Union Public Service Commission · Medical Officers in the Central Health Service, Railways, NDMC and MCD
UPSC CMS: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility, Salary & Mock Tests
The Combined Medical Services Examination recruits MBBS doctors as medical officers in the Central Health Service, the Railways, the New Delhi Municipal Council and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Everything about the exam on one page, from the official 2026 notice.
UPSC CMS latest updates
New UPSC CMS notifications, admit cards, answer keys and results appear here as soon as they are posted. Browse Govt Jobs →
Important dates
Dates for the next UPSC CMS cycle (notification, last date, admit card, exam and result) appear here when they are announced. See the exam calendar →
Check your eligibility
- ✓Medical Officers Grade, General Duty Medical Officers Sub-cadre, Central Health ServiceAge up to 35 +3
- ✓Assistant Divisional Medical Officer, Railways; GDMO, NDMC; GDMO Grade-II, MCDAge up to 32 +3
UPSC CMS vacancies
Total, category-wise and post-wise vacancies appear here when the UPSC CMS notification is released.
Eligibility and age limit
| Posts | Qualification | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Officers Grade, General Duty Medical Officers Sub-cadre, Central Health Service | Passed the written and practical parts of the final MBBS exam | Up to 35 |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer, Railways; GDMO, NDMC; GDMO Grade-II, MCD | Passed the written and practical parts of the final MBBS exam | Up to 32 |
| Category | Age relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 years |
| Ex-servicemen (5 years’ military service) | Up to 5 years |
| Defence personnel disabled in operations | Up to 3 years |
Age is counted as on 1 August of the exam year.
The notice sets no minimum age. You must not have turned 32 on 1 August 2026 (35 for Central Health Service posts).
Students yet to take or pass the final MBBS exam may apply, and a candidate yet to finish the compulsory rotating internship is eligible but is appointed only after completing it.
Relaxations for SC, ST and OBC are added to those for ex-servicemen and PwBD. The notice has no limit on attempts.
Application fee
Selection process
- 1Written exam2 objective papers · 250 marks each · 2 hours each
- 2Personality test100 marks
UPSC CMS exam pattern
Written exam 2 objective papers · set in English only · −1/3 of the marks per wrong answer
| Paper | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I: General Medicine (96) and Paediatrics (24) | 120 | 250 |
| Paper II: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine (40 each) | 120 | 250 |
| Total | 240 | 500 |
Candidates who qualify in the written exam are called for a 100-mark personality test. Calculators are not allowed.
UPSC CMS syllabus
Subject by subject. The number on a topic is how many practice questions we have for it.
General Medicine
Paper I · 96 questionsPaediatrics
Paper I · 24 questionsSurgery
Paper II · 40 questionsGynaecology & Obstetrics
Paper II · 40 questionsPreventive & Social Medicine
Paper II · 40 questionsUPSC CMS cut-offs
Year-wise official cut-offs for every category appear here once they are published.
UPSC CMS salary by post
| Level / group | Posts | Pay scale |
|---|---|---|
| Level 10 | Medical Officer, Central Health Service (plus NPA) | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Level 10 | Assistant Divisional Medical Officer, Railways, Group A junior scale (plus NPA) | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Level 10 | General Duty Medical Officer, NDMC (plus restricted NPA) | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
| Level 10 | General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II, MCD (first cell ₹56,100, plus NPA) | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
Pay as printed in the CMS 2026 notice (brief particulars of the services). Non-practising allowance and other allowances are extra; private practice is not allowed.
UPSC CMS mock tests and previous year papers
Exams with a similar syllabus
Your CMS preparation already covers most of these exams.
UPSC CMS articles
Preparation strategy, syllabus breakdowns and cut-off analysis for UPSC CMS are on the way. Read the blog →
UPSC CMS frequently asked questions
How many vacancies are there in CMS 2026?
The notice lists 864 in the Central Health Service, 450 Assistant Divisional Medical Officers in the Railways, 14 in NDMC and 30 in MCD, all tentative.
What is the age limit for CMS?
You must not have turned 32 on 1 August 2026, or 35 for Central Health Service posts. There is no minimum age. SC and ST candidates get 5 more years, OBC 3 and PwBD up to 10.
Can MBBS interns apply?
Yes. A candidate who has not finished the compulsory rotating internship is eligible, but is appointed only after completing it. Final-year MBBS students may also apply, subject to proof of passing.
What is the CMS exam pattern?
Two objective papers of 250 marks and 120 questions each, two hours each, set in English: Paper I covers General Medicine and Paediatrics, Paper II Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics and Preventive & Social Medicine. The personality test carries 100 marks.
What is the salary of a CMS medical officer?
All four posts are at Level 10 of the pay matrix, ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500, plus non-practising allowance.
What stage is CMS 2026 at?
The written exam was held on 2 August 2026 and its result came out on 1 September 2026. Qualified candidates must update their form by 21 September 2026. UPSC lists CMS 2027 for 18 July 2027.
Sources: UPSC CMS 2026 notice No. 9/2026-CMS (11-03-2026) · UPSC CMS 2025 notice No. 8/2025-CMS (19-02-2025) · UPSC press note: CMS 2026 written result (01-09-2026) · UPSC Programme of Examinations 2027 (checked 14 Sept 2026). Always confirm in the official notice before applying.