🧭 1. Introduction

The Indian Railway Medical Services (IRMS), also known as the Railway Health Service, is one of the most prestigious Group ‘A’ Central Services in India.

The IRMS Exam 2026 is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on behalf of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, for recruiting Medical Officers (Assistant Divisional Medical Officers – ADMO) in the Indian Railways’ health infrastructure.

IRMS officers ensure the health and safety of millions of railway employees and passengers by managing hospitals, dispensaries, and public health operations under the Indian Railways.

🪜 2. Selection Process

The UPSC IRMS (Medical) 2026 recruitment process consists of:

Written Examination (CMS Exam by UPSC)
Interview/Personality Test
Document Verification
Medical Examination (by Railway Medical Board)

🔍 The IRMS (Medical) officers are recruited through the UPSC Combined Medical Services (CMS) Exam, followed by railway-specific posting and training.

📘 3. Exam Pattern

UPSC CMS (IRMS) 2026 Exam Pattern

Component	Details
Exam Conducting Body	UPSC
Mode of Exam	Online (CBT)
Type of Questions	Objective (MCQs)
Total Marks	500 (Written) + 100 (Interview)
Duration	2 hours per paper
Papers	Paper I and Paper II
Negative Marking	Yes, ⅓ mark for each wrong answer
Language	English only

Paper-wise Details

Paper	Subjects Covered	Marks	Duration
Paper I	General Medicine, Pediatrics	250	2 Hours
Paper II	Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, Preventive & Social Medicine	250	2 Hours

Interview / Personality Test

Component	Marks
Interview	100
Total Marks (Final)	600

📚 4. Detailed Syllabus (Section-wise)

Paper I: General Medicine & Pediatrics

A. General Medicine

Cardiology, Respiratory System, Gastroenterology
Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology
Infectious Diseases, Immunology, Psychiatry

B. Pediatrics

Growth & Development
Common Pediatric Disorders
Immunization and Child Health Programs

Paper II: Surgery, Gynaecology, and PSM

A. Surgery

General Surgery, ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics
Anesthesia and Radiology basics

B. Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Antenatal and Postnatal Care
Complications in Pregnancy
Contraception and Family Planning

C. Preventive & Social Medicine

Epidemiology, Biostatistics
Health Programs (NRHM, Ayushman Bharat, TB, etc.)
Environmental and Occupational Health
Disaster Management and Health Administration

The syllabus follows the MBBS standard curriculum approved by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

🎯 5. Final Selection & Marks Weightage

Stage	Marks
Written Exam (Paper I + Paper II)	500
Interview / Personality Test	100
Total	600

Final selection is based on aggregate marks (Written + Interview).
Candidates declared medically fit by the Railway Medical Board are appointed as Assistant Divisional Medical Officers (ADMOs) in the IRMS cadre.
Postings are across various Railway Zones, with promotions to Divisional Medical Officer (DMO), Chief Medical Superintendent, and Principal Chief Medical Director (PCMD).

💡 6. Practical Preparation Tips

✅ Integrate CMS Preparation: The IRMS exam uses the same syllabus as UPSC CMS — focus on conceptual clarity.
✅ Study Clinical Case Scenarios: Emphasize applied medicine, emergency response, and management-based questions.
✅ Use Standard Textbooks:

Medicine – Harrison’s Principles
Surgery – Bailey & Love
PSM – Park’s Textbook
✅ Mock Tests: Regularly attempt full-length CMS mocks for time management.
✅ Revise National Health Programs: Especially those run by the Ministry of Railways and MoHFW.
✅ Interview Readiness: Prepare to discuss healthcare in the railway context, occupational medicine, and disaster management.

⚕️ Tip: Understanding healthcare logistics in large-scale public systems like Railways can give you an edge during the interview.

🔗 7. Useful Official Resources

🏛️ Official UPSC Website: https://upsc.gov.in
📄 UPSC CMS Official Notification PDF (for IRMS Recruitment): https://upsc.gov.in/examinations/recruitment-tests
🚆 Indian Railways Official Portal: https://indianrailways.gov.in
🗂️ Ministry of Railways Recruitment Section: https://indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard
📘 CMS Syllabus PDF (Official UPSC): Download Here (UPSC Official PDF)

Indian Railway Health Service Association Railways - Magme Medal

🚄 Indian Railway Medical Services (IRMS) Exam 2026 – Complete Guide