UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026: Download PDF Paper-wise Topics, Selection Process

The UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 is designed to assess candidates’ medical knowledge and clinical understanding through two objective-type papers followed by a Personality Test. The written examination covers core MBBS subjects, including General Medicine, Paediatrics, Surgery, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and Preventive and Social Medicine. Candidates should review the complete syllabus to identify high-weightage topics, prepare each subject strategically, and perform well in both the written examination and interview.

• The UPSC CMS 2026 written examination is divided into Paper 1 (General Medicine & Paediatrics) and Paper 2 (Surgery, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine).
• Paper 1 evaluates candidates on topics such as Cardiology, Respiratory Diseases, Neurology, Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Child Health, Immunization, Newborn Care, and Developmental Milestones.
• Paper 2 assesses candidates' knowledge of General Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics, Family Planning, Epidemiology, Community Medicine, Environmental Health, and more.
• Both papers contain 120 objective-type questions and are based on the MBBS curriculum as provided for the examination.
• Also, both of these papers are conducted in English only.
• The UPSC CMS exam 2026 follows a negative marking scheme, under which one-third of the marks allotted to a question are deducted for every incorrect response.
• Candidates shortlisted based on the written examination are invited to the 100-mark Personality Test, which assesses communication skills, judgement, leadership qualities and more.
• The Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 is scheduled on August 2, 2026. Paper 1 will be held from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. Paper 2 will be held from 2 pm to 4 pm.

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 Highlights

The syllabus for the Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 is prescribed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for candidates appearing in the UPSC CMS 2026 examination on August 2, 2026. The examination is conducted in two stages: a written examination (500 marks) and a Personality Test (100 marks). The written test comprises two objective-type papers covering MBBS-level subjects, while the Personality Test evaluates candidates' overall suitability for Central Government medical services. Candidates can refer to the overview table below before starting their preparation.

Combined Medical Services Syllabus 2026 for Paper 1

Paper 1 of the Combined Medical Services Exam 2026 carries 250 marks and is conducted for 2 hours in an objective-type (MCQ) format. As per the UPSC CMS paper pattern 2026, Paper 1 consists of 120 questions, including 96 questions from General Medicine and 24 questions from Paediatrics. The syllabus is based on the MBBS standards and covers a wide range of clinical and child health topics. Candidates should develop an understanding of both subjects of Paper 1, as marks gained will be added to prepare the UPSC CMS 2026 final merit.

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 for General Medicine

The UPSC CMS 2026 General Medicine syllabus covers medical topics from the MBBS course. This is the largest section of the Combined Medical Services 2026 written exam. It evaluates candidates' understanding of medicine concepts, disease diagnosis, patient management, and clinical decision-making. The syllabus covers Cardiology, Respiratory Diseases, Neurology, Endocrinology, Infectious Diseases, Emergency Medicine, Dermatology, Psychiatry, and more. The detailed subtopics for the General Medicine section are discussed below.

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 for Paediatrics

The UPSC CMS 2026 Paediatrics Syllabus is a part of Paper 1 of the Combined Medical Services Examination 2026. It evaluates candidates' knowledge of child healthcare, neonatal care, developmental milestones, immunization, and the diagnosis and management of common paediatric conditions. The syllabus is based on the MBBS level and focuses on topics that are essential for primary and preventive child healthcare. Candidates should prepare all the prescribed topics thoroughly to score well in the Paediatrics section of the UPSC CMS Paper 1 exam 2026.

Combined Medical Services Syllabus 2026 for Paper 2

Paper 2 of the Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 carries 250 marks and is conducted for 2 hours in a multiple-choice question format. According to the CMS exam pattern, the paper has 120 questions, with 40 questions each from Surgery, Gynaecology, and Preventive and Social Medicine. Based on the MBBS curriculum, Paper 2 assesses candidates' knowledge in diagnostic skills, surgical concepts, maternal and reproductive healthcare, and public health principles. Candidates preparing for the upcoming Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 should study all three sections of Paper 2 comprehensively, as each contributes equally to the overall score in the UPSC CMS 2026 written exam.

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 for Surgery

The UPSC CMS 2026 Surgery syllabus is an important part of Paper 2 and evaluates candidates' understanding of general surgical principles, surgical specialities, perioperative care, trauma management, and common surgical disorders. The syllabus includes topics from General Surgery, Urology, Neurosurgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics, Thoracic Surgery, Anaesthesiology, and Traumatology. Candidates should focus on wound management, fluid and electrolyte balance, shock, and medico-legal aspects of surgery to perform well in the UPSC CMS Paper 2 exam 2026.

