Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB), under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have released the Paramedical Categories Recruitment 2026 notification under CEN 05/2026, inviting online applications for 590 posts across nine paramedical categories including Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Health and Malaria Inspector and Laboratory Assistant. The online application window opens on September 15, 2026, and closes on October 14, 2026.
This article covers complete details of the RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026, including post-wise vacancy breakup, eligibility criteria, age limit, application fee, pay levels, CBT exam pattern, qualifying marks and the online application procedure.
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Overview
Railway Recruitment Boards conduct centralised recruitment for paramedical and medical support staff across Indian Railways zones and production units. This recruitment under CEN 05/2026 covers 590 vacancies spread across nine distinct paramedical categories, with selection made through a Computer Based Test followed by document verification and medical examination.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB), Ministry of Railways |
| CEN Number | CEN 05/2026 |
| Category | Paramedical Categories |
| Total Vacancies | 590 |
| Pay Levels | Level 3 to Level 7 (7th CPC) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | October 14, 2026 |
RRB Paramedical Vacancy Details 2026
| Post Name | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | 365 |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | 118 |
| Health and Malaria Inspector Grade II | 43 |
| Laboratory Assistant Grade II | 31 |
| Radiographer / X-Ray Technician | 25 |
| ECG Technician | 4 |
| Optometrist | 2 |
| Dialysis Technician | 1 |
| Audiologist and Speech Therapist | 1 |
| Total | 590 |
Nursing Superintendent alone accounts for roughly 62 percent of the total vacancies, making this recruitment particularly significant for nursing graduates and registered nurses.
Eligibility Criteria for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026
Educational Qualification
Educational requirements vary by post, ranging from 10+2 in Science with a relevant diploma or certificate, up to a Bachelor’s degree in the relevant discipline.
For Nursing Superintendent, candidates need a certificate as a Registered Nurse and Midwife, or a BSc in Nursing, from a recognised institution. For Pharmacist (Entry Grade), candidates need a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy in the Allopathic system, along with registration under the Pharmacy Act, 1948. For Laboratory Assistant Grade II, candidates need 10+2 in Science along with a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology.
Similar post-specific diploma or degree requirements apply to Health and Malaria Inspector, Radiographer, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Dialysis Technician, and Audiologist and Speech Therapist posts. Candidates should verify the exact qualification prescribed for their intended post in the official notification before applying.
Age Limit
The age limit is reckoned as on January 1, 2027, and varies by post. The overall range across all posts is approximately 18 to 40 years, with Nursing Superintendent carrying an upper limit of 40 years and several technical posts carrying narrower bands. Candidates should check the specific age band applicable to the post they are applying for.
Standard age relaxation applies, with 5 years for SC and ST candidates, 3 years for OBC candidates, and up to 15 years for PwBD candidates depending on category, along with relaxation for ex-servicemen and other specified categories as per Railway recruitment rules.
RRB Paramedical Pay Scale 2026
| Pay Level | Initial Basic Pay | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Level 7 | Rs. 44,900 | Nursing Superintendent |
| Level 6 | Rs. 35,400 | Pharmacist, Health and Malaria Inspector Grade II, Dialysis Technician, Audiologist and Speech Therapist |
| Level 5 | Rs. 29,200 | Radiographer / X-Ray Technician |
| Level 4 | Rs. 25,500 | ECG Technician, Optometrist |
| Level 3 | Rs. 21,700 | Laboratory Assistant Grade II |
In addition to basic pay, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and other allowances admissible under Railway service rules.
RRB Paramedical Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee | Refund After CBT |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR / OBC / EWS | Rs. 500 | Rs. 400 refunded |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Female / Transgender / Ex-Servicemen / EBC | Rs. 250 | Full amount refunded |
The refund is credited after the candidate appears in the Computer Based Test, which is a long-standing RRB practice designed to encourage genuine candidates to actually appear for the examination.
RRB Paramedical Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | September 14, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | September 15, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | October 14, 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | October 16, 2026 |
| Application Modification Window | October 17 to 26, 2026 |
| Scribe Details Submission Window | October 27 to 31, 2026 |
Important Links
| Purpose | Click Here |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
RRB Paramedical Selection Process 2026
Selection is made through a Computer Based Test, followed by document verification, medical examination and final empanelment on the basis of merit.
