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RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026: It was just another ordinary morning. I woke up early, went out for a short walk, and returned to my room. While checking my phone, I noticed a message from someone asking whether I had heard that the Railway Recruitment Board was recruiting medical and paramedical staff.
At first, I was not sure whether it was a new recruitment or just an old notification being circulated again.
So I did what most people would do. I opened Google and searched for “RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026.” The result was worth looking into.
The Railway Recruitment Boards have issued Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 05/2026 for recruitment to various paramedical categories in the Indian Railways. According to the detailed notification, 590 vacancies have been notified across nine different posts.
The biggest share of the vacancies is for Nursing Superintendent, with 365 posts. There are also 118 Pharmacist posts, 43 Health & Malaria Inspector posts, and vacancies for Radiographer, Lab Assistant, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Dialysis Technician, and Audiologist & Speech Therapist.
For thousands of candidates waiting for a government job in the medical and paramedical sector, this could be an important opportunity.
Here is the complete breakdown of the RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 notification.
DETAILED CENTRALISED EMPLOYMENT NOTIFICATION CEN 05/2026
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026: 590 Vacancies
The detailed CEN 05/2026 notification includes the following nine paramedical categories:
| Post | Vacancy | Pay Level | Initial Pay | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | 365 | Level 7 | 44,900 | 20-40 years |
| Dialysis Technician | 1 | Level 6 | 35,400 | 20-33 years |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II | 43 | Level 6 | 35,400 | 18-33 years |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | 1 | Level 6 | 35,400 | 21-30 years |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | 118 | Level 5 | 29,200 | 20-35 years |
| Radiographer X-Ray Technician | 25 | Level 5 | 29,200 | 19-33 years |
| ECG Technician | 4 | Level 4 | 25,500 | 18-33 years |
| Optometrist | 2 | Level 4 | 25,500 | 18-33 years |
| Lab Assistant Grade II | 31 | Level 3 | 21,700 | 18-33 years |
| Total | 590 |
The vacancy figures mentioned above are based on the detailed notification and are provisional.
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Application Dates
Candidates should pay close attention to the application schedule.
The online application process will begin on September 15, 2026.
The last date for submitting the online application is October 14, 2026, up to 11:59 PM.
The important dates mentioned in the notification are:
- Notification/Indicative Notice: September 12, 2026
- Application Starts: September 15, 2026
- Last Date to Apply: October 14, 2026
- Last Date for Fee Payment: October 16, 2026
- Modification Window: October 17 to October 26, 2026
- Scribe Details: October 27 to October 31, 2026
- CBT Date: To be announced
The date, time, and venue of the Computer-Based Test will be communicated to eligible candidates later through the official RRB websites.
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Nursing Superintendent: 365 Posts
If you are a nursing professional, this is probably the most important part of the notification.
The Railway has announced 365 vacancies for Nursing Superintendent.
The post comes under Pay Level 7, with an initial pay of 44,900. The age limit is 20 to 40 years, subject to applicable age relaxation.
Who Can Apply for Nursing Superintendent?
According to the notification, candidates need either:
- A certificate as a Registered Nurse and Midwife after completing a three-year General Nursing and Midwifery course from a school of nursing or institution recognised by the Indian Nursing Council, or
- B.Sc Nursing.
The detailed notification specifies the applicable nursing qualifications and related conditions.
For nursing candidates looking for a stable government career, 365 vacancies make this one of the most significant posts in the recruitment.
118 Pharmacist Vacancies
The second-largest group of vacancies is for Pharmacist (Entry Grade).
There are 118 vacancies for this post.
The position comes under Pay Level 5, with an initial pay of â‚ą29,200. The prescribed age range is 20 to 35 years.
Candidates with the required pharmacy qualification should carefully check the educational qualification and other conditions specified for the post before applying.
43 Health & Malaria Inspector Posts
The Railway has also announced 43 vacancies for Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II. The post is under Pay Level 6, with an initial pay of 35,400. The age limit is 18 to 33 years, subject to applicable relaxation.
The prescribed qualification includes a B.Sc. with Chemistry as a Main or Optional subject, along with either a one-year Diploma in Health/Sanitary Inspector or a one-year NCVT National Trade Certificate in Health Sanitary Inspector.
Dialysis Technician Vacancy
There is one vacancy for Dialysis Technician.
The post is placed under Pay Level 6 with an initial pay of 35,400.
The notification specifies qualifications including B.Sc. along with a Diploma in Haemodialysis or the prescribed training/experience. B.Sc. in Dialysis Techniques, Dialysis Technology or Renal Dialysis Technology is also listed among the eligible qualifications.
Although there is only one vacancy, candidates with the required specialised qualification should not ignore the post.
Audiologist & Speech Therapist
The recruitment also includes one vacancy for Audiologist & Speech Therapist. The post carries an initial pay of 35,400 under Pay Level 6.
Candidates need the prescribed Bachelor in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (BASLP) qualification and registration with the Rehabilitation Council of India, as specified in the notification.
25 Radiographer X-Ray Technician Posts
There are 25 vacancies for Radiographer X-Ray Technician. The post comes under Pay Level 5 with an initial pay of 29,200. The age limit is 19 to 33 years, subject to applicable relaxation.
Candidates with the prescribed radiography or X-ray technology qualification can consider this post while checking their eligibility.
