For FIA uniform posts the required height is 5 feet 6 inches for men and 5 feet 4 inches for women. Chest is measured for men only and the requirement is 33 to 34½ inches. The endurance test is a one mile (1.6 km) run in 7 minutes for men and 10 minutes for women. No relaxation is allowed in physical standards or the endurance test.
Taken from the official advertisement. Every figure on this page comes from the FIA recruitment advertisement published on the official FIA website, fia.gov.pk. We downloaded and read the document itself rather than copying other websites.
Important correction. Several websites state the female height requirement as 5 feet 2 inches. That is wrong. The official FIA advertisement clearly states 5 feet 4 inches for women. Do not rule yourself out, or count yourself in, based on a figure you read on a random page.
The physical test is where most FIA candidates are eliminated. It is also the one stage you can fully prepare for, because the standards are fixed and published in advance. Height and chest you cannot change. The run you absolutely can.
This guide gives you the official standards, explains how the measurements are taken on the day, and gives you a training plan for the mile run.
FIA physical test standards 2026
| Requirement | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches | 5 feet 4 inches |
| Chest | 33 to 34½ inches | Not measured |
| Endurance run | 1 mile (1.6 km) in 7 minutes | 1 mile (1.6 km) in 10 minutes |
No relaxation. None. The advertisement states plainly that no relaxation will be allowed in the lower age limit, the physical standards, or the endurance test. Age relaxation of five years exists for the upper age limit, but it does not apply to height, chest or your run time.
Which FIA posts have a physical test
Not every FIA post requires a physical test. It applies to the uniform posts only.
Candidates applying for Assistant, Stenotypist, Upper Division Clerk, Lower Division Clerk and Staff Car Driver do not go through the physical and endurance test. They move to the written and skill stages instead.
How the measurements are taken on test day
Knowing what happens removes half the nerves. The physical stage runs in a set order.
You must show your roll number slip and your original CNIC. Without both you are not allowed in.
You stand barefoot against the measuring stand, heels together and back straight. Shoes are not allowed for this.
A tape is placed around the chest and two readings are taken, one normal and one after you breathe in and hold. Both readings must meet the requirement.
Candidates run in groups on a marked track. Your time is recorded as you cross the line.
Only candidates who pass the physical and endurance test go forward to the written computer based test.
Training plan for the one mile run
Seven minutes for one mile means running at roughly 7 minutes per mile pace without stopping. If you have never trained, that is hard. If you train for six weeks, it is very achievable for most young candidates.
| Week | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 and 2 | Run or jog 2 km at an easy pace, four days a week. Do not worry about time yet. Build the habit. |
| 3 and 4 | Add speed. Run 400 metres fast, walk 2 minutes, repeat four times. Do this twice a week and keep one easy 3 km run. |
| 5 | Time yourself over the full mile once. Now you know your real starting point. |
| 6 | Two easy runs only. Rest the last two days before your test. Do not train hard the day before. |
One practical tip that helps more than anything else. Practise on a measured distance, not a guess. Use a running track or measure 1.6 km on a map app. Many candidates train on a route they think is a mile and find on test day that it was shorter.
Why candidates fail the physical test
- Starting too fast. The most common mistake. Candidates sprint the first lap, burn out and walk the rest. Run at a steady pace you can hold.
- Never timing themselves. If you have never run a timed mile, you do not know your pace. Test yourself before test day.
- Wrong shoes. Running a timed mile in flat street shoes costs you seconds. Wear proper joggers you have already run in.
- Arriving late or without documents. No roll number slip or no original CNIC means no entry, whatever your fitness.
- Eating a heavy meal before. Eat light and at least two hours before your reporting time.
What happens after the physical test
Passing one stage only qualifies you for the next stage. The advertisement is explicit about that. After the physical and endurance test you move to the written examination, which is a computer based test. After that comes the interview, and upon final selection a comprehensive medical examination conducted by an authorised Federal Government Civil Surgeon. Candidates found medically unfit are disqualified.
A separate roll number slip is issued at each stage, so you download a fresh one every time. See our FIA roll number slip guide for that. To prepare for the written stage use our FIA past papers. You can also check what each post pays on our FIA salary and pay scale page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the height requirement for FIA jobs
The official FIA advertisement requires 5 feet 6 inches for men and 5 feet 4 inches for women for the uniform posts.
What is the FIA running test time
The endurance test is a one mile run, which is 1.6 kilometres. Men must finish within 7 minutes and women within 10 minutes.
What is the chest requirement
Chest is measured for men only and the requirement is 33 to 34½ inches. Women are not measured for chest.
Is there any relaxation in the physical standards
No. The advertisement states that no relaxation is allowed in the lower age limit, the physical standards or the endurance test. The five year age relaxation applies only to the upper age limit.
Which FIA posts require a physical test
Sub-Inspector BS-14, Assistant Sub-Inspector BS-09, Constable BS-05 and Constable Driver BS-05. The clerical and Assistant posts do not have a physical test.
What should I bring to the physical test
Your roll number slip and your original CNIC. Without both you will not be allowed to appear. No TA or DA is paid for attending.
What comes after the physical test
Only candidates who pass go on to the written computer based test, then the interview. Finally selected candidates undergo a medical examination by an authorised Federal Government Civil Surgeon.
How we checked this
We downloaded the FIA recruitment advertisement from the official FIA website at fia.gov.pk and read the physical and endurance test section directly. The height, chest and run timings on this page are quoted from that document. We also found that several other websites publish a different female height figure, so we have flagged that above.
Please note. npftaslogin.com.pk is an independent information portal. We are not the FIA or NPFTAS. Criteria can change between recruitment cycles, so always confirm the standards in the advertisement for the cycle you are applying to.