The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has officially released the notification for the Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) 2026 on 11th March 2026. A total of 1358 vacancies have been tentatively announced for posts including Medical Officers in the Central Health Service, Assistant Divisional Medical Officers in the Railways, and General Duty Medical Officers in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). The online application process begins on 11th March 2026 and will remain active until 31st March 2026. Eligible candidates, who have passed the final MBBS examination, can apply online through the official UPSC website.
UPSC CMSE Notification 2026 PDF
The UPSC CMSE Notification 2026 (Examination Notice No. 9/2026-CMS) was released on 11th March 2026. This detailed notification provides comprehensive information about vacancies, eligibility, age limit, exam pattern, syllabus, application process, and selection method. Candidates must read the notification carefully before applying. Downloading the UPSC CMSE Notification 2026 PDF helps candidates understand the recruitment process thoroughly and avoid errors.
Link to download the UPSC CMSE Notification 2026 PDF
UPSC CMSE 2026: Important Dates
Candidates applying for UPSC CMSE 2026 must strictly follow the official schedule. Applications submitted after the last date will not be accepted.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11th March 2026 |
| Apply Online Start Date | 11th March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31st March 2026 (up to 06:00 P.M.) |
| Date of Examination | 2nd August 2026 |
UPSC CMSE Vacancy 2026
The number of vacancies mentioned in the notification is tentative and subject to alteration. The detailed breakdown is as follows:
| Category | Service/Post | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Category-I | Medical Officers Grade in General Duty Medical Officers Sub-cadre of Central Health Service | 864 |
| Category-II | (i) Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in the Railways | 450 |
| Category-II | (ii) General Duty Medical Officer in New Delhi Municipal Council | 14 |
| Category-II | (iii) General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II in Municipal Corporation of Delhi | 30 |
UPSC CMSE Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must meet nationality, age, and educational qualifications to apply for UPSC CMSE 2026.
Nationality
A candidate must be either:
- a Citizen of India, or
- a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962, or
- a person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Age Limit
| Post | Age Limit | Date of Birth Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Officers Grade in Central Health Service | Must not have attained the age of 35 years | Born not earlier than 2nd August 1991 |
| All other posts (ADMO, NDMC, MCD) | Must not have attained the age of 32 years | Born not earlier than 2nd August 1994 |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | Upto a maximum of 05 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | Upto a maximum of 03 years |
| PwBD | Upto a maximum of 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Upto a maximum of 05 years |
| Defence Services Personnel disabled in operations | Upto a maximum of 03 years |
Educational Qualification
- Essential Qualification: Candidates must have passed the written and practical parts of the final M.B.B.S. Examination.
- Internship: Candidates who have yet to complete the compulsory rotating internship are educationally eligible to apply but will be appointed only after completing it.
- Provisional Admission: Candidates who have appeared or are yet to appear for the final MBBS exam can apply provisionally. They must submit proof of passing the exam within 15 days after the declaration of the written result.
Physical and Medical Standards
Candidates must be physically and medically fit according to the standards prescribed in the Rules of the Examination.
UPSC CMSE Apply Online Link 2026
The online application link for the UPSC CMSE 2026 is activated on the official UPSC website. Candidates must apply through the Commission’s dedicated portal. The process involves creating an account to get a Universal Registration Number (URN), filling out the Common Application Form (CAF), and then completing the Examination Specific Module. Candidates should ensure they have a valid email ID, mobile number, and scanned documents ready.
(Direct Apply Online Link is available on the official UPSC website: upsconline.nic.in)
How to Apply for UPSC CMSE 2026
Candidates must submit the application form online only through the official UPSC website. The process is divided into modules.
- Step 1: Account Creation: Visit https://upsconline.nic.in and create an account using a valid email ID and mobile number. This will generate a Universal Registration Number (URN).
- Step 2: Fill Universal Registration Form: Complete the URN profile by entering personal details, uploading a photograph and signature, and providing a photo ID proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, etc.).
- Step 3: Fill Common Application Form (CAF): Log in and fill out the detailed CAF, including educational qualifications, category, and other personal information. This step also requires a live photo capture.
- Step 4: Fill Examination Specific Module: After the CAF is locked, navigate to the “Examination Specific Module” and select “Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026.” Choose your exam centre from the list of 48 centres and pay the fee (if applicable). Preference for services/posts will be indicated at a later stage.
- Step 5: Review and Submit: Review all the details entered across all modules. After final submission, take a printout of the application for future reference. Note that applications cannot be withdrawn after submission.
Application Fee
The application fee must be paid online through Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 200/- |
| Female / SC / ST / PwBD | Nil (Exempted from payment of fee) |
- Note: Fee once paid shall not be refunded under any circumstances.
Selection Process
The selection process for UPSC CMSE 2026 consists of two main stages:
Written Examination (500 marks): An offline (pen-and-paper) objective type examination consisting of two papers, each of two hours duration.
- Paper I: General Medicine and Paediatrics (250 marks, 120 questions)
- Paper II: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine (250 marks, 120 questions)
- Negative Marking: There is a penalty of 1/3rd of the marks assigned to a question for wrong answers.
Personality Test (Interview) (100 marks): Candidates who qualify in the written examination are called for a Personality Test/Interview. It assesses the candidate’s intellectual curiosity, critical judgment, balance, alertness, integrity, and leadership capabilities.
Final Merit List: The final ranking is based on the aggregate marks obtained in the Written Examination and the Personality Test.
UPSC CMSE Salary
Candidates selected through UPSC CMSE 2026 will be appointed to prestigious positions with attractive salaries.
| Post | Pay Matrix Level | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|
| All Posts (ADMO, GDMO, etc.) | Level-10 | Rs. 56,100 – Rs. 1,77,500 per month |
In addition to the basic pay, officers are entitled to Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) , Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other benefits as per government rules. Private practice is strictly prohibited for all these posts.
FAQs
Q1. What is UPSC CMSE 2026?
UPSC CMSE 2026 is the Combined Medical Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit medical officers for the Central Health Service, Railways, NDMC, and MCD. A total of 1358 vacancies have been announced.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for UPSC CMSE 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 31st March 2026, up to 06:00 P.M.
Q3. What is the educational qualification for UPSC CMSE?
Candidates must have passed the final M.B.B.S. examination. Those yet to complete their internship are also eligible to apply but will be appointed only after completion.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the UPSC CMSE written exam?
Yes, there is a penalty of one-third (0.33) of the marks assigned to a question for every wrong answer.
Q5. What is the age limit for the UPSC CMSE exam?
The upper age limit is 32 years for most posts (Railways, NDMC, MCD) and 35 years for the Central Health Service post as of 1st August 2026. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories.
Q6. What is the application fee for female candidates?
Female candidates are exempted from paying the application fee. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are also exempt.
