How to Get a Government Job in India as a Doctor: Eligibility, Exams & Cut-offs
1. Basic Eligibility Criteria (Government Job in India)
To be eligible for most government jobs in India for doctors, you must fulfill these as government doctors:
- Educational Qualification: An MBBS degree recognized by the Medical Council of India/NMC, plus completed internship.
- Age Requirements: Typically 21–40 years, with relaxations for reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC).
- Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen or meet prescribed domicile criteria.
Government Job in India as a doctor- For specialist posts as government doctors (e.g., Surgeon/Specialist Medical Officer), a postgraduate degree (MD/MS/DNB) and 1–2 years of experience are required .
2. Key Exams to Qualify as a Government Doctor
a) UPSC Combined Medical Services Exam (CMS / CMSE)
- Conducted annually by the UPSC for posts like Medical Officer (CHS, Railways, MCD).
- Two objective papers (250 marks each), followed by Personality Test.
- Cutoffs: Final aggregate around 332/600 for General category (2023).
b) State Public Service Commission Exams
- Examples: MPPSC, UPPSC, HPPSC Medical Officer exams.
- Format: written MCQ test followed by interview.
- Age & Qualification: MBBS + Completed internship; age 21–40 with relaxations.
- Typical Cut-offs:
- WBPSC: ~40% for Unreserved
- MPSC MO (2022): ~47.5 marks for Open category
- MPPSC: Varies based on paper difficulty
- HPPSC (2025 estimates): UR ~75–80/220
c) Specialist & State-Specific Exams
- Example: BTSC Bihar Specialist MO (SMO) qualifying ~82–86 for UR.
- Other states (e.g., Haryana) may have dedicated recruitment drives with specific criteria .
d) Exit / Licensure Exams
- NExT (National Exit Test): For foreign MBBS graduates to practice in India.
- DNB: Postgraduate qualification equivalent to MD/MS; recognized for government recruitment.
3. Other Recruitment Channels for Government Job in India as Doctors
- ESIC IMO (Insurance Medical Officer): Recruited via CMSE scores; ~600+ vacancies recently.
- AIIMS Group B/C Posts: Open for MBBS graduates via SSC/AIIMS-specific exams.
4. Cut-Off Trends & Analysis for Government Doctors)
| Exam | Category | Typical Cut-off |
|---|---|---|
| UPSC CMSE (Written + Interview) | General | ~332/600 |
| WBPSC Medical Officer | Unreserved | 40% |
| MPSC Medical Officer 2022 | Open | 47.5/?? |
| MPPSC MO | Varies | Competitive; follow trends |
| HPPSC MO Expected (2025) | UR | 75–80/220 |
| BTSC SMO Bihar | UR | ~82–86/100 (varies by specialty) |
FAQs
Q1. What are the steps to get a government job as a doctor in India?
- Complete MBBS and internship; optionally MD/MS or DNB for specialist roles.
- Meet age (21–40) and registration criteria.
- Apply for key exams (UPSC CMS, State PSCs, ESIC, AIIMS).
- Score above cutoffs (e.g., CMS ~332/600, state PSC ~40–50%).
- Attend interviews; finalize merit lists and medical tests.
Q2. What is the UPSC Combined Medical Services cut-off?
In 2023, General category needed ~332/600 in final CMSE results.
Q3. What are typical PSC Medical Officer cut-offs?
- WBPSC: 40% marks
- MPSC 2022: ~47.5/open category
- HPPSC 2025: ~75–80 for UR
Q4. Is postgraduate qualification needed for govt doctor jobs?
Yes, PG degree/diploma (MD/MS/DNB) is essential for specialist roles like Surgeon or Specialist MO.
Q5. Are there special quotas for rural posting doctors?
Yes—some states (e.g., Punjab) offer PG quota weightage (up to 30%) for service in rural/difficult areas.
✅ Final Take
To secure a government doctor job in India, it’s essential to:
- Plan educationally: MBBS + internship, with PG if aiming specialist.
- Target the right exams: UPSC CMS for central roles, PSCs for state roles, ESIC/AIIMS for specialized posts.
- Prepare rigorously to exceed cut-offs (CMS ~55–60%, PSC ~40–80).
- Leverage service-based quotas where available (e.g., rural posting incentives).
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