Notification, Eligibility, Dates & Apply Online
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have opened online applications for RRB Paramedical Staff Recruitment 2026-27 under Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 05/2026, inviting eligible candidates for various Para-Medical Category posts in Indian Railways, including Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Radiographer, Lab Assistant, ECG Technician, Health & Malaria Inspector, Optometrist, Audiologist & Speech Therapist, and Dialysis Technician. The recruitment was first announced through a short/indicative notice for 560 tentative vacancies, and candidates preparing for these Group C paramedical posts should treat the detailed CEN as the final word on numbers, dates, and eligibility.
Important note on vacancy count: As of this writing, the total vacancy figure has been reported differently at different stages of the recruitment cycle — 560 in the initial indicative notice and up to 590 in some reports of the detailed CEN. This article uses 560 as the headline figure since that is what was officially indicated first, but you must verify the final number from the detailed notification PDF on the official RRB portal before applying, since post-wise and zone-wise numbers can shift between the indicative and detailed stages.
This guide brings together the important dates, eligibility conditions, application fee, selection process, and other details of RRB Paramedical Staff Recruitment 2026 in one place, based on the official notice and information reported by established exam-news portals.
Recruitment Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Recruitment Name | RRB Paramedical Staff Recruitment 2026-27 (CEN No. 05/2026) |
| Post Name | Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist (Entry Grade), Radiographer/X-Ray Technician, Lab Assistant Grade II, ECG Technician, Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II, Optometrist, Audiologist & Speech Therapist, Dialysis Technician |
| Total Vacancies | 560 (as per indicative notice); reported as revised in the detailed CEN — confirm exact figure from the official PDF |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Start Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 October 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Eligibility | Post-specific paramedical qualification with relevant council registration; age 18–40 years (post-wise) |
| Selection Process | Computer-Based Test (CBT) → Document Verification (DV) → Medical Examination (ME) |
| Salary/Pay Level | 7th CPC Pay Level 3 to Pay Level 7 |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in (also accessible via respective zonal RRB websites) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short/indicative notice released | 8–12 September 2026 |
| Detailed CEN 05/2026 released | On or around 14 September 2026 |
| Online application start date | 15 September 2026 |
| Last date to submit online application | 14 October 2026 (up to 11:59 PM / 23:59 hrs) |
| Last date for fee payment | 16 October 2026 |
| Application form correction window | 17–26 October 2026 |
| CBT exam date | Not announced yet |
| Admit card release | Not announced yet |
Since these dates come from the short and detailed notices reported around mid-September 2026, candidates should cross-check them against the notification PDF on rrbapply.gov.in closer to the deadline, in case of any addendum.
Vacancy Details
RRB Paramedical Staff Recruitment 2026 covers 9 paramedical categories:
- Nursing Superintendent
- Pharmacist (Entry Grade)
- Radiographer / X-Ray Technician
- Laboratory Assistant Grade II
- ECG Technician
- Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II
- Optometrist
- Audiologist & Speech Therapist
- Dialysis Technician
This is an increase from 7 categories and 434 vacancies in the previous cycle (CEN 03/2025), with two new categories added this time.
On the exact vacancy count: The indicative notice mentioned 560 tentative vacancies. Different portals report varying post-wise splits (for example, Nursing Superintendent has been reported anywhere between roughly 365 and 372 seats, and some report a revised overall total closer to 590), and these figures do not consistently add up across sources. Because the numbers are inconsistent between secondary reports, this article does not publish a post-wise vacancy table. RRB-wise and post-wise vacancy distribution is provided in the annexure of the detailed CEN — candidates must check this directly on rrbapply.gov.in before deciding which post and RRB zone to apply for.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
Eligibility is post-specific and tied to a professional paramedical qualification along with the relevant statutory council registration. Broadly, based on the pattern of past paramedical recruitment cycles:
- Nursing Superintendent: A recognized nursing qualification (such as B.Sc Nursing or GNM) with registration with the applicable State Nursing Council.
- Pharmacist (Entry Grade): A Diploma or Degree in Pharmacy with registration with the Pharmacy Council.
- Radiographer/X-Ray Technician, Lab Assistant, ECG Technician, Optometrist, Audiologist & Speech Therapist, Health & Malaria Inspector, Dialysis Technician: Post-specific diploma/degree qualifications and, where applicable, relevant registration.
Not announced yet / not independently verified here: The exact qualification, required experience (if any), and registration requirements for each of the 9 posts. These are laid out post-wise in the detailed CEN 05/2026 and must be checked directly before applying, since eligibility mismatches are a common reason for rejection at the document verification stage.
Age Limit
- Age is reckoned as on 01.01.2027.
- The age band is post-wise, and different reports place the overall range between 18 and 40 years — for example, Nursing Superintendent is reported around 20–40 years, while some other posts are reported around 18–33 years.
- The exact post-wise minimum and maximum age must be confirmed from the official notification, since reported figures vary slightly across sources.
Age Relaxation
The Age relaxation in the upper age limit is reported as follows:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per extant Railway rules |
| Departmental/Railway employees | As per extant Railway rules |
Candidates should verify the exact relaxation applicable to their category from the detailed CEN, as government relaxation rules can have additional conditions.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC (NCL) / EWS | ₹500 | ₹400 refunded on appearing in the CBT |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen / Female / Transgender / Minority / Economically Backward Class (EBC) | ₹250 | Fully refunded on appearing in the CBT |
Fee payment can reportedly be made online only (net banking, debit/credit card, or UPI), and the refund is credited to the candidate’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account, so linking and validating Aadhaar during the application is important. The last date for fee payment is reported as 16 October 2026, two days after the application closing date.
