UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination is conducted for recruitment of Medical Officers in different organizations under Government of India. Through this examination, candidates can pursue their career in Medical field working with various government organisations. The exam conducting body is Union Public Service Commission. The test aims at evaluating a candidate’s performance and ability to work as a Medical Officer. Candidates have to clear a written test and on qualifying this stage, they appear in an interview. Final selections are made on the basis of total marks scored in the written exam and personal interview.

UPSC CMS Exam Preparation

Written Examination (Computer based mode)

Paper I (250 Marks)

In Paper I, candidates have to prepare two sections: General Medicine and Paediatrics.

General Medicine

  • Cardiology
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Gastro-intestinal
  • Genito-Urinary
  • Neurology
  • Hematology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Infections/Communicable Diseases
    • Virus, Rickets, Bacterial, Spirochetal, Protozoan, Metazoan, Fungus
  • Nutrition/Growth
  • Diseases of the skin (Dermatology)
  • Musculoskelatal System
  • Psychiatry
  • General
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Common Poisoning
  • Snake bite
  • Tropical Medicine
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Emphasis on medical procedures
  • Patho physiological basis of diseases
  • Vaccines preventable diseases and Non vaccines preventable diseases
  • Vitamin  deficiency diseases
  • In psychiatry include – Depression, psychosis, anxiety, bipolar diseases and Schizoprenia

Paediatrics

  • Common childhood emergencies,
  • Basic new born care,
  • Normal developmental milestones,
  • Accidents and poisonings in children,
  • Birth defects and counseling including autism,
  • Immunization in children,
  • Recognizing children with special needs and management, and
  • National programmes related to child health.

Paper II (250 Marks)

Surgery

  • Candidates are required to possess in depth knowledge of wounds, infections, tumours, blood vessels, cysts/sinuses, head & neck, breast etc.
  • A complete knowledge of Alimentary tract a) Oesophagus b) Stomach c) Intestines d) Anus e) Developmental is required.
  • Apart from this, one must be well aware with the concepts of Liver, Bile, Pancreas, Spleen, Peritoneum, Abdominal wall and abdominal injuries.
  • For Part II of the Surgery Section candidates need to prepare topics of Urological Surgery, Neuro Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology (ENT), Thoracic Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Anaesthesiology, Traumatology, Diagnosis and management of common surgical ailment, Pre‐operative and post-operative care of surgical patients, Wound healing, Fluid and electrolyte management in surgery and Shock patho‐physiology and management.

Gynaecology & Obstetrics

This very section is further divided into three parts i.e. Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Family Planning.

  • For the Obstetrics section, one should study about Ante-natal conditions, Intra-natal conditions, Post-natal conditions and Management of normal labours or complicated labour in detail.
  • For the Gynaecology section, candidates must prepare topics like applied anatomy, applied physiology of menstruation and fertilization, displacement of the uterus, infections in the genital tract and neo plasma in the genital tract, Normal delivery and safe delivery practices, High risk pregnancy and management, Abortions, Intra Uterine growth retardation and Medicolegal examination in obgy and Gynae including Rape.
  • For the preparation of the Family Planning section, topics like Conventional Contraceptives, UD and Oral Pills, Operation Procedure, Sterilization and Organization of programmes in the urban and rural surroundings and Medical Termination of Pregnancy must be prepared in detail.

Preventive Social & Community Medicine

  • A total of ninteen topics such as Social and Community Medicine, concepts of Health, Disease and Preventive Medicine etc. are to be prepared.
  • Candidates must read Health Administration and Planning, General Epidemiology, Demography and Health Statistics in detail.
  • A knowledge of Communicable Diseases, Environmental Health and Nutrition and Health is also required.
  • Along with this one should study topics like Non‐communicable diseases, Occupational Health, Genetics and Health, International Health, Medical Sociology and Health Education, Maternal and Child Health, National Programmes, Management of common health problems,

Preparation Tips

  • Choose a study plan wisely according to the time left and stick to it.
  • Allot your preparation time to different sections on the basis of their marks weightage.
  • Answer the questions you know first in the examination.
  • Prepare all the important topics of the syllabus and revise them again and again.
  • Time is the prime factor in the Computer based examination. Use it wisely.
  • Average time taken to solve a question in paper should be less than a minute.
  • Try to cover all subjects on a daily basis.
  • Try to stick to one book for every section of the examination. Do not Clutter yourself with too many sources of preparation.
  • Do not indulge in guess work since it can result in negative marking.
  • Solve as many sample papers as you can, both in offline and online mode.
  • Practice as many Mock Tests as you can and sit on a table with a timer.
  • Always prepare the basics of a subject hence you must refer to the class texts.

