The UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 is essential for every candidate preparing for the Combined Medical Services examination. UPSC conducts CMS to recruit Medical Officers for Indian Railways, ESI, NDMC and other Central Government health services. The exam consists of two written papers (500 marks total) followed by an interview/personality test (100 marks). This article provides the complete syllabus, exam pattern, subject-wise topic list, marks distribution and preparation tips.
UPSC CMS 2026 – Exam Pattern Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) 2026 |
| Conducted By | UPSC |
| Qualification Required | MBBS (NMC recognized) |
| Age Limit | 21 to 32 years |
| Written Exam Papers | Paper I + Paper II |
| Total Written Marks | 500 (250 + 250) |
| Interview Marks | 100 |
| Grand Total | 600 marks |
| Question Type | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ) |
| Negative Marking | Yes – 1/3 marks deducted for wrong answer |
| Duration | 2 hours per paper |
| Medium | English only |
UPSC CMS Paper I Syllabus – 250 Marks
Paper I covers General Medicine, Pediatrics and allied subjects. It tests the candidate's knowledge of clinical medicine and diagnostic skills. The paper carries 250 marks with 120 MCQs to be completed in 2 hours.
Paper I – Subject-Wise Topics
| Subject | Key Topics | Weightage (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| General Medicine | Infectious diseases, CVS disorders, respiratory medicine, GIT diseases, endocrinology, nephrology, hematology, neurology, poisoning, tropical medicine, metabolic disorders | 60–65% |
| Pediatrics | Neonatology, growth & development, immunization schedule, nutritional disorders, pediatric infections, congenital heart diseases, pediatric emergencies | 25–30% |
| Dermatology | Common skin diseases, leprosy, fungal infections, STDs, drug reactions | 5–8% |
| Psychiatry | Common psychiatric disorders, psychosis, neurosis, substance abuse, mental health act | 3–5% |
UPSC CMS Paper II Syllabus – 250 Marks
Paper II covers Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Preventive & Social Medicine. It carries 250 marks with 120 MCQs to be completed in 2 hours.
Paper II – Subject-Wise Topics
| Subject | Key Topics | Weightage (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| General Surgery | Trauma management, surgical infections, tumors, GIT surgery, urology, orthopedics basics, burns, fractures, pre/post-operative care, surgical emergencies | 35–40% |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | Normal & abnormal pregnancy, labor management, high-risk pregnancy, contraception, gynecological disorders, infertility, menstrual disorders, cervical cancer screening | 30–35% |
| Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM) | Epidemiology, biostatistics, national health programs, communicable diseases, nutrition, environmental health, health management, demography, occupational health | 25–30% |
| ENT & Ophthalmology | Common ENT conditions, ear infections, nasal disorders, eye diseases, refractive errors, glaucoma, cataract, national blindness program | 5–8% |
UPSC CMS Marks Distribution Summary
| Stage | Component | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Paper I – General Medicine & Pediatrics | 250 | 2 hours |
| Stage 1 | Paper II – Surgery, Gynae & PSM | 250 | 2 hours |
| Stage 2 | Interview / Personality Test | 100 | – |
| Grand Total | 600 | – | |
UPSC CMS Interview / Personality Test – 100 Marks
Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for the Interview / Personality Test conducted by UPSC. Key details:
- Marks: 100
- Purpose: Assess personality, communication skills, clinical judgment, knowledge of medical ethics
- Topics covered: Current affairs in health, medical ethics, national health policies, general awareness, clinical scenarios
- Duration: Approximately 20–30 minutes
- Panel: UPSC board members including medical experts
UPSC CMS Negative Marking Rules
Understanding the negative marking pattern is crucial for scoring well in UPSC CMS:
- Each correct answer carries full marks (approximately 2.08 marks per question)
- Each wrong answer deducts 1/3 of the allotted marks
- Unanswered questions carry zero marks (no penalty)
- There is no sectional cutoff — overall merit matters
UPSC CMS Preparation Tips
- Focus on clinical subjects: General Medicine and Surgery carry maximum weightage
- PSM is high-scoring: National health programs and biostatistics questions are factual and easy to score
- Practice MCQs: Solve previous year papers (last 10 years) from official UPSC sources
- Revise MBBS notes: Standard textbooks like Harrison's, Bailey & Love, Park PSM are sufficient
- Current health affairs: Stay updated on new health policies, WHO guidelines, disease outbreaks
- Time management: 120 questions in 120 minutes — practice speed and accuracy
UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UPSC CMS exam pattern 2026?
UPSC CMS 2026 consists of Paper I (General Medicine & Pediatrics, 250 marks) and Paper II (Surgery, Gynaecology & PSM, 250 marks). Both papers are MCQ-based, 2 hours each. Qualified candidates appear for Interview (100 marks). Total marks: 600.
Is there negative marking in UPSC CMS?
Yes. For every wrong answer in UPSC CMS, 1/3 of the marks allotted to that question are deducted. Unanswered questions carry no penalty. It is advisable to attempt only those questions you are reasonably confident about.
What subjects are covered in UPSC CMS Paper I?
Paper I covers General Medicine (60–65% weightage), Pediatrics (25–30%), Dermatology (5–8%) and Psychiatry (3–5%). The focus is on clinical diagnosis, treatment protocols and case-based questions.
What subjects are covered in UPSC CMS Paper II?
Paper II covers General Surgery (35–40%), Obstetrics & Gynaecology (30–35%), Preventive & Social Medicine (25–30%) and ENT & Ophthalmology (5–8%).
How many questions are asked in UPSC CMS?
Each paper contains approximately 120 MCQs for 250 marks. Total 240 questions across both papers for 500 marks. The exam is conducted in offline mode (OMR-based) in English medium only.
What is the UPSC CMS interview process?
UPSC CMS interview is a personality test worth 100 marks conducted by UPSC board members. It assesses communication skills, clinical judgment, medical ethics, current health affairs and overall personality. The interview lasts 20–30 minutes. Visit rojgardekho.in for latest updates and preparation resources.
