Why Indians use different BMI cut-offs
At the same BMI, South Asians tend to carry more body fat, especially around the belly, than Europeans. That's why the WHO expert consultation and Indian guidelines use lower cut-offs for Asians.
Healthy is 18.5–22.9, overweight 23–24.9, and obese 25 or more. With the global chart, a BMI of 24 looks fine. For most Indians it's already a signal to act.
What BMI can't tell you
BMI only uses height and weight, so it can't tell muscle from fat. A muscular person can show as 'overweight', and a thin person with a belly can show as 'healthy'.
Use it alongside your waist size. Above 90 cm for men or 80 cm for women is a risk sign for Indians whatever your BMI says.
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal BMI for Indians?
18.5 to 22.9 is the healthy range under the Asian cut-offs used in India.
Is BMI accurate for gym-goers?
Not very. If you lift weights regularly, use body-fat percentage and waist size instead.
How fast can I bring my BMI down?
Losing about 0.5–1% of your body weight per week is safe and sustainable, which usually means 2–4 kg a month.