When is the UPSC CMS 2026 exam?

The UPSC CMS 2026 written examination is on 2 August 2026. The next cycle (CMS 2027) will be notified around March 2027.

How many vacancies are there in UPSC CMS 2026?

CMS 2026 has 1,358 total vacancies — 864 in the Central Health Service, 450 in Indian Railways (Assistant Divisional Medical Officer), 30 in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, and 14 in the New Delhi Municipal Council.

What is the salary of a UPSC CMS medical officer?

CMS medical officers enter at Level 10 of the pay matrix (₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500) plus the Non-Practising Allowance (NPA), with the standard government Group A allowances and pension benefits.

What is the age limit for UPSC CMS?

The standard upper age limit is 32 years for most cadres and 35 years for the CHS GDMO posts, calculated as on 1 August of the exam year. Category relaxations apply: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 years for PwBD.

How is UPSC CMS different from NEET-PG?

NEET-PG tests academic depth and rare syndromes for postgraduate seats. CMS tests practical clinical application, standard treatment guidelines, and a heavy public-health focus — a full third of CMS Paper II is Preventive and Social Medicine, including national health programmes and vaccination schedules.

What cadres can I be allocated to through UPSC CMS?

Four cadres: Central Health Service Medical Officers Grade, Indian Railways Assistant Divisional Medical Officer, MCD General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II, and NDMC General Duty Medical Officer. All are Group A Junior Scale entries.

What is the structure of the UPSC CMS exam?

Two papers, each 250 marks and 2 hours, both held on the same day. Paper I covers General Medicine (96 questions) and Paediatrics (24 questions). Paper II covers Surgery (40), Obstetrics and Gynaecology (40), and Preventive and Social Medicine (40). Negative marking is one-third of a mark per wrong answer. The Personality Test is 100 marks.

How long does the UPSC CMS process take from notification to joining?

Roughly 14 months. Notification in March, written exam in August, Personality Test in winter, and final allocation and joining in the following year. Salary starts from day one of probation.

Are final-year MBBS students eligible for UPSC CMS?

Yes, final-year MBBS candidates can apply provisionally, but the MBBS final result must be in hand before the application window closes.

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The Complete UPSC CMS Pathway

UPSC CMS 2026: Everything Indian doctors need to know — in 90 seconds.

Q: What is the UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) examination?

CMS is the Union Public Service Commission's annual recruitment exam for permanent Group A medical officer posts under the Government of India, conducted under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. One exam allocates candidates across multiple cadres including the Central Health Service, Indian Railways, MCD, and NDMC.

The Combined Medical Services Examination is the UPSC's annual recruitment exam for permanent Group A medical officer posts under the Government of India, conducted under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. CMS 2026 is on 2 August 2026 with 1,358 vacancies across four cadres.

Cadres (CMS 2026 vacancies)

Central Health Service — Medical Officers Grade — 864 vacancies
Indian Railways — Assistant Divisional Medical Officer — 450 vacancies
Municipal Corporation of Delhi — GDMO Grade-II — 30 vacancies
New Delhi Municipal Council — GDMO — 14 vacancies

Salary

Level 10 of the pay matrix: ₹56,100 to ₹1,77,500 plus Non-Practising Allowance (NPA).

Exam structure

Two papers, 250 marks each, 2 hours each, both on the same day. Paper I: General Medicine (96 Qs) and Paediatrics (24 Qs). Paper II: Surgery (40), Obstetrics & Gynaecology (40), Preventive & Social Medicine (40). Negative marking: one-third per wrong answer. Personality Test: 100 marks.

Eligibility

MBBS degree from a recognised institution. Standard upper age limit is 32 years (35 for CHS GDMO), as on 1 August of the exam year. Category relaxations: 3 years for OBC, 5 years for SC/ST, 10 years for PwBD. Final-year MBBS candidates can apply provisionally.

Timeline

Notification in March, written exam in August, Personality Test in winter, allocation and joining the following year — about 14 months end-to-end.

See PrepCMS for CMS-specific preparation →