Table of Contents
- UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Overview
- About the Recruiting Authority
- Important Dates for CMS 2026
- Vacancy Details
- Salary and Pay Level
- Educational Qualification
- Age Limit and Relaxation
- Selection Process
- Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- Application Fee
- Documents Required
- How to Apply Online
- Reservation Rules
- Posting Departments
- Important Links
- Frequently Asked Questions
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Overview
The Union Public Service Commission has announced the Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 for recruiting medical professionals into various central government health services.
This national level recruitment examination is conducted every year to fill positions of medical officers in central government departments, railways, and municipal health services.
Through this examination, doctors are recruited into important healthcare services including the Central Health Service, Indian Railways, and Municipal Health Departments.
The recruitment process involves a written examination followed by a personality test. Candidates who successfully clear both stages will be appointed as medical officers in the respective departments.
| Exam Name | Conducting Authority | Total Vacancies | Exam Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 | Union Public Service Commission | 1358 | Written Exam + Interview |
About the Recruiting Authority
The Union Public Service Commission is India's central recruiting agency responsible for conducting prestigious national examinations for government services.
It selects candidates for civil services, engineering services, medical services, and many other central government positions through transparent and merit-based examinations.
The Combined Medical Services Examination is one of the major recruitment processes conducted by the commission to strengthen the public healthcare system in India.
Important Dates for CMS 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 1th March 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 31st March 2026 |
| Written Examination Date | 02nd August 2026 |
Candidates should submit their application well before the last date to avoid technical issues during the final hours.
Vacancy Details
The Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 will fill approximately 1358 vacancies across different government medical services.
| Service / Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Medical Officers Grade in General Duty Medical Officers Sub-Cadre of Central Health Service | 864 |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in Railways | 450 |
| General Duty Medical Officer in New Delhi Municipal Council | 14 |
| General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II in Municipal Corporation of Delhi | 30 |
The number of vacancies mentioned above is provisional and may change depending on the requirements of the government.
Salary and Pay Level
Candidates selected through the CMS examination will be appointed in Group “A” junior scale posts under the central government.
| Pay Level | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Pay Matrix Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
In addition to the basic pay, candidates may receive various government allowances such as:
- Dearness Allowance
- House Rent Allowance
- Transport Allowance
- Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA)
The approximate starting in-hand salary after allowances may be significantly higher than the basic pay depending on the posting location.
Educational Qualification
Candidates applying for the Combined Medical Services Examination must possess a recognized medical qualification.
- Candidate must have passed the MBBS examination.
- Final year MBBS students may also apply.
- Candidates who have not completed the compulsory rotating internship can apply but must complete it before final appointment.
The medical degree must be recognized under the relevant medical council regulations in India.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The age criteria for the Combined Medical Services Examination are as follows:
| Criteria | Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Maximum Age | 32 Years |
Candidates must not have attained the age of 32 years as on 1 August 2026. This means candidates should have been born not earlier than 2 August 1994.
For Medical Officers in the Central Health Service, the upper age limit is 35 years.
Age relaxation is available for reserved categories according to Government of India rules.
Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of two major stages.
- Written Examination
- Personality Test / Interview
The written exam evaluates medical knowledge while the personality test assesses communication skills, professional awareness, and decision-making ability.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The written examination consists of two objective type papers.
| Paper | Subject | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Medicine and Paediatrics | 250 |
| Paper II | Surgery, Gynecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine | 250 |
Each paper will be conducted for two hours and will contain multiple choice questions.
The personality test carries 100 marks.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Female | No Fee |
Applicants can pay the examination fee through:
- Net Banking
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- UPI
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready while applying:
- MBBS degree certificate
- Medical registration certificate
- Identity proof such as Aadhaar
- Category certificate if applicable
- Recent passport size photographs
- Signature scan
How to Apply Online
Candidates must apply online through the UPSC application portal.
- Visit the UPSC online application portal.
- Create an account and complete the universal registration.
- Fill the examination specific application form.
- Upload required documents.
- Pay the application fee if applicable.
- Submit the final application and download confirmation.
Reservation Rules
Reservation benefits are available for candidates belonging to:
- Scheduled Castes
- Scheduled Tribes
- Other Backward Classes
- Economically Weaker Sections
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities
The reservation policy is implemented according to Government of India guidelines.
Posting Departments
Selected candidates may be posted in one of the following departments:
- Central Health Service
- Indian Railways Medical Service
- New Delhi Municipal Council
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi
Important Links
Official Notification: Click Here
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026?
The Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 will fill approximately 1358 medical officer vacancies across multiple government departments.
What is the last date to apply for CMS 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 31 March 2026.
When will the CMS 2026 examination be conducted?
The written examination is scheduled to be held on 02 August 2026.
What is the salary of a medical officer selected through CMS?
The salary starts from Pay Matrix Level 10 with a basic pay of ₹56,100 and can go up to ₹1,77,500 excluding allowances.
What qualification is required for UPSC CMS?
Candidates must possess an MBBS degree from a recognized university.
What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Candidates must not be older than 32 years as on 1 August 2026, with a relaxation up to 35 years for certain posts.
Is there any application fee?
Yes, candidates from General, OBC, and EWS categories must pay ₹200 while SC, ST, PwBD, and female candidates are exempted.
Can final year MBBS students apply?
Yes, final year MBBS students can apply provided they complete their internship before appointment.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the official notification released by the Union Public Service Commission.