The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have announced 590 vacancies under CEN No. 05/2026 for various Para-Medical Categories in Indian Railways. The recruitment covers Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Radiographer, Health & Malaria Inspector, Dialysis Technician, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Audiologist & Speech Therapist and Lab Assistant posts. The online application window opens on 15 September 2026 and closes on 14 October 2026 at 11:59 PM. Since each post has a different qualification, age range and medical standard, candidates should check their exact post eligibility before applying.
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026: Key Points Before Applying
This is a multi-post recruitment, so candidates should not judge eligibility only from the overall vacancy figure.
- 590 vacancies are available across nine Para-Medical posts.
- Nursing Superintendent accounts for the largest share with 365 vacancies.
- The required qualification varies from 10+2 plus technical qualification to degree-level professional qualifications.
- The CBT gives the highest weight to Professional Ability, with 70 of the 100 questions coming from the relevant professional subject.
- There is 1/3 negative marking for every wrong answer.
- Candidates must satisfy the prescribed Railway medical standard for the post.
- Selection proceeds through CBT, Document Verification and Medical Examination.
- The application includes selection of an RRB and preferences for posts/Railway Zones, so candidates should make those choices carefully.
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | Railway Recruitment Boards |
| Ministry | Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| CEN | 05/2026 |
| Recruitment | Para-Medical Categories |
| Total Vacancies | 590 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Starts | 15 September 2026 |
| Last Date | 14 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 16 October 2026 |
| Correction Window | 17 October to 26 October 2026 |
| Selection | CBT, Document Verification, Medical Examination |
| Pay Levels | Level 3 to Level 7 |
| Job Location | Railway Zones across India |
| Official RRB Information | RRB Official Website |
590 RRB Paramedical Vacancies: Which Posts Are Available?
The 590 vacancies are distributed among nine Para-Medical categories.
| Post | Pay Level | Initial Pay | Medical Standard | Age | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | 7 | Rs. 44,900 | C1 | 20-40 | 365 |
| Dialysis Technician | 6 | Rs. 35,400 | B1 | 20-33 | 1 |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II | 6 | Rs. 35,400 | C1 | 18-33 | 43 |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | 6 | Rs. 35,400 | B1 | 21-30 | 1 |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | 5 | Rs. 29,200 | C2 | 20-35 | 118 |
| Radiographer X-Ray Technician | 5 | Rs. 29,200 | B1 | 19-33 | 25 |
| ECG Technician | 4 | Rs. 25,500 | C1 | 18-33 | 4 |
| Optometrist | 4 | Rs. 25,500 | B1 | 18-33 | 2 |
| Lab Assistant Gr. II | 3 | Rs. 21,700 | B1 | 18-33 | 31 |
| Total | 590 |
The vacancy distribution makes Nursing Superintendent and Pharmacist (Entry Grade) particularly significant in terms of available posts. However, the larger vacancy count does not mean every medical or allied-health candidate can apply for those posts. Eligibility is post-specific.
Which RRB Paramedical Post Fits Your Qualification?
This recruitment is best understood by matching your qualification to the specific post.
| Your Qualification / Background | Relevant Post |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse and Midwife / B.Sc Nursing | Nursing Superintendent |
| B.Sc plus Haemodialysis Diploma or prescribed training/experience | Dialysis Technician |
| B.Sc with Chemistry plus Health/Sanitary Inspector qualification | Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II |
| BASLP with RCI registration | Audiologist & Speech Therapist |
| Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy / eligible Doctor of Pharmacy | Pharmacist (Entry Grade) |
| 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry plus Radiography qualification | Radiographer X-Ray Technician |
| 10+2/Science graduation plus relevant ECG qualification | ECG Technician |
| B.Sc Optometry / eligible Ophthalmic Technician qualification | Optometrist |
| 12th Science plus DMLT/eligible Medical Lab Technology certificate | Lab Assistant Gr. II |
A candidate should apply only for a post for which the prescribed qualification is actually satisfied. Having a broadly related healthcare qualification does not automatically make a candidate eligible for every Para-Medical post.
RRB Paramedical Eligibility Criteria 2026
Eligibility depends on age, educational qualification, applicable registration/certification and the prescribed medical standard.
