IDRS Diabetes Risk Score Calculator
The Indian Diabetes Risk Score is a validated four-question screen for undiagnosed type 2 diabetes. It takes under a minute and needs no blood test.
Measure at the level of the navel (belly button), after breathing out, with the tape snug but not pressing into the skin.
What Is the Indian Diabetes Risk Score?
The Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) was developed by researchers at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation using data from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study (CURES), and published in 2005 (Mohan et al.). It was designed for community screening in India, where many people with type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed. Unlike BMI-based tools, it uses waist size, which better captures the abdominal fat that drives risk in Indians.
How the Score Is Calculated
| Factor | Category | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Age | Under 35 / 35 to 49 / 50 and above | 0 / 20 / 30 |
| Waist (men) | Under 90 cm / 90 to 99 cm / 100 cm and above | 0 / 10 / 20 |
| Waist (women) | Under 80 cm / 80 to 89 cm / 90 cm and above | 0 / 10 / 20 |
| Physical activity | Regular exercise and strenuous work / one of the two / neither (sedentary) | 0 / 20 / 30 |
| Family history | None / one parent / both parents | 0 / 10 / 20 |
The maximum score is 100.
What Your Score Means
| IDRS | Risk | Suggested next step |
|---|---|---|
| Below 30 | Low | Repeat every year or two; maintain waist and activity |
| 30 to 50 | Moderate | Get a fasting glucose or HbA1c test; work on waist and activity |
| 60 or above | High | Arrange a blood test soon |
In validation work, a cut-off of 60 identified roughly seven in ten people with undiagnosed diabetes, while also flagging some people who turned out not to have it. That trade-off is normal for a screening tool: it is meant to decide who should get a blood test, not to replace one.
What You Can Change
Age and family history cannot be changed, but waist size and physical activity can, and together they account for up to 50 of the 100 points. Reducing abdominal fat, building regular activity (aim for around 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week plus two strength sessions) and following a diet built on dal, vegetables, whole grains and millets all lower risk. See our Indian vegetarian diet for blood sugar control and our guide to why Indians need a lower BMI cut-off.
Tests That Diagnose Diabetes
| Test | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting blood glucose | 100 to 125 mg/dL | 126 mg/dL or higher |
| HbA1c | 5.7 to 6.4% | 6.5% or higher |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS)?
Does a high IDRS mean I have diabetes?
Does a low IDRS mean I am safe?
What waist size is normal for an Indian man or woman?
How often should I repeat the score?
References
- Mohan V, Deepa R, Deepa M, Somannavar S, Datta M. A simplified Indian Diabetes Risk Score for screening for undiagnosed diabetic subjects. J Assoc Physicians India. 2005;53:759–763.
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of Care in Diabetes: classification and diagnosis of diabetes (diagnostic thresholds for fasting glucose and HbA1c).