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 for Gynaecology & Obstetrics

The UPSC CMS 2026 Gynaecology and Obstetrics syllabus is a section of the Combined Medical Services Paper 2 Exam 2026. This section checks a candidate's understanding of maternal healthcare, reproductive healthcare, pregnancy management, gynaecological disorders, and family planning. In the UPSC CMS Paper 2 exam, there will be 40 questions from this section. The syllabus for this section is taken from the MBBS curriculum and contains antenatal, internatal, and postnatal care, normal and high-risk pregnancies, disorders of the female reproductive system, and contraceptive methods. Candidates should prepare each topic of this section for the upcoming UPSC CMS Paper 2 exam 2026, which is discussed below.

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 for Preventive & Social Medicine

The Preventive and Social Medicine section of the UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 focuses on the principles of public health and community-based healthcare. It covers topics such as epidemiology, health administration, environmental health, nutrition, communicable and non-communicable diseases, occupational health, and national health programmes. The syllabus also tests candidates' ability to understand, investigate, and manage community health issues, making it an important section for aspirants preparing for the UPSC CMS Paper exam 2026.

Check UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2026

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 for Personality Test

The UPSC CMS 2026 Personality Test is the second and final stage of the Combined Medical Services Examination. Candidates who qualify the written examination are called for the 100-mark Interview or Personality Test conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC). Unlike the written examination, there is no subject-wise syllabus for this stage. Instead, the interview is designed to evaluate a candidate’s overall personality, communication skills, professional aptitude, and suitability for a career in Central Government medical services. Along with assessing general knowledge and understanding of medical subjects, the interview board also examines the candidate's mental alertness, judgement, leadership qualities, integrity, and ability to handle real-life situations.

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 PDF

The UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 PDF is one of the most valuable resources for candidates preparing for the Combined Medical Services Examination 2026, scheduled on August 2, 2026. Released along with the UPSC Notification 2026 on March 11, 2026, the PDF provides a complete paper-wise syllabus, exam scheme, and important instructions in a single document. Referring to the official PDF helps candidates understand the exact topics prescribed by UPSC, avoid unnecessary preparation, and create a focused study plan. Candidates should download the syllabus PDF at the beginning of their preparation and use it as a checklist to monitor their progress until the examination. Candidates can download the UPSC CMS 2026 syllabus PDF from below.

Direct Link to Download UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 PDF

How to Use the UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 PDF Effectively?

• Download the official UPSC CMS Syllabus PDF and keep a copy on your phone or laptop for quick reference during preparation.
• Read the syllabus carefully to understand the topics covered in Paper 1 and Paper 2 before creating a study schedule.
• Divide the syllabus into weekly or monthly targets and track completed topics using the syllabus as a preparation checklist.
• Prioritize high-weightage subjects such as General Medicine, Surgery, Preventive and Social Medicine, Gynaecology, and Paediatrics while ensuring complete syllabus coverage.
• Solve previous-year UPSC CMS question papers alongside the syllabus to identify frequently asked topics and important concepts.
• Revise completed topics regularly and mark areas that require additional practice or revision in the syllabus PDF
• Before the examination, use the syllabus PDF for a final revision to ensure that no important topic has been left uncovered.
• Compare the syllabus with your MBBS notes and Standards textbooks to study only the relevant topics prescribed by UPSC.
• Allocate more time to high-weightage subjects while ensuring that less important topics are also covered to avoid missing easy marks.
• Prepare subject-wise short notes directly from the syllabus headings to revise quicker during the final weeks before the exam.
• Use the syllabus as a self-assessment tool by taking mock tests after completing each section and identifying weak areas that need improvement.
• Refer to the syllabus wherever you switch study resources to ensure that all books, online lectures, and notes align with the official UPSC CMS syllabus 2026.

UPSC CMS Selection Process 2026

The UPSC CMS Selection Process 2026 consists of two stages designed to assess candidates' medical knowledge, clinical aptitude, and overall suitability for Central Government medical services. The recruitment process begins with a 500-mark written exam containing two objective papers. Candidates who qualify the written examination are shortlisted for a 100-mark Personality Test (Interview) conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. The final merit is prepared based on candidates' performance in both stages, subject to meeting the eligibility and medical requirements.

1. Written Examination: The first stage of the UPSC CMS selection process is a 500-mark MCQ-based written exam having Paper 1 and Paper 2, each carrying 250 marks, and conducted for 2 hours. Paper 1 has two sections, namely General Medicine and Paediatrics. Paper 2 includes Surgery, Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Preventive and Social Medicine. Both papers contain 120 objective-type questions and are conducted in English only. The standard of the written exam is that of the MBBS. The exam follows a negative marking scheme, under which one-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every incorrect answer, while unanswered questions do not attract any penalty.
2. Personality Test (Interview): Candidates qualifying the written examination are invited for the 100-mark Personality Test conducted by UPSC. The interview is intended to supplement the written examination by assessing the candidates’ general knowledge, understanding of medical subjects, intellectual curiosity, critical powers of assimilation, balance of judgement, alertness of mind, social cohesion, integrity of character, initiative and leadership qualities. This stage evaluates the candidates' overall suitability for appointment to government medical services rather than testing technical knowledge alone.

UPSC CMS Syllabus 2026 FAQs