UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern, Subjects & Preparation Tips
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The UPSC Combined Medical Services exam is a great opportunity for medical graduates who want to join the central government medical services. Knowing the UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 is the first step in planning your preparation. Understanding the subjects, exam pattern, and preparation strategy can make your journey smoother and more effective.
Here, we will cover the UPSC CMS Exam Pattern, the detailed UPSC CMS Syllabus, and useful UPSC CMS preparation tips to help you succeed in 2026.
UPSC CMS Exam Pattern
The UPSC CMS exam consists of two stages, a written exam and an interview/personality test. The written exam is objective in nature, conducted online, and divided into two papers. Candidates who qualify for the written exam are called for the interview.
| UPSC CMS Exam Pattern | ||||
| Exam Stage | Paper | Duration | Maximum Marks | Question Type |
| Written Exam | Paper I | 2 hours | 250 | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Written Exam | Paper II | 2 hours | 250 | Multiple Choice Questions |
| Personality Test | Interview | N/A | 100 | Assessment of Personality and Knowledge |
Important points:
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Each incorrect answer carries a negative mark of 1/3rd.
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Selecting more than one answer is considered wrong.
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The total marks for the written exam are 500, and the interview adds 100 marks.
UPSC CMS Syllabus
The UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 covers core medical subjects taught during the MBBS course. Paper I focuses on Medicine and Paediatrics, while Paper II covers Surgery, OBG, and Preventive Medicine.
Candidates should review the UPSC CMS Syllabus thoroughly to ensure no topic is missed. The table below shows the distribution of questions across different subjects.
| UPSC CMS Syllabus | |||
| Paper | Subject | Topic/Distribution | Number of Questions |
| Paper I | General Medicine | Internal Medicine, Cardiology, Neurology, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal disorders | 96 |
| Paediatrics | Newborn care, Child health, Common pediatric diseases | 24 | |
| Paper II | Surgery | General Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Traumatology | 40 |
| Gynaecology & Obstetrics | Antenatal, Intrapartum, Postpartum care, Gynecological conditions | 40 | |
| Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM) | Epidemiology, Biostatistics, National Health Programmes, Public Health | 40 | |
UPSC CMS Preparation Tips
Success in this exam requires a disciplined approach. Follow these UPSC CMS preparation tips to improve your chances of selection.
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Analyze the Official Syllabus: Start by downloading the UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026. This helps you identify your strong and weak areas.
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Create a Realistic Timetable: Divide your months into subject-wise blocks. Dedicate more time to General Medicine as it carries the highest weight in the UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026.
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Use Standard Textbooks: Refer to the core books used during your MBBS. Concise notes from these books will be vital for the UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 revision phase.
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Solve Previous Year Papers: Regular practice is a key part of UPSC CMS preparation. It helps you understand the difficulty level of the questions.
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Focus on Public Health: In the UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026, Preventive and Social Medicine is crucial. Study national health programs and the latest immunization schedules carefully.
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Master Time Management: Since you have 120 minutes for 120 questions, speed is essential. Use mock tests to build your pace for the UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 exam.
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Prepare for the Interview: The personality test is as important as the written part. Work on your communication skills and stay updated on recent medical advancements.
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Revise Frequently: The UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 is vast. Use charts and tables to memorize drug doses and disease classifications.