The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Notification for the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Recruitment 2026 on 11 March 2026. Candidates who hold an MBBS degree are eligible to apply for this prestigious medical recruitment examination. The online application process started on 11 March 2026 and will remain open until 31 March 2026. Interested and eligible candidates can submit their UPSC CMS 2026 application form online through the official UPSC website at upsc.gov.in. Applicants are advised to carefully check the eligibility criteria, important dates, and application guidelines before completing the online registration process.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS) 2026 Notification on 11 March 2026 on its official website upsc.gov.in. Through the UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026, the commission has announced a total of 1,358 vacancies for various Medical Officer posts in different government departments and health services. Interested candidates who meet the required eligibility criteria can check the detailed notification and apply online through the official UPSC website.
Candidates up to 32 years of age (General category) are eligible to apply for the UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026, while the upper age limit is 35 years for CHS Medical Officers as per the rules of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Applicants must have passed both the written and practical parts of the final MBBS examination to be eligible for these Medical Officer posts. The recruitment includes positions such as Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in Indian Railways, Medical Officer in Central Health Service (CHS), General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) in NDMC, and GDMO Grade-II in MCD.
The online application process for UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026 started on 11 March 2026 and will remain open until 31 March 2026 (06:00 PM). Interested and eligible candidates can download the official notification PDF and submit their online application through the official UPSC website. Applicants are advised to carefully read the detailed notification before applying to ensure they meet all eligibility requirements.
UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Company Name | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Post Name | Medical Officers Grade (General Duty – Central Health Service) | Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways) | General Duty Medical Officer (NDMC) | General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II (MCD) |
| No of Posts | 1358 |
| Advt No | Examination Notice No. 9/2026-CMS |
| Salary | Pay Matrix Level-10: Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500 + NPA (Non-Practising Allowance) |
| Qualification | Passed written and practical parts of final MBBS Examination |
| Age Limit | Maximum 32 Years (General) | Maximum 35 Years (for CHS General Duty MO) as on 01.08.2026 |
| Application Fee | Rs. 200/- | Exempted: Female / SC / ST / PwBD candidates |
| Start Date for Apply | 11/03/2026 |
| Last Date for Apply | 31/03/2026 (up to 06:00 PM) |
| Date of Examination | 02/08/2026 |
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in | https://upsconline.nic.in |
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Notification PDF
Candidates are advised to download and carefully read the official notification released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for the UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 before submitting their application. The notification PDF contains complete information about vacancy details, eligibility criteria, age limit, application process, important dates, and the selection procedure. Applicants should review all the instructions thoroughly to avoid any mistakes while applying. For the convenience of candidates, the direct link to download the UPSC CMS 2026 Notification PDF is provided in the Important Links section below.
Download UPSC CMS Combined Medical Service Job 2026 Notification PDF-Download here
UPSC CMS 2026 Vacancy Details
| Category | Post Name | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Category-I | Medical Officers Grade in General Duty Medical Officers Sub-cadre of Central Health Service (CHS) | 864 |
| Category-II | (i) Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in the Railways | 450 |
| (ii) General Duty Medical Officer in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) | 14 | |
| (iii) General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) | 30 | |
| Total | 1358 | |
PwBD Vacancy Breakup
| Post | PwBD Vacancies | Sub-category |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Officers Grade – General Duty (CHS) | 34 | OA, OL, BL, OAL, CP, LC, DW, AAV: 17 | SLD + MD involving above: 17 |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways) | 18 | Locomotor Disability: OA, OL, BL, LC & AAV (without joint involvement) |
| General Duty Medical Officer (NDMC) | NIL | – |
| General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II (MCD) | 2 | Locomotor Disability: 0 | SLD: 1 | MD involving above: 1 |
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates who wish to apply for the UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026 conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) must meet the required eligibility conditions related to nationality, educational qualification, medical standards, and other requirements. Applicants should carefully review the eligibility criteria before submitting the online application form.
Nationality:
The candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India. Persons of Indian origin who migrated from certain specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India are also eligible. However, candidates belonging to categories other than Indian citizens must possess an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India.
