The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2026 notification for 1,358 medical officer vacancies across central government departments. MBBS graduates meeting the prescribed age and qualification criteria can apply online through the official portal before the deadline. The application window is short — only 20 days — so eligible candidates should act promptly.
Last verified on: 15 March 2026 (IST)
Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) 2026 |
| Advertisement No. | 09/2026-CMS |
| Total Vacancies | 1,358 (tentative) |
| Notification Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Application Start | 11 March 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 31 March 2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Written Exam Date | 2 August 2026 (Sunday) |
| Qualification Required | MBBS (passed or final year) |
| Age Limit (General) | Up to 32 years (35 years for CHS posts) as on 1 August 2026 |
| Application Fee | ₹200 (exempted for Female/SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Pay Scale | Pay Matrix Level-10: ₹56,100–₹1,77,500 + NPA |
| Apply Portal | upsconline.nic.in |
Vacancy Details
UPSC has announced 1,358 tentative vacancies under Examination Notice No. 09/2026-CMS, distributed across four posts and organisations as follows:
| Post / Service | Organisation | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Officers (General Duty) – Junior Scale | Central Health Service (CHS) | 864 |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer | Indian Railways | 450 |
| General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) | New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) | 14 |
| General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II | Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) | 30 |
| Total | 1,358 |
Reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and PwBD candidates will be applied as per Central Government norms. The vacancy count is stated as tentative in the official notification and is subject to revision.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality
Candidates must be citizens of India. Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who arrived before 1 January 1962, and persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries with intent to permanently settle in India are also eligible, subject to producing an eligibility certificate from the Government of India where required.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have passed both the written and practical parts of the final MBBS examination from a university recognised under the Indian Medical Council Act. Candidates who have completed the final MBBS examination but have not yet finished their compulsory internship are eligible to apply; however, they will be considered for appointment only after presenting proof of internship completion. Final-year MBBS students are also permitted to apply under the terms specified in the official notification.
Age Limit (as on 1 August 2026)
| Post | Upper Age Limit |
|---|---|
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways), GDMO (NDMC), GDMO Grade-II (MCD) | 32 years (not born before 2 August 1994) |
| Medical Officers Grade – General Duty (Central Health Service) | 35 years |
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years
- OBC candidates: 3 years
- PwBD candidates: 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years
- Cumulative relaxation is available for candidates qualifying under more than one category (e.g., SC/ST + Ex-Servicemen), as per Government of India rules.
Date of birth proof will be accepted only as recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate. No other document or subsequent changes will be accepted.
Salary and Benefits
All four posts carry a pay scale at Pay Matrix Level-10 (₹56,100–₹1,77,500 per month) under the 7th Central Pay Commission, along with Non-Practising Allowance (NPA), Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other admissible allowances as per government rules.
For the Assistant Divisional Medical Officer post in Railways, the corresponding pre-revised scale is PB-3 (₹15,600–₹39,100) with a Grade Pay of ₹5,400. The NDMC GDMO post carries additional promotion avenues up to Level-14, as stated in the notification. Private medical practice of any kind is strictly prohibited for all post-holders during their tenure.
Selection Process
The UPSC CMS 2026 selection process consists of two stages:
Stage 1: Written Examination (500 marks)
A computer-based, objective-type written examination comprising two papers, each of 250 marks and two hours duration, to be conducted on 2 August 2026 across 48 examination centres in India. Centres are allotted on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
- Paper I: General Medicine and Paediatrics
- Paper II: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine
There is a penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to each question for every wrong answer. Unanswered questions carry no penalty.
Stage 2: Personality Test / Interview (100 marks)
Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for a Personality Test carrying 100 marks. This stage evaluates general knowledge, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, balance of judgment, alertness of mind, integrity of character, and leadership capability. The final merit list is drawn based on the combined marks of both stages.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 11 March 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 11 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31 March 2026 (06:00 PM) |
| Written Examination Date | 2 August 2026 (Sunday) |
| Admit Card Release | Not mentioned in the official notification |
| Personality Test Schedule | Not mentioned in the official notification |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General (UR) – Male | ₹200 |
| OBC – Male | ₹200 |
| Female (all categories) | Nil (exempted) |
| SC/ST – Male | Nil (exempted) |
| PwBD – Male | Nil (exempted) |
Payment can be made online via Net Banking, Visa/Master/RuPay Credit or Debit Card, or UPI. Offline cash payment at any SBI branch is also accepted. Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.
