Government jobPay Level 10Group AGazetted
Medical Officer, Central Health Service
चिकित्सा अधिकारी, केंद्रीय स्वास्थ्य सेवा
Group A doctor's post via UPSC CMS for MBBS graduates — general duty in CGHS dispensaries and central government hospitals.
Central Health Service (General Duty Medical Officers sub-cadre) · Ministry of Health and Family Welfare · central government
In-hand pay at joining, per month
₹92,000–₹1,02,000
Lower in small towns, higher in metros. Work out your own city below.
- Exam
- UPSC CMS
- Qualification
- Professional degree
- Age limit
- 21–35 years
- Transfers
- Anywhere in India
- Work hours
- Dispensary hours in CGHS; shift and emergency duty in hospitals
- Probation
- 2 years
Estimated in-hand / month
₹97,054
Gross ₹1,06,740 · CTC ≈ ₹14.3 lakh/yr
Where are you posted?
Medical Officer, Central Health Service · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.
New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.
What you will actually do
- Outpatient consultation in CGHS wellness centres and hospital OPDs
- Emergency and ward duty in central government hospitals
- Referrals, medical certificates and fitness examinations
- Managing a dispensary's staff, medicines and records
- Public health duties such as airport and port health, immunisation and outbreak response
A typical day
In a CGHS wellness centre you see a long line of serving and retired government employees through the morning: chronic illnesses, repeat prescriptions, referrals to specialists. As medical officer in charge you also sign for the pharmacy stock and staff matters. In a hospital posting you rotate through OPD, casualty and wards with night duties. The clinical variety is narrower than in a teaching hospital, and the hours are more regular.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Medical Officer, Central Health Service (joining)
Pay Level 10
₹92,000–₹1,02,000 in-hand
Senior Medical Officer
After 4–5 years, time-bound · Level 11 · via dpc
₹1,02,000–₹1,19,000 in-hand
Chief Medical Officer
After about 9–10 years, time-bound · Level 12 · via dpc
₹1,16,000–₹1,34,000 in-hand
Chief Medical Officer (Non-Functional Selection Grade)
After about 13 years · Level 13 · via dpc
₹1,66,000–₹1,87,000 in-hand
Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.
How to get in
Union Public Service Commission
- 1.Computer-based examination (two papers, 500 marks)
- 2.Personality test (100 marks)
- 3.Medical examination
Eligibility: A pass in the written and practical parts of the final M.B.B.S. examination. Candidates who have appeared or are yet to appear in the final examination can apply provisionally. Appointment requires completing the compulsory rotating internship. Age 21–35. For this category the upper limit is 35 years on the cut-off date; the other CMS categories have a limit of 32. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years, and other categories as listed in the notice.
The good
- Group A entry with time-bound promotions in the early grades
- Regular hours in dispensary postings
- City postings and job security
The hard parts
- Limited clinical work compared with hospital residency
- No private practice
- Post-graduation while in service needs leave and sponsorship that are not assured
Postings
CGHS wellness centres in cities across India, central hospitals such as Safdarjung and RML in Delhi, and health organisations under the Ministry. Transfer liability is all-India.
Questions people ask
What is the in-hand salary of Medical Officer, Central Health Service?+
Medical Officer, Central Health Service is a Pay Level 10 post with a starting basic pay of ₹56,100. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹92,000–₹1,02,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.
What is the qualification and age limit for Medical Officer, Central Health Service?+
A pass in the written and practical parts of the final M.B.B.S. examination. Candidates who have appeared or are yet to appear in the final examination can apply provisionally. Appointment requires completing the compulsory rotating internship. Age: 21–35 years. Relaxation: For this category the upper limit is 35 years on the cut-off date; the other CMS categories have a limit of 32. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years, and other categories as listed in the notice.
Which exam do I need to clear for Medical Officer, Central Health Service?+
UPSC CMS (Union Public Service Commission).
Can I apply before finishing internship?+
Yes, provisionally. You must have passed or be appearing in the final MBBS examination, and you can be appointed only after completing the compulsory rotating internship.
Is there negative marking?+
Check the scheme in the notice. The examination is computer-based with two papers of 250 marks each.
Compare with similar posts
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सहायक मंडल चिकित्सा अधिकारी (रेलवे)
Group A doctor's post via UPSC CMS — treating railway employees and families in railway hospitals and health units.
Nursing Officer (AIIMS)
नर्सिंग अधिकारी (एम्स)
Pay Level 7 nursing post in AIIMS hospitals via NORCET — bedside patient care in wards, ICUs and theatres, in shifts.
IAS Officer (Indian Administrative Service)
आईएएस अधिकारी (भारतीय प्रशासनिक सेवा)
All India Service via the UPSC Civil Services Exam — runs district administration and later heads departments and ministries.
Sources
- UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination 2026 notice (official PDF)
- Union Public Service Commission — official website
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.