.2):
| Candidate | Run | Long jump | High jump |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1600 m in 5 min 45 sec | 14 ft | 4 ft |
| Female | 800 m in 3 min 40 sec | 9 ft | 3 ft |
The rules for the PET, as written in the notice:
- You get one chance for the 1600 m or 800 m run.
- You get up to two chances each for the long jump and the high jump.
- Ex-servicemen are exempt from the PET, but they must still do the PMT.
- You must qualify in all tests to be considered.
RPF Constable height for male and female
The PMT height limits, in centimetres:
| Category | Male height | Female height |
|---|---|---|
| UR / EWS / OBC | 165 cm | 157 cm |
| SC / ST | 160 cm | 152 cm |
| Garhwalis, Gorkhas, Marathas, Dogras, Kumaonese and other categories specified by the Government | 163 cm | 155 cm |
Some websites quote a different "zone-wise" height, for example a higher figure for North India. We did not find any such figure in CEN RPF 02/2024. Use the table above, and check the next notice for changes.
RPF Constable chest measurement (male only)
Chest is measured for men only. Women are measured for height only.
| Category (male) | Chest, unexpanded | Chest, expanded |
|---|---|---|
| UR / EWS / OBC | 80 cm | 85 cm |
| SC / ST | 76.2 cm | 81.2 cm |
| Garhwalis, Gorkhas, Marathas, Dogras, Kumaonese and other categories specified by the Government | 80 cm | 85 cm |
The chest must meet both the unexpanded and the expanded figure. If a man's unexpanded chest is below the limit, the expanded chest is not even measured and he is treated as disqualified.
In what order do the physical tests happen?
- The run first. Only candidates who qualify in the 1600 m (men) or 800 m (women) are measured for height and chest.
- Then the jumps and measurement. Height for everyone, chest for men.
- Height gate for men. A male candidate who does not have the minimum height is not measured for chest and is treated as disqualified.
A candidate who is short of the minimum height or chest is treated as having failed the PMT. There is a grievance redressal cell for PMT complaints. You must represent within three days of the test date to the PCSC in whose jurisdiction the PET, PMT, DV and medical are held.
Age limit and relaxations in CEN RPF 02/2024
The age limit was 18 to 28 years as on 1 July 2024. The normal range for the post is 18 to 25. The extra 3 years were a one-time Covid-19 relaxation, so do not treat 28 as a permanent upper limit. A future notice can go back to 25 or set a different date.
| Category | Upper age relaxation in that notice |
|---|---|
| SC and ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Ex-servicemen (6+ months continuous service) | UR/EWS 3 years, OBC-NCL 6 years, SC/ST 8 years, after deducting length of service |
| Widowed, divorced or judicially separated women, not remarried | UR/EWS 2 years, OBC-NCL 5 years, SC/ST 7 years |
If you qualify on more than one ground, you get the largest relaxation, not the sum. SC, ST and OBC (NCL) candidates applying against General (UR) vacancies do not get age relaxation. Education required: Matriculation (10th) or equivalent.
What the 2024 notice offered (for reference)
- Post: Constable (Executive), Pay Level-3, initial pay Rs 21,700.
- Vacancies: 4,208.
- Stages: CBT, then PET/PMT and DV, then medical examination.
- Second round: if enough candidates do not qualify in the first PET/PMT, extra candidates (up to 10 times the shortfall) can be called. There is a maximum of two rounds of PET/PMT. Female and ex-servicemen posts left unfilled after the second round go to male candidates of the same category.
This is a snapshot of the 2024 notice, not a live vacancy. For the latest stage of the recruitment, check rpf.indianrailways.gov.in and the website of your RRB.
What if I fail the physical test?
Because the run allows one chance, there is no re-run on the same day. The notice does not give a general re-test. The only repeat is the "second round", which is a fresh call-up of other candidates from the merit list when posts remain unfilled; it is not a second attempt for those who already failed. A candidate below the minimum height or chest is treated as failed in the PMT. If you think the measurement was wrong, use the three-day grievance route above.
The practical lesson: train the 1600 m or 800 m time well before the CBT result, because the run decides whether you reach the measurement table at all.
How to prepare for the PET
- Run on a measured track. A 1600 m run is four laps of a 400 m track. For 5 min 45 sec that is roughly 86 seconds a lap. For women, 800 m in 3 min 40 sec is about 110 seconds a lap. Time yourself with a stopwatch.
- Practise the jumps on the day-one standard. The 14 ft long jump and 4 ft high jump (men), and 9 ft and 3 ft (women), get two attempts. Do not rely on the second.
- Check your height and chest early. If you are close to the limit, get measured properly now, so you know where you stand before you apply.
- Keep your documents ready. DV happens in the same call-up. Caste, EWS or ex-serviceman certificates must be valid as the notice requires.
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Sources
- Railway Recruitment Boards, CEN No. RPF 02/2024 (Constable), English notice, RRB Secunderabad (PDF): age limit and relaxations (paras 5.0 and 5.1), PET and PMT (para 12.2 and notes), vacancies and pay
- Railway Protection Force, official website: for the current notice
Figures checked against the notice text on 18 October 2026. Page first published 2018; physical standards section rewritten October 2026. Related: RPF SI course.