Educational Qualification:
To apply for the UPSC CMS 2026 examination, candidates must have passed both the written and practical parts of the final MBBS examination from a recognized university or institution.
Provisional Admission:
Candidates who have appeared or are yet to appear in the final MBBS examination are also allowed to apply for the examination. However, their admission will be purely provisional and they must submit proof of passing the final MBBS examination within the time limit specified by UPSC after the declaration of the written examination result.
Internship Requirement:
Applicants who have not yet completed their compulsory rotating internship can still appear for the examination. However, they will be appointed to the post only after successfully completing the mandatory internship.
Physical & Medical Standards:
Candidates must be physically and medically fit according to the standards prescribed for the UPSC CMS Examination 2026, as mentioned in the official rules and regulations.
Marital Status:
As per government rules, a candidate who has entered into a marriage with a person already having a living spouse, or a candidate who has a living spouse and marries another person, will not be eligible for appointment. However, exemption may be granted in certain cases if permitted under the applicable personal law and with the approval of the Central Government.
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Salary / Stipend
Candidates selected through the UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), will receive an attractive salary package as per the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix along with applicable allowances. The salary varies depending on the post and department, but most positions fall under Pay Matrix Level-10, with additional benefits such as Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) and other government allowances.
Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways):
Selected candidates will receive a salary under Pay Matrix Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) along with Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) as per government rules. Private medical practice is strictly prohibited for this post.
Medical Officers Grade – Central Health Service (CHS):
Medical Officers in the Central Health Service (CHS) will also be placed in Pay Matrix Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) with NPA, as per orders issued by the Government from time to time. Private practice, including laboratory work or consultancy, is not permitted.
General Duty Medical Officer – NDMC:
For the General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) in NDMC, the salary is Pay Matrix Level-10 (₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500) with restricted NPA. Candidates may also receive future promotions to higher posts such as Senior Medical Officer (Level-11), Chief Medical Officer (Level-12), Chief Medical Officer – NFSG (Level-13), and Senior Administrative Grade (Level-14), depending on service and experience.
General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II – MCD:
The GDMO Grade-II in MCD will receive a minimum basic pay of ₹56,100 in Pay Matrix Level-10 under the 7th CPC, along with NPA and other admissible allowances. Private practice in any form is not allowed for this post.
Pension System:
All candidates appointed through the UPSC CMS 2026 recruitment will be covered under the National Pension System (NPS), which has been applicable to central government employees since 1 January 2004, as per Government of India rules.
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Age Limit (as on 01 August 2026)
According to the notification released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), candidates applying for UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026 must meet the prescribed age criteria as on 01 August 2026. The maximum age limit for General category candidates is 32 years, which means applicants must have been born not earlier than 2 August 1994. However, for the post of Medical Officers Grade – General Duty in the Central Health Service (CHS), the upper age limit is 35 years as on the same date.
The commission also provides age relaxation for reserved and special categories as per government rules. Candidates belonging to the SC/ST category are eligible for an upper age relaxation of up to 5 years, while OBC candidates can avail 3 years of age relaxation. Defence Services personnel disabled during operations are eligible for a maximum relaxation of 3 years. Similarly, Ex-Servicemen who have completed at least 5 years of military service can get up to 5 years of relaxation in the upper age limit.
For Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs) and Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) whose initial assignment of 5 years of military service has been extended, a maximum age relaxation of 5 years is allowed, provided they submit a certificate from the Ministry of Defence. In addition, Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are eligible for up to 10 years of age relaxation. Candidates who belong to SC/ST/OBC categories and also fall under Ex-Servicemen or PwBD categories may receive combined age relaxation benefits under both categories.
For age verification, only the date of birth mentioned in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate (or an equivalent recognized certificate) will be accepted. No other document will be considered valid proof of age.
UPSC CMS 2026 Application Fee
To complete the application process for UPSC CMS 2026, candidates must pay the required examination fee. The application fee for General, OBC, and EWS candidates is ₹200 (Rupees Two Hundred only). However, all female candidates, SC candidates, ST candidates, and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are exempted from paying the application fee.
