The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has released the official cut-off marks for the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2021, and the complete PDF is now available for download. The cut-off marks reveal the minimum scores required for selection in different stages of the exam, including the written test and final selection. Candidates who appeared in CMS 2021 can now check their category-wise cut-off marks to evaluate their performance and understand the level of competition in that year’s recruitment.
I am writing about this topic because UPSC’s cut-off marks are more than just numbers — they help aspirants understand exam trends and plan their preparation strategy effectively. For those preparing for upcoming CMS exams, analysing past cut-offs gives clarity about how the difficulty level, number of vacancies, and candidate performance influence the qualifying marks. It also helps medical graduates estimate their target score and focus better on weak areas. Having the official cut-off PDF ensures that candidates refer to authentic data while making informed study decisions.
About the Combined Medical Services Examination
The Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination is conducted every year by the UPSC to recruit medical officers for various central government organisations. These include positions like Assistant Divisional Medical Officer, General Duty Medical Officer, and Junior Scale Posts in government health services.
The exam is open to candidates who hold an MBBS degree and meet the eligibility criteria set by UPSC. It is one of the most competitive examinations for medical graduates seeking stable and reputed positions under the Government of India.
Stages of the CMS Examination
The selection process for the CMS Examination consists of two main stages:
- Written Examination: Conducted in online mode (Computer-Based Test), consisting of two papers of 250 marks each.
- Personality Test (Interview): Conducted for candidates who qualify the written exam, carrying 100 marks.
The final merit list is prepared based on the total marks obtained in both stages.
Factors Affecting CMS Cut-off Marks
Several key factors influence the yearly variation in cut-off marks for the Combined Medical Services Examination:
- Number of Vacancies: More vacancies generally lead to a lower cut-off, while fewer posts push it higher.
- Difficulty Level of Papers: If the papers are tougher, the overall average score tends to drop.
- Number of Candidates Appearing: A larger pool of aspirants increases competition.
- Candidate Performance: The overall standard of performance directly impacts the final cut-off trends.
Understanding these factors helps future aspirants set realistic goals and assess the competition level accurately.
How to Download the CMS 2021 Cut-off Marks PDF
Candidates can easily download the official cut-off marks PDF from the UPSC website by following these steps:
- Visit the official website www.upsc.gov.in.
- Click on the “Examination” tab from the main menu.
- Select “Cut-off Marks” from the list of available options.
- Look for “Combined Medical Services Examination, 2021” in the list.
- Click on the corresponding link to download the PDF file.
This document contains both the written and final cut-off marks for all categories. Candidates are advised to download and save the PDF for reference during future preparation.
