Are you a medical graduate with a passion for serving the public? The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Combined Medical Services Examination (CMS) 2025 offers a prestigious pathway to a fulfilling career as a doctor within various government organizations. This guide provides a detailed overview of the CMS 2025 exam, covering everything from eligibility and important dates to the syllabus, application process, and effective preparation strategies. This exam is highly competitive, with over 300,000 candidates vying for a limited number of positions, making thorough preparation essential.
1. What is the UPSC CMS Exam? – An Overview
The Combined Medical Services Examination (CMSE) is a national-level examination conducted annually by the UPSC. Its primary purpose is to recruit qualified medical doctors (MBBS graduates) into various Central Government Health Services and related departments. Successful candidates are appointed to positions such as:
- Medical Officers in the Central Health Services
- Assistant Divisional Medical Officers in the Indian Railways
- General Duty Medical Officers in Municipal Corporations and Councils
The CMS exam provides a direct route to a stable and respected government career, contributing directly to public healthcare delivery. For 2025, UPSC has announced 705 vacancies, presenting a significant opportunity for aspiring medical professionals.
2. Key Dates and Exam Schedule for CMS 2025
Here’s a timeline of important dates for CMS 2025:
| Event | Date |
| Official Notification Release | February 19, 2025 |
| Application Window Opens | February 19, 2025 |
| Application Window Closes | March 11, 2025 (6:00 PM) |
| Admit Card Availability | June 2025 (approx.) |
| Written Exam Date | July 20, 2025 (Sunday) |
| Written Exam Result | August 2025 |
| Personality Test (Interview) | August 2025 |
| Final Result Declaration | September 2025 |
Important Notes:
- The application deadline is strict. Ensure you complete your application well before 6:00 PM on March 11, 2025.
- Admit cards will be available online approximately three weeks before the exam date.
- The written exam is scheduled for a Sunday to accommodate working candidates.
- The interview phase follows quickly after the written exam results, so be prepared.
3. Vacancies and Posts in CMS 2025
The CMS 2025 exam offers a variety of positions across different government healthcare sectors. A total of 705 vacancies have been announced, categorized as follows:
| Category | Post | Vacancies |
| Category I | Medical Officer (Central Health Services) | 226 |
| Category II | Assistant Divisional Medical Officer (Railways) | 450 |
| Category II | General Duty Medical Officer (NDMC) | 9 |
| Category II | General Duty Medical Officer Grade-II (MCD) | 20 |
Job Roles and Responsibilities:
- Central Health Services: Medical Officers in this category work in various government hospitals and health facilities, providing clinical care and contributing to administrative responsibilities.
- Railways (ADMO): The largest number of vacancies are for Assistant Divisional Medical Officers in the Indian Railways, offering a chance to work within the Railways’ medical department.
- Municipal Corporations/NDMC (GDMO): These positions involve serving the urban population in Delhi, providing medical services in municipal health centers.
- All of the posts are at a Gazetted officers rank.
4. Eligibility Criteria for UPSC CMS 2025
Before applying, ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Nationality: You must be a citizen of India. (Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, and persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specific countries may also be eligible under certain conditions, but for the majority of applicants, Indian citizenship is the primary requirement.)
- Educational Qualification:
- A mandatory requirement is an MBBS degree.
- You must have passed both the written and practical components of the final MBBS examination.
- Candidates in their internship or awaiting final results can apply provisionally, but they must provide proof of passing the final exam when required by the UPSC.
- Even those who have not yet completed their compulsory rotating internship are allowed to sit for the exam. However, appointment will be contingent on completing the internship.
- Age Limit:
- The age limit has been set at 32. You can check your age with our Age Calculator for UPSC.
- General Rule: You must not have attained the age of 32 years as of August 1, 2025. This means your date of birth should be on or after August 2, 1993, for general category candidates.
