UPSC (Union Public Service Commission)
UPSC CMS Exam Pattern 2027 — Complete Question Paper Structure
Understand the marking scheme, section weights, question distribution and time strategy for UPSC Combined Medical Services
Exam Pattern at a Glance
Exam Mode
Offline (OMR)
Language
English & Hindi
Negative Marking
None
Sections
3
Section-wise Pattern
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks per Q | Total Marks | Time (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: General Medicine & Paediatrics | 80 | +1 | 80 | 100 min |
| Paper 2: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine | 80 | +1 | 80 | 100 min |
| Interview | 80 | +1 | 80 | 100 min |
| Total | 240 | — | 240 | 300 min |
Time is indicative. Candidates can attempt sections in any order in CBT mode.
Marking Scheme
Correct Answer
+1
marks
Wrong Answer
None
marks
Unattempted
0
marks
Marking Scheme
+1 for correct, no negative marking
Example Calculation:
If you attempt 144 questions, get 108 correct and 36 wrong:
Score = 108 × 1 = 108 marks
Skip questions you're unsure about — negative marking can reduce your score significantly.
Time Management Strategy
You have approximately 75.0 seconds per question on average.
| Phase | Time Budget | Target Questions |
|---|---|---|
| First pass (attempt easy Qs) | 180 min | 168 Qs |
| Second pass (attempt medium) | 90 min | 48 Qs |
| Review & guess | 30 min | Remaining |
Year-wise Pattern Changes
| Year | Questions | Duration | Key Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 240 | 300 min | Current pattern |
| 2024 | 240 | 300 min | No major change |
| 2023 | 240 | 300 min | Section added |
Pattern history is approximate. Always check official notification.
Difficulty Distribution
Approximate question count: ~48 Easy | ~96 Medium | ~96 Hard
Based on difficulty level: hard. Actual distribution may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Practice UPSC CMS?
Now that you know the pattern, test yourself with full-length mock tests, detailed syllabus, and previous year papers.