It is important to note that OBC and EWS candidates are not eligible for fee exemption and must pay the full amount of ₹200. The fee can be paid online through Net Banking of any bank, or using Visa, MasterCard, RuPay Credit/Debit Cards, or UPI payment methods.
Candidates should remember that once the application fee is paid, it will not be refunded under any circumstances, nor can it be adjusted for any other examination. Applications submitted without the required fee (unless fee exemption is applicable) will be rejected by the commission.
Important Dates
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Date of Notification of Examination | 11/03/2026 |
| Opening of Online Application | 11/03/2026 |
| Last Date for Filling Up of Online Application | 31/03/2026 (up to 06:00 PM) |
| Date of Written Examination | 02/08/2026 |
| Helpline Operational Period | 11.03.2026 to 31.03.2026 (10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on working days) |
| Issuance of e-Admit Card | Last working day of the preceding week of the date of examination |
| Representation Window on Question Paper / Provisional Answer Keys | 3rd day to 7th day (06:00 PM) after the Examination date |
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Selection Process
The selection for UPSC CMS 2026 is based on two stages – a Written Examination (500 Marks) and a Personality Test/Interview (100 Marks), making a total of 600 marks. Candidates must clear both stages to be considered for final appointment.
1. Written Examination (Part-I) – 500 Marks
- Paper-I (Code No. 1): General Medicine and Paediatrics
- Total Marks: 250
- Total Questions: 120 (96 General Medicine + 24 Paediatrics)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Paper-II (Code No. 2): Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine
- Total Marks: 250
- Total Questions: 120 (40 questions from each section)
- Duration: 2 hours
- Both papers are Objective Type (Multiple Choice Questions).
- Medium of Exam: English only
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd (0.33) marks will be deducted for each wrong answer. No penalty for unattempted questions.
2. Personality Test / Interview (Part-II) – 100 Marks
- Candidates qualifying the written examination will be called for the Personality Test/Interview.
- Purpose: Assess general knowledge, academic ability, intellectual curiosity, judgment, integrity, initiative, and leadership qualities.
3. Tie-Breaking Criteria
In case of equal final marks:
- Candidate with higher marks in the written examination is ranked higher.
- If still equal, older candidate is given preference.
- If date of birth is also the same, candidate with earlier internship completion is ranked higher.
- Remaining ties are resolved at the discretion of the Commission.
4. Qualifying Marks & Merit
- The Commission has discretion to set qualifying marks in one or both papers.
- Appointment of candidates will be based on merit order and preferences expressed for different posts.
5. Examination Centres
- There are 48 exam centres across India, including:
- Agartala, Ahmedabad, Aizawl, Bareilly, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cuttack, Dehradun, Delhi, Dharwad, Dispur, Faridabad, Gangtok, Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida), Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Imphal, Itanagar, Jaipur, Jammu, Jorhat, Kanpur, Kochi, Kohima, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Meerut, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji (Goa), Patna, Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Prayagraj (Allahabad), Raipur, Ranchi, Sambalpur, Shillong, Shimla, Srinagar, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati, Udaipur, Visakhapatnam.
- Centre allotment is on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
- PwBD candidates can choose their preferred centre without restriction.
6. Exam Day Instructions
- Face authentication is mandatory for all candidates at the exam venue.
- Candidates must arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of each session.
- Late entry is strictly prohibited.
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 – How to Apply
Candidates interested in applying for UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026 must apply online only through the official UPSC portal: https://upsconline.nic.in. The application process is divided into four main modules:
- Account Creation:
- Create a new account on the UPSC Online portal if not already registered.
- Universal Registration (URN Profile):
- Register once in a lifetime using personal and contact details.
- Common Application Form (CAF):
- Fill the CAF with personal, educational, and other required details.
- Examination Specific Module:
- Complete this module to select your exam centre, pay the application fee, and upload required documents.
Document Upload Guidelines:
- Scanned Photograph: JPEG format, size 20 KB – 200 KB.
- Scanned Signature: JPEG format, size 20 KB – 100 KB; sign three times on plain white paper in black ink and upload.
