UPSC CMS
Introduction
Recruitment exam for Medical Officers in central government health services
UPSC CMS is the Combined Medical Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit qualified medical graduates into government medical services. The exam is primarily used to select Medical Officers for posts such as General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) in central government organisations, including railways, municipalities, CGHS, NDMC, and similar services.
Successful candidates can begin their career as a Medical Officer (GDMO) in central government departments and later move into higher medical administrative or specialist roles depending on service rules, performance, and promotions.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- MBBS degree from a recognised university.
- Must have completed the compulsory internship.
Age Limit
- General: 32 years
- OBC: 35 years
- SC/ST: 37 years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC | 5 years |
| ST | 5 years |
Nationality
- Must be an Indian citizen.
Reservation
UPSC CMS follows the Government of India reservation policy.
| Category | Reservation |
|---|---|
| SC | 15% |
| ST | 7.5% |
| OBC | 27% |
| EWS | 10% |
| PwBD | Horizontal reservation as per rules |
Exam Pattern
Stages of Selection
1. Written Examination
2. Interview / Personality Test
Written Exam Structure
| Stage | Papers | Total Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written | Paper I: Medicine | 500 | 2 hours | None |
| Written | Paper II: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Paediatrics | 500 | 2 hours | None |
| Interview | Personality Test | 100 | — | — |
Final Merit
- Final selection is based on the written examination + interview marks.
- The interview carries 100 marks.
Selection Process
The UPSC CMS selection process includes the following steps:
1. Online application submission
2. Written examination
3. Shortlisting for interview
4. Personality test / interview
5. Final merit preparation
6. Document verification and appointment
Syllabus
Paper I
- Medicine
- General medical topics from MBBS curriculum
Paper II
- Surgery
- Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- Paediatrics
Subject Mapping
The CMS syllabus is based on the MBBS final-year and internship-level medical curriculum, with emphasis on:
- clinical diagnosis
- common diseases and treatment
- emergency care
- basic surgery and operative principles
- maternal and child health
- preventive and community-oriented medical practice
How to Apply
Applications for UPSC CMS are submitted online through the UPSC portal.
Application Steps
1. Visit the official portal: https://upsconline.nic.in
2. Open the UPSC CMS notification and read instructions carefully.
3. Complete the online registration.
4. Fill in personal, educational, and medical qualification details.
5. Upload required documents and photograph/signature as instructed.
6. Pay the application fee, if applicable.
7. Submit the form and save the confirmation page.
Common Application Errors to Avoid
- Entering incorrect MBBS or internship details
- Using an unverified email or phone number
- Uploading unclear documents or photographs
- Missing the final submission after payment
- Waiting until the last date to apply
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹200 |
| SC / ST | Exempted |
| Women candidates | Exempted |
| PwBD | Exempted |
Vacancies
Year-wise Vacancies
| Year | Total Posts | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 705 | Includes PwBD posts |
| 2024 | 650 | — |
| 2023 | 600 | — |
| 2022 | 650 | — |
| 2021 | 700 | — |
Post Offered
- Medical Officer (GDMO)
Salary
Pay and Allowances
- Pay Level: Level 10
- Basic Pay: ₹56,100
- Additional benefits: NPA, DA, and other admissible allowances
- Estimated gross salary: ₹80,000+ per month
Job Profile
UPSC CMS Medical Officers generally work in central government hospitals, dispensaries, railways, municipalities, and other health services. The role includes:
- outpatient care
- diagnosis and treatment
- emergency duties
- preventive healthcare
- medical administration and public health support
Cutoff
Written Cutoff Trends
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 320 | 300 | 280 | 270 |
The cutoff trend indicates a moderately competitive written examination, followed by the interview stage for final selection.
Preparation Strategy
Best Books and Resources
- MBBS final-year textbooks
- Standard clinical medicine and surgery reference books
- Previous years’ UPSC CMS question papers
30/60/90-Day Strategy
First 30 Days
- Revise core MBBS subjects
- Focus on Medicine and Surgery fundamentals
- Identify weak areas from previous papers
Next 30 Days
- Strengthen Gynaecology, Obstetrics, and Paediatrics
- Practice topic-wise MCQs and clinical cases
- Build revision notes for quick recall
Final 30 Days
- Full-length revision of all subjects
- Solve previous papers under timed conditions
- Focus on frequently asked clinical and emergency topics
Subject-Wise Focus
- Medicine: common systemic diseases, diagnostics, emergency medicine
- Surgery: principles, trauma, surgical emergencies
- Gynae & Obstetrics: antenatal care, labour, complications
- Paediatrics: growth, immunisation, common childhood illnesses
Career Path
A candidate selected through UPSC CMS can grow through the following ladder:
Medical Officer / GDMO → Specialist → Senior Specialist
Depending on department and service rules, officers may also move into administrative, supervisory, or hospital leadership roles over time.
Official Sources
FAQs
1. What is UPSC CMS and what posts does it recruit for?
UPSC CMS is the Combined Medical Services Examination conducted to recruit Medical Officers for central government health services such as GDMO and related posts.
2. What is the full form of UPSC CMS?
The full form is Union Public Service Commission — Combined Medical Services Examination.
3. Which body conducts the UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination?
The examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
4. What is the educational qualification required for UPSC CMS?
A candidate must have an MBBS degree from a recognised university.
5. Is an MBBS internship mandatory for UPSC CMS eligibility?
Yes. Completion of the compulsory internship is mandatory.
6. What is the age limit for UPSC CMS?
The age limit is 32 years for General category candidates.
7. Is there any age relaxation for OBC, SC, or ST candidates in UPSC CMS?
Yes. OBC gets 3 years, while SC and ST get 5 years of relaxation.
8. What is the nationality requirement for UPSC CMS?
The candidate must be an Indian citizen.
9. What is the exam pattern of UPSC CMS?
The exam has two written papers and one interview. Paper I covers Medicine and Paper II covers Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and Paediatrics.
10. How many stages are there in UPSC CMS selection?
There are two stages: the written examination and the interview.
11. Is there any negative marking in UPSC CMS written examination?
No. The UPSC CMS written examination has no negative marking.
12. What subjects are covered in the UPSC CMS syllabus?
The syllabus covers Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and Paediatrics.
13. What is the application fee for UPSC CMS?
The application fee is ₹200 for General and OBC candidates.
14. Who is exempted from paying the UPSC CMS application fee?
SC, ST, Women, and PwBD candidates are exempted from the fee.
15. How many vacancies were announced in recent UPSC CMS cycles?
Recent vacancy counts include 705 in 2025, 650 in 2024, 600 in 2023, 650 in 2022, and 700 in 2021.
16. What is the cutoff trend for UPSC CMS?
The 2024 written cutoff was about 320 for General, 300 for OBC, 280 for SC, and 270 for ST.
17. What is the salary of a UPSC CMS Medical Officer?
A UPSC CMS Medical Officer gets Level 10 pay, with basic pay of ₹56,100 plus allowances such as NPA and DA.
18. What is the pay level for UPSC CMS posts?
The pay level is Level 10.
19. What career growth is available after joining through UPSC CMS?
Career growth can include progression from Medical Officer / GDMO to Specialist and Senior Specialist.
20. Where can I apply for UPSC CMS and check the official notification?
You can apply and check the official notification at https://upsconline.nic.in**.