The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released CEN No. 05/2026 for the recruitment of various Paramedical categories in Indian Railways. A total of 590 vacancies are available for posts such as Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Dialysis Technician, Radiographer X-Ray Technician, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Lab Assistant Grade II and others.
The online application process will begin on 15 September 2026 and eligible candidates can submit their applications up to 14 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Candidates should carefully check the post-wise educational qualification, age limit, medical standards and other eligibility requirements before applying.
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organization Name | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Ministry | Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| CEN Number | 05/2026 |
| Recruitment | Paramedical Categories |
| Post Name | Pharmacist, Lab Assistant and More |
| Total Vacancies | 590 (09 numbers of posts) |
| Qualification | B.Pharma, B.Sc |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
Important Dates
Start Date to Apply
15 September 2026
Last Date to Apply
14 October 2026, 11:59 PM
Modification Window
17 October to 26 October 2026
Scribe Details Window
14 October 2026, 11:59 PM
CBT Exam Date
To be announced
The CBT examination date will be announced separately by the respective RRBs.
RRB Paramedical Vacancy 2026
RRB has announced 590 vacancies across nine different Paramedical posts.
| Post | Pay Level | Initial Pay | Age Limit* | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | 7 | ₹44,900 | 20–40 years | 365 |
| Dialysis Technician | 6 | ₹35,400 | 20–33 years | 01 |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II | 6 | ₹35,400 | 18–33 years | 43 |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | 6 | ₹35,400 | 21–30 years | 01 |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | 5 | ₹29,200 | 20–35 years | 118 |
| Radiographer X-Ray Technician | 5 | ₹29,200 | 19–33 years | 25 |
| ECG Technician | 4 | ₹25,500 | 18–33 years | 04 |
| Optometrist | 4 | ₹25,500 | 18–33 years | 02 |
| Lab Assistant Grade II | 3 | ₹21,700 | 18–33 years | 31 |
| Total | – | – | – | 590 |
*Age is calculated as on 1 January 2027.
The detailed RRB-wise and Railway Zone-wise vacancy distribution is provided in Annexure-B of the official CEN 05/2026 notification.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must possess the required educational or technical qualification on or before 14 October 2026.
Candidates whose final results are awaited by the closing date are not eligible to apply.
Nursing Superintendent
- Registered Nurse and Midwife certificate from an Indian Nursing Council-recognised institution after completing a 3-year General Nursing and Midwifery course; or
- B.Sc. Nursing.
Dialysis Technician
Candidates should have:
- B.Sc. along with a Diploma in Haemodialysis; or
- B.Sc. in Dialysis Techniques/Technology/Renal Dialysis Technology; or
- B.Sc. with two years of satisfactory in-house training/experience in haemodialysis work.
Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II
- B.Sc. with Chemistry as a subject and
- One-year Diploma in Health/Sanitary Inspector; or
- One-year NTC in Health Sanitary Inspector through NCVT.
Audiologist & Speech Therapist
- Bachelor in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (BASLP) from a recognised university; and
- Registration with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).
Pharmacist (Entry Grade)
- Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (Allopathic) or Doctor of Pharmacy from a recognised university/institute; and
- Registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
Radiographer X-Ray Technician
- 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry and
- Diploma in Radiography/X-Ray Technician/Radiodiagnosis Technology of at least two years.
Certain equivalent B.Sc. Radiography/Imaging qualifications are also eligible as specified in the notification.
ECG Technician
Candidates should have:
- 10+2 or Graduation in Science; and
- Certificate/Diploma/Degree in ECG Laboratory Technology, Cardiology, Cardiology Technician or related field of at least one year.
Optometrist
Candidates should possess:
- B.Sc. in Optometry; or
- Diploma in Ophthalmic Technician of the prescribed duration,
along with registration with the concerned council/licensing authority wherever applicable.
Lab Assistant Grade II
- 12th/10+2 in Science, and
- Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) or equivalent certificate course of at least one year.
B.Sc. Medical Lab Technology candidates may also be eligible as per the notification.
Note: Open and Distance Learning qualifications from UGC-recognised universities/institutions of national importance are accepted for certain posts, subject to the conditions mentioned in CEN 05/2026.
RRB CEN 05/2026 Age Limit
The prescribed age will be calculated as on 1 January 2027. The minimum and maximum age limits differ according to the post.
The general post-wise age range is 18 to 40 years.
