UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026 — 1358 Vacancies

If you hold an MBBS degree and dream of a government medical career, this is one of the biggest opportunities of the year. The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has opened applications for the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2026, offering a total of 1,358 vacancies across four prestigious medical services. The exam is scheduled for 2 August 2026, and you have until 31 March 2026 to submit your application.

Available Posts

Key Highlights

• 1,358 doctor posts across 4 government medical services — the largest CMS intake in recent years
• Open to MBBS holders and final-year MBBS students who are appearing in their final exam
• CHS Medical Officers get a higher age limit of 35 years compared to 32 years for other posts
• You can apply for multiple services with a single application — just indicate your preferences
• Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) of 20% of basic pay is provided on top of your salary
• Exam centres available in 48 cities across India — allotted on first-apply, first-allot basis

Important Dates

Selection Process

The selection happens in two stages. First, you take a written exam worth 500 marks consisting of two papers — Paper I covers General Medicine and Paediatrics, while Paper II covers Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine. Each paper has 120 objective-type questions to be completed in 2 hours. There is negative marking for wrong answers, so avoid random guessing. Candidates who clear the written exam are called for a Personality Test (Interview) worth 100 marks.

Preparation Tips for UPSC CMS Exam

1. Focus heavily on General Medicine — Paper I carries 96 questions from this subject alone, making it the highest-weightage area
2. Revise your clinical subjects thoroughly — Surgery, Gynaecology, and Preventive Medicine each contribute 40 questions in Paper II
3. Practice previous year CMS papers — UPSC provides past question papers on their website, and the pattern has remained consistent
4. Manage your time wisely — with 120 questions in 120 minutes, you get exactly 1 minute per question
5. Be careful with negative marking — skip questions you are unsure about rather than guessing blindly
6. Prepare for the Personality Test early — brush up on medical ethics, public health policies, and current healthcare developments

• Provide general medical care and treatment to patients at government hospitals and health centres
• Conduct medical examinations, diagnose illnesses, and prescribe appropriate treatment
• Participate in public health programmes, immunization drives, and disease prevention activities
• Maintain patient records, medical reports, and other clinical documentation
• Handle emergency cases and provide first-aid treatment
• Work in shifts including night duty as assigned by the department
• Coordinate with senior medical officers and specialists for referral cases