CBT Exam Pattern
The Computer Based Test consists of 100 objective type questions carrying 100 marks, to be completed within 90 minutes. Candidates with benchmark disability who are eligible for a scribe are given 120 minutes.
| Section | Marks |
|---|---|
| Professional Ability | 70 |
| General Awareness | 10 |
| Arithmetic, General Intelligence and Reasoning | 10 |
| General Science | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Negative marking applies at the rate of one-third mark for each incorrect answer.
Qualifying Marks
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentage |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 40 percent |
| OBC (NCL) and SC | 30 percent |
| ST | 25 percent |
Candidates who qualify the CBT are shortlisted for document verification based on merit and the number of vacancies, after which the medical examination is conducted as per the medical standards prescribed for each post.
How to Apply for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026
Candidates need to apply online through the centralised RRB application portal. Applicants should first create an account on the portal or log in using existing credentials if they have registered for a previous RRB recruitment. The application form must be completed with accurate personal, educational and category details.
Candidates are required to upload a live photograph captured as per the specifications given on the portal, along with a scanned signature in the prescribed format. After completing the form, candidates must pay the applicable examination fee online and submit the application before the closing date and time.
Candidates who need to correct any details after submission can use the modification window available from October 17 to 26, 2026. The e-call letter for the Computer Based Test can be downloaded from the portal approximately four days before the scheduled examination date.
Documents Required for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026
Candidates should keep the following ready while applying: matriculation certificate as proof of date of birth, educational qualification certificates and mark sheets relevant to the post applied for, professional registration certificate such as nursing council or pharmacy council registration where applicable, category certificate for candidates claiming reservation, EWS certificate where applicable, PwBD certificate if applicable, a live photograph as per portal specifications, and a scanned signature.
Key Points to Remember
Since a substantial portion of the fee is refunded after the candidate appears in the Computer Based Test, candidates should ensure they actually appear for the examination to claim the refund. Candidates should also note that the fee payment deadline of October 16 falls two days after the application closing date of October 14, so the application itself must be submitted by October 14 even if the payment is completed slightly later.
Given that Nursing Superintendent accounts for 365 of the 590 vacancies, competition in the remaining categories, several of which have only one to four posts, will be considerably sharper relative to the number of applicants. Candidates should also verify the post-specific age band and professional registration requirement carefully, since these differ meaningfully across the nine categories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are there in RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
There are 590 vacancies across nine paramedical categories under CEN 05/2026.
2. What is the last date to apply for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is October 14, 2026, up to 11:59 PM, with fee payment permitted until October 16, 2026.
3. Which post has the highest number of vacancies?
Nursing Superintendent has the highest number with 365 vacancies, followed by Pharmacist with 118 vacancies.
4. What is the application fee for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
The fee is Rs. 500 for General, OBC and EWS candidates with Rs. 400 refunded after the CBT, and Rs. 250 for SC, ST, PwBD, female, transgender and ex-servicemen candidates with the full amount refunded after the CBT.
5. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
The age limit varies by post, broadly between 18 and 40 years as on January 1, 2027, with standard relaxations for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD and ex-servicemen candidates.
6. What is the exam pattern for the RRB Paramedical CBT?
The CBT has 100 objective questions for 100 marks in 90 minutes, covering Professional Ability for 70 marks, General Awareness for 10 marks, Arithmetic and Reasoning for 10 marks, and General Science for 10 marks.
7. Is there negative marking in the RRB Paramedical exam?
Yes, one-third mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.
8. What are the qualifying marks for the CBT?
UR and EWS candidates need 40 percent, OBC (NCL) and SC candidates need 30 percent, and ST candidates need 25 percent.
9. What is the pay scale for RRB Paramedical posts?
Pay ranges from Level 3 with a basic pay of Rs. 21,700 for Laboratory Assistant Grade II up to Level 7 with a basic pay of Rs. 44,900 for Nursing Superintendent.
10. When can candidates download the exam call letter?
The e-call letter can be downloaded from the official application portal approximately four days before the scheduled date of the Computer Based Test.
Disclaimer: JobShouter.com is not affiliated with Railway Recruitment Boards. Shared for informational purposes only, please verify details on the official website.
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