- Live Photograph: Capture/upload during CAF filling.
- Photo ID: Keep a valid ID ready (Aadhaar, Voter Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving Licence, or any other State/Central Govt. issued ID) for future reference.
Application Fee:
- General / OBC / EWS Candidates: ₹200
- Fee Payment Mode: Net Banking / Visa / MasterCard / RuPay / Credit / Debit Card / UPI
- Fee exemption applies to Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates
Important Dates:
- Application Start: 11 March 2026
- Application End: 31 March 2026 (06:00 PM)
Additional Instructions:
- Apply well in advance to secure your preferred examination centre (first-apply-first-allot basis).
- Candidates in Government service must submit an undertaking to their Head of Office/Department and mention it in the application.
- Do not submit multiple applications; duplicate applications will be rejected.
- No hard copy of the application form is required to be sent to the Commission.
- Candidates qualifying for the Personality Test/Interview must login within 15 days of the written exam result to update details and upload proof of passing the qualifying examination.
UPSC CMS Combined Medical Service Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Notification PDF: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
- Join WhatsApp Channel: Click here
- Join YouTube Channel: Click here
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is the total vacancy for UPSC CMS 2026?
The UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 has announced a total of 1,358 vacancies under Examination Notice No. 9/2026-CMS. The vacancies are distributed as follows:
- Medical Officers (CHS): 864 posts
- Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways): 450 posts
- General Duty Medical Officer (NDMC): 14 posts
- GDMO Grade-II (MCD): 30 posts
Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CMS 2026?
The last date for submission of the online application is 31 March 2026 (06:00 PM). Applications must be submitted only through the official UPSC portal at https://upsconline.nic.in. No other mode of application is accepted.
Q3. What is the age limit for UPSC CMS 2026?
- Maximum age (General): 32 years as on 1 August 2026 (not born before 2 August 1994)
- Medical Officers Grade – General Duty (CHS): 35 years
- Age relaxation: SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwBD – 10 years, Ex-Servicemen – 5 years
- Age relaxations are as per Government of India rules
Q4. What is the exam pattern for UPSC CMS 2026?
- Written Examination: 500 marks
- Paper-I: General Medicine & Paediatrics – 250 marks
- Paper-II: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine – 250 marks
- Both papers are objective type (MCQs) with negative marking of 1/3rd per wrong answer
- Personality Test/Interview: 100 marks
- Total Marks: 600
Q5. What is the application fee for UPSC CMS 2026?
- General / OBC / EWS candidates: ₹200
- Exempted: Female candidates, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates
- Payment mode: Net Banking, Visa, MasterCard, RuPay, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI
- Note: Fee once paid is non-refundable
Q6. What educational qualification is required for UPSC CMS 2026?
- Candidates must have passed both written and practical parts of the final MBBS examination from a recognized university.
- Provisional candidates (appeared or yet to appear in MBBS final exams) may apply but appointment is subject to passing the exam and completing the rotating internship.
Q7. When is the UPSC CMS 2026 exam date?
The written examination is scheduled for 2 August 2026 at 48 centres across India. Allotment of centres is on a first-apply-first-allot basis, so early application is recommended.
Q8. What is the salary for posts filled through UPSC CMS 2026?
- Pay Matrix Level-10: ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 per month
- Additional Benefits: Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) as per rules
- Private practice is strictly prohibited for all posts
- Promotion: NDMC GDMO posts have avenues up to Level-14
Q9. Is there a Personality Test in UPSC CMS 2026?
Yes. Candidates qualifying the written exam will appear for a Personality Test / Interview (100 marks).
It assesses general knowledge, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, balance of judgment, integrity, leadership, and social awareness.
Q10. What is the Pratibha Setu Portal mentioned in UPSC CMS 2026 notification?
The Pratibha Setu Portal (formerly Public Disclosure Scheme) allows registered private companies, PSUs, and statutory organizations to access information of candidates who cleared the written exam but were not recommended in the final Personality Test.
- Candidates can opt-in or opt-out during the Exam Specific Module of the application form.
