Government Medical Services Exams
Government medical services exams are conducted to recruit qualified medical professionals into various government departments, including health ministries, railways, armed forces, and public sector hospitals. These exams are highly competitive and offer stable and prestigious career opportunities for doctors and healthcare professionals. Candidates are tested on medical knowledge, clinical skills, and general aptitude. Cracking these exams opens the door to roles like Medical Officer, Specialist Doctor, and other allied healthcare positions in the public sector.
Government Medical Services Exams – Exam Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | Combined Medical Services (CMS), State Medical Services, etc. |
| Conducting Body | UPSC, State PSCs, Railways, ESIC, Armed Forces Medical Services |
| Eligibility | MBBS degree from a recognized institution |
| Age Limit | Usually 32 years (varies by exam and category) |
| Mode of Exam | Computer-Based Test (CBT) + Interview/Personality Test |
| Subjects Covered | General Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, Gynaecology, Preventive and Social Medicine |
| Application Mode | Online via official websites (e.g., upsc.gov.in) |
| Job Roles | Medical Officer, Health Officer, Specialist, etc. |
| Pay Scale | Varies by department; usually starts at ₹56,100/month + allowances |
| Selection Process | Written Exam + Interview or Document Verification |
UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination
The UPSC CMS Examination is one of the most prestigious medical recruitment exams in India, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. It aims to select qualified medical graduates for various central government medical positions. The exam offers a golden opportunity for MBBS holders to serve the nation through roles in central health services, railways, municipal corporations, and more.
The CMS exam not only ensures job stability but also provides a respectable salary, career growth, and the honor of contributing to public healthcare. Every year, thousands of medical graduates compete for a limited number of posts, making it one of the most sought-after medical entrance exams in the country.
UPSC CMS Exam Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Exam Name | UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination |
| Conducting Body | Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) |
| Eligibility | Passed MBBS or appearing in final year of MBBS |
| Age Limit | Maximum 32 years (as on 1st August of exam year) Age relaxation as per rules |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) + Personality Test/Interview |
| Application Mode | Online via upsc.gov.in |
| Vacancies | Varies annually (typically 600–1000) |
| Job Posts | Assistant Divisional Medical Officer, Junior Scale Posts in CHS, General Duty Medical Officer (GDMO), etc. |
| Salary | Starting from ₹56,100/month + DA, HRA, Transport Allowance, NPA, etc. |
| Selection Process | Part-I: Computer Based Examination (500 marks) Part-II: Interview (100 marks) |
CMS Exam Pattern
Part-I: Computer-Based Examination (500 Marks)
Paper I – General Medicine & Pediatrics (250 marks)
General Medicine – 96 questions
Pediatrics – 24 questions
Paper II – Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine (250 marks)
Surgery – 40 questions
G&O – 40 questions
PSM – 40 questions
Part-II: Personality Test (100 Marks)
Only for candidates who qualify the CBT.
Assesses general awareness, character, leadership, and communication skills.
How to Apply?
Visit https://www.upsc.gov.in
Go to “Apply Online” → “Online Application for Various Examinations”
Fill out Part I and Part II of the application
Upload required documents
Pay the fee (₹200; exempted for females/SC/ST/PwBD)
Submit and print the application
Preparation Tips
Focus on core MBBS subjects, especially General Medicine, PSM, and Surgery.
Solve previous year papers and take mock tests.
Keep up with current medical developments and general awareness.
Revise clinical concepts and diagnostic reasoning regularly.
Medical Entrance & Employment Exams in India – AIIMS, NEET PG & JIPMER
India has several prestigious medical entrance exams for postgraduate (PG) admissions and medical job opportunities. Among them, NEET PG, AIIMS, and JIPMER stand out as key paths for MBBS graduates to specialize further or join top-tier institutions.
1️⃣ NEET PG – National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Postgraduate)
NEET PG is the centralized entrance exam for admission to MD/MS/PG Diploma courses in government and private medical colleges across India.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | National Board of Examinations (NBE) |
| Courses Offered | MD / MS / PG Diploma |
| Eligibility | MBBS degree + 1-year internship completion (by 31st March of exam year) |
| Exam Mode | Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
| Subjects Covered | Pre-Clinical, Para-Clinical & Clinical subjects from MBBS curriculum |
| Question Type | 200 MCQs (Single correct answer) |
| Total Marks | 800 (4 marks per question; -1 for wrong answer) |
| Application | Online via nbe.edu.in |
| Validity | Admissions to medical PG courses in India (except AIIMS/INI CET & some state quotas) |
Note: From recent years, top institutes like AIIMS, JIPMER, and PGIMER have joined the INI CET system (see below).
2️⃣ AIIMS – Institute of National Importance (INI CET & Employment)
AIIMS is India’s most prestigious medical institution, offering both education and employment opportunities. Admissions to PG courses at AIIMS are now through INI CET.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Admissions Test | INI CET (Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test) |
| Conducted By | AIIMS, New Delhi |
| For Institutes | AIIMS (all), JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST |
| Courses | MD, MS, DM (6 yrs), M.Ch (6 yrs), MDS |
| Exam Mode | CBT (Computer Based) |
| Question Type | 200 MCQs with negative marking |
| Application | aiimsexams.ac.in |
AIIMS Employment
AIIMS also regularly conducts direct recruitment exams for posts like:
Junior Resident (Non-Academic)
Senior Resident
Nursing Officer
Faculty Posts
These are published on their official website, and recruitment may be via exams, interviews, or both.
3️⃣ JIPMER – Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
Previously conducted its own PG entrance, but now part of INI CET for PG courses.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission | Via INI CET (for MD/MS) |
| Location | Puducherry and Karaikal campuses |
| Reputation | Known for clinical exposure and research |
| Employment | JIPMER also recruits for roles like Junior Resident, Senior Resident, Nursing Staff, etc. via its own recruitment exams/interviews. |
| Official Site | jipmer.edu.in |
Quick Comparison Exams
| Exam | Purpose | Conducted By | Admission To | Exam Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEET PG | MD/MS/PG Diploma Admission | NBE | All India (except AIIMS/INI CET) | CBT, 200 MCQs |
| INI CET | MD/MS/MCh/DM/MDS Admission | AIIMS, New Delhi | AIIMS, JIPMER, PGIMER, NIMHANS, SCTIMST | CBT, 200 MCQs |
| AIIMS Jobs | Government Employment | AIIMS | Medical posts like JR/SR/Nursing | CBT/Interview |
| JIPMER Jobs | Employment & Fellowships | JIPMER | JR/SR/Nursing/Research staff | CBT/Interview |