Age Limit
The age is calculated as on 1 January 2027.
| Post | Minimum Age | Maximum Age – UR/EWS | OBC-NCL | SC/ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | 20 | 40 | 43 | 45 |
| Dialysis Technician | 20 | 33 | 36 | 38 |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II | 18 | 33 | 36 | 38 |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | 21 | 30 | 33 | 35 |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | 20 | 35 | 38 | 40 |
| Radiographer X-Ray Technician | 19 | 33 | 36 | 38 |
| ECG Technician | 18 | 33 | 36 | 38 |
| Optometrist | 18 | 33 | 36 | 38 |
| Lab Assistant Gr. II | 18 | 33 | 36 | 38 |
Age Relaxation
The supplied recruitment details provide the following relaxations:
- 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
Candidates should use the category and relaxation provisions in CEN 05/2026 when calculating their eligibility rather than applying a general age-relaxation rule from another Railway recruitment.
Post-wise Educational Qualification
Nursing Superintendent
Candidates need the prescribed qualification as a Registered Nurse and Midwife with a 3-year General Nursing and Midwifery course or B.Sc Nursing, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.
With 365 vacancies, this is the largest post in the recruitment.
Dialysis Technician
The qualification requires B.Sc along with either a Diploma in Haemodialysis or the prescribed two-year satisfactory in-house training/experience in haemodialysis work.
There is only one vacancy, so candidates meeting this qualification should pay particular attention to the exact documentary requirements.
Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II
Candidates need a B.Sc with Chemistry as a main or optional subject, along with the prescribed Health/Sanitary Inspector qualification.
There are 43 vacancies for this post.
Audiologist & Speech Therapist
Candidates require a Bachelor in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (BASLP) from a recognized university along with Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) registration as prescribed.
Only one vacancy is available.
Pharmacist (Entry Grade)
Candidates need a Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (Allopathic) from a recognized university and registration as a pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, or the prescribed Doctor of Pharmacy qualification.
There are 118 vacancies.
Radiographer X-Ray Technician
The requirement includes 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry plus the prescribed diploma in Radiography, X-Ray Technician or Radiodiagnosis Technology.
The relevant diploma/course must satisfy the duration and other conditions specified in the notification.
ECG Technician
Candidates require the prescribed 10+2/Science graduation qualification together with a certificate, diploma or degree in ECG Laboratory Technology, Cardiology, Cardiology Technician or Cardiology Techniques, as applicable.
Optometrist
The recruitment accepts the prescribed B.Sc in Optometry or Diploma in Ophthalmic Technician of the specified duration, together with registration with the concerned council/licensing body where required.
Lab Assistant Grade II
Candidates need 12th in Science along with the prescribed Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology or eligible Medical Lab Technology certificate course.
Medical Standards Matter Too
Educational eligibility is only one part of this recruitment.
The notified posts carry different medical standards such as B1, C1 and C2. Candidates should therefore check the medical standard assigned to their chosen post before applying.
This is particularly important because clearing the CBT does not by itself guarantee appointment. Candidates shortlisted for the later stages must satisfy the applicable Railway medical requirements.
RRB Paramedical Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of:
Computer Based Test → Document Verification → Medical Examination
The final merit position is based on performance in the CBT, subject to the later verification and medical requirements.
CBT Pattern
The examination contains 100 questions carrying 100 marks.
| 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 CBT duration is 90 minutes. Candidates eligible for the prescribed scribe facility receive 120 minutes.
Negative Marking
A wrong answer attracts a penalty of 1/3 mark.
This makes random guessing particularly risky, especially because Professional Ability accounts for 70% of the paper.
Minimum Qualifying Marks
The stated minimum qualifying percentages are:
- UR/EWS: 40%
- OBC-NCL/SC: 30%
- ST: 25%
Candidates should remember that merely reaching the minimum qualifying percentage does not guarantee selection. Shortlisting is based on merit and the available vacancies.
Document Verification and Medical Examination
Candidates shortlisted after the CBT will be called for Document Verification.
Original documents must be produced during verification to establish the claims made in the application, including educational qualification and applicable category or other eligibility conditions.
