Indian Diabetes Risk Score Calculator
Diabetes risk calculator based on the Indian Diabetes Risk Score: four questions on age, waist, activity and family history give your type 2 risk level.
Written by HealthSensibly Editorial TeamReviewed by the HealthSensibly editorial teamUpdated
About the IDRS
The Indian Diabetes Risk Score was created in 2005 by Mohan and colleagues at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation as a simple way to spot Indians who might have type 2 diabetes without knowing it. It needs only four inputs: age, waist measurement, activity level and family history.
| Question | Points |
|---|---|
| Age: under 35 / 35–49 / 50+ | 0 / 20 / 30 |
| Waist — women: under 80 / 80–89 / 90+ cm | 0 / 10 / 20 |
| Waist — men: under 90 / 90–99 / 100+ cm | 0 / 10 / 20 |
| Activity: vigorous / moderate / mild / none | 0 / 10 / 20 / 30 |
| Family history: none / one parent / both | 0 / 10 / 20 |
| Total score | Risk level |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Low |
| 30–50 | Medium |
| 60 or more | High — book a blood sugar test |
Scoring high is not a diagnosis; only a blood test such as fasting glucose or HbA1c can confirm diabetes. Still, a total of 60 or above is a clear signal to get checked. You can reduce your risk with the diabetes-friendly diet plan, losing excess weight and 150 minutes of activity every week.
Common questions
What blood test should I request?
Either fasting blood glucose or HbA1c. An HbA1c of 5.7–6.4% points to prediabetes, and 6.5% or above points to diabetes once a doctor confirms it.
Does the IDRS work for people outside India?
It was built and tested in Indian adults. In the USA, doctors more often use the ADA/CDC prediabetes risk test.
Is it possible to turn prediabetes around?
Often, yes — dropping 5–7% of body weight and staying active for 150 minutes a week more than halves the chance of progressing to diabetes.
How often should I recheck my score?
Your age and family history do not change much, but waist and activity do, so rechecking once a year or after big lifestyle changes is reasonable.
Sources: Mohan V et al. Indian Diabetes Risk Score (J Assoc Physicians India 2005) · CDC: Prediabetes
Checked against the sources listed. This is general guidance only and not a substitute for medical advice — please speak to your doctor about your own situation.
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