The Indian Army is overhauling its fitness assessment system by introducing a new test every soldier will be required to take twice a year starting April 1, 2026.
The Combined Physical Test (CPT) will replace the existing dual system to create a single standard for evaluating combat readiness, according to Press Trust of India. The new format will apply to personnel up to 60 years old, bringing senior officers under the same fitness rules as junior ranks for the first time.
Soldiers under 50 previously took two separate assessments — the Battle Physical Efficiency Test and the Physical Proficiency Test — while more senior officers were largely exempt.
The CPT merges both tests into one, with exercises adjusted for different age groups. For troops up to 45, the routine includes horizontal and vertical rope climbs, split into brackets for those under 35 and those aged 35 to 45. Rope climbs are excluded for personnel older than 45.
Push-ups and sit-ups will apply to all genders up to age 50. Personnel aged 50 to 60 will complete a 3.2-kilometer (1.99-mile) brisk walk along with a set number of push-ups and sit-ups designed to measure endurance and strength.
India’s Armed Forces Expand Fitness and Readiness Reforms
Performance scores from the CPT will appear in soldiers’ annual confidential reports, making physical fitness a factor in promotions. The army has also set uniform scoring standards to ensure consistency across age groups and genders.
The CPT is part of a broader effort by India’s armed forces to modernize physical readiness and adapt to contemporary battlefield demands.
In 2021, the Indian Navy introduced stricter Physical Efficiency Test standards that linked fitness results to promotions and awards. Sailors and officers who repeatedly fail risk losing eligibility for advancement or commendations.
The introduction of Agniveers under the 2022 Agnipath scheme also reflects this shift toward a younger, fitter, more agile force. The program recruits personnel for four-year terms with a focus on physical readiness, discipline, and adaptability to emerging technologies.