How to Apply Online
Applications are accepted only through the UPSC online portal at upsconline.nic.in. No other mode of application is valid. Follow these steps:
- One-Time Registration (OTR): Visit upsconline.nic.in and complete the One-Time Registration to generate a Universal Registration Number (URN). New users must register; returning UPSC OTR users can log in directly. A one-time facility to update URN profile details is available; changes apply to future applications only.
- Login and Common Application Form (CAF): Log in using your credentials (Email ID/Mobile Number and OTP/Password, or OTR ID and OTP/Password). Fill the Common Application Form with personal, educational, and contact details. Upload a live photograph as mandated this year.
- Upload Documents: Upload a scanned passport-size photograph (JPG, 20 KB–200 KB) and a scanned signature (JPG, 20 KB–100 KB). The signature must be signed three times, one below the other, on plain white paper in black ink. Keep one valid photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter Card/PAN/Passport/Driving Licence or any State/Central Govt-issued photo ID) for future reference.
- Examination-Specific Module: After locking the CAF, select “Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026” from the list. Choose your preferred examination centre from the available 48 centres. Pay the application fee as applicable.
- Review and Submit: Verify all entered information carefully. Once submitted, no modification or withdrawal is permitted. Download and print a copy of the submitted application for records.
Candidates already in government service must submit an undertaking to their Head of Office/Department and declare it in the application. Multiple applications by the same candidate will be summarily rejected.
Documents Required
- MBBS degree certificate or proof of having passed the final MBBS examination (written and practical parts)
- Date of birth proof: Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate
- Valid photo identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or any Govt-issued photo ID)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) if applicable, issued as per current Central Government norms
- OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate based on income from FY 2022–23 to 2024–25, issued after 1 April 2025
- EWS certificate based on FY 2024–25 income, issued after 1 April 2025
- Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate, if applicable
- Internship completion certificate (required at the time of joining; not needed at application stage if internship is pending)
- Undertaking from Head of Office (only for candidates in government service)
Offer and Notice Verification — Scam Warning
UPSC does not issue appointment orders, interview calls, or any recruitment communication via WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, or private email addresses. All official communications are published exclusively on upsc.gov.in. Candidates should download the notification PDF and admit card only from this domain. Any PDF circulating on social media, job forwarding groups, or third-party blogs that is not directly hosted on upsc.gov.in should be cross-checked against the official site before acting on it.
No agent, coaching institute, or middleman is authorised to facilitate UPSC applications or guarantee selection. UPSC does not charge any fee beyond the ₹200 application fee processed through its official portal. If you receive any call or message asking for additional payment or documents in exchange for a government job, report it to UPSC at 011-23098543 or email [email protected].
Official Links
- UPSC Official Website — upsc.gov.in
- Apply Online Portal — upsconline.nic.in
- Official Notification PDF — Advt No. 09/2026-CMS (upsc.gov.in) (Check the “What’s New” section on upsc.gov.in if this direct link is unavailable)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CMS 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 31 March 2026 at 06:00 PM. No application will be accepted after this deadline under any circumstances.
2. Can final-year MBBS students apply for UPSC CMS 2026?
Yes. Candidates who have passed the written and practical parts of the final MBBS examination are eligible. However, candidates yet to complete their compulsory internship will be eligible for appointment only after producing proof of internship completion, as specified in the official notification.
3. What is the age limit for the CHS Medical Officer post versus other posts?
For the Medical Officers Grade in General Duty post under the Central Health Service, the upper age limit is 35 years as on 1 August 2026. For all other posts — Railway ADMO, NDMC GDMO, and MCD GDMO Grade-II — the upper age limit is 32 years as on the same date. Standard government relaxations apply for reserved categories.
4. Is there negative marking in the UPSC CMS 2026 written examination?
Yes. A penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every incorrect answer. Questions left unanswered carry no penalty.
5. Can I edit my UPSC CMS 2026 application after submission?
No. Once the application form is submitted, no correction, alteration, or modification is permitted. A one-time update facility is available only for the URN profile, and those changes apply to future applications — not to the submitted CMS 2026 form.
6. Is private medical practice allowed after appointment through UPSC CMS 2026?
No. Private practice of any kind is strictly prohibited for all posts filled through UPSC CMS 2026, as explicitly stated in the official notification.