4 ECG Technician Vacancies
The Railway has notified 4 vacancies for ECG Technician. This post comes under Pay Level 4 and carries an initial pay of 25,500.
The notification includes the prescribed 10+2 or Science graduation requirement along with the relevant ECG Laboratory Technology, Cardiology, Cardiology Technician or Cardiology Techniques qualification.
2 Optometrist Posts
There are 2 vacancies for Optometrist. The post has an initial pay of 25,500 under Pay Level 4.
The prescribed qualification includes B.Sc. in Optometry or the specified Diploma in Ophthalmic Technician, along with the applicable registration requirement.
31 Lab Assistant Grade II Vacancies
The Railway has announced 31 vacancies for Lab Assistant Grade II. The post falls under Pay Level 3, with an initial pay of 21,700. Candidates need 10+2 in Science along with the prescribed DMLT or Medical Laboratory Technology qualification.
What Is the Age Limit for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
The age will be calculated as of January 1, 2027.
The age limit varies according to the post:
- Nursing Superintendent: 20-40 years
- Dialysis Technician: 20-33 years
- Health & Malaria Inspector: 18-33 years
- Audiologist & Speech Therapist: 21-30 years
- Pharmacist: 20-35 years
- Radiographer X-Ray Technician: 19-33 years
- ECG Technician: 18-33 years
- Optometrist: 18-33 years
- Lab Assistant Grade II: 18-33 years
Eligible candidates belonging to reserved categories will receive age relaxation according to the applicable rules.
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Exam Pattern
Now comes the part candidates should pay the most attention to.
The recruitment will include a Single Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT).
The CBT will consist of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions.
The examination duration will be:
- 90 minutes: General candidates
- 120 minutes: Eligible PwBD/PWD candidates with scribe facility
The question paper will have four sections.
| 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 |
The most important point here is that Professional Ability alone carries 70 marks.
So candidates should spend a significant portion of their preparation time on their respective professional subjects.
Negative Marking in RRB Paramedical CBT
There will be negative marking in the examination.
For every wrong answer, 1/3 of the marks allotted to that question will be deducted.
This means candidates should not blindly attempt questions. Accuracy will be important.
RRB Paramedical Syllabus
The Professional Ability syllabus is different for different posts.
For Nursing Superintendent, candidates will need to prepare topics such as:
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Nutrition
- Biochemistry
- Nursing Foundations
- Psychology
- Microbiology
- Sociology
- Pharmacology
- Pathology
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Community Health Nursing
- Child Health Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Midwifery and Obstetrical Nursing
- Nursing Research and Statistics
- Nursing Services Management
Similarly, Dialysis Technician, Pharmacist, Radiographer, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Lab Assistant and other candidates have separate professional syllabi.
The detailed post-wise syllabus is provided in Annexure-C of the notification.
RRB Paramedical Selection Process
The recruitment process can broadly be understood in the following stages:
Computer Based Test → Document Verification → Medical Examination → Empanelment
Candidates will be shortlisted for Document Verification based on their merit in the CBT. Where CBTs are conducted in multiple shifts, marks will be normalised.
Final empanelment will depend on the candidate’s CBT merit, successful document verification and qualifying the prescribed medical examination.
RRB Paramedical Application Fee
The application fee is divided into different categories. 500 Application Fee . Candidates covered under the general fee category have to pay 500. However, candidates who appear in the CBT will be eligible for a refund of 400, after applicable bank charges.
- 250 Application Fee
Eligible candidates belonging to specified categories, including SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Female, Transgender, Minorities and EBC, have to pay 250.
The â‚ą250 fee will be refunded, after applicable bank charges, to candidates who appear in the CBT.
One important clarification from the notification is that EBC should not be confused with OBC or EWS. These are separate categories.
Can Candidates Apply for More Than One RRB?
No.
A candidate can select only one RRB for this recruitment.
Candidates can provide their preferences for eligible posts and Railway Zones within the selected RRB.
This is something candidates should think about carefully before submitting the form.
The chosen RRB cannot be changed later.
Candidates should also avoid submitting multiple applications, as multiple applications can lead to rejection and possible debarment from future RRB/RRC examinations.
Be Careful While Filling the Application Form
The application process begins with the creation of an account. Candidates who have already created an account during an earlier RRB CEN should use the same account credentials.
Those creating an account for the first time must enter their details carefully.
In particular, the mobile number, email ID, and other details entered during account creation cannot be changed later. The selected RRB also cannot be changed.
Candidates should therefore avoid filling out the form in a hurry.
Application Modification Facility
After final submission, eligible application details can be modified during the designated modification window.
The modification window is from October 17 to October 26, 2026. A 250 non-refundable modification fee will be charged for each modification.
However, information entered during account creation and the chosen RRB cannot be modified.
Educational Qualification Must Be Completed
This is another important eligibility condition.
Candidates must possess the required educational or technical qualification by the prescribed closing date.
Candidates who are simply waiting for their final result are not eligible if they do not possess the required qualification by the closing date.
So, before applying, make sure your qualification is already complete and meets the exact requirement for the post.
Medical Fitness Is Mandatory
Getting a good score in the CBT is not the only requirement.
Candidates must also satisfy the prescribed Railway medical standards for the post they have opted for.
The notification states that if a candidate is medically unsuitable for the opted post, an alternative appointment will not be provided.
Candidates should therefore check the medical requirements before making their final post preference.