- Relaxation for Central Health Services: For Medical Officers Grade in Central Health Services, the upper age limit is extended to 35 years as of August 1, 2025.
- Age Relaxations for Reserved Categories: Age relaxations are available for candidates belonging to reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC) and other special groups (ex-servicemen, PwBD, etc.) as per government regulations. Typically, this includes:
- Up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates.
- Up to 3 years for OBC candidates.
- Refer to the official UPSC notification for detailed information on age relaxation provisions.
| Category | Age Limit (as of August 1, 2025) | Date of Birth (On or After) | Relaxation |
| General | 32 years | August 2, 1993 | – |
| Central Health Services | 35 years | – | – |
| SC/ST | 37 years | – | 5 years |
| OBC | 35 years | – | 3 years |
- Physical and Medical Fitness: Candidates must be physically and medically fit according to the standards specified for the CMS exam. This generally means you should not have any health conditions that would hinder your ability to perform the duties of a medical officer. Specific details, including vision standards, are provided in the official rules.
5. Exam Pattern and Selection Process: A Two-Stage Approach
The CMS 2025 selection process consists of two stages:
- Stage 1: Written Examination (Computer-Based Test – CBT): This stage carries a total of 500 marks.
- Stage 2: Personality Test (Interview): This stage carries a total of 100 marks.
5.1 Written Examination Details
The written examination comprises two papers, Paper I and Paper II, both conducted on the same day in two separate sessions. Both papers are objective-type (multiple-choice questions) and are administered online.
| Paper | Subjects | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative Marking |
| Paper I | General Medicine & Pediatrics | 120 | 250 | 2 hours | 1/3rd mark |
| Paper II | Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and PSM | 120 | 250 | 2 hours | 1/3rd mark |
Paper I Breakdown:
- General Medicine: Approximately 96 questions covering topics such as cardiology, neurology, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, endocrinology, infectious diseases, pharmacology, dermatology, psychiatry, and emergency medicine.
- Pediatrics: Approximately 24 questions focusing on child health, growth and development, vaccines, common pediatric illnesses, neonatology, and nutrition.
Paper II Breakdown:
- Surgery: Approximately 40 questions covering general surgery, trauma, abdominal surgery, orthopedics, burns, surgical anatomy, and basics of ENT and Ophthalmology.
- Gynaecology & Obstetrics: Approximately 40 questions on women’s health, pregnancy, antenatal and postnatal care, labor, contraception, gynecological disorders, and basic neonatology.
- Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM): Approximately 40 questions on community medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, national health programs, environmental health, nutrition, and vaccination programs.
Important Points about the Written Exam:
- Each question carries roughly equal marks (slightly over 2 marks each).
- Negative marking applies: 1/3rd of the mark assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer.
- There is no penalty for unanswered questions.
- The syllabus is comprehensive, covering the entire MBBS curriculum.
5.2 Personality Test (Interview)
Candidates who clear the written examination (by scoring above the UPSC-determined cutoff) are invited for the Personality Test, held at the UPSC offices. This stage is worth 100 marks.
Interview Assessment:
The interview panel assesses:
- Medical Knowledge: Focus on practical application and public health awareness.
- General Awareness: Knowledge of current events and issues.
- Interpersonal Skills: Communication and interaction abilities.
- Decision-Making Ability: Capacity for sound judgment.
- Suitability for Public Service: Assessing qualities required for a government medical officer.
The interview may include scenario-based questions related to medical duties, current healthcare issues, and general questions about your background and motivation.
5.3 Final Selection
The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of the written examination (500 marks) and the personality test (100 marks), totaling 600 marks. High-scoring candidates are given preference for their chosen posts (as indicated in the Detailed Application Form submitted after the written exam). After recommendation by the UPSC, candidates undergo document verification and a medical fitness test before being appointed to their respective services.
