UPSC CMS Combined Medical Services Previous Year Question Paper [PYQ] 2015 to 2024 Download PDF
The UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination is conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission to recruit medical officers for various government organizations, including the Railways, Indian Ordnance Factories, and Central Health Services. Since it is a highly competitive examination, practicing the UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Papers (2015–2024) is one of the most effective strategies to succeed.
This article provides a complete guide on the importance of CMS PYQs, exam pattern, year-wise availability, preparation tips, and FAQs for aspirants.
Table of Contents
Why Solve UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Papers?
- Understand the Exam Pattern – PYQs help candidates analyze the type of questions asked, weightage of subjects, and difficulty level.
- Identify Important Topics – Certain medical subjects and sections are frequently repeated across years.
- Boost Speed and Accuracy – Practicing PYQs under exam conditions helps improve time management.
- Assess Preparation Level – PYQs act as a self-assessment tool to identify strong and weak areas.
- Increase Confidence – Solving real exam questions reduces stress during the actual test.
UPSC CMS Exam Pattern (Overview)
- Mode of Exam: Computer-Based Test (Online)
- Number of Papers: 2 (Paper-I and Paper-II)
- Type of Questions: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Total Marks: 500 (250 marks each paper)
- Duration: 2 hours per paper
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Followed By: Personality Test (100 marks)
Subjects Covered
- Paper-I: General Medicine and Pediatrics
- Paper-II: Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine
UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Papers (2015 – 2024)
The following table provides year-wise availability of UPSC CMS PYQs:
| Year | UPSC CMS PYQ Paper | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2016 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2017 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2018 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2019 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2020 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2021 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2022 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2023 | Available | PDF Click Here |
| 2024 | Available | PDF Click Here |
Benefits of Solving UPSC CMS PYQs (2015–2024)
- Trend Analysis: Helps identify topics that are frequently repeated.
- Revision of Core Subjects: Strengthens concepts in Medicine, Pediatrics, Surgery, and PSM.
- Exam Simulation: Solving PYQs in a time-bound manner gives a real-exam feel.
- Scoring Advantage: Reduces mistakes and boosts confidence in tackling MCQs.
Key Topics to Focus for UPSC CMS Exam
- General Medicine – Cardiology, Respiratory System, Endocrinology, Neurology.
- Pediatrics – Growth and Development, Immunization, Pediatric Diseases.
- Surgery – ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, General Surgery.
- Gynecology & Obstetrics – Pregnancy, Labor, Reproductive Health, Common Disorders.
- Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM) – Epidemiology, Biostatistics, National Health Programs.
Preparation Tips for UPSC CMS Aspirants
- Start with Standard Textbooks – Revise concepts from standard MBBS-level books.
- Solve PYQs – Practice at least 10 years of question papers for effective preparation.
- Make Notes – Keep short notes of important topics for last-minute revision.
- Focus on PSM – Often considered high-scoring with many direct questions.
- Take Mock Tests – Attempt online practice tests to improve accuracy and speed.
- Revise Regularly – Consistent revision is the key to success in medical exams.
UPSC CMS Detailed Syllabus
The UPSC CMS Examination is divided into two objective-type papers, followed by a Personality Test (Interview). Each paper has 120 questions carrying 250 marks.
Paper I Syllabus – General Medicine and Paediatrics
1. General Medicine
- Cardiology: Heart diseases, ECG findings, Myocardial infarction, Arrhythmias, Heart failure, Hypertension, Valvular heart disease.
- Respiratory System: Asthma, COPD, Tuberculosis, Pneumonia, Pleural effusion, Respiratory failure.
- Gastrointestinal System: Peptic ulcer, Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Pancreatitis, Inflammatory bowel disease.
- Endocrinology: Diabetes mellitus, Thyroid disorders, Adrenal diseases, Pituitary disorders.
- Neurology: Epilepsy, Stroke, Meningitis, Parkinsonism, Neuropathy.
- Infectious Diseases: HIV/AIDS, Malaria, Dengue, Typhoid, Leptospirosis.
- Renal Diseases: Acute & Chronic kidney disease, Nephrotic syndrome, Glomerulonephritis.
- Hematology: Anemia, Leukemia, Lymphoma, Bleeding disorders.
