Taiwan Revises Military Conscription Standards: BMI Below 45 Requires Service

New Regulations Aim to Ensure Fairer Military Service for All Eligible Youth

Following ongoing discussions surrounding military service exemptions for celebrities, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of the Interior have initiated revisions to the physical fitness standards for conscription. Shen Che-fang, Director-General of the Ministry of the Interior's Department of Conscription, announced at the Legislative Yuan that individuals with a Body Mass Index (BMI) below 45 will now be required to serve in the military. Furthermore, cases of high blood pressure will necessitate hospitalization for examination, and exemptions will only be granted if there is substantial evidence of damage to the heart or other organs.

In a post-session interview, Shen Che-fang elaborated that three rounds of discussions have already taken place regarding the conscription standards. All 193 items related to physical fitness are being reviewed item by item, and consultations with medical societies are ongoing. Under the proposed changes, individuals with a BMI between 15 and 45 will be required to complete their military service. Previously, a flat foot with an arch angle less than 168 degrees could lead to exemption. While individuals with such conditions may not be suitable for regular military service, they will still be eligible for alternative service.