The subsequent Medical Examination is conducted according to the prescribed Railway medical standards.
Candidates who are medically unsuitable for the post should not assume that another post will automatically be offered. The medical requirements attached to the chosen post therefore deserve attention before applying.
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice in Employment News | 12 September 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 15 September 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | 14 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 October 2026 |
| Modification/Correction Window | 17 October to 26 October 2026 |
| Scribe Details Submission | 27 October to 31 October 2026 |
The correction window should not be treated as an opportunity to ignore accuracy during the original application. Candidates should enter their details carefully before final submission.
RRB Paramedical Application Fee 2026
| Category | Initial Fee | Refund After Appearing in CBT |
|---|---|---|
| UR/OBC/EWS | Rs. 500 | Rs. 400 |
| SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD/Female/Transgender/Minorities/EBC | Rs. 250 | Rs. 250 |
The applicable refund is linked to appearing in the CBT.
Therefore, candidates eligible for the fee refund should not assume that simply paying the application fee is enough to receive it.
How to Apply for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026
Applications are submitted online through the RRB application system.
Step 1: Create an RRB Account
Candidates who do not already have an RRB account should complete the account creation process.
The recruitment information advises candidates to authenticate their identity using Aadhaar or DigiLocker during account creation for smoother verification.
Step 2: Complete the Application
Log in and provide the required personal, educational and other details.
Candidates should make sure the qualification entered corresponds exactly to the post they are applying for.
Step 3: Choose RRB, Post and Preferences
The application requires candidates to select the applicable RRB and indicate preferences for Railway Zones and posts as permitted.
This step deserves attention because the choices made in the application can affect how a candidate is considered for the available posts/preferences.
Step 4: Upload the Required Information
Candidates need to provide the photograph and signature in the prescribed manner and upload other applicable certificates.
Step 5: Pay the Examination Fee
Pay the applicable fee through the available online payment method.
Step 6: Final Submission
Review the complete application before final submission and retain a copy/printout of the submitted form for future reference.
Documents to Keep Ready
Candidates should prepare the following before beginning the application:
- Educational qualification certificates and marksheets
- Category certificate, where applicable
- PwBD certificate, where applicable
- Ex-servicemen documents, where applicable
- Valid photo identity document
- SC/ST certificate where required for the free train travel pass facility
- Signature in the prescribed JPG/JPEG format
- Live photograph as required during the application process
The supplied application information specifies a 30 KB to 49 KB size range for the signature. Candidates should follow the exact specifications displayed on the application portal at the time of uploading.
Important Things Candidates May Miss
1. The qualification is post-specific
A nursing qualification does not make a candidate eligible for Pharmacist, Radiographer or other posts. Each post has its own educational requirement.
2. Professional Ability carries 70 marks
Seventy out of 100 CBT questions are from Professional Ability. Candidates preparing for the examination should therefore give this section substantially more attention than any single general section.
3. Medical standards vary by post
The recruitment includes B1, C1 and C2 medical standards. Candidates should check the standard applicable to their chosen post before submitting the application.
4. There is negative marking
With 1/3 mark deducted for a wrong answer, candidates should build their CBT strategy around accuracy as well as speed.
5. The fee refund depends on CBT attendance
Eligible candidates do not receive the applicable refund simply because they submit an application. The supplied recruitment conditions link the refund to appearing in the CBT.
6. Preferences need attention
The application includes RRB, post and Railway Zone preferences. Candidates should make these choices after considering the posts for which they actually meet the qualification.
7. Some posts have extremely limited vacancies
Dialysis Technician and Audiologist & Speech Therapist have only one vacancy each, while Optometrist has two and ECG Technician has four. Candidates for these posts should carefully verify every qualification and document requirement.
CareerAlert24 Insight
The headline figure of 590 vacancies makes this recruitment attractive, but the real opportunity is divided very unevenly across the posts.
For nursing candidates, the 365 Nursing Superintendent vacancies form the largest portion of the recruitment. Pharmacy candidates also have a sizeable pool with 118 Pharmacist vacancies. The remaining posts have substantially fewer seats, including some with only one or a handful of vacancies.
