The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), under the Ministry of Railways, have released Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 05/2026 for recruitment to various Paramedical Categories. A total of 590 vacancies are available across 9 different posts, including Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Radiographer, Lab Assistant, and more.
If you’re a candidate with a nursing, pharmacy, radiography, or other paramedical qualification, this is one of the biggest recruitment drives of the year. Here’s everything you need to know in one place.
Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Name | CEN No. 05/2026 (Paramedical Categories) |
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Total Vacancies | 590 |
| Number of Posts | 9 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Selection Process | CBT → Document Verification → Medical Examination |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notice in Employment News | 12.09.2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 15.09.2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 14.10.2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16.10.2026 |
| Application Modification Window | 17.10.2026 to 26.10.2026 |
| Scribe Details Submission Window | 27.10.2026 to 31.10.2026 |
Post-Wise Vacancy Details
| S.No | Post Name | Pay Level | Initial Pay (₹) | Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027) | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nursing Superintendent | 7 | 44,900 | 20–40 | 365 |
| 2 | Dialysis Technician | 6 | 35,400 | 20–33 | 01 |
| 3 | Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II | 6 | 35,400 | 18–33 | 43 |
| 4 | Audiologist & Speech Therapist | 6 | 35,400 | 21–30 | 01 |
| 5 | Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | 5 | 29,200 | 20–35 | 118 |
| 6 | Radiographer X-Ray Technician | 5 | 29,200 | 19–33 | 25 |
| 7 | ECG Technician | 4 | 25,500 | 18–33 | 04 |
| 8 | Optometrist | 4 | 25,500 | 18–33 | 02 |
| 9 | Lab Assistant Gr II | 3 | 21,700 | 18–33 | 31 |
| Grand Total | 590 |
Note: Vacancies are provisional and subject to change as per Railway Administration requirements. RRB-wise and Zone-wise detailed vacancy distribution is available in the official notification (Annexure B).
Educational Qualification (Post-Wise Summary)
- Nursing Superintendent – Registered Nurse & Midwife (3-year GNM course) or B.Sc. Nursing
- Dialysis Technician – B.Sc. + Diploma in Haemodialysis or 2 years’ in-house training/experience
- Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II – B.Sc. (Chemistry) + Diploma/NTC in Health/Sanitary Inspector
- Audiologist & Speech Therapist – Bachelor in Audiology, Speech Language Pathology (BASLP), registered with RCI
- Pharmacist (Entry Grade) – Bachelor/Doctor of Pharmacy, registered under Pharmacy Act, 1948
- Radiographer X-Ray Technician – 10+2 (PCM/PCB) + Diploma in Radiography (2 years) or equivalent B.Sc.
- ECG Technician – 10+2/Graduation in Science with Certificate/Diploma in ECG/Cardiology Technology
- Optometrist – B.Sc. in Optometry or Diploma in Ophthalmic Technician
- Lab Assistant Gr II – 12th (Science) + DMLT or equivalent certificate course
(Refer to the official notification’s Annexure A for complete, post-wise qualification details.)
Age Limit & Relaxation
- Age is reckoned as on 01.01.2027
- Age relaxation applicable for:
- SC/ST candidates – 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) – 3 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) – 10 to 15 years depending on category
- Ex-Servicemen – 3 to 8 years depending on category
- Serving Group C/D Railway staff – up to 40–45 years depending on category
Examination Fee
| Category | Fee | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| General/UR/EWS/OBC | ₹500/- | ₹400/- refunded on appearing in CBT |
| SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD/Female/Transgender/Minorities/EBC | ₹250/- | Refunded (minus bank charges) on appearing in CBT |
Selection Process
- Computer Based Test (CBT) – 100 questions, 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates eligible for scribe)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination
CBT Exam Pattern
| Subject | No. of Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Ability | 70 | 70 |
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 |
| General Arithmetic, Intelligence & Reasoning | 10 | 10 |
| General Science | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
- Negative marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer
- Minimum qualifying marks: UR/EWS – 40%, OBC-NCL/SC – 30%, ST – 25%
How to Apply
- Visit the official RRB website and create an account for CEN 05/2026.
- Fill in personal, educational, and communication details carefully (details in “Create an Account” cannot be modified later).
- Capture your live photograph as per instructions (no pre-existing photo uploads allowed).
- Upload your signature as per the prescribed format.
- Choose your RRB, Railway Zone, and post preferences.
- Pay the examination fee online.
- Submit the application and note down your registration number for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. What is RRB CEN 05/2026? It is a Centralised Employment Notification issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards for recruitment to various Paramedical posts in Indian Railways, offering 590 vacancies across 9 categories.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for RRB CEN 05/2026? The online application closes on 14.10.2026 at 23:59 hrs. The last date for fee payment is 16.10.2026.
Q3. How many total vacancies are there in this notification? A total of 590 vacancies are available across posts like Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Radiographer, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Lab Assistant, and more.
Q4. What is the age limit for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026? Age limits vary by post, ranging from 18–33 years to 20–40 years, as on 01.01.2027, with applicable age relaxation for reserved categories.
Q5. What is the selection process? Candidates go through a Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification and a Medical Examination.
Q6. Can I apply for more than one RRB or post? No. A candidate can choose only one RRB and indicate zone/post preferences within that RRB. Multiple applications will lead to rejection and debarment.
Q7. Is there an application fee, and is it refundable? Yes. General category candidates pay ₹500 (₹400 refunded on appearing in CBT), while SC/ST/PwBD/Female/Ex-Servicemen/EBC/Minority candidates pay ₹250 (refunded on appearing in CBT).
Q8. Where can I check the RRB-wise and zone-wise vacancy breakup? The complete RRB-wise and Railway Zone-wise vacancy details are published in the official notification (Annexure B).
Q9. Can I modify my application after submission? Yes, modifications are allowed from 17.10.2026 to 26.10.2026 by paying a non-refundable modification fee of ₹250 per modification. Details filled in “Create an Account” and the chosen RRB cannot be changed.
Q10. Where will I get official updates about this recruitment? All updates, e-call letters, and results will be published only on the official RRB website. Candidates are advised to beware of fake websites and unauthorized sources.
Important Links
| Purpose | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Now (Online Application) | Click Here |
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Official Notification (CEN 05/2026) | Download Notification |
Always cross-check details from the official notification before applying. This post is for informational purposes and does not replace the official CEN document.
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