UPSC CMS (Combined Medical Services) Exam Pattern 2026
The full UPSC CMS (Combined Medical Services) exam pattern for 2026 — 3 stages, with the sections, question count, marks, duration and negative marking for each, as set by Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Then take a free UPSC CMS (Combined Medical Services) mock in the real pattern below.
Paper I — Computer-Based Test (General Medicine + Paediatrics)
- Mode
- Online CBT, single shift
- Sections
- Part A: General Medicine (incl. Dermatology and Psychiatry) · Part B: Paediatrics
- Questions
- 120 MCQs (Part A: 96 questions · Part B: 24 questions)
- Marks
- 250 marks (Part A: 200 marks · Part B: 50 marks)
- Duration
- 2 hours (10:00-12:00, schedule per UPSC notification)
- Negative marking
- One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question deducted for each wrong answer; unattempted questions carry zero penalty
General Medicine is the single largest subject in the exam at 96 questions. Dermatology and Psychiatry are formally subsumed within General Medicine and contribute 4-6 questions between them in most cycles. Paediatrics — though only 24 questions — is the highest-yield-per-page section because the syllabus is narrow and Park + Nelson Essentials cover almost all of it.
Paper II — Computer-Based Test (Surgery + OBG + PSM)
- Mode
- Online CBT, single shift (held on the same day as Paper I)
- Sections
- Part A: Surgery (incl. ENT, Ophthalmology, Anaesthesia, Orthopaedics) · Part B: Gynaecology & Obstetrics · Part C: Preventive & Social Medicine
- Questions
- 120 MCQs (Part A: 40 · Part B: 40 · Part C: 40)
- Marks
- 250 marks (Part A and Part B contribute ~80 marks each, Part C ~90 marks — exact mark distribution varies cycle-to-cycle; verify the year's notification)
- Duration
- 2 hours (afternoon session)
- Negative marking
- One-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question deducted for each wrong answer
PSM is the highest-weight section in Paper II and is the single most score-defining subject across the entire CMS exam — over 30% of Paper II is straight Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. Gynaecology & Obstetrics relies heavily on guideline-based questions (DIPSI, AUB-PALM-COEIN, MTP Amendment Act 2021). Surgery questions are spread thinly across general surgery, sub-specialties, ENT, ophthalmology, anaesthesia and orthopaedics — pattern recognition from past papers is essential.
Personality Test (Interview Board)
- Mode
- In-person interview at UPSC, Dholpur House, New Delhi
- Sections
- Personality, clinical reasoning, ethical judgement, awareness of national health programmes, current developments in medicine, suitability for service in remote/peripheral postings
- Questions
- Board-led structured discussion
- Marks
- 100 marks
- Duration
- Approximately 25-35 minutes per candidate
- Negative marking
- Not applicable
Candidates who clear the CBT cut-off (set category-wise by UPSC) are called for the Personality Test in a ratio of approximately 2:1 (PT calls vs vacancies). Final merit = CBT (500) + PT (100) = 600. Service allotment (CHS / Railways / IOFs / NDMC) is then made based on rank, medical category and candidate preference order submitted in the Detailed Application Form.
You know the pattern — now practise in it.
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