UPSC CMS 2025 Answer Key: What Aspirants Need to Know

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducted the Combined Medical Services (CMS) Examination 2025 on Sunday, July 20, 2025. This crucial examination, held in two shifts across the nation, is a gateway for medical graduates aspiring to join various Group A and Group B Medical Officer positions within government health departments. As candidates eagerly await their results, the release of the official answer key becomes a significant point of interest, allowing them to assess their performance and estimate their scores.

Exam Structure at a Glance:

The UPSC CMS 2025 examination comprised two papers, both conducted as Computer-Based Tests (CBT):

• Paper I (09:30 AM to 11:30 AM): Focused on General Medicine and Paediatrics.
• Paper II (02:00 PM to 04:00 PM): Covered Surgery, Gynaecology & Obstetrics, and Preventive & Social Medicine.

Each paper consisted of 120 multiple-choice questions, carrying a maximum of 250 marks. There is negative marking for incorrect answers.

When to Expect the Official Answer Key:

While the UPSC does not release the official answer key immediately after the examination, it is typically published on their official website (www.upsc.gov.in) after the final results and merit list are declared. Based on previous trends, candidates can generally expect the official answer key for UPSC CMS 2025 by the end of July 2025.

However, it is important to note that various coaching institutes and educational platforms often release their unofficial answer keys and detailed paper analyses shortly after the examination. These unofficial keys can be a valuable resource for candidates to get an immediate estimate of their performance and understand the difficulty level of the papers. Several platforms have already provided initial analyses and solutions for both Paper I and Paper II.

How to Download the UPSC CMS 2025 Answer Key (Once Released):

Once the Union Public Service Commission officially releases the answer key, candidates can download it by following these steps:

1. Visit the official UPSC website: Go to www.upsc.gov.in.
2. Navigate to the ‘Examinations’ Tab: On the homepage, locate and click on the “Examinations” section.
3. Click on ‘Answer Keys’: A dropdown menu will appear; select “Answer Keys.”
4. Locate ‘UPSC CMS Answer Key 2025’: Find and click on the specific link for the “UPSC CMS Answer Key 2025” for both Paper I and Paper II.
5. Download the PDF: The answer key will be available in PDF format. Download and save it for your reference.

Importance of the Answer Key:

The answer key serves as a crucial tool for candidates for several reasons:

• Self-Assessment: It allows candidates to compare their marked answers with the officially correct ones, enabling them to calculate their raw scores.
• Performance Evaluation: By knowing their estimated scores, candidates can gauge their performance and assess their chances of qualifying for the next stage of the selection process, which typically involves a Personality Test/Interview.
• Understanding Strengths and Weaknesses: Reviewing the answer key can help candidates identify the areas where they performed well and those that require further improvement for future attempts or other competitive examinations.
• Transparency: The release of the answer key ensures transparency in the examination process.

Aspirants are advised to keep a close watch on the official UPSC website for the release of the definitive answer key. In the interim, referring to unofficial analyses can provide valuable insights.