Railway Recruitment Boards have released Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) 05/2026 for recruitment to various paramedical categories in Indian Railways. The notification covers 590 vacancies for Nursing Superintendent, Dialysis Technician, Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II, Audiologist & Speech Therapist, Pharmacist, Radiographer/X-Ray Technician, ECG Technician, Optometrist and Lab Assistant Grade II.
Introduction Overview Eligibility Application Fee Selection Process Important Dates Important Links Exam Pattern Syllabus FAQs
1. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 – Introduction
Railway Recruitment Boards have announced RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 through Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 05/2026. The recruitment is aimed at filling paramedical positions across participating Railway Recruitment Boards and Railway units in India. The notification contains 590 vacancies spread across nine categories, with Nursing Superintendent accounting for the largest number of advertised posts. Candidates can apply online through the official RRB application system after checking the qualification and medical requirements applicable to their preferred post.
This recruitment is particularly relevant for candidates with qualifications in nursing, pharmacy, radiography, dialysis technology, audiology and speech-language pathology, optometry, ECG technology, medical laboratory technology and related healthcare disciplines. The detailed notification also provides RRB-wise and Railway-zone-wise vacancy information, so applicants should not select an RRB casually. The notification permits a candidate to choose only one RRB, while preferences for eligible posts and Railway Zones are given within that selected RRB.
The detailed CEN states that the prescribed educational or technical qualification must already have been obtained by the application closing date. Candidates waiting for their final qualifying result are not eligible for these posts. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
2. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 – Recruitment Overview
The recruitment covers nine paramedical categories under different Pay Levels of the 7th Central Pay Commission. The initial basic pay ranges from ₹21,700 to ₹44,900, depending on the post. The age limit is also post-specific and is calculated as on 1 January 2027. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
| Post | Pay Level | Initial Pay | Medical Standard | Age | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | 7 | ₹44,900 | C1 | 20–40 Years | 365 |
| Dialysis Technician | 6 | ₹35,400 | B1 | 20–33 Years | 1 |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II | 6 | ₹35,400 | C1 | 18–33 Years | 43 |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | 6 | ₹35,400 | B1 | 21–30 Years | 1 |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | 5 | ₹29,200 | C2 | 20–35 Years | 118 |
| Radiographer / X-Ray Technician | 5 | ₹29,200 | B1 | 19–33 Years | 25 |
| ECG Technician | 4 | ₹25,500 | C1 | 18–33 Years | 4 |
| Optometrist | 4 | ₹25,500 | B1 | 18–33 Years | 2 |
| Lab Assistant Grade II | 3 | ₹21,700 | B1 | 18–33 Years | 31 |
| Grand Total | — | — | — | — | 590 |
Note: The vacancies shown above are the total vacancies across all RRBs. Detailed RRB-wise and Railway-zone-wise distribution is provided separately in Annexure B of the notification.
Important points candidates should know
3. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
The educational requirement depends entirely on the post. The qualification must be from the prescribed recognised institution/university and must be available by the closing date. The notification specifically states that candidates awaiting the final result of the prescribed qualification should not apply. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
| Post | Educational Qualification – Simplified Guide |
|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | Registered Nurse and Midwife with the prescribed 3-year General Nursing and Midwifery course from an Indian Nursing Council-recognised institution, or B.Sc Nursing. |
| Dialysis Technician | B.Sc plus Diploma in Haemodialysis or two years satisfactory in-house haemodialysis training/experience in a reputed institution. Specified B.Sc programmes in Dialysis/Renal Dialysis Technology are also listed as eligible. |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II | B.Sc with Chemistry as a main/optional subject, plus a one-year Health/Sanitary Inspector Diploma or the prescribed one-year NTC in Health Sanitary Inspector. |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | Bachelor in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (BASLP) from a recognised university with registration with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy (Allopathic) or Doctor of Pharmacy from a recognised institution/university, along with registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. |
| Radiographer / X-Ray Technician | 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry plus a two-year Diploma in Radiography, X-Ray Technician or Radiodiagnosis Technology from a recognised institute. Several specified degree-level radiography qualifications are also accepted. |
| ECG Technician | 10+2 or Graduation in Science with a certificate/diploma/degree in ECG Laboratory Technology, Cardiology, Cardiology Technician or Cardiology Techniques from a reputed institution. The certificate must be at least one year in duration. |
| Optometrist | B.Sc in Optometry or Diploma in Ophthalmic Technician of the prescribed 3–4 year duration, with registration with the concerned council/licensing body. |
| Lab Assistant Grade II | 10+2 Science plus DMLT or an accepted Medical Laboratory Technology certificate of at least one year, subject to the prescribed recognition, full-time training and examination conditions. B.Sc Medical Lab Technology with 10+2 Science is also listed. |
The post-specific qualification requirements above are taken from Annexure A of CEN 05/2026. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5} :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
Age Limit
The minimum and maximum age depend on the selected post. The notification uses 1 January 2027 as the reference date. The basic post-wise age ranges run from 18 years at the lower end to a maximum of 40 years for Nursing Superintendent. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Candidates who want to quickly verify their age can also use our Government Jobs Age Calculator before proceeding with the application.
Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: 5 years.
- OBC-NCL: 3 years.
- PwBD: 10 years for UR/EWS, 13 years for OBC-NCL and 15 years for SC/ST, subject to the conditions in the CEN.
- Ex-Servicemen: Relaxation is calculated according to the prescribed rules after deduction of military service.
- Special provisions also apply to certain serving Railway employees and eligible widowed, divorced or judicially separated women who have not remarried.
The notification clarifies that when a candidate qualifies for more than one age relaxation, the applicable relaxations are not simply added together; the maximum eligible relaxation is considered according to the prescribed rules. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
Nationality
The notification permits Indian citizens and certain other specified categories, including citizens of Nepal, subjects of Bhutan and specified persons of Indian origin who satisfy the conditions and obtain the required Government of India eligibility certificate wherever applicable.
Medical Fitness
Medical standards are post-specific. The CEN includes B-1, C-1 and C-2 standards among the notified posts, with visual acuity and other requirements varying by standard. A candidate who does not satisfy the prescribed medical standard for the opted post will not receive an alternative appointment merely because they qualified otherwise. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
4. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
| Candidate Category | Application Fee | Refund After Appearing in CBT |
|---|---|---|
| All candidates under the standard fee category | ₹500 | ₹400 after applicable bank charges |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Female, Transgender, Minority or EBC candidates | ₹250 | ₹250 after applicable bank charges |
The refund is linked to appearing in the CBT. The notification also specifies that the fee is payable online through internet banking, debit/credit card or UPI. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
5. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The selection structure is centred on a Single Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification and the prescribed medical examination. The RRB may conduct additional CBTs if considered necessary. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
Candidates are shortlisted for Document Verification according to CBT merit and the prescribed minimum qualifying marks. The notification specifies minimum qualifying marks of 40% for UR/EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL/SC and 25% for ST. The same community-based thresholds apply to Ex-Servicemen and PwBD candidates, subject to the specific relaxation mentioned for PwBD candidates where applicable. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
6. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice in Employment News | 12 September 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 15 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Submit Online Application | 14 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 16 October 2026 |
| Application Modification Window | 17 October to 26 October 2026 |
| Scribe Details Submission Window | 27 October to 31 October 2026 |
| CBT Date | To be announced by RRB |
| Document Verification / Medical Examination | To be announced by concerned RRB |
The notification states that CBT and subsequent-stage dates will be communicated through the official RRB websites. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
7. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Important Links
8. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Exam Pattern
The Single Stage CBT contains 100 objective multiple-choice questions and is scheduled for 90 minutes. Eligible PwBD/PWD candidates using the prescribed scribe facility receive 120 minutes. Each question has four options, with one correct answer. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
| CBT Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Ability | 70 | 70 |
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 |
| General Arithmetic + General Intelligence & Reasoning | 10 | 10 |
| General Science | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Language of CBT
The CBT is available in English, Hindi and the regional languages specified in the notification, including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. Candidates select their examination medium in the online application.
8A. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Syllabus
The professional section carries the largest share of the CBT. The syllabus differs according to the post, while Arithmetic, Reasoning, General Awareness and General Science form the common portion.
