RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026: 590 Vacancies, Eligibility, Salary, Exam Pattern, Selection Process and How to Apply

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released the RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 notification under CEN No. 05/2026 for recruitment to various Paramedical Categories in Indian Railways. A total of 590 vacancies have been announced for posts including Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Health & Malaria Inspector, Radiographer, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Dialysis Technician, Audiologist & Speech Therapist and Lab Assistant Grade II.

The RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 online application process started on 15 September 2026 and eligible candidates can submit their applications until 14 October 2026 at 11:59 PM. The recruitment will be conducted through a Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination.

Candidates from different medical, nursing, pharmacy and paramedical backgrounds can apply for the post matching their qualification. The vacancies are distributed across different Railway Recruitment Boards and Railway units.

RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Overview

RRB Paramedical Vacancy 2026

The detailed notification contains 590 vacancies across nine paramedical posts. Nursing Superintendent has the largest number of vacancies, followed by Pharmacist (Entry Grade).

The post-wise vacancy details are given below:

The vacancies are provisional and can be increased, decreased or changed according to the requirements of the Railway administrations.

RRB Paramedical Important Dates 2026

Candidates should keep the complete application schedule in mind because several activities are scheduled after the application deadline.

The RRB Paramedical CBT date will be announced separately through the official Railway Recruitment Board websites.

RRB Paramedical Educational Qualification 2026

The educational qualification is different for each post. Candidates must make sure that they possess the prescribed qualification for the particular post they select.

1. Nursing Superintendent

Candidates should have either:

• A Certificate as Registered Nurse and Midwife after completing a 3-year General Nursing and Midwifery course from an institution recognized by the Indian Nursing Council, or
• B.Sc Nursing.

Applicable concessions provided under the relevant nursing rules are also considered according to the notification.

Nursing registration requirements must also be fulfilled wherever prescribed.

2. Dialysis Technician

Candidates should have:

• B.Sc along with a Diploma in Haemodialysis, or
• B.Sc along with two years of satisfactory in-house training/experience in haemodialysis work in a reputed institution.

Relevant B.Sc qualifications in Dialysis Techniques, Dialysis Technology or Renal Dialysis Technology are also included under the prescribed qualification.

3. Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II

Candidates should have:

• B.Sc with Chemistry studied as a Main or Optional subject in any branch of Chemistry, and
• One-year Diploma in Health/Sanitary Inspector, or
• One-year National Trade Certificate (NTC) in Health Sanitary Inspector awarded by the National Council for Vocational Training.

4. Audiologist & Speech Therapist

Candidates should have:

• Bachelor in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology (BASLP) from a recognized university, and
• Registration with the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI).

5. Pharmacist (Entry Grade)

Candidates should possess the prescribed qualification in Pharmacy and registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act.

The recruitment includes candidates with the relevant Pharmacy qualification such as a Diploma in Pharmacy or Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy, subject to the detailed eligibility conditions of the notification.

6. Radiographer X-Ray Technician

Candidates should have:

• 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry, and
• A two-year Diploma in Radiography, X-Ray Technician or Radiodiagnosis Technology from a recognized institute.

Relevant bachelor's-level qualifications in radiography, imaging or radiation technology are also recognized where specified in the notification.

7. ECG Technician

Candidates should have:

• 10+2 or Graduation in Science, along with
• Certificate, Diploma or Degree in ECG Laboratory Technology, Cardiology, Cardiology Technician or Cardiology Techniques.

The prescribed certificate course should meet the minimum duration and other conditions mentioned in the recruitment notification.

8. Optometrist

Candidates should possess:

• B.Sc in Optometry, or
• Diploma in Ophthalmic Technician of the prescribed duration.

Registration with the concerned council or licensing body is required where specified.

9. Lab Assistant Grade II

Candidates should have:

• 12th or 10+2 in Science, and
• Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT), or an eligible Medical Laboratory Technology certificate meeting the prescribed conditions.

The notification also specifies conditions concerning recognition, duration, full-time training and successful completion of the course.

Candidates should check the exact qualification requirements for their selected post before submitting the application.

RRB Paramedical Age Limit 2026

The age limit is post-specific and is calculated as on 1 January 2027.

The age limits are:

• Nursing Superintendent: 20–40 years
• Dialysis Technician: 20–33 years
• Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II: 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

Age relaxation is available for eligible reserved categories and other categories according to the applicable Government of India rules.

Candidates should calculate their age using the date mentioned in the notification rather than their age on the day of application.

RRB Paramedical Salary 2026

The RRB Paramedical posts are placed in different levels of the 7th Central Pay Commission Pay Matrix.