- Rheumatology: Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, Gout, Osteoarthritis.
2. Paediatrics
- Growth & Development: Milestones, Nutrition in children, Immunization schedule.
- General Pediatrics: Common infections, Vitamin deficiencies, Pediatric emergencies.
- Systemic Pediatrics: Congenital heart disease, Asthma, Diarrhea, Malnutrition.
- Neonatology: Low birth weight, Preterm care, Neonatal jaundice, Birth asphyxia.
- Pediatric Neurology: Epilepsy, Cerebral palsy, Developmental disorders.
Paper II Syllabus – Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine
1. Surgery
- General Surgery: Wound healing, Shock, Fluid & electrolyte balance, Burns.
- Trauma: Head injury, Chest injury, Abdominal trauma.
- Orthopedics: Fractures, Bone infections, Joint diseases.
- ENT: Common ear, nose, throat disorders.
- Ophthalmology: Cataract, Glaucoma, Conjunctivitis, Refractive errors.
- Urology: Kidney stones, Prostate disorders, Urinary tract infections.
2. Gynaecology & Obstetrics (G&O)
- Gynaecology:
- Menstrual disorders
- Infertility & Contraception
- Gynecological cancers
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Obstetrics:
- Normal labour & puerperium
- Antenatal care
- High-risk pregnancy (PIH, GDM, anemia, Rh incompatibility)
- Obstetric emergencies (Eclampsia, PPH, Shoulder dystocia)
3. Preventive & Social Medicine (PSM)
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Study designs, Sampling, Sensitivity, Specificity, Screening tests.
- Communicable Diseases: TB, Malaria, Dengue, Leprosy, HIV/AIDS, Rabies.
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Hypertension, Diabetes, Cancer prevention.
- Occupational Health: Hazards, Pneumoconiosis, Safety programs.
- National Health Programs: NRHM, RNTCP, Immunization programs, Family planning.
- Environmental Health: Air pollution, Waterborne diseases, Waste management.
- Nutrition & Health: Deficiency diseases, Food safety.
- Demography & Health Statistics: Fertility rates, Mortality rates, Population control measures.
Personality Test (Interview) Syllabus
- General Knowledge & Current Affairs: Especially related to medical science, healthcare policies, and national health programs.
- Practical Knowledge: Situational questions on patient management, clinical ethics, and decision-making.
- Communication Skills & Ethics: Doctor-patient relationship, teamwork, handling pressure.
Quick Reference Table – UPSC CMS Syllabus
| Paper | Subjects | Key Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Paper I | General Medicine | Cardiology, Respiratory, Gastro, Endocrine, Neuro, Infectious, Renal, Hematology, Rheumatology |
| Paediatrics | Growth, Neonatology, Pediatrics emergencies, Systemic diseases | |
| Paper II | Surgery | General surgery, Trauma, Ortho, ENT, Ophthalmology, Urology |
| Gynaecology & Obstetrics | Menstrual, Infertility, Labour, High-risk pregnancy, Emergencies | |
| Preventive & Social Medicine | Epidemiology, Communicable & NCDs, Health programs, Environment, Nutrition, Demography | |
| Interview | General Knowledge & Practical Skills | Medical ethics, Health policies, Clinical judgment |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Where can I get UPSC CMS Previous Year Question Papers (2015–2024)?
Ans: UPSC CMS previous year papers from 2015 to 2024 are available in PDF format for aspirants to practice.
Q2. How many papers are there in the UPSC CMS exam?
Ans: There are two objective-type papers (Paper-I and Paper-II), each carrying 250 marks.
Q3. Is there negative marking in the UPSC CMS exam?
Ans: Yes, 1/3rd of the marks are deducted for each wrong answer.
Q4. Which subject carries the highest weightage in CMS?
Ans: General Medicine and Pediatrics in Paper-I and Preventive & Social Medicine in Paper-II are high-weightage subjects.
Q5. Are previous year papers enough to clear UPSC CMS?
Ans: PYQs are very useful but should be combined with textbooks, revision notes, and mock tests for complete preparation.
Q6. What is the difficulty level of UPSC CMS?
Ans: The exam is usually moderate to difficult, testing both conceptual clarity and application skills.