Upper Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC-NCL | 3 years |
| PwBD – UR/EWS | 10 years |
| PwBD – OBC-NCL | 13 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per applicable rules |
| Eligible serving Railway employees | As per applicable rules |
| Widowed/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women | As per applicable category |
Candidates eligible for relaxation under more than one provision generally receive only the maximum applicable relaxation, subject to the conditions prescribed in the notification.
RRB Paramedical Salary 2026
The salary depends on the Pay Level assigned to the post under the 7th Central Pay Commission.
| Post(s) | Pay Level | Initial Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
| Dialysis Technician / Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II / Audiologist & Speech Therapist | Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Pharmacist / Radiographer X-Ray Technician | Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| ECG Technician / Optometrist | Level 4 | ₹25,500 |
| Lab Assistant Grade II | Level 3 | ₹21,700 |
In addition to basic pay, selected Railway employees may receive applicable allowances and benefits according to Railway and Government rules.
RRB CEN 05/2026 Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee | Refund on Appearing in CBT |
|---|---|---|
| Other candidates | ₹500 | ₹400* |
| SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD/Female/Transgender/Minorities/EBC | ₹250 | ₹250* |
*Refund is subject to the conditions mentioned in the official notification and applicable bank charges.
The fee can be paid through internet banking, debit card, credit card or UPI.
Candidates should ensure that the application fee is successfully paid. Applications submitted without the required fee may be rejected.
RRB Paramedical Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of the following stages:
- Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination
Final empanelment will be based primarily on CBT merit, subject to successful document verification and fulfillment of the prescribed medical standards.
RRB CEN 05/2026 Exam Pattern
The CBT will contain 100 objective-type questions carrying 100 marks.
The standard examination duration is 90 minutes. Eligible PwBD candidates using the scribe facility receive the applicable additional time.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Ability | 70 | 70 |
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 |
| General Arithmetic, General Intelligence & Reasoning | 10 | 10 |
| General Science | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
There will be negative marking of 1/3 mark for each incorrect answer.
The section-wise distribution is indicative and candidates should refer to the official CEN for the latest examination instructions.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Marks |
|---|---|
| UR/EWS | 40% |
| OBC-NCL/SC | 30% |
| ST | 25% |
The prescribed rules also apply to Ex-Servicemen and PwBD candidates according to their applicable category.
Candidates will be shortlisted for Document Verification based on CBT merit and the applicable RRB-wise vacancy requirements.
Exam Language
The CBT will be available in English, Hindi and the regional languages specified by RRB.
Candidates should select their preferred examination language carefully while completing the application form.
How to Apply for RRB Paramedical CEN 05/2026
Eligible candidates can apply online by following these steps:
- Visit the official RRB website.
- Open the recruitment section and select CEN 05/2026 – Paramedical Categories.
- Create an account using a valid mobile number and email address.
- Candidates with an existing RRB account should use their existing login credentials where applicable.
- Complete the required identity authentication and personal details.
- Select one RRB and provide post/Railway preferences as required.
- Complete the application form carefully.
- Upload the required documents, signature and other information.
- Select the preferred examination language.
- Pay the applicable examination fee online.
- Review all details before final submission.
- Submit the application and save/print the confirmation page for future reference.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Before submitting the application, candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- Read the official CEN 05/2026 notification carefully.
- Check the qualification requirements for the specific post.
- The required qualification must be completed by the closing date.
- Candidates awaiting final examination results are not eligible.
- Only one RRB can be selected.
- Multiple applications can result in rejection of candidature.
- Verify your date of birth against your Matriculation/SSLC certificate.
- Check the prescribed medical standard for your preferred post.
- Keep your registered mobile number and email address active.
- Do not share your login credentials or OTP with anyone.
- Complete the fee payment within the prescribed deadline.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application and payment receipt.
- Do not carry prohibited electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators or Bluetooth devices to the examination centre.
- Follow all instructions issued by RRB regarding examination centres, city intimation and admit cards.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Notification | View & Download |
| Official Website | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A total of 590 vacancies have been announced for nine Paramedical posts.
The last date to submit the online application is 14 October 2026 up to 11:59 PM.
The age limit varies by post and is generally between 18 and 40 years, with applicable relaxation for eligible categories.
Yes. 1/3 mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.
No. Candidates should select only one RRB. Multiple applications may result in rejection.
