CMSE (Combined Medical Services) Exam is conducted by UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) and is the only exam for MBBS graduates to get recruited as medical officers for different ministries and departments under the Government of India. To clear the exam CMSE 2026 with good scores you need to understand the exam format (two-stage), familiarize with the syllabus, and have the right approach towards preparation. To be eligible for the exam, you need to be 32 years of age or younger and possess an MBBS degree.
Pursuing a career in the public health sector in India is one of the the few sectors which offers stability, service, and growth in your career. It is a unique opportunity. CMSE (Combined Medical Services) is conducted every year to recruit medical professionals for the Government of India and Indian Railways. This CMSE 2026 guide aims to provide you with the full information in the form of an easy to digest roadmap. We shall discuss the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria and a preparation strategy.
- What Exactly is the Combined Medical Services Examination?
- CMSE (Combined Medical Services) Examination 2026 Eligibility Criteria:
- Steps to Follow for CMSE 2026 Application
- Understanding the CMSE Exam Pattern and Structure
- Step 2: Personality Test (100 Marks)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 1. What are the best books for CMSE preparation?
- 2. How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC CMSE exam?
- 3. Is the CMSE Exam Harder than the NEET PG Exam?
- 4. Is It Possible to Prepare for the CMSE While Doing the Medical Internship?
- 5. What is the Salary of a Medical Officer Under UPSC?
- 6. What occurs after clearing the CMSE test?
What Exactly is the Combined Medical Services Examination?
The CMSE (Combined Medical Services) is the only exam at the national level which recruits medical graduates for Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ medical positions in the government across the country. This exam serves as a gateway for a profession in public health. The examination tests a candidate not only on the theoretical knowledge of medicine but also on the candidate’s clinical acumen, problem-solving abilities, and the candidate’s fitness for public service in the examination’s role.
Clearing the CMSE (Combined Medical Services) opens the door to a profession as a Medical Officer in multiple departments of the central government. Such positions are of enormous responsibility in modifying the health care system of the country, accompanied with the benefits and prestige of a government job.
CMSE (Combined Medical Services) Examination 2026 Eligibility Criteria:
Prior to commencing the preparation for CMSE (Combined Medical Services) Exam 2026, it must be verified that all the guidelines are met as outlined by the UPSC. Such guidelines are to make sure that all the applicants have the primary required capabilities for the positions after.
Educational Standing
An individual must have passed both the written and practical components of the final M.B.B.S. Examination. This stipulation demonstrates that the applicants possess the necessary fundamental training as a physician. Those who have yet to sit the final M.B.B.S. exam or are awaiting outcomes may apply as well, as long as they furnish evidence of having passed the exam prior to the final appointment.
Upper Age Limit
As of the 1st of August 2025, the candidate must not exceed the age of 32 years. The UPSC gives age relaxations for some of the reserved category candidates to ensure fairness.
- OBC: Up to 3 years relaxation
- SC/ST: Up to 5 years relaxation
- Ex-servicemen: Up to 5 years relaxation
Candidates must satisfy the physical and medical fitness criteria required for the service. After the personality test, the commission sends the candidates who are recommended for the position for a complete medical exam to determine that they are able to perform the responsibilities of a medical officer.
Steps to Follow for CMSE 2026 Application
The CMSE application is done fully online via the UPSC site. Following these steps will help make the submission process as easy and mistake-free as possible.
One-Time Registration (OTR): First go to the UPSC main page (upsc.gov.in). If you have not registered before, complete the One-Time Registration by inputing your basic personal and contact information. You can reuse this OTR profile for more UPSC applications in the future.
Fill Out the Application Form: After logging in, find the Combined Medical Services Examination application link. Complete all the given fields in the application including personal information, educational background, and the exam center that you will choose.
Upload Necessary Documents: You will need to upload your photo, signature and one valid photo ID. Check that the documents you are uploading are of the required format and size that is mentioned in the official alert.
Pay the Application Fee: The application fee is INR 200, but this fee does not applies to all female candidates, and SC, ST, Persons with Benchmark Disability, and other exam related disadvantaged groups.
Final Review and Submission: Finally, before you submit, confirm that the form is complete and correct. You have to save the submitted form, and save and print the completed application form for yourself.
Understanding the CMSE Exam Pattern and Structure
Most exam patterns guide the preparation process, but this is not the case with the CMSE, where students need to guide their preparation in a different way entirely. It consists of a two-step process.
Step 1. Computer-Based Written Exam (500 Marks)
This step is a computer-based written exam with two objective-type papers. Each paper is made of 120 multiple-choice questions and is to be completed in 120 minutes.
Paper I. Internal Medicine and Child Health (250 Marks)
- Internal Medicine: 96 Questions
- Child Health: 24 Questions
Paper II. Surgery, Obs and Gynae, and Preventive and Community Medicine (250 Marks)
- Surgery: 40 Questions
- Obs and Gynae: 40 Questions
- Preventive and Community Medicine: 40 Questions
An important detail to the exam policy is that the examination system is designed in a way where there is negative marking. Each incorrect answer is penalized with a deduction of 1/3 of the credits assigned to the question in order to combat random guesses and reward real substantive responses.
