UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination — Eligibility, Syllabus & Exam Pattern
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination annually to recruit medical graduates into various central government organizations and services. It is the primary gateway for doctors to secure esteemed positions such as Medical Officers in the Railways, Central Health Service, and municipal bodies. The selection process is designed to evaluate a candidate's theoretical knowledge and clinical understanding through a Computer-Based Examination, followed by a Personality Test (Interview) to assess their suitability for a public service career.
📌 Eligibility Criteria 🩺
Nationality
A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, to permanently settle here.
Age Limit
A candidate must not have attained the age of 32 years as of August 1st of the examination year. Age relaxation is available for certain categories (e.g., SC/ST, OBC, and others as per government rules).
Educational Qualifications
A candidate must have passed the written and practical parts of the final M.B.B.S. Examination.
Candidates who have appeared or are yet to appear in the final M.B.B.S. examination are also eligible to apply. However, they must provide proof of passing before the personality test. A compulsory rotating internship is also required, and candidates must produce a certificate of completion before their appointment.
✍️ Exam Syllabus & Pattern
Part I — Computer-Based Examination (Total 500 Marks)
The examination consists of two objective-type papers, with each paper having 120 questions.
| Paper | Subject | Duration | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Medicine and Paediatrics | 2 Hours | 250 |
| Paper II | Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine | 2 Hours | 250 |
Syllabus for Computer-Based Exam
- Paper I: General Medicine and Paediatrics (250 Marks)
- General Medicine: Includes Cardiology, Neurology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, diagnosis and management of common medical emergencies, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and infectious diseases.
- Paediatrics: Common childhood emergencies, basic newborn care, normal growth and development, immunization, and management of common childhood illnesses.
- Paper II: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine (250 Marks)
- Surgery: Includes ENT, Ophthalmology, Traumatology, and Orthopaedics. Covers general surgical principles, wound healing, trauma management, and diagnosis of common surgical conditions.
- Gynaecology & Obstetrics: Antenatal and postnatal care, management of normal and complicated pregnancies, family planning, and diagnosis of common gynaecological conditions.
- Preventive & Social Medicine: Social and community medicine concepts, epidemiology, biostatistics, food and nutrition, national health programs, and environmental sanitation.
Part II — Personality Test (Interview)
| Total Marks | 100 |
|---|---|
| Evaluation Areas | The interview is designed to assess the candidate's general knowledge, critical thinking, intellectual qualities, social traits, and overall suitability for a career in the medical services. |
👉 Note
- The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of the Computer-Based Test and the Personality Test.
- Candidates are allocated to services like the Central Health Service, Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in Railways, and General Duty Medical Officer in NDMC based on their rank and preference.
- For full official syllabus & combinations, refer to UPSC offical notification.
☞ Tip for Aspirants: Always refer to the latest official notification for syllabus and eligibility details as they may change year to year.