The other major point is the examination design. Professional Ability contributes 70% of the CBT, while the remaining 30 marks are divided between General Awareness, Arithmetic/Reasoning and General Science. A candidate with a strong professional background therefore has a clear reason to prioritize the relevant technical syllabus rather than spending disproportionate preparation time on general sections.
Finally, eligibility does not end with educational qualification. Medical standards, document verification and post preferences can all affect the recruitment outcome. Candidates should therefore decide the post first, verify the complete eligibility conditions second and only then complete the application.
Preparation Strategy for the CBT
The examination structure suggests a practical preparation priority:
First priority: Professional Ability
This section carries 70 marks and should form the core of preparation. Candidates should study the professional syllabus applicable to their selected post and revise technical concepts regularly.
Second priority: General Science
General Science contributes 10 marks and can complement preparation for candidates from medical and allied-health backgrounds.
Third priority: Reasoning, Arithmetic and General Awareness
These three areas together account for 20 marks. Candidates should practice them consistently, but the preparation time should reflect their smaller share of the paper.
Because there is 1/3 negative marking, mock-test practice should include accuracy analysis rather than focusing only on attempting the maximum number of questions.
RRB Paramedical Salary 2026
The posts are placed in different Pay Levels under the 7th Central Pay Commission.
| Post | Pay Level | Initial Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | Level 7 | Rs. 44,900 |
| Dialysis Technician | Level 6 | Rs. 35,400 |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II | Level 6 | Rs. 35,400 |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | Level 6 | Rs. 35,400 |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | Level 5 | Rs. 29,200 |
| Radiographer X-Ray Technician | Level 5 | Rs. 29,200 |
| ECG Technician | Level 4 | Rs. 25,500 |
| Optometrist | Level 4 | Rs. 25,500 |
| Lab Assistant Gr. II | Level 3 | Rs. 21,700 |
The figures above are the initial pay associated with the notified Pay Levels. Other service-related components should be understood from the applicable Railway rules rather than treating the initial pay as the complete monthly salary.
FAQs
How many vacancies are available in RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?
The recruitment under CEN 05/2026 has a total of 590 Para-Medical vacancies across nine posts.
Which RRB Paramedical post has the most vacancies?
Nursing Superintendent has the largest number of vacancies with 365 posts.
Can a B.Sc Nursing candidate apply for Nursing Superintendent?
Yes, B.Sc Nursing is among the prescribed qualifications for Nursing Superintendent, subject to the remaining eligibility conditions in the notification.
Can I apply for a post with a similar but different qualification?
Not automatically. RRB eligibility is based on the qualification prescribed for each individual post. Candidates should not assume that a related healthcare qualification will be accepted unless the notification specifically permits it.
What is the RRB Paramedical CBT pattern?
The CBT has 100 questions for 100 marks. Professional Ability carries 70 marks, while General Awareness, Arithmetic/Reasoning and General Science carry 10 marks each.
Is there negative marking in the RRB Paramedical CBT?
Yes. One-third of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer.
What happens after the CBT?
Candidates shortlisted on CBT merit proceed to Document Verification, followed by the prescribed Medical Examination.
Will the examination fee be refunded?
Eligible candidates receive the prescribed refund after appearing in the CBT, subject to the applicable category and fee rules.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Official RRB Website | RRB Official Website |
| RRB Application Portal | RRB Application Portal |
| CareerAlert24 WhatsApp | Join WhatsApp Channel |
| CareerAlert24 Telegram | Join Telegram Channel |
Candidates should rely on the official RRB/CEN information for the final notification, application instructions, examination schedule, corrigenda and other recruitment updates. Official RRB recruitment material for Para-Medical categories has historically specified post-wise qualifications, medical standards and professional syllabi, so candidates should always use the applicable CEN rather than an older notification.
Conclusion
RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 brings 590 Railway vacancies across nursing, pharmacy, radiography, laboratory and other allied-health fields. The application window runs from 15 September to 14 October 2026, but candidates should first identify the post matching their qualification and check its age and medical requirements. With Professional Ability carrying 70% of the CBT, preparation should be strongly focused on the relevant technical syllabus while maintaining accuracy because of the 1/3 negative marking.