Step 2: Personality Test (100 Marks)
Personality test is a stage consisting of an interview test to measure communication skills, curiosity of the mind, analytical skills, and fit with the desired occupation in the public sector. Those who reach the stage of personality test, take home a stand-alone final test score in addition to the written exam. Your total score in the final merit ranking will reflect consolidated results of the personality test and the score in the written exam.
CMSE Syllabus PDF: Topic-wise Comprehensive Analysis
The syllabus is extensive and is nothing less than the complete M.B.B.S. syllabus. One can expect to see a PDF descriptive CMSE (Combined Medical Services ) syllabus downloadable from the website of yes, UPSC, the most reliable authority who gives the official talk.
Paper I Syllabus – Detailed Analysis
General Medicine
This part is the most heavily weighted. Targets a number of systems including the heart, brain, lungs and respiration, digestion and stomach, and hormonal glands and endocrine systems. Emergency Medicine, dermatosis, and basic skin or skin-related diseases, and other Infectious diseases also need attention as part of the syllabus.
Paediatrics
Discussion of the subject shall include issues in common pediatric emergencies, basic neonatal care, nutrition of infants, and major immunizations.
Paper II Syllabus – Detailed Analysis
Surgery
General surgical principles such as wounds, intestinal tracts, systems, infections in the abdomen, and in-runs of tumors also represent a general surgical point in the syllabus. Traumatology, Orthopaedics, and Urology also need special attention as subspecialty units.
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Obstetrics involves Antenatal and Postnatal care while common cancers and family planning methods should be studied for Gynaecology.
Preventive and Social Medicine (PSM)
Another high-yield area. Major topics are Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Education, Food and Nutrition, National Health Programs, etc.
Actionable CMSE Preparation Strategy
High discipline is needed for covering the large syllabus.
Target High-Yield Subjects
According to previous exams, General Medicine and Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM) are the most scoring sections. Targeting these core subjects is thus fundamental for establishing a strong base and getting a good score.
Mastering Time Management
There are 120 questions, which means 120 minutes to answer, so you have to think about one question a minute. It might be useful to practice solving MCQs under timed conditions. Accuracy and speed might be just as important as the medical knowledge you’re trying to demonstrate.
Standard Textbooks
It’s a good idea to stick to the same textbooks you used for M.B.B.S. so that you can save a good amount of time. e.g. for Medicine, you’re going to be needing Harrison’s and for PSM, Park’s. You should be familiar with them for an efficient revision process and MCQ books can be used for rapid review.
Solve Previous Year Papers
One of the best Combined Medical Services exam tips is solving previous year papers. Looking at question papers from the last 5-10 years helps understand question patterns and recognize high yield topics. This practice helps get a real feel of the exam.
Consistent Revision is Non-Negotiable
Creating a revision schedule is a must since the vast syllabus makes regular revision a necessity. This is a must since the syllabus is vast. Active recall techniques, flashcards, and group revision help reinforce what you have learned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the best books for CMSE preparation?
For general medicine, Harrison is a must. For PSM, Park is a classic and for all subjects the gold standard are the standard MBBS textbooks. These can be added to MCQ review books as well, for example, “Jain’s Review of Preventive & Social Medicine”.
2. How many attempts are allowed for the UPSC CMSE exam?
As far as the CMSE is concerned, the number of attempts is unlimited. You can take the exam as many times as you want as long as you are of the required age for the exam in the exam year.
3. Is the CMSE Exam Harder than the NEET PG Exam?
The CMSE and NEET PG serve different purposes. While NEET PG has a heavier focus on the clinical aspect and is more competitive due to its associated residency seats, CMSE has more public health and management. The CMSE syllabus may be more doable, but there is still a lot of competition due to the limited government positions.
4. Is It Possible to Prepare for the CMSE While Doing the Medical Internship?
Yes, there are many candidates who manage to do CMSE preparation during the internship. This time is especially useful for clinical practice, which is required in many questions of the exam. Of course, this requires a lot of self discipline and time management in order to make time for studying in addition to the long working hours.
5. What is the Salary of a Medical Officer Under UPSC?
A CMSE Medical Officer is appointed to Level-10 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC), which has a minimum of Rs. 56,100. With the addition of other allowances including the Dearness Allowance (DA) and House Rent Allowance (HRA), depending on the place of posting, the gross monthly salary is estimated to be more than Rs. 95,000.
6. What occurs after clearing the CMSE test?
Once the written exam and personality evaluation are finished, the passed applicants receive the rank and preference based postings and are assigned to a given service. Following this, they complete a basic training program and are assigned as Medical Officers in one of the departments, including Indian Railways, municipal corporations, or dispensaries under the central government.