Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
UPSC CMS 2026: Combined Medical Services Examination
Quick Information
| Post Name | Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (ADMO) in Railways, Junior Scale Posts in CGHS, and Medical Officer in various Central Government Hospitals |
| Total Vacancies | 827 |
| Salary | Pay Level 10 — ₹56,100–₹1,77,500/month basic + NPA (Non-Practising Allowance) 25% of basic + DA + HRA + CGHS. Total effective monthly package ₹1,20,000–₹1,50,000/month. NPA makes CMS salaries significantly higher than standard Level 10 posts. |
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
Application Fee
| General | ₹200 |
| OBC | ₹200 |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| Women | Nil |
| PH / Divyang | Nil |
Important Dates
| Start Date | 2 April 2026 |
| Last Date | 22 April 2026 |
| Exam Date | 20 July 2026 |
Eligibility
| Age Limit | 32 years maximum as on August 1, 2026 (OBC +3 yrs: max 35, SC/ST +5 yrs: max 37, PwBD +10 yrs, Ex-Servicemen as per rules). |
| Education | MBBS Degree from a Medical College/University recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI/NMC). Completion of internship required before the date specified in the notification. |
Selection Process
- 1**Stage 1 — Written Examination** | Paper | Type | Marks | Duration | |---|---|---|---| | Paper I: General Medicine + Paediatrics | Objective MCQ | 250 | 2 hours | | Paper II: Surgery + Gynaecology & Obstetrics + Preventive & Social Medicine | Objective MCQ | 250 | 2 hours | | **Total** | | **500** | **4 hours** | Negative marking: 1/3 per wrong answer. **Stage 2 — Personality Test (Interview)** 100 marks. Final merit = Written Exam (500) + Interview (100) = **600 marks total.**
How to Apply
Official Links
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What is UPSC CMS?
UPSC CMS (Combined Medical Services Examination) is conducted by UPSC to recruit MBBS doctors directly into central government medical services. It is the most streamlined route for medical graduates to enter a central government service with officer-grade pay.
CMS recruited doctors work in Indian Railways dispensaries, CGHS clinics, central government hospitals, ordnance factories, and paramilitary force medical units.
Posts and Services
| Post | Service |
|---|---|
| Junior Scale Post | Central Health Service (CHS) |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (ADMO) | Indian Railways |
| Assistant Medical Officer | Central Govt Hospitals (LDCE included) |
| Other Medical Officer Posts | CAPFs, Ordnance Factories |
Eligibility
Age Limit (as on August 1, 2026)
- Maximum: 32 years
- OBC: max 35 years
- SC/ST: max 37 years
- PwBD: +10 years
Educational Qualification
- MBBS from a medical college recognised by NMC (National Medical Commission, formerly MCI)
- Internship must be completed on or before the date specified in the notification (typically August 2026)
Salary — Why CMS is Attractive
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Level 10) | ₹56,100/month |
| NPA (Non-Practising Allowance) — 25% of basic | ₹14,025/month |
| Dearness Allowance | ~₹32,000/month |
| HRA (metro) | ₹10,098/month |
| CGHS Medical | Covered |
| Effective Gross Monthly | ~₹1,20,000–₹1,40,000/month |
NPA is a special allowance only for government doctors — it compensates for not having a private practice. Combined with central government benefits (pension, LTC, accommodation), the total package is highly competitive.
Exam Pattern
Written Examination (2 papers, Objective)
Paper I: General Medicine + Paediatrics — 250 marks
- General Medicine: systemic diseases, clinical conditions, diagnosis, treatment
- Paediatrics: child health, growth, development, common paediatric conditions
Paper II: Surgery + Gynaecology/Obstetrics + Preventive & Social Medicine — 250 marks
- Surgery: general surgical conditions, trauma, orthopaedics basics
- Gynaecology & Obstetrics: antenatal care, delivery, gynaecological disorders
- PSM (Community Medicine): epidemiology, public health, national health programmes
Negative marking: 1/3 per wrong answer.
Personality Test
100 marks. UPSC board interview — clinical scenario-based questions, general awareness about Indian healthcare, policy.
Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | April 2, 2026 |
| Application Start | April 2, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | April 22, 2026 |
| Written Examination | July 20, 2026 |
| Personality Test | November–December 2026 (expected) |
Preparation Strategy
Use your MBBS textbooks + clinical focus: CMS questions are clinically oriented — they test what a general medical officer would encounter in a primary and secondary care setting. Applied clinical medicine is more important than theoretical pathology.
PSM (Preventive & Social Medicine) is crucial: This subject covers national health programmes, epidemiology, vital statistics, environmental health, and social medicine. PSM typically has 40–50 questions in Paper II — master it. Study Park's PSM textbook thoroughly.
Previous year papers: UPSC CMS previous year papers (2015–2025) are the best guide to question patterns. Questions repeat concepts, though not verbatim. Focus on Paper II (Surgery + G&O + PSM) — many doctors underestimate it.
Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| UPSC Official Website | upsc.gov.in |
| Apply Online | upsconline.gov.in |
| Official Notification | upsc.gov.in |