6. Syllabus Highlights: Key Areas to Focus On
The CMS syllabus is extensive, encompassing all major subjects from the MBBS curriculum. Here’s a brief overview:
- General Medicine: All internal medicine domains (cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, endocrinology, respiratory medicine, etc.), infectious diseases, pharmacology, dermatology, psychiatry, and emergency medicine. This constitutes the largest portion of Paper I (around 80%).
- Pediatrics: Child health, growth and development milestones, vaccines, immunization schedules, common pediatric illnesses, neonatology, and nutrition (approximately 20% of Paper I).
- Surgery: General surgery and allied fields, including trauma, abdominal surgery, orthopedics, burns, surgical anatomy, and basics of ENT and Ophthalmology.
- Gynaecology & Obstetrics: Women’s health, pregnancy and its complications, antenatal and postnatal care, labor management, contraception, common gynecological disorders, and basic neonatology (overlapping with Pediatrics). Family planning and reproductive health policies are also important.
- Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM): Community medicine/public health, including epidemiology, biostatistics, national health programs, environmental health, nutrition, vaccination programs, and relevant current issues (e.g., pandemics).
Important Syllabus Notes:
- Each of the last three subjects (Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and PSM) forms approximately one-third of Paper II.
- Questions are generally at the MBBS final exam level, not super-specialized.
- The focus is on fundamental knowledge and its practical application.
- Refer to the detailed syllabus provided in the official UPSC notification for a complete checklist.
- Prioritize high-yield topics (e.g., cardiology, diabetes, hypertension in Medicine; immunization, communicable disease control in PSM).
- Solving previous years’ papers is crucial for understanding the question style and depth.
7. How to Apply for UPSC CMS 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide
The application process is entirely online. Follow these steps:
- Registration on UPSC Website:
- Visit the official UPSC application portal: upsconline.nic.in.
- Complete the One-Time Registration (OTR) process if you haven’t already. OTR is mandatory for all UPSC exam applications.
- Log in to your account after completing OTR.
- Fill the Application Form:
- Locate the link for “Combined Medical Services Examination 2025.”
- Enter your personal details, educational qualifications, and exam center preferences.
- Fill in all details accurately. The form has two parts: Part I (personal and educational details) and Part II (document upload and fee payment).
- Upload Documents:
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and photo ID (as per the form’s instructions).
- Ensure the scans meet the specified requirements (file size and format).
- If claiming any reservation (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD), have the relevant certificates ready for upload if required.
- Pay the Application Fee:
- The fee is ₹200 for general and OBC male candidates.
- Women, SC/ST, and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities are exempt from the fee.
- Payment options:
- Online: Net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI.
- Cash: Generate an e-challan and pay at an SBI branch (ensure this is done well before the deadline).
- Submit and Save:
- Review your application carefully before submitting.
- No changes are allowed after submission.
- Submit the form once you are satisfied.
- You will receive a confirmation page and an email notification.
- Download or print the submitted form for your records. This will contain your Registration ID, needed for downloading the admit card.
- Admit Card:
- UPSC will release admit cards on its website approximately 2-3 weeks before the exam (likely in late June 2025).
- Download your admit card promptly and check all details (name, photo, exam center, etc.).
- Carry a printed copy of the admit card and an original photo ID to the exam center.
Additional Application Tips:
- Choose your exam center early: Centers are allocated on a first-apply-first-allot basis.
- Submit only one application: Avoid multiple submissions. If necessary, use the application with the higher Registration ID.
- Keep your OTR profile updated: Ensure your contact information, photo, and signature are current.
For more details, read the Official Notification PDF.
Conclusion
The UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2025 presents a significant opportunity for MBBS graduates to secure a rewarding career in government service. This guide has provided a comprehensive overview of the exam, covering all essential aspects. While the syllabus is vast and the competition is intense, consistent effort, a well-structured study plan, and a positive mindset will significantly increase your chances of success. Remember your motivation – to serve the nation through your medical expertise – and stay focused on your goal. Good luck!