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UPSC CMS (Combined Medical Services) mock test
Government Exams · Syllabus

UPSC CMS (Combined Medical Services) Syllabus 2026

The complete UPSC CMS (Combined Medical Services) syllabus for 2026 — 5 sections and 81 topics in all, organised exactly as the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) prescribes. Use it as your revision checklist, then test yourself with a free UPSC CMS (Combined Medical Services) mock below.

General Medicine (Paper I, Part A — 96 questions / 200 marks)15 topics

  • Cardiovascular: ischaemic heart disease (STEMI/NSTEMI diagnosis and management per AHA), hypertension (JNC 8 / ACC-AHA staging, antihypertensive drug classes), arrhythmias (AF, VT, heart blocks — ECG recognition), rheumatic heart disease and infective endocarditis (Duke criteria)
  • Respiratory: bronchial asthma (GINA stepwise management), COPD (GOLD staging), community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia, tuberculosis (NTEP regimens, MDR/XDR-TB, IGRA vs Mantoux), pulmonary embolism, ARDS (Berlin definition)
  • Gastroenterology and hepatology: GERD, peptic ulcer disease and H. pylori eradication, inflammatory bowel disease (UC vs Crohn's), acute and chronic liver disease, viral hepatitis A-E, cirrhosis complications (variceal bleed, hepatic encephalopathy, SBP), acute pancreatitis (Atlanta classification)
  • Endocrinology: diabetes mellitus (ADA diagnostic criteria, OHA classes, insulin regimens, DKA/HHS management), thyroid disorders (hypo/hyperthyroidism, thyroid storm, myxoedema coma), adrenal disorders (Cushing's, Addison's), pituitary axis basics
  • Nephrology: AKI (KDIGO staging), CKD (eGFR staging, dialysis indications), glomerular diseases (nephritic vs nephrotic syndromes), urinary tract infections, electrolyte and acid-base disorders
  • Neurology: stroke (ischaemic vs haemorrhagic, thrombolysis window), seizures and epilepsy (status epilepticus management), meningitis and encephalitis, peripheral neuropathies (GBS, diabetic neuropathy), headache disorders (migraine, cluster, tension), Parkinson's disease
  • Infectious diseases: HIV/AIDS (NACO ART guidelines, opportunistic infections), malaria (P. falciparum vs vivax, NVBDCP treatment protocol), dengue (warning signs, fluid management), enteric fever, leptospirosis, COVID-19 (clinical course, management, vaccination)
  • Haematology: anaemias (iron deficiency, megaloblastic, haemolytic — sickle cell, thalassaemia), leukaemia basics (AML/ALL/CML/CLL), lymphomas (Hodgkin staging), bleeding disorders (haemophilia, ITP, DIC)
  • Rheumatology: rheumatoid arthritis (ACR criteria), SLE (SLICC criteria), seronegative spondyloarthropathies, gout and pseudogout, vasculitides (Takayasu, GPA, Kawasaki overview)
  • Nutritional and metabolic disorders: protein-energy malnutrition, vitamin deficiencies (A, D, B-complex), obesity (BMI cut-offs for Indian population), metabolic syndrome
  • Dermatology (subsumed in Medicine): psoriasis, eczema, leprosy (NLEP classification — paucibacillary vs multibacillary), scabies, common STIs
  • Psychiatry (subsumed in Medicine): depression (DSM-5/ICD-10 criteria), schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, substance use, suicide risk assessment
  • Emergency medicine: poisoning (OP poisoning + atropine/PAM, paracetamol + NAC, snake bite + ASV), shock classification and management
  • Drugs and prescribing: essential drugs list, drug-induced hepatitis, antimicrobial stewardship basics
  • ECG, ABG, X-ray and basic ultrasound interpretation as relevant to clinical scenarios