Nursing Superintendent Syllabus
Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition, Biochemistry, Nursing Foundations, Psychology, Microbiology, Sociology, Pharmacology, Pathology, Genetics, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Community Health Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery and Obstetrical Nursing, Nursing Research & Statistics, and Nursing Services Management/Education.
Dialysis Technician Syllabus
Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, kidney diseases, and the principles and practical aspects of dialysis.
Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II Syllabus
Food and Nutrition, Environmental Sanitation and Sanitary Engineering, prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and health/death statistics.
Audiologist & Speech Therapist Syllabus
Speech and language development and disorders, anatomy and physiology related to speech and hearing, diagnostic and rehabilitation audiology, psychology, acoustics, hearing pathology, phonetics and phonology, speech-language diagnostics and therapeutics, paediatric audiology, hearing-impaired management, voice and laryngectomy, hearing conservation and aural rehabilitation.
Pharmacist Syllabus
The professional syllabus covers pharmaceutical analysis, pharmaceutics, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmacy practice, pharmaceutical jurisprudence, biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics, biotechnology, quality assurance, pharmacovigilance, regulatory science, research methodology, biostatistics, drug delivery systems and several other pharmacy subjects listed in Annexure C.
Radiographer / X-Ray Technician Syllabus
Anatomy and physiology, radiology physics, general and radiation physics, diagnostic radiology, X-ray machines and accessories, maintenance, image processing, clinical positioning, patient care, medical emergencies, modern imaging modalities, contrast procedures, quality control and radiation safety.
ECG Technician Syllabus
Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, cardiovascular diseases, basic cardiovascular investigations and advanced cardiovascular investigations.
Optometrist Syllabus
Physical and geometrical optics, anatomy and physiology, ocular anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, lighting, optometric optics, ocular diseases, visual optics, pharmacology, pathology, microbiology, optometric instruments, visual-system examination, binocular vision, glaucoma, low-vision aids, dispensing optics, paediatric and geriatric optometry, contact lenses, occupational optometry, public health and community optometry.
Laboratory Assistant Grade II Syllabus
Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, fundamentals of Medical Laboratory Technology, Microbiology, Clinical Biochemistry, Pathology and Histopathology, Haematology and Blood Bank.
The post-wise professional syllabus is provided in Annexure C of the notification. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
Common Subjects for All Posts
| Subject | Main Areas |
|---|---|
| General Arithmetic | Number systems, BODMAS, fractions, decimals, LCM/HCF, ratio, percentage, mensuration, time and work, time-distance, interest, profit-loss, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, age calculations, calendar/clock and pipes/cisterns. |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Analogy, series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data interpretation, conclusions, decision making, classification, directions, analytical reasoning, statements, arguments and assumptions. |
| General Awareness | Current affairs, Indian geography, culture, history, freedom struggle, polity and Constitution, economy, environmental issues, sports and scientific/technological developments. |
| General Science | Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences up to the 10th-standard CBSE level. |
Candidates preparing the General Awareness portion can supplement their preparation with our Monthly Current Affairs Quiz and other practice material available on GovtJobsPortal.in.
9. Application Process – Important Things to Check
- Create or use your existing RRB account as instructed in the CEN.
- Use an active personal mobile number and email address because recruitment communication may be sent through SMS and email.
- Carefully enter details such as name and date of birth according to the prescribed educational/Matriculation records.
- Select only one RRB and provide post/zone preferences for posts for which you are eligible.
- Complete the online fee payment through an accepted online method.
- The application system captures a live photograph; candidates are not required to upload an old/pre-existing photograph for this purpose.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format wherever applicable.
- Review the complete application before final submission.
The notification advises candidates to authenticate identity using Aadhaar or DigiLocker during account creation where possible. It also states that details entered in the Create an Account section, including mobile number and email ID, cannot subsequently be changed. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
Candidates who need to prepare scanned documents can also use our online image compression tool where an appropriately sized image/document file is required. Always follow the exact specifications mentioned in the RRB application portal rather than relying on a generic file-size setting.