The initial basic pay ranges from:

₹21,700 to ₹44,900 per month

The post-wise initial pay is:

• Nursing Superintendent – ₹44,900
• Dialysis Technician – ₹35,400
• Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II – ₹35,400
• Audiologist & Speech Therapist – ₹35,400
• Pharmacist – ₹29,200
• Radiographer X-Ray Technician – ₹29,200
• ECG Technician – ₹25,500
• Optometrist – ₹25,500
• Lab Assistant Grade II – ₹21,700

In addition to basic pay, employees receive applicable allowances and benefits according to Railway rules.

RRB Paramedical Exam Pattern 2026

The recruitment uses a Single Stage Computer Based Test (CBT).

The examination contains:

The CBT duration is 90 minutes.

Eligible PwBD candidates using the prescribed scribe facility receive the additional examination time applicable under the rules.

The questions are objective multiple-choice questions with four options.

Negative Marking

There is negative marking of 1/3 mark for every incorrect answer.

Therefore, candidates should avoid random guessing, particularly when they are uncertain between multiple options.

The question paper is available in English and Hindi, along with the applicable regional-language options specified by the examination system.

RRB Paramedical Syllabus

The syllabus is divided into general sections and professional ability.

Professional Ability

Professional Ability carries the highest weightage with 70 questions.

The syllabus depends on the post for which the candidate is applying.

For example:

Nursing Superintendent: Nursing-related professional subjects.

Pharmacist: Pharmacy-related professional subjects.

Radiographer: Radiography and imaging-related subjects.

Lab Assistant: Medical laboratory and related technical subjects.

ECG Technician: ECG, cardiology and related technical subjects.

Optometrist: Optometry and ophthalmic-related subjects.

Dialysis Technician: Dialysis and renal-care-related professional subjects.

Health & Malaria Inspector: Public health, sanitation and relevant professional areas.

Audiologist & Speech Therapist: Audiology and speech-language pathology-related areas.

Candidates should prepare the professional syllabus according to the exact post they have selected.

General Awareness

This section can cover areas such as:

• Current affairs
• Indian history
• Geography
• Indian polity
• Economics
• Sports
• Important events
• General knowledge
• Railways and other relevant national developments

General Arithmetic and Reasoning

This section covers basic arithmetic, numerical ability, logical reasoning and general intelligence.

Candidates should practice:

• Number system
• Percentages
• Ratio
• Average
• Profit and loss
• Time and work
• Time and distance
• Basic algebra
• Series
• Analogy
• Coding-decoding
• Classification
• Direction
• Logical reasoning

General Science

The section covers basic science concepts, particularly from Physics, Chemistry and Life Science at the level prescribed by the recruitment notification.

RRB Paramedical Selection Process 2026

The selection process consists of:

Stage 1 – Computer Based Test

Candidates first appear for the single-stage CBT.

The test consists of 100 questions for 100 marks and carries a negative marking of one-third mark for each incorrect answer.

Stage 2 – Document Verification

Candidates shortlisted on the basis of the CBT and other applicable conditions are called for document verification.

Candidates must produce the original documents supporting their:

• Educational qualification
• Date of birth
• Category
• Professional registration
• Other applicable claims

Stage 3 – Medical Examination

Candidates who are shortlisted must undergo the required Railway medical examination.

The medical standard is different for different posts. Candidates should therefore check the prescribed medical category for the post they are applying for.

Final appointment is subject to fulfillment of the prescribed conditions, verification of documents and medical fitness.

RRB Paramedical Application Fee

The application fee structure is:

The applicable fee is paid online.

A portion of the fee is refundable to eligible candidates after they appear in the Computer Based Test, subject to the conditions mentioned in the notification.

How to Apply for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026

Candidates must submit the application online.

Step 1: Visit the RRB Application Portal

Visit the official RRB application system and open the recruitment section for CEN 05/2026 – Paramedical Categories.

Step 2: Create an Account

Candidates who do not already have the required RRB account credentials should complete the registration process.

Enter the required details carefully because certain account information may not be changeable later.

Step 3: Select an RRB

Candidates should carefully choose the RRB through which they want to apply.

Applicants should not submit multiple applications for different RRBs.

The notification provides the applicable process for selecting the RRB and indicating preferences.

Step 4: Select the Post

Choose the paramedical post for which you meet the prescribed educational and other eligibility requirements.

Do not select a post merely because it has vacancies. Your qualification must match the exact post requirements.

Step 5: Enter Personal Details

Enter:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Father's/mother's name
• Gender
• Category
• Contact details
• Address
• Other required information

All information should match your official documents.

