The Union Public Service Commission officially released the UPSC CMS 2026 notification on 11th March 2026. Aspiring candidates for the 1358 Medical Officer vacancies can submit their applications online at https://upsconline.nic.in/.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) published the official notification and application portal for the UPSC CMS Exam 2026 on 11th March 2026. The Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE-2026) aims to recruit 1358 Medical Officers (MO) across prestigious Central Government departments, including the Central Health Service and Indian Railways.
UPSC CMS Notification 2026 Out
Candidates holding an MBBS degree or currently appearing for their final year examinations should review the official UPSC CMSE 2026 Notification PDF to understand the comprehensive guidelines for the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2026.
UPSC CMS 2026 Exam Summary
The Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination is a highly competitive national-level recruitment drive conducted by the UPSC to select top-tier medical graduates for government healthcare roles. Successful candidates serve as General Duty Medical Officers, Assistant Divisional Medical Officers, and various other medical specialists within the civil administration.
| UPSC CMS Notification 2026- Overview | |
| Organisation | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Exam Name | Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE Exam) |
| Post | General Duty Medical Officers, Assistant Divisional Medical Officers, and Medical Officers |
| Vacancies | 1358 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Registration | 11th to 31st March 2026 |
| Selection Stages |
|
| Official website | www.upsc.gov.in |
UPSC CMS 2026 Important Dates
Registration for the exam opened on 11th March 2026, coinciding with the release of the official notification. The deadline for form submission is 31st March 2026, and the offline examination is scheduled to be held on 2nd August 2026.
| Events | Dates |
| Notification Release Date | 11th March 2026 |
| Apply Online Starts | 11th March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31st March 2026 (6 pm) |
| Admit Card | July 2026 |
| UPSC CMS Exam Date | 2nd August 2026 |
UPSC Medical Officer Vacancy 2026
This year, the UPSC aims to fill 1358 critical vacancies for roles including General Duty Medical Officers and Assistant Divisional Medical Officers. The detailed vacancy breakdown is outlined below:
| Categories | Posts | Vacancies |
| Category-I | Medical Officers Grade in General Duty Medical Officers Sub-cadre of Central Health Service |
864 |
| Category-II | Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in Railways | 450 |
| General Duty Medical Officer in the New Delhi Municipal Council | 14 | |
| General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II in Municipal Corporation of Delhi | 30 | |
| Total | 1358 | |
UPSC CMS 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates intending to appear for the UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 must ensure they strictly meet all eligibility criteria mandated by the Commission.
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must possess an MBBS degree from a recognised university.
- Candidates appearing in the final year of the MBBS examination are also eligible to apply.
Age Limit (as on 01/08/2026)
As per current UPSC guidelines, the maximum age limit for applicants is 32 years.
Age relaxation
- OBC- 3 years
- SC/ST- 5 years
- Defence Services personnel who are disabled- 3 years
- ECOS/SSCOs (5 years)- 5 years
- Candidates who are domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1989- 5 years
- Physically disabled candidates- 10 years
- Ex-servicemen, including ECOs, Commissioned Officers and SSCOs- 5 years
UPSC CMS Application Form 2026
The application process for the UPSC CMSE 2026 began on 11th March 2026. Applicants must complete their online registration via the official UPSC portal before the final closing time of 6:00 PM on 31st March 2026.
UPSC CMS Application Fee 2026
Before applying, candidates should familiarize themselves with the UPSC CMS application fee structure, available payment methods, and specific fee exemptions. Payments can be processed securely online using Internet Banking, Credit/Debit Cards, or UPI.
| Category | Application Fee |
| General/EWS/OBC | Rs. 200/- |
| SC/ST & Female Candidates | NIL |
Steps to Apply Online for UPSC Combined Medical Service Examination 2026
- Visit the official website of UPSC, www.upsc.gov.in.
- Check the notification section and click on “Apply” for CMS.
- Register themself to get a Universal Registration Number (URN). The commission provides a one-time facility for candidates to update the URN.
- After getting the URN login the account and fill out the personal and educational information.
- Upload the passport-size photograph and also capture their live photograph while filling out the Common Application Form.
- Applicants are required to sign three times (one below the other) and upload the same.
- Pay the application fee to complete the application process.
UPSC CMS Selection Process 2026
The UPSC conducts this selection process to evaluate the medical proficiency, professional competence, and personality traits of candidates. The assessment is divided into two primary stages:
- Written Examination: Written exam consists of 2 papers for 500 marks, with 250 marks for each paper.
- Interview: Candidates qualified in the written examination will be called for the interview.
UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026
Effective preparation requires a thorough understanding of the written exam pattern, which provides essential insight into the syllabus, question format, and marking scheme.
- UPSC CMS exam consists of 2 papers.
- Both papers consist of 120 questions for 250 marks.
- There is a 0.33 negative marking for every wrong answer.
- Duration of each paper is 2 hours.
| Paper | Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Paper 1 | General Medicine | 96 | 250 | 2 Hours |
| Pediatrics | 24 | |||
| Paper 2 | Surgery | 40 | 250 | 2 Hours |
| Gynecology & Obstetrics | 40 | |||
| Preventive & Social Medicine | 40 | |||
| Total | 240 | 500 | 4 Hours | |
UPSC CMS Salary 2026
Selected candidates will be entitled to compensation as per the 7th Central Pay Commission. The starting base salary begins at Pay Level 10, complemented by various additional government allowances and perks.
| Posts | Pay Level | Salary |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer | 10 | Rs. 56,000/- to Rs. 1,77,500/- |
| Medical Officer Grade- Central Health Service (CHS) | 10 | Rs. 56,000/- to Rs. 1,77,500/- |
| General Duty Medical Officer- NDMC | 10 | Rs. 56,000/- to Rs. 1,77,500/- |
| General Duty Medical Officer Grade 2 – MCD | 10 | Rs. 56,000/- to Rs. 1,77,500/- |
FAQs
What is the eligibility for UPSC CMS 2026?
Candidates must hold an MBBS degree from a recognized university to be eligible. Those currently awaiting results for their final MBBS examination are also permitted to apply.
How many papers are there in the UPSC CMS exam?
The written examination comprises two papers, with each paper carrying 250 marks, resulting in a total aggregate of 500 marks.
What posts are offered through UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026?
The UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026 offers roles including Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in Railways, General Duty Medical Officer in Central Health Service, and Medical Officer positions in various Municipal Corporations.
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