One important application rule
10. Practical Preparation Strategy for RRB Paramedical CBT
A useful way to prepare for this CBT is to divide preparation according to the actual weightage instead of giving every subject equal study time. Since Professional Ability carries 70 marks, candidates should first build strong command over the technical syllabus prescribed for their particular post. The remaining 30 marks come from General Awareness, Arithmetic/Reasoning and General Science. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
11. Important Candidate Checklist
- ✓ Check your exact post and qualification.
- ✓ Confirm that your qualification was completed by 14 October 2026.
- ✓ Check your age on 1 January 2027.
- ✓ Verify the medical standard for your selected post.
- ✓ Study the RRB/zone-wise vacancy table before choosing an RRB.
- ✓ Keep your personal mobile number and email active throughout recruitment.
- ✓ Do not submit more than one application.
- ✓ Check the live photograph and signature instructions carefully.
- ✓ Keep original educational/category documents ready for Document Verification.
- ✓ Do not carry banned electronic gadgets or prohibited items to the examination centre.
- ✓ Check the official RRB website regularly for CBT, city intimation and e-call letter updates.
12. Conclusion
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 through CEN 05/2026 provides 590 vacancies across a range of healthcare and technical positions in Indian Railways. The recruitment is not a single-qualification examination: each post has its own educational requirement, medical standard and age range. For this reason, candidates should first match their qualification with the exact post parameter and then review the relevant RRB and Railway-zone vacancy before applying.
The CBT is the key written stage, with 100 questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes and the Professional Ability section accounting for 70 marks. Candidates should therefore combine technical preparation with regular practice in General Awareness, Arithmetic, Reasoning and General Science. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
Applications are accepted online only, and candidates should use the official RRB application system rather than third-party websites. Keep checking the official RRB portal for amendments, corrigenda, CBT dates, city intimation slips, e-call letters, results and other notices.
13. Disclaimer
This article has been independently written from the information contained in Railway Recruitment Boards' CEN 05/2026 for paramedical categories. It is intended for informational and educational purposes. While every effort has been made to present the recruitment details accurately, candidates should read the complete official notification and any subsequent amendment/corrigendum before applying. Eligibility, vacancies, dates, examination arrangements and other recruitment conditions are subject to the official RRB notification and subsequent notices.
14. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are announced in RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
A total of 590 vacancies have been notified across nine paramedical categories under CEN 05/2026.
What is the last date to apply for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
The last date for submitting the online application is 14 October 2026 up to 11:59 PM.
What is the starting salary in RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
The initial basic pay varies by post. It ranges from ₹21,700 for Lab Assistant Grade II to ₹44,900 for Nursing Superintendent.
What is the selection process for RRB Paramedical Recruitment?
The recruitment includes a Computer Based Test, followed by merit-based shortlisting, Document Verification and the prescribed medical examination. Final appointment is subject to fulfilment of the applicable conditions.
How many questions are asked in the RRB Paramedical CBT?
The Single Stage CBT contains 100 objective questions for 100 marks and is scheduled for 90 minutes.
Is there negative marking in RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
Yes. The notification provides for a deduction of one-third of the marks assigned to the question for every incorrect answer.
Which section carries the highest weightage in the RRB Paramedical CBT?
Professional Ability carries 70 questions and 70 marks, making it the largest section of the CBT.
Can I apply for more than one RRB?
No. The notification permits a candidate to choose only one RRB for this CEN. Multiple applications can lead to rejection and debarment.
What is the age limit for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
The age limit differs by post. The notified ranges include 18–33, 19–33, 20–33, 21–30, 20–35 and 20–40 years, with the age calculated as on 1 January 2027.
Is B.Sc Nursing eligible for Nursing Superintendent?
Yes. The post parameters list B.Sc Nursing as an accepted qualification. The prescribed Registered Nurse and Midwife route with the required General Nursing and Midwifery qualification is also specified.
When will the RRB Paramedical CBT be conducted?
The CBT date has not been specified in the CEN. RRB will communicate the examination schedule and related notices through its official websites.
Where can I apply for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
Candidates should apply through the official RRB application portal: RRB Apply Online.
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