UPSC CMS 2026: Notification, Application Date, Eligibility, Selection Process and Salary

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) released the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2026 notification on 11 March 2026. With this notification, the recruitment process for 1,358 Medical Officer posts in various central government departments has begun. Interested candidates can apply online until 31 March 2026.

This national-level examination will be conducted on 2 August 2026. The exam offers an important opportunity for MBBS graduates to build a career as Medical Officers in Central Health Services, Indian Railways, and other government institutions.

UPSC CMS 2026: Overview

UPSC CMS 2026: Vacancy Details

A total of 1,358 posts will be filled in different central government departments.

UPSC CMS 2026: Eligibility Criteria

1. Nationality

Candidates must be:

• A citizen of India, or
• A citizen of Nepal or Bhutan, or
• A person of Indian origin who has migrated from certain countries with eligibility conditions.

2. Age Limit

• Maximum Age: 32 years (as on 1 August 2026)

Age Relaxation

3. Educational Qualification

• Candidates must have an MBBS degree.
• Final-year MBBS students are also eligible to apply.

UPSC CMS 2026: How to Apply

Candidates can apply online by following these steps:

1. Visit the official website upsc.gov.in.
2. Click on the Online Application link.
3. Complete One Time Registration (OTR).
4. Log in and fill out the application form.
5. Upload photograph, signature, and identity proof.
6. Pay the application fee.
7. Submit the form and download the registration number for future reference.

UPSC CMS 2026: Application Fee

UPSC CMS 2026: Selection Process

The UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) 2026 recruitment process is conducted in two stages. Candidates must qualify in both stages to be considered for final selection.

1. Written Examination (Computer Based Examination – CBE)

• The exam is conducted in computer-based mode.
• It consists of two papers.
• Each paper carries 250 marks.
• Both papers contain multiple-choice questions (MCQs).

2. Personality Test (Interview)

• Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for the Personality Test / Interview.
• This stage carries 100 marks.
• It evaluates the candidate’s mental alertness, personality, leadership ability, communication skills, and professional knowledge.

Total Marks: 600

Negative Marking

• Each question has four options.
• One-third (1/3) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer.
• If a candidate marks more than one answer, it will be treated as an incorrect response.
• No negative marking is applied for questions left unanswered.

UPSC CMS 2026: Exam Pattern

UPSC CMS 2026: Syllabus

The UPSC CMS 2026 syllabus consists of two computer-based papers (250 marks each) followed by a 100-mark interview.

The examination assesses candidates on:

• Clinical Knowledge
• Diagnostic Skills
• Understanding of National Health Programmes

The subjects covered mainly include:

• General Medicine
• Paediatrics
• Surgery
• Gynaecology & Obstetrics
• Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM)

These subjects are based on the MBBS-level medical curriculum.

UPSC CMS 2026: Detailed Syllabus

Paper I: General Medicine & Paediatrics

(A) General Medicine

• Cardiology
• Respiratory Diseases
• Gastrointestinal Diseases
• Genito-Urinary Diseases
• Neurology
• Hematology
• Endocrinology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Infectious Diseases
• Viral infections
  • Bacterial infections
  • Rickettsial infections
  • Protozoan infections
  • Fungal infections
• Dermatology
• Musculoskeletal System Disorders
• Psychiatry
• Emergency Medicine
• Common Poisoning
• Snake Bite Management
• Tropical Medicine
• Critical Care Medicine

(B) Paediatrics

• Common childhood emergencies
• Basic newborn care
• Normal developmental milestones
• Accidents and poisoning in children
• Birth defects and counselling
• Immunization in children
• Identification and management of children with special needs
• National child health programmes

Paper II: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine

(A) Surgery

• General Surgery: wounds, infections, tumours
• ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat)
• Ophthalmology
• Anaesthesiology
• Urology
• Orthopaedics

(B) Gynaecology & Obstetrics

• Pregnancy-related conditions
• Labour and post-natal care
• Genital tract infections
• Neoplasms (tumours)
• Uterine displacement
• Contraception
• Infertility
• Obstetric emergencies

(C) Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM)

• Concept of health and disease
• Epidemiology
• Health planning and management
• Environmental health
• Nutrition and health
• Occupational health
• Genetics and health
• National health programmes

Personality Test (Interview) – 100 Marks

In the interview stage, candidates are evaluated on:

• Personality
• Communication skills
• Leadership ability
• Professional knowledge
• Social awareness

This stage ensures that the candidate is suitable to work as a Medical Officer in government services.

UPSC CMS 2026: Salary and Job Profile

Selected candidates receive attractive salaries and government benefits.

• Central Health Services: Pay Matrix Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500)
• Railway Assistant Divisional Medical Officer: ₹15,600 – ₹39,100 + Grade Pay ₹5,400
• NDMC/MCD Medical Officer: Level-10 salary + Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA)

Job Profile

Candidates selected as Medical Officers are responsible for:

• Providing medical services in government hospitals
• Implementing public health and national health programmes
• Performing administrative and healthcare management duties
• Delivering clinical care and emergency medical services.