What is the total marks for the UPSC CMS Examination?

The total selection score for UPSC CMS is 600 Marks. It comprises Part I Written Computer-Based Test (500 Marks: Paper 1 = 250 Marks, Paper 2 = 250 Marks) and Part II Personality Test / Interview (100 Marks).

Is there negative marking in UPSC CMS written exam?

Yes, there is 1/3rd (0.33) negative marking for every incorrect answer in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. Since each MCQ carries ~2.083 marks, a penalty of approximately 0.694 marks is deducted for every wrong answer.

What is the subject-wise question distribution in UPSC CMS Paper 1 and Paper 2?

Paper 1 (120 Qs) consists of General Medicine (96 Qs) and Paediatrics (24 Qs). Paper 2 (120 Qs) consists of Surgery (40 Qs), Gynaecology & Obstetrics (40 Qs), and Preventive & Social Medicine / PSM (40 Qs).

What is the duration of each paper in UPSC CMS Computer Based Test?

Each paper (Paper 1 and Paper 2) is conducted over a duration of 2 Hours (120 Minutes). Both papers contain 120 objective-type multiple-choice questions.

Can final year MBBS students apply for UPSC CMS?

Yes, candidates who have appeared or are appearing at the final MBBS examination can apply for the UPSC CMS exam, provided they complete their compulsory rotating internship prior to appointment.

🏠 Overview 📜 Solved PYQ Papers 🖥️ CBT Mock Tests 📚 Question Bank 🩺 Medicine 👶 Paediatrics 🔪 Surgery 🤰 Gynae & Obs 🏥 Social Medicine (PSM)

Official UPSC Specification 2026

UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Exam Pattern 2026

Complete technical breakdown of Part I Written Computer-Based Test (500 Marks: Paper 1 & Paper 2), Part II Personality Test (100 Marks), 1/3rd Negative Marking rules, paper-wise MCQ distribution, and subject weightage.

600

Total Selection Marks

500

Part I Written CBT

100

Part II Personality Test

240

Total Written MCQs

1/3rd

Negative Penalty

UPSC CMS Selection Process & Stage Highlights

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Combined Medical Services (CMS) examination annually to recruit Medical Officers (Group-A) for Central Health Service, Indian Railways, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD). Selection comprises two sequential parts:

Exam Stage	Mode & Format	Duration	Questions	Max Marks
Part I: Paper 1 (Medicine & Paediatrics)	CBT Online	2 Hours (120 Mins)	120 MCQs	250 Marks
Part I: Paper 2 (Surgery, Gynae/Obs, PSM)	CBT Online	2 Hours (120 Mins)	120 MCQs	250 Marks
Part II: Personality Test (Interview)	Board Interview	30 - 45 Mins	Clinical & Oral	100 Marks
Grand Total Aggregate Marks			240 MCQs	600 Marks

Stage I: Written Computer-Based Test (500 Marks)

Part I is conducted as an objective multiple-choice online Computer-Based Test (CBT) across test centers nationwide. Both papers are conducted on the same day in two sessions.

Paper I (250 Marks)

General Medicine & Paediatrics

⏱️ Duration: 2 Hours (120 Minutes)
📝 Total Questions: 120 MCQs
⚖️ Marks per MCQ: ~2.0833 Marks

General Medicine 96 MCQs (200 M)

Paediatrics 24 MCQs (50 M)

Paper II (250 Marks)

Surgery, Gynae & Obs, PSM

⏱️ Duration: 2 Hours (120 Minutes)
📝 Total Questions: 120 MCQs
⚖️ Marks per MCQ: ~2.0833 Marks

Surgery (inc. ENT/Ophthal/Ortho) 40 MCQs (83.33 M)

Gynaecology & Obstetrics 40 MCQs (83.33 M)

Preventive & Social Medicine 40 MCQs (83.33 M)

UPSC CMS Negative Marking Formula & Rules

UPSC enforces strict negative marking for wrong choices. Candidates must calculate risk when attempting doubtful questions to maximize raw score.

Mathematical Scoring Model per Question:

Correct Answer: +2.0833 Marks (250 Marks / 120 Questions)
Wrong Answer (Negative Penalty): -0.6944 Marks (1/3rd penalty of assigned value)
Unattempted Question: 0.0000 Marks (No score addition or deduction)
Multiple Answers Selected: -0.6944 Marks (Treated as wrong answer)

Stage II: Personality Test (Interview - 100 Marks)

Candidates qualifying Stage I written examination are called for Stage II Personality Test (Interview) carrying 100 Marks in roughly a 1:2.5 to 1:3 ratio against vacancies.

Clinical Acumen Evaluation

Practical knowledge in MBBS subjects
Clinical case diagnosis & emergency management
Understanding of National Health Programs (NHM)

Personal Traits & Aptitude

Intellectual curiosity & balance of judgment
Alertness of mind & critical assimilation
Leadership traits & administrative capacity

UPSC CMS Merit Rank & Tie-Breaking Criteria

When two or more candidates secure identical aggregate marks (Written CBT + Interview = 600 Marks), UPSC applies the following hierarchical tie-resolution rules:

Higher Written Score: Candidate with higher score in Stage I Written CBT (out of 500) gets preference.
Seniority in Age: If written marks are equal, the senior candidate in age is ranked higher.
Final MBBS Aggregate: If age is identical, higher percentage score in final MBBS professional exams determines merit rank.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The total aggregate selection score is 600 Marks (Part I Written CBT: 500 Marks + Part II Interview: 100 Marks).

A 1/3rd (0.33) penalty is applied per wrong answer. Each MCQ carries 2.0833 marks, resulting in a deduction of -0.6944 marks for every incorrect choice.

Paper 1 (120 Qs): General Medicine (96 MCQs) & Paediatrics (24 MCQs).
Paper 2 (120 Qs): Surgery (40 MCQs), Gynaecology & Obstetrics (40 MCQs), and PSM (40 MCQs).