Evidence guide · 5 min read
Indian Diabetes Risk Score calculator
Four questions, validated in Indian adults, that tell you whether a blood sugar test is worth doing now.
Reviewed by Pulselens editorial · Updated 25 September 2026
The IDRS was developed by Dr V. Mohan and the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation. It flags people who should get tested — about half of Indians with diabetes do not know they have it.
Sugar risk check
4 questions + your scan
Uses the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (Madras Diabetes Research Foundation). A risk screen, not a sugar reading or diagnosis.
How the score works
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age under 35 / 35–49 / 50+ | 0 / 20 / 30 |
| Waist: women <80, 80–89, 90+ cm · men <90, 90–99, 100+ cm | 0 / 10 / 20 |
| Activity: vigorous / moderate / mild / none | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 |
| Parents with diabetes: none / one / both | 0 / 10 / 20 |
What your score means
Below 30 is low risk. 30–50 is moderate. 60 or more is high risk; in the original study, people scoring 60+ had a much higher chance of already having undiagnosed diabetes.
Which parts can you change?
Age and family history are fixed. Waist size and activity are not — and they carry up to half the points. Regular brisk walking alone moves you down a band.
Sources
Add your heart signals to the score.
A 60-second face scan adds resting pulse and beat variation — two signals linked to diabetes risk.
Start free 60-second scan