UPSC Combined Medical Services CMS Exam 2026 Notification, Eligibility, Syllabus, Important Dates & How to Apply Online
The UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination is a national‑level recruitment exam conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) to select qualified medical professionals for central government appointments — mainly as Medical Officers and related roles in services like the Central Health Service, Indian Railways, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
📅 Important Dates (2026 Cycle)
- Notification Released: 11 March 2026 (Official PDF published)
- Online Application Window: 11 March – 31 March 2026
- Written Examination Date: 2 August 2026 (Sunday)
- Admit Cards: Expected ~2 weeks before the exam (typically mid‑July 2026)
🔗 Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official UPSC Notification (PDF) | UPSC CMS 2026 Notification |
| UPSC Online Application Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
| Official UPSC Homepage | upsc.gov.in |
| Syllabus & Exam Pattern Details | UPSC CMS Syllabus |
| Previous Year Papers | UPSC CMS Previous Papers |
🧑⚕️ Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Must hold an MBBS degree or be in the final year of MBBS (with completion of internship before joining if selected).
Age Limit
- Upper age limit is generally 32 years as on 1 August 2026, with age relaxations as per Government of India norms (e.g., OBC, SC/ST, PwBD) available.
Nationality
- Indian citizens and certain categories of overseas candidates as specified in the official notification.
Always refer to the full official notification for detailed eligibility nuances before applying.
📊 Vacancies
For the 2026 cycle, UPSC has announced approximately 1,358 vacancies spread across various cadres such as:
- General Duty Medical Officers (Central Health Service)
- Assistant Divisional Medical Officers (Railways)
-
Medical Officers in NDMC & MCD
(Exact posts and category‑wise breakup are available in the official notification)
📝 Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The selection generally involves two stages:
- Written Examination (Computer‑Based Test)
- Personality Test (Interview) for candidates who qualify the written paper.
📌 Written Exam Structure (2026)
- Total Marks: 500
-
Two Papers (Same Day):
- Paper‑I (250 marks): General Medicine + Pediatrics
- Paper‑II (250 marks): Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM)
- Mode: Computer‑Based Test (CBT)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for wrong answers
- Duration: Approx. 2 hours per paper
📌 Personality Test
Shortlisted candidates from the written exam appear for a personality test/interview (generally up to 100 marks), which assesses overall suitability for medical service roles.
📍 Where to Apply
- Applications are submitted online via the UPSC Online Recruitment Portal at upsconline.nic.in.
🧠 Tips for Aspirants
- Start early with Paper‑wise preparation (focus on clinical subjects and PSM).
- Practice previous years’ UPSC CMS papers and mock tests.
- Keep track of admit card dates and exam city allotment.
🔎 Official References
For authoritative details (PDF notification, handbook of services, FAQ, and exam city list), always check the UPSC official website: upsc.gov.in or upsconline.nic.in.