Paediatrics (Paper I, Part B — 24 questions / 50 marks)15 topics

  • Neonatology: APGAR scoring, Neonatal Resuscitation Programme (NRP) algorithm, neonatal jaundice (physiological vs pathological, Kramer staging, phototherapy thresholds), prematurity and low birth weight classification
  • Growth and development: anthropometric measurements (weight, length, head circumference, MUAC), milestones (gross motor, fine motor, language, social), failure to thrive
  • Immunisation: Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) schedule, Mission Indradhanush, vaccine cold chain, contraindications, AEFI classification
  • Nutrition and PEM: kwashiorkor vs marasmus, IAP classification of malnutrition, severe acute malnutrition (SAM) management, complementary feeding, exclusive breastfeeding (WHO/IYCF)
  • Common paediatric infections: acute diarrhoeal disease and ORS (WHO low-osmolarity ORS), zinc supplementation, acute respiratory infections (IMNCI classification), measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, pertussis
  • Tuberculosis in children: NTEP paediatric regimen, BCG, Mantoux interpretation in children
  • Congenital heart disease: acyanotic (VSD, ASD, PDA, coarctation) vs cyanotic (TOF, TGA), murmur recognition, neonatal cyanosis evaluation
  • Paediatric haematology: nutritional anaemias, thalassaemia major (transfusion, chelation), sickle cell disease, ITP
  • Genetic and chromosomal disorders: Down syndrome (trisomy 21 features), Turner, Klinefelter, inborn errors of metabolism overview (PKU, galactosaemia, MSUD)
  • Paediatric neurology: febrile seizures, cerebral palsy classification, neural tube defects, developmental delay screening
  • IMNCI and IMCI: triage assessment, danger signs in under-fives, treatment algorithms
  • Adolescent health: RKSK programme, anaemia in adolescent girls, menstrual hygiene, mental health screening
  • Paediatric emergencies: shock in children, status asthmaticus, DKA in children, accidental poisoning
  • National programmes for child health: RBSK, JSSK, Janani Suraksha Yojana, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anaemia Mukt Bharat
  • Newborn screening: hearing screening, ROP screening, congenital hypothyroidism

Surgery (Paper II, Part A — 40 questions, includes ENT, Ophthalmology, Anaesthesia, Orthopaedics)15 topics

  • Acute abdomen: appendicitis (Alvarado score), acute cholecystitis (Tokyo guidelines), intestinal obstruction (small bowel vs large bowel, sigmoid volvulus), perforation peritonitis
  • Hernia: inguinal (direct vs indirect, NYHUS/Gilbert), femoral, umbilical, incisional, strangulation vs obstruction
  • Breast: triple assessment (clinical + imaging + FNAC/core), breast cancer staging (TNM), benign breast disease (fibroadenoma, fibrocystic), Paget's disease
  • Thyroid: solitary thyroid nodule workup, thyroid cancer (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic), retrosternal goitre + Pemberton sign, thyroidectomy complications
  • Urology: BPH (IPSS scoring, TURP), urolithiasis (calcium oxalate, struvite, uric acid), carcinoma prostate (Gleason scoring, PSA), bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma
  • Orthopaedics: fracture classification (Gustilo-Anderson for open fractures, Garden for femoral neck), osteoarthritis vs rheumatoid arthritis, osteomyelitis, congenital DDH, club foot (Ponseti method)
  • Anaesthesia: airway assessment (Mallampati grading), ASA physical status grades, common induction agents (propofol, thiopentone, ketamine), inhalational agents, local anaesthetics (toxicity, max doses), spinal vs epidural anaesthesia
  • ENT: otitis media (ASOM, CSOM tubotympanic vs atticoantral), otosclerosis, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, tonsillitis indications for tonsillectomy, laryngeal cancer, head and neck cancers overview
  • Ophthalmology: cataract (types, IOL), glaucoma (open-angle vs angle-closure), refractive errors (myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, presbyopia), diabetic retinopathy (NPDR/PDR), ROP screening, conjunctivitis types, NPCB programme
  • Burns: Wallace rule of 9, Parkland formula for fluid resuscitation, burn depth assessment, escharotomy indications
  • Trauma: ATLS primary and secondary survey, Glasgow Coma Scale, head injury management (CT indications, ICP), chest trauma (tension pneumothorax, flail chest, cardiac tamponade)
  • Vascular surgery: peripheral arterial disease (Fontaine classification), DVT (Wells score, prophylaxis), varicose veins
  • Hepatobiliary: gallstone disease, obstructive jaundice workup, pancreatic carcinoma (Whipple), liver abscess (amoebic vs pyogenic)
  • Colorectal: haemorrhoids (grading), fissure-in-ano, fistula (Park's classification), carcinoma colon and rectum (Dukes, TNM)
  • Skin and soft tissue: cellulitis, necrotising fasciitis, lipoma, sebaceous cyst, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma (Breslow, Clark)

