UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Recruitment 2026: Official Notification and Vacancy Details
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has formally announced the commencement of the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2026. Released on March 11, 2026, via the official commission portal, this recruitment drive aims to fill 1,358 vacancies for various Medical Officer roles within the Government of India’s medical cadres. Eligible medical professionals are invited to submit their applications through the prescribed online channel before the stipulated deadline.
Qualified candidates, specifically those who have successfully cleared the written and practical components of the final MBBS Examination, may apply for positions including Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in the Railways, Medical Officer in the Central Health Service (CHS), and General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO) roles in the NDMC and MCD.
The online registration window opened on March 11, 2026, and will conclude at 06:00 PM on March 31, 2026. Prospective applicants are advised to review the comprehensive notification to ensure adherence to all procedural and eligibility requirements.
UPSC CMS Recruitment 2026: Executive Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Examination Name | Combined Medical Services Examination, 2026 |
| Designated Posts | Medical Officers Grade (CHS), Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways), GDMO (NDMC), and GDMO Grade-II (MCD) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,358 |
| Advertisement Number | Examination Notice No. 9/2026-CMS |
| Remuneration | Pay Matrix Level-10 (Rs. 56,100 – 1,77,500) plus Non-Practising Allowance (NPA) |
| Educational Qualification | Completion of Final MBBS Examination (Written and Practical) |
| Age Limit | Maximum 32 years (General) | Maximum 35 years for CHS GDMO (as of August 1, 2026) |
| Application Fee | Rs. 200 (Exemptions apply for Female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates) |
| Application Commencement | March 11, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | March 31, 2026 (until 18:00 hours) |
| Scheduled Examination Date | August 2, 2026 |
| Official Portals | upsc.gov.in | upsconline.nic.in |
Detailed Vacancy Distribution for UPSC CMS 2026
The 1,358 vacancies are divided into two primary categories across different government sectors. A detailed breakdown is provided below:
| Category | Designated Post | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Category-I | Medical Officers Grade in General Duty Medical Officers Sub-cadre of Central Health Service (CHS) | 864 |
| Category-II | (i) Assistant Divisional Medical Officer in the Railways | 450 |
| Category-II | (ii) General Duty Medical Officer in New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) | 14 |
| Category-II | (iii) General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) | 30 |
| Total | All Posts | 1,358 |
Vacancies Reserved for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)
| Post Designation | PwBD Vacancies | Specific Sub-category Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Officers Grade – General Duty (CHS) | 34 | OA, OL, BL, OAL, CP, LC, DW, AAV: 17 | SLD + MD involving specified disabilities: 17 |
| Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways) | 18 | Locomotor Disability: OA, OL, BL, LC & AAV (without joint involvement) |
| General Duty Medical Officer (NDMC) | NIL | Not Applicable |
| General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II (MCD) | 2 | Locomotor Disability: 0 | SLD: 1 | MD involving specified disabilities: 1 |
Eligibility Criteria and Requirements
Candidates must ensure they fulfill the following criteria before initiating the application process:
- Nationality: Applicants must be citizens of India. Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who arrived before January 1, 1962, and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) who have migrated from specific countries for permanent settlement are also eligible, provided they possess the requisite eligibility certificate from the Government of India.
- Educational Qualifications: The candidate must have successfully passed the final MBBS examination (both written and practical parts). Candidates currently appearing for the final MBBS examination are also eligible to apply, provided they produce proof of passing the exam upon qualifying for the written portion of the CMS examination.
- Age Requirements: Generally, candidates must not have exceeded 32 years of age as of August 1, 2026. For the General Duty Medical Officer sub-cadre of the CHS, the upper age limit is extended to 35 years. Age relaxations are applicable for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen) as per government regulations.
Application Procedure and Examination Schedule
The UPSC CMS 2026 application process is strictly online via the upsconline.nic.in portal. Candidates are required to complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) before filling out the examination form. The application fee of Rs. 200 must be paid either online or through designated bank branches, though female candidates and those from SC, ST, and PwBD categories are fully exempted from this fee.
The selection process involves a computer-based examination scheduled for August 2, 2026, followed by a personality test (interview) for candidates who meet the qualifying cut-off in the written stage. Detailed instructions regarding the examination syllabus and personality test are available in the official notification PDF.