The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has announced the much-anticipated Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2026, a prestigious gateway for medical professionals seeking a stable and rewarding career in the Central Government health services. This national-level examination is a golden opportunity for MBBS graduates to secure coveted positions as Medical Officers in various prestigious departments under the Government of India.
A career selected through UPSC CMS is not just a job; it is a service to the nation with excellent growth prospects, job security, and the privilege of contributing to public health infrastructure. Successful candidates will be appointed to key roles in the Central Health Service (CHS) and other nodal organizations like the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Railways, playing a vital role in delivering healthcare across the country.
Why This is a Great Opportunity:
This examination is highly competitive and requires dedicated preparation. Aspirants must carefully read the official notification to understand the detailed eligibility criteria, syllabus, and examination pattern to plan their studies effectively.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begin | 11/03/2026 |
| Last Date for Apply Online | 31/03/2026 (upto 06:00 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 31/03/2026 |
| Exam Date | 02/08/2026 |
| Admit Card Download | To be announced (Usually 2-3 weeks before exam) |
The total advertised vacancies are for the post of Medical Officers Grade in the General Duty Medical Officers (GDMO) Sub-Cadre of the Central Health Service (CHS).
| Post Name | Total Vacancies | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Officers Grade (GDMO Sub-Cadre, CHS) | 864 | MBBS Degree: Passed or appearing in the final year of MBBS from any recognized University in India. Registration: Must possess a permanent registration as a Medical Practitioner with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or a State Medical Council. |
Note: Other specific posts like Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (ADMO) in Railways and General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) Grade-II in NDMS are also listed in some communications. Candidates must refer to the official notification for the complete, final, and categorized vacancy distribution for each service/posting.
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Website | https://upsc.gov.in/whats-new |
| Apply Online (Through OTR) | https://upsconline.nic.in/ |
| Download Official Notification | Notification-CMSE-2026-English-110326.pdf |
| Download Admit Card | Link will be activated on the official website before the exam. |
| Download Exam Notice / Corrigendum | To be published on the official website if required. |
| Download Result | Will be declared on the official UPSC website (www.upsc.gov.in). |
| Download Interview Schedule / Marks | Will be notified separately for qualified candidates. |
| Download Cutoff Marks | Will be released post-examination on the official website. |
Candidates must apply online only through the official UPSC website. Follow these steps meticulously:
Important: The application window is strictly from 11/03/2026 to 31/03/2026 (06:00 PM). No applications will be accepted after the last date under any circumstances.
The selection of candidates for the UPSC CMS 2026 will be based on the following stages:
Written Examination: This is the primary screening stage. The exam is typically objective (MCQ) type and is conducted offline (pen-paper mode) across various centers in India.
Personality Test / Interview: Candidates who qualify the Written Examination by securing the minimum qualifying marks (as decided by UPSC) will be called for the Personality Test (Interview).
Final Selection & Allotment:
Document Verification: After the final selection, all recommended candidates will be required to produce original certificates and documents for verification at the time of joining or as directed by UPSC. This includes proof of age, educational qualifications, medical registration, and category certificates (if applicable). Any discrepancy can lead to the cancellation of candidature.
All information regarding the exam pattern, detailed syllabus, qualifying marks, and interview procedure is definitive only as per the official notification. Candidates must rely on the notification for absolute accuracy.
The last date to apply online is 31st March 2026 (up to 06:00 PM). No applications will be accepted after this deadline.
Candidates must have passed or be appearing in the final year of an MBBS degree from a recognized university in India. Permanent registration with the Medical Council of India (MCI) or a State Medical Council is also required.
The fee is ₹200 for General, OBC, and EWS categories. SC, ST, PH candidates, and all female candidates are exempted from fee payment.
The maximum age is 32 years as on 31st March 2026 (the closing date of application). Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government rules.
A total of 864 vacancies are advertised for the post of Medical Officers Grade in the General Duty Medical Officers Sub-Cadre of the Central Health Service (CHS).
Selection is based on a Written Examination (Objective type, 250 marks) followed by a Personality Test/Interview (100 marks). The final merit is prepared on the aggregate of both.
The Written Examination is scheduled for 2nd August 2026. The exact admit card download date will be announced on the official UPSC website.
Applications must be submitted online only via the UPSC portal (upsconline.nic.in). New users must first complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) before filling the application form.
Candidates need to upload scanned copies of a recent passport-size photograph, signature, MBBS degree/proof, MCI registration certificate, and category certificate (if applicable) as per specifications in the notification.
The official notification is available on the UPSC website (upsc.gov.in). The admit card will be released on the same website a few weeks before the exam date.