New Delhi: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has issued a major recruitment notification for the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2025, opening the door for thousands of qualifying medical professionals to secure Group-A posts under the central government's health services. The examination, one of the most sought-after entry points into the Indian medical administrative framework, will serve as the basis for filling vacancies in multiple departments including the Central Health Service, Military Hospitals, and other governmental health institutions.
According to the official notification published by the commission headquartered at Dholpur House on Shahjahan Road in New Delhi, candidates holding a valid MBBS degree or an equivalent qualification recognized by the National Medical Commission (formerly the Medical Council of India) are eligible to appear for the exam. The CMS Examination is conducted in two stages — a written objective-type test followed by a personality test or interview — and candidates who clear both stages are placed on a merit list from which appointments are made.
The recruitment drive covers a wide range of medical officer roles, including General Duty Medical Officer, Dental Surgeon, and Specialist positions in various disciplines. These officers serve in diverse settings such as municipal corporations, government hospitals, railway health centers, and paramilitary forces under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The total number of vacancies has not been disclosed in the preliminary notification, but historically, the CMS examination has filled between 800 and 1,200 positions per cycle across all participating organizations.
Medical professionals across the country have been closely following this recruitment cycle, as Group-A medical officer positions offer significant career advantages including structured pay scales under the Seventh Central Pay Commission, pension benefits, posting flexibility across states, and opportunities for professional growth within the civil services framework. The UPSC has been instructed to finalize the selection process within the current fiscal year, and the examination date is expected to be announced in the coming weeks on the commission's official website, upsc.gov.in.
Applicants are advised to regularly check the UPSC portal for updates regarding the exam schedule, application fee details, and any changes to the eligibility criteria before submitting their forms.