Gynaecology & Obstetrics (Paper II, Part B — 40 questions)16 topics

  • Antenatal care: WHO 8-contact ANC schedule, booking visit investigations, supplementation (iron-folic acid, calcium), tetanus immunisation, ultrasound in pregnancy (NT scan, anomaly scan, growth scan)
  • Gestational diabetes: DIPSI single-step 75g OGTT (Indian standard), IADPSG criteria, management (MNT + insulin), postpartum follow-up
  • Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia (severe features), eclampsia management (MgSO4 — Pritchard/Zuspan regimens), HELLP syndrome
  • Antepartum haemorrhage: placenta praevia (types, management), abruptio placentae, vasa praevia
  • Postpartum haemorrhage: causes (4 Ts — tone, trauma, tissue, thrombin), uterotonics (oxytocin, methergine, carboprost, misoprostol), B-Lynch suture, balloon tamponade, internal iliac ligation
  • Operative obstetrics: vacuum vs forceps (indications, contraindications), Caesarean section indications (NICE classification 1-4), VBAC criteria
  • Menstrual disorders: AUB-PALM-COEIN classification (FIGO), DUB, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea (primary vs secondary workup)
  • PCOS: Rotterdam criteria (2 of 3), insulin resistance, management (lifestyle, metformin, OCPs, letrozole for ovulation induction)
  • Uterine fibroids: FIGO classification (0-8), red degeneration in pregnancy, myomectomy vs hysterectomy
  • Cervical cancer: HPV vaccination (Cervavac, quadrivalent, nonavalent), VIA/VILI screening, Pap smear, colposcopy, FIGO staging, surgical vs radiation management
  • Endometrial and ovarian cancers: risk factors, staging, screening limitations (CA-125)
  • Contraception: Cu-T 380A, hormonal IUDs (LNG-IUS), combined OCPs, POPs, injectables (DMPA), emergency contraception (levonorgestrel, ulipristal, Cu-T as EC), sterilisation (tubectomy, vasectomy)
  • Medical Termination of Pregnancy: MTP Amendment Act 2021 — up to 20 weeks on one doctor's opinion, 20-24 weeks for special categories (rape survivors, minors, foetal anomalies) on two doctors' opinion, foetal anomaly board for beyond 24 weeks
  • Infertility: workup (semen analysis as per WHO 2021, tubal patency by HSG/SSG/laparoscopy, ovulation studies), ovulation induction (clomiphene, letrozole), ART overview (IUI, IVF, ICSI)
  • Menopause: physiology, vasomotor symptoms, osteoporosis (T-score, DEXA), hormone replacement therapy risks and benefits
  • Genital tract infections: vaginitis (candidial, bacterial, trichomonas), PID, syndromic management per NACO

Preventive & Social Medicine (Paper II, Part C — 40 questions, highest PSM weight in the exam)20 topics

