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Paper I: Composition and Strategy#
- General Medicine: 96 questions (including Cardiology, Neurology, Dermatology and Psychiatry)
- Paediatrics: 24 questions
- Total: 120 questions, 250 marks, 120 minutes
- Style: Long clinical vignettes, integration-heavy
Paper II: Composition and Strategy#
- Surgery: 40 questions (including ENT, Ophthalmology, Traumatology and Orthopaedics)
- Gynaecology & Obstetrics: 40 questions
- Preventive & Social Medicine: 40 questions
- Total: 120 questions, 250 marks, 120 minutes
- Style: Mix of image-based and direct knowledge
Study Time Allocation#
Both papers carry the same marks, so allocate time by subject weight:
- General Medicine: 40% (96 questions, the longest vignettes)
- Surgery, with ENT, Ophthalmology and Orthopaedics: 20% (40 questions across several specialties)
- Gynaecology & Obstetrics: 15% (40 questions)
- Preventive & Social Medicine: 15% (40 questions)
- Paediatrics: 10% (24 questions)
Exam Day Tactics#
Paper I is the morning session and Paper II the afternoon one, so go in fresh for Paper I. Use the break before Paper II to mentally reset. Avoid discussing Paper I during the break.
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References & further reading
Every clinical claim in this article is anchored to a primary source. Click through to verify, and use the same habit in your revision.
Revision history
- 19 September 2026 — Initial publication
- 1 November 2026 — Corrected the paper pattern (120 questions and 250 marks per paper; Paper I is General Medicine and Paediatrics, Paper II is Surgery, OBG and PSM) and the study-time split that relied on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between UPSC CMS Paper 1 and Paper 2?
Each paper has 120 questions, carries 250 marks and lasts two hours. Paper I covers General Medicine (96 questions, including Cardiology, Neurology, Dermatology and Psychiatry) and Paediatrics (24). Paper II covers Surgery (40, including ENT, Ophthalmology, Traumatology and Orthopaedics), Gynaecology & Obstetrics (40) and Preventive & Social Medicine (40).
Which paper is harder?
Paper I is generally considered harder: General Medicine alone is 96 of its 120 questions, with long clinical vignettes. Paper II, split evenly between Surgery, OBG and PSM, has more image-based and direct-knowledge questions.
How should I divide my study time between the papers?
Both papers carry 250 marks, so divide your time by subject weight rather than by paper: General Medicine is 96 of the 240 questions (40%), Surgery, OBG and PSM are 40 each (about 17% each) and Paediatrics is 24 (10%).
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