Medical Officer: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) 2026 Notification on 11 March 2026. This national-level examination is conducted to recruit qualified doctors for various government medical services across India.
According to the notification, a total of 1358 vacancies have been announced for several prestigious posts such as Medical Officers in Central Health Service, Assistant Divisional Medical Officers in Indian Railways, and General Duty Medical Officers in NDMC and MCD.
The online application process started on 11 March 2026 and will continue until 31 March 2026 (6:00 PM). Candidates who have completed or are appearing in the final MBBS examination are eligible to apply through the official UPSC website.
This examination offers a great opportunity for medical graduates who wish to build a stable and prestigious career in government healthcare services.
UPSC CMSE 2026 Overview
The UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) is conducted every year to recruit medical professionals for important central government healthcare departments. Candidates selected through this exam will serve in different government organizations and medical institutions.
| Exam Name | UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) 2026 |
| Conducting Authority | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Total Vacancies | 1358 (Tentative) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Qualification | MBBS |
| Exam Mode | Offline (Pen & Paper) |
| Exam Date | 2 August 2026 |
| Official Website | upsconline.nic.in |
UPSC CMSE Notification 2026 PDF
The UPSC CMSE 2026 Notification (Exam Notice No. 9/2026-CMS) was released on 11 March 2026. The notification contains detailed information about:
- Total vacancies
- Eligibility criteria
- Age limit
- Educational qualification
- Selection process
- Exam pattern and syllabus
- Application procedure
Candidates are advised to download and carefully read the official notification PDF before applying. Understanding the details mentioned in the notification will help candidates avoid mistakes during the application process.
UPSC CMSE 2026 Important Dates
Candidates planning to appear for the examination must keep track of the important dates.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Release Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 March 2026 (6:00 PM) |
| Exam Date | 2 August 2026 |
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted under any circumstances.
Link to download the UPSC CMSE Notification 2026 PDF
UPSC CMSE Vacancy 2026
The UPSC has announced 1358 tentative vacancies across different medical services under the central government.
| Category | Post | Vacancies |
| Category I | Medical Officers in 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 |
The number of vacancies is tentative and may change depending on government requirements.
UPSC CMSE Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must meet the required eligibility conditions regarding nationality, age, and educational qualifications to apply for the UPSC CMSE exam.
Nationality
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit
The age limit varies depending on the post applied for.
| Post | Age Limit |
| Medical Officer (Central Health Service) | Not exceeding 35 years |
| Other Posts (Railways, NDMC, MCD) | Not exceeding 32 years |
Date of Birth Criteria
- CHS Post: Born not earlier than 2 August 1991
- Other Posts: Born not earlier than 2 August 1994
Age Relaxation
Reserved category candidates are eligible for age relaxation as per government rules.
| Category | Relaxation |
| SC / ST | Up to 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | Up to 3 Years |
| PwBD | Up to 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Up to 5 Years |
| Defence Personnel Disabled in Operations | Up to 3 Years |
Educational Qualification
Candidates must fulfill the following educational requirements:
Essential Qualification
Candidates must have passed the written and practical parts of the final MBBS examination.
Internship Requirement
Candidates who have not yet completed their compulsory rotating internship can also apply. However, they will be appointed only after completing the internship.
Provisional Eligibility
Candidates who are appearing for the final MBBS examination can apply provisionally. They must provide proof of passing the examination within 15 days after the written result is declared.
Physical and Medical Standards
Candidates must be physically and medically fit according to the standards prescribed by the government for medical services.
UPSC CMSE Apply Online 2026
Candidates must apply online through the official UPSC online portal. The application process is completed through several modules including account registration and form submission.
Applicants should keep the following ready before starting the application:
- Valid email ID
- Mobile number
- Scanned photograph
- Signature
- Photo identity proof
How to Apply for UPSC CMSE 2026?
Follow these steps to complete the application process:
Step 1: Create Account
Visit upsconline.nic.in and create an account using your email ID and mobile number to obtain a Universal Registration Number (URN).
Step 2: Complete Registration Form
Fill in personal details, upload photograph and signature, and provide identity proof.
Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF)
Enter educational details, category information, and other required data.
Step 4: Examination Module
Select Combined Medical Services Examination 2026, choose your exam centre, and pay the application fee if applicable.
Step 5: Review and Submit
Verify all information and submit the application. After submission, download and print the form for future reference.
Note: Applications cannot be withdrawn after submission.
Application Fee
Candidates must pay the examination fee online through Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI.
| Category | Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹200 |
| Female / SC / ST / PwBD | Exempted |
The fee once paid will not be refunded.
UPSC CMSE Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of two stages.
1. Written Examination
The written exam will be conducted in offline mode and will include two objective-type papers.
Paper I
Subjects:
- General Medicine
- Paediatrics
Marks: 250
Questions: 120
Paper II
Subjects:
- Surgery
- Gynaecology & Obstetrics
- Preventive & Social Medicine
Marks: 250
Questions: 120
Negative Marking
There is a penalty of one-third of the marks assigned to a question for each incorrect answer.
2. Personality Test / Interview
Candidates who qualify in the written examination will be called for an interview (100 marks).
The interview evaluates:
- Intellectual curiosity
- Judgment and decision-making ability
- Communication skills
- Leadership qualities
- Integrity and personality traits
Final Merit List
The final selection will be based on the combined marks obtained in the written examination and the personality test.
UPSC CMSE Salary
Candidates selected through UPSC CMSE will receive an attractive salary under the Pay Level 10 of the government pay matrix.
| Post | Pay Level | Salary |
| Medical Officer / ADMO / GDMO | Level 10 | ₹56,100 – ₹1,77,500 |
Additional benefits include:
- Non-Practising Allowance (NPA)
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Medical facilities
- Pension benefits
Private medical practice is not allowed for officers appointed through this examination.
FAQs
What is UPSC CMSE 2026?
UPSC CMSE 2026 is a national-level recruitment examination conducted by UPSC to appoint medical officers in central government healthcare services.
How many vacancies are announced?
A total of 1358 vacancies have been announced for different medical posts.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date to submit the online application is 31 March 2026 (6 PM).
What qualification is required?
Candidates must have passed the final MBBS examination.