  • Concepts of health and disease: WHO definition, natural history of disease, levels of prevention (primordial, primary, secondary, tertiary), iceberg phenomenon
  • Epidemiological measurements: incidence, prevalence (point vs period), attack rate, secondary attack rate, case fatality rate, mortality rates (crude, age-specific, cause-specific), standardisation
  • Study designs: descriptive, cross-sectional, case-control (odds ratio), cohort (relative risk, attributable risk), RCT (allocation concealment, blinding, intention-to-treat), systematic review and meta-analysis
  • Diagnostic test evaluation: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratios, ROC curve, screening criteria (Wilson-Jungner)
  • Biostatistics: mean/median/mode, standard deviation vs standard error, normal distribution, parametric vs non-parametric tests, t-test, chi-square, ANOVA, correlation and regression, p-value and confidence intervals
  • Demography: NFHS-5 (2019-21) key indicators — Total Fertility Rate, Infant Mortality Rate, Maternal Mortality Ratio, Under-5 Mortality Rate, sex ratio at birth, contraceptive prevalence — and trends from NFHS-3/4 to NFHS-5
  • Vital statistics: crude birth rate, crude death rate, age-specific rates, demographic transition, dependency ratio, Sample Registration System
  • National Health Mission: NRHM → NHM evolution, ASHA, ANM, PHC/CHC/SDH hierarchy and IPHS standards, Health and Wellness Centres under Ayushman Bharat
  • National disease control programmes: NTEP (Nikshay portal, BPaLM regimen), NLEP (leprosy elimination), NVBDCP (malaria, dengue, chikungunya, kala-azar, lymphatic filariasis, JE), NPCDCS (NCDs), NPCB&VI, NMHP, NTCP, IDSP/IHIP
  • Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health: RCH-II, JSY, JSSK, LaQshya, SUMAN, RBSK, RKSK, POSHAN Abhiyaan, Anaemia Mukt Bharat, Mission Indradhanush 5.0
  • Ayushman Bharat: Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) — ₹5 lakh cover, eligibility via SECC, empanelment process, claim cycle; Health and Wellness Centres delivery of comprehensive primary healthcare
  • Universal Immunisation Programme: full schedule (BCG, OPV, Hep B, Pentavalent, Rotavirus, PCV, fIPV, MR, JE, DPT booster, TT/Td), cold chain (ILR, deep freezer, vaccine carrier, ice pack), WHO EPI
  • Occupational health: silicosis (mining, stone-cutting), byssinosis (cotton), pneumoconioses, lead poisoning (Burton's line, basophilic stippling), benzene, mercury, Factories Act 1948 medical provisions, ESI Act
  • Environmental health: water quality (WHO/BIS standards, residual chlorine, MPN coliform), water purification (slow sand filter, rapid sand filter, household methods), sanitation (Swachh Bharat Mission, twin-pit latrine), air pollution (NAAQS, NCAP), solid waste management
  • Nutrition: Recommended Dietary Allowances (ICMR-NIN 2020), balanced diet, food fortification (salt iodisation, oil + vitamin A/D, wheat flour + iron), ICDS scheme (Anganwadi services), Mid-Day Meal/PM-POSHAN, National Nutritional Anaemia Prophylaxis Programme
  • Communicable disease epidemiology: chain of infection, modes of transmission, herd immunity threshold, R-naught, outbreak investigation steps, COVID-19 lessons (containment zones, contact tracing, vaccination drive)
  • Non-communicable diseases: hypertension and diabetes screening under NPCDCS, cancer screening (oral, cervix, breast), tobacco control (COTPA 2003), mental health (Mental Healthcare Act 2017, District Mental Health Programme)
  • Disaster management: NDMA structure, triage colour codes (red/yellow/green/black), START triage, mass casualty management, post-disaster epidemics
  • Health planning and policy: National Health Policy 2017 targets, NMC Act 2019, Clinical Establishments Act, IPHS standards, health financing (out-of-pocket expenditure, PMJAY impact)
  • International health: WHO structure and regions, SDG-3 targets and India's progress, Alma-Ata 1978 and Astana 2018 declarations, IHR 2005

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