Step 6: Enter Educational Details

Add your qualifications exactly as required.

Depending on the post, you may need to provide details of:

• 10th/Matriculation
• 12th
• Diploma
• Bachelor's degree
• Professional qualification
• Registration

Step 7: Upload Documents

Upload the photograph, signature and other required documents according to the prescribed specifications.

Step 8: Pay the Application Fee

Pay the applicable fee through the available online payment method.

Step 9: Review the Form

Check every detail carefully before submitting.

Incorrect information can create problems during later stages of recruitment.

Step 10: Submit and Save

After final submission, download and save a copy of the application form and payment receipt for future reference.

Important Official Links

Can Candidates Apply for More Than One RRB?

Candidates should be very careful about the RRB selection.

The recruitment provides a mechanism for candidates to select an RRB and provide preferences according to the notification. Submitting multiple applications contrary to the prescribed rules can result in rejection.

Therefore, read the application instructions carefully before submitting the form.

Documents Required for RRB Paramedical Recruitment

Candidates should keep their documents ready before applying.

Depending on the post and category, these may include:

• 10th certificate
• 12th certificate
• Diploma certificate
• Degree certificate
• Professional qualification certificate
• Registration certificate
• Category certificate
• EWS certificate
• PwBD certificate
• Experience certificate where applicable
• Photograph
• Signature
• Government identity document
• Other required certificates

Professional registrations are particularly important for posts where registration with a council or statutory body is mandatory.

How to Prepare for RRB Paramedical CBT

The biggest portion of the exam is Professional Ability, which carries 70 out of 100 marks.

Therefore, candidates should give substantial preparation time to their professional subject.

For Nursing Superintendent candidates, revise core nursing subjects systematically.

Pharmacist candidates should focus on pharmaceutical subjects and revise concepts rather than relying solely on general knowledge.

Similarly, candidates from radiography, laboratory technology, optometry, dialysis, ECG and other specializations should prioritize their respective professional syllabus.

The remaining 30 questions come from General Awareness, Arithmetic and Reasoning, and General Science.

Because there is 1/3 negative marking, candidates should also practice accuracy.

A useful preparation strategy is:

Professional Subject → General Science → Reasoning & Arithmetic → General Awareness → Full Mock Tests

Start with topic-wise practice, then move to sectional tests and finally full-length CBTs.

RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 FAQs

How many vacancies are there in RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?

A total of 590 vacancies have been announced under CEN 05/2026.

What is the last date to apply for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application is 14 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.

What is the application start date?

The online application process started on 15 September 2026.

What is the age limit for RRB Paramedical Recruitment?

The age limit is post-specific. It ranges from 18 years to 40 years, depending on the post, with age calculated as on 1 January 2027.

What is the salary of RRB Paramedical posts?

The initial basic pay ranges from ₹21,700 to ₹44,900, depending on the post and pay level.

What is the RRB Paramedical exam pattern?

The CBT consists of 100 questions for 100 marks and is divided into Professional Ability, General Awareness, General Arithmetic/General Intelligence and Reasoning, and General Science.

Is there negative marking in the RRB Paramedical exam?

Yes. One-third mark is deducted for each incorrect answer.

What is the duration of the RRB Paramedical CBT?

The normal CBT duration is 90 minutes.

How many stages are there in RRB Paramedical Recruitment?

The recruitment includes a single-stage CBT followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination.

Can 12th-pass candidates apply?

It depends on the post. Some positions require 10+2 along with a specific diploma or technical qualification, while others require a degree or professional qualification.

Is Nursing Superintendent included in this recruitment?

Yes. Nursing Superintendent has 365 vacancies and is the largest post under CEN 05/2026.

Is Pharmacist included in RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?

Yes. There are 118 vacancies for Pharmacist (Entry Grade).

Final Words

The RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 under CEN 05/2026 offers 590 vacancies across nine paramedical categories in Indian Railways. The recruitment includes posts such as Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II, Radiographer X-Ray Technician, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Dialysis Technician, Audiologist & Speech Therapist and Lab Assistant Grade II.

The online application process is open from 15 September to 14 October 2026, while the CBT date will be announced separately. Candidates should carefully check the post-wise educational qualification, age limit, medical standard and professional registration requirements before submitting their application.

The CBT contains 100 questions for 100 marks, with 70 questions coming from Professional Ability and 30 questions from General Awareness, Arithmetic and Reasoning, and General Science. Since there is one-third negative marking, candidates should give equal importance to accuracy and speed.

Before submitting the application, candidates should read the complete CEN 05/2026 notification carefully and ensure that all educational qualifications and professional registrations are completed by the prescribed eligibility date.