UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 notification has been officially released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). This national-level recruitment examination offers a great opportunity for MBBS graduates who want to work in government medical services across India. According to the official notice, a total of 1358 vacancies for Medical Officers and related posts have been announced through this recruitment drive. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can submit their applications online before the deadline.
It is important to note that the number of vacancies mentioned in the notification is tentative, and the final vacancy may increase depending on the requirements of the government departments.
In this article, candidates can check complete details about the UPSC CMS 2026 recruitment including vacancy details, eligibility criteria, age limit, application fee, exam pattern, and important dates.
UPSC CMS 2026 Recruitment Overview
The Combined Medical Services Examination is conducted every year by UPSC to recruit qualified medical professionals for different government departments such as the Central Health Service, Railways, NDMC, and Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 1358 Posts (Tentative) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Notification Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 March 2026 |
| Exam Date | 2 August 2026 |
| Official Website | upsc.gov.in / upsconline.nic.in |
Candidates are advised to apply early because exam centres are allotted on a first-apply, first-allot basis.
UPSC CMS 2026 Vacancy Details
UPSC has announced recruitment for multiple medical officer posts under different departments of the Government of India.
| Category | Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | Medical Officers Grade (Central Health Service) | 864 |
| Category II | Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways) | 450 |
| Category II | General Duty Medical Officer (NDMC) | 14 |
| Category II | General Duty Medical Officer Grade II (MCD) | 30 |
Total Vacancies: 1358
Candidates should remember that the number of vacancies is tentative and the final vacancy may increase later depending on administrative requirements.
Reservation will be provided for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) as per Government of India rules.
UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must carefully check the eligibility conditions before applying for the examination.
Educational Qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | MBBS Degree |
| Final Year Students | Allowed to apply |
| Internship | Must be completed before final appointment |
Candidates who are appearing in the final MBBS examination may also apply, but they must submit proof of passing the exam before the final stage of recruitment.
Nationality
A candidate must be one of the following:
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962
- Person of Indian origin who migrated from certain specified countries intending to permanently settle in India
UPSC CMS 2026 Age Limit
The age criteria for the Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 are given below.
| Category | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|
| General Candidates | 32 years |
| Medical Officers (Central Health Service) | 35 years |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
| Defence Personnel disabled in operations | 3 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities | Up to 10 years |
The age limit will be calculated as on 1 August 2026.
UPSC CMS 2026 Application Fee
Candidates need to pay the examination fee while submitting the online application form.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| Female Candidates | No Fee |
| SC / ST | No Fee |
| PwBD | No Fee |
Payment Mode
The fee can be paid through:
- Net Banking
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- UPI
Once paid, the application fee is non-refundable.
UPSC CMS 2026 Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of two stages.
1. Written Examination
| Paper | Subject | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Medicine & Paediatrics | 250 | 2 Hours |
| Paper II | Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine | 250 | 2 Hours |
Total marks for the written examination: 500 marks
The written exam will be conducted in objective type (MCQ) format, and there will be negative marking for wrong answers.
2. Personality Test / Interview
Candidates who qualify in the written examination will be called for the personality test.
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| Personality Test / Interview | 100 |
Final Merit
Final selection will be based on the combined marks of written examination and personality test (Total 600 marks).
UPSC CMS 2026 Exam Centres
The examination will be conducted at multiple centres across India including major cities such as:
- Delhi
- Kolkata
- Mumbai
- Chennai
- Bengaluru
- Hyderabad
- Patna
- Jaipur
- Lucknow
- Ahmedabad
- Guwahati
Candidates should select their preferred exam centre while filling the application form.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Candidates should keep the following instructions in mind while appearing for the examination:
- Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, and electronic gadgets are strictly prohibited in the exam hall.
- Candidates must reach the exam venue at least 30 minutes before the examination begins.
- Admit cards will be released online and must be downloaded from the official UPSC website.
- Face authentication may be conducted at the exam centre for identity verification.
- Once the application form is submitted, no correction or withdrawal will be allowed.
Conclusion
The UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 is a prestigious opportunity for MBBS graduates to secure a government medical officer position in various central departments. With 1358 vacancies announced and the possibility that the final vacancy may increase, interested candidates should carefully review the eligibility criteria and submit their applications before the deadline.
Since the competition for UPSC medical posts is usually high, candidates are advised to start preparing early and focus on the complete syllabus, exam pattern, and previous year questions to improve their chances of success.
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Editor’s Note:
Written by Karmabandhan Editorial Team.
We encourage all aspirants to verify information from official sources and apply carefully.
Disclaimer: This is not an official government website. Candidates must verify details from the official notification.
I am Surojit Koiri, a professional content writer and digital publisher with over 5 years of experience in government job updates, recruitment analysis, and exam-related news. I am the founder of Karmabandhan.com, a dedicated platform that provides accurate and easy-to-understand information for job aspirants across India.