Reference Books

  1. Comprehensive Guide to Combined Medical Services by Rajeev Kumar.
  2. Quick Review of UPSC for Combined Medical Services Examination by Sangita Chandra & Sharad Chandra.
  3. CBS Combined Medical Services UPSC Entrance Examination by  S. Bhatia.
  4. Elsevier’s Comprehensive Guide to Combined Medical Services.

Stage 2: Personality Test

  1. UPSC conducts an Interview/Personality test for the candidates who qualify in the Stage 1 examination.
  2. The Interview/ Personality Test carried a total of 100 marks.
  3. The Personality Test is aimed at testing the General Knowledge and ability of the candidates in the fields of their academic study.
  4. In addition, the personality test is designed to assess the candidate’s intellectual curiosity, critical powers of assimilation, balance of judgment and alertness of mind, ability for social cohesion, integrity of character, initiative and capability for leadership etc.

Preparation Tips:

  1. At the interview stage, candidate’s overall personality is assessed.
  2. Be honest while answering questions. If you have no idea about something, admit it.
  3. Dress up in formal clothing for the interview.
  4. Pay attention to the questions asked and give your answer to the point.
  5. Stay calm and maintain your posture during the interview.
  6. Taking Mock interviews helps as it prepares the candidate mentally for the interview.

Books:

  1. The UPSC Interview Deciphering the Personality Test by Pranav Mahajan.
  2. Interview for UPSC and other examinations by Kumar Ujjwal.

A study plan in accordance with the examination schedule, a thorough preparation of the conventional topics and a lot of practice with the mock tests can assure you success in this examination. All the very best!

UPSC CMS Selection Process

The UPSC CMS exam is conducted in two stages.

  • Stage 1: Computer based examination
  • Stage 2:  Personality Test

Stage 1: Computer based examination – The Computer based examination consists of two papers. It is a Computer based examination. Each Paper carries 250 marks. Both the papers are of two hours duration making a total of 4 hours. Candidates are assessed on their knowledge of various subjects for example General Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics etc.

  • The Computer based examination is further divided as Paper 1 and Paper 2.
  • Each paper carries 250 marks making it a total of 500 marks.
  • Each paper consists of 120 questions.
  • The time duration for each paper is 120 Minutes.
  • Paper I questions on topics like General Medicine and Paediatrics. Paper II asks questions on topics like Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics and Preventive & Social Medicine.
  • This exam consists of objective type questions only.
  • The questions are asked in English language only.
  • For every wrong answer, 1/3rd of the marks assigned to each question will be deducted.
  • In case a candidate fills more than one answer to a particular question, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the answers is correct.
  • No negative marking will there for unanswered questions.
  • The Commission reserves right to fix qualifying marks in any or all the subjects.

Stage 2: Personality Test – The candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the Computer based examination move to the next level. The Personality Test carries 100 marks. The candidates are assessed on various skills for example balance of judgment & alertness of mind, integrity of character, ability for social cohesion, initiative and capability for leadership.

  • UPSC declares the list of candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in the stage 1 examination.
  • The qualified candidates then appear for a Personality Test.
  • Candidates are assessed on the basis of their skills such as general knowledge, critical powers of assimilation, balance of judgment & alertness of mind, integrity of character, ability for social cohesion, initiative and capability for leadership etc.

Final Selection

  • For Final admission candidates should secure the minimum qualifying marks separately in :
    • Computer based examination as fixed at the commission’s discretion.
    • Personality Test
  • The qualified candidates are selected on the basis of total marks secured by them in the Written Examination and the Personality Test.
  • The final allocation/selection will be made as per number of vacancies available.

UPSC CMS

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