The government has relaxed with immediate effect height norms for male candidates from the North East applying for the posts of constable and sub-inspector in central paramilitary forces, PTI reported on Thursday.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the decision has been taken to maintain uniformity in height regulations of male Gorkhas and male Scheduled Tribes candidates from the North East. The new norms will apply to personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, Central Industrial Security Force, Indo Tibetan Border Police, and Assam Rifles.

The new regulations will lead to a higher number of Gorkhas and youth from the North East being drafted into the central paramilitary forces, said Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju.

The existing height requirement for sub-inspectors in central armed forces is 165 cm and that for constables is 162.5 cm. As per the new regulations, the height of male Scheduled Tribes candidates from the North East for recruitment as constables and assistant sub-inspectors will be 157 cm. It is the same for male Gorkha candidates applying for the post of sub-inspector.