This category is the highest level of fitness in terms of psychological health, hearing, appendages, physical capacity and eyesight and implies that they can be posted for any duty. It asked the sponsored organisation to issue a separate certificate on medical fitness after receiving medical physical fitness from authorised medical officer while recommending the person for medal.The government said it will issue separate guidelines on fitness shortly. The circular added relaxation for "Shape 2" can be given only in exceptional circumstances. An officer who gets the distinguished services medal, is entitled to around Rs 2,500 per month increase in their salary and pension, while the ones who bag the meritorious services medal get a certificate. Some officials, however, told TOI that making a rule of not giving a medal to a person who is intelligent and efficient but has a paunch would be "discriminatory".

Source: Times of India September 14, 2017 23:59 UTC