UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026: Exam Structure, Paper-wise Details, Marking Scheme

UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026 provides a clear outline of how the Combined Medical Services examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. Understanding the exam pattern is essential for candidates to plan their preparation effectively, manage time wisely, and avoid unnecessary negative marking. 

The examination is held in two stages, a computer-based written test followed by a Personality Test and assesses candidates on core medical subjects through objective-type questions. A thorough knowledge of the exam structure helps aspirants focus on important sections and improve their overall performance in the UPSC CMS 2026 examination.

UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026 Overview

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the CMS exam in two distinct stages: a Computer-Based Examination (CBE) followed by a Personality Test.

• Stage I: Written Examination: Consists of two objective-type papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2), each carrying 250 marks.

• Stage II: Personality Test: Candidates who qualify for the written stage are invited for an interview/personality test worth 100 marks.

• Medium of Exam: The examination is conducted strictly in English.

• Negative Marking: There is a penalty for incorrect answers; one-third (1/3rd) of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every wrong response.

Also Read - UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026

UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026 Paper 1

UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026 Paper 1 focuses primarily on core clinical subjects. It is a computer-based test designed to evaluate the candidate's fundamental medical knowledge.

UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026 Paper 2

The UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026 Paper 2 covers specialized clinical areas and surgical subjects. Like Paper 1, it is an objective test conducted on a computer.

UPSC CMS Marking Scheme

Understanding the UPSC CMS Exam Pattern Marking Scheme is critical for effective time and risk management during the exam.

• Total Marks: The written stage totals 500 marks (250 marks per paper).

• Objective Questions: All questions are Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

• Negative Penalty: 0.33 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.

Also Read - UPSC CMS Eligibility Criteria 2026

UPSC CMS Section-wise Weightage

UPSC CMS Exam Pattern Section-wise Weightage highlights that General Medicine remains the most significant component of the examination.

• General Medicine & Paediatrics: Dominates Paper 1 with 120 questions.

• Surgical & Preventive Sciences: Paper 2 is evenly split with 40 questions each for Surgery, Gynaecology, and Preventive & Social Medicine.