How to Apply
- Visit the official RRB application portal, rrbapply.gov.in.
- Look for the notification link for CEN No. 05/2026 – Paramedical Categories.
- Register using a valid and active mobile number and email ID, and generate your login credentials.
- Log in and carefully read the detailed notification before proceeding.
- Select your preferred RRB zone and the paramedical post you are eligible for.
- Fill in personal, educational, and category-related details accurately.
- Upload the required photograph, signature, and supporting documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the applicable application fee through the available online payment options.
- Review the complete form carefully, then submit it and download/save the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates can generally apply to only one RRB, which then handles the entire process — CBT, document verification, and medical examination — for that candidate. Since a correction window has been reported (17–26 October 2026), it is still advisable to fill the form carefully the first time to avoid last-minute issues.
Selection Process
Selection for RRB Paramedical Staff Recruitment 2026 is reported to involve three stages:
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): A single-stage objective test.
- Document Verification (DV): Shortlisted candidates must produce original documents proving educational qualification, age, category, and identity.
- Medical Examination (ME): Candidates must meet the prescribed medical standards for the post applied for, since these are frontline healthcare roles within Railway hospitals.
Final selection/merit is based on marks scored in the CBT, subject to successful document verification and clearing the medical examination.
Exam Pattern
Based on the pattern reported for this CEN:
- The CBT is reported to consist of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions.
- Negative marking: 1/3 mark is reported to be deducted for each wrong answer.
- Minimum qualifying marks: UR and EWS – 40%, OBC-NCL – 30%, SC – 30%, ST – 25% (as generally applicable in RRB recruitment; confirm from the notification).
- The CBT for different posts may be conducted on different dates/shifts, and candidates are generally advised to apply to only one post based on their qualification.
Not announced yet: Exact section-wise question distribution (e.g., split between General Awareness, General Science, Arithmetic, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and post-specific professional ability), exam duration, and the CBT schedule. These should be confirmed from the syllabus annexure of the detailed CEN once released in full.
Syllabus
The syllabus for RRB Paramedical Staff CBT typically follows the broad RRB pattern, generally covering:
- General Awareness (current affairs, static GK)
- General Science
- Mathematics/Arithmetic
- General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Professional Ability related to the specific paramedical post applied for (e.g., nursing, pharmacy, radiography, or lab-technology subjects)
Not officially detailed here: The exact syllabus breakdown and weightage for each post-specific professional section. Candidates should download the syllabus annexure from the official CEN 05/2026 document once it is fully available.
Salary and Pay Scale
Selected candidates will be placed under the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) pay matrix, with pay depending on the post:
| Pay Level | Approx. Basic Pay (7th CPC) |
|---|---|
| Level 3 | ₹21,700 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
Nursing Superintendent posts are generally placed at the higher end (Level 7), while entry-level technician posts fall in the Level 3–5 range. In addition to basic pay, employees receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and other Railway-specific perks as applicable — the gross in-hand salary will therefore be higher than the basic pay shown above. Exact post-wise pay level assignment should be verified from the notification.
Required Documents
Candidates should generally keep the following ready before applying and for later stages of the process:
- Class 10/12 mark sheets and certificates (as applicable)
- Relevant paramedical diploma/degree certificate and mark sheets
- Council/board registration certificate for the relevant paramedical field
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), if applicable
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
- Ex-servicemen discharge certificate, if applicable
- Valid photo ID proof
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format
- Aadhaar card (linked to bank account for fee refund purposes)
Important Instructions for Applicants
- Apply only through the official RRB portal, rrbapply.gov.in; be cautious of unofficial links or agents claiming to process applications.
- Ensure you already possess the required qualification and registration by the closing date of the application — candidates awaiting final results of their qualifying course are generally not eligible.
- Apply for only one post/RRB, since the CBT for different posts may be scheduled simultaneously.
- Double-check personal, educational, and category details before final submission, since not all fields may be editable later.
- Keep scanned copies of photograph, signature, and certificates ready in the prescribed format and size before starting the form.
- Retain the application confirmation/printout and payment receipt for future reference.
- Regularly check the official RRB website and your registered email/mobile for updates on admit card, exam date, and any corrigendum.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ans: It is a recruitment drive by the Railway Recruitment Boards under CEN No. 05/2026 to fill various paramedical posts — such as Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Radiographer, and Lab Assistant — in Indian Railways’ hospitals and health units.
Ans: The indicative notice mentioned 560 tentative vacancies. Some reports of the detailed notification suggest a revised figure; the exact confirmed number should be checked in the official CEN PDF on rrbapply.gov.in.
Ans: Online applications are reported to have opened on 15 September 2026 and to close on 14 October 2026.
Ans: ₹500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates (₹400 refundable after appearing in the CBT) and ₹250 for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen/Female/Transgender/EBC candidates (fully refundable).
Ans: Age is calculated as on 01.01.2027 and varies by post, generally falling within an 18 to 40 years range. Exact post-wise limits should be confirmed from the notification.
Ans: A single-stage Computer-Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification and a Medical Examination.
Ans: Pay ranges from Level 3 (₹21,700 basic) to Level 7 (₹44,900 basic) under the 7th CPC, depending on the post, plus DA, HRA, and other allowances.
Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist (Entry Grade), Radiographer/X-Ray Technician, Lab Assistant Grade II, ECG Technician, Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II, Optometrist, Audiologist & Speech Therapist, and Dialysis Technician.
Online, through the official portal rrbapply.gov.in, or via the respective zonal RRB website.
Ans: Candidates are generally advised to apply for a single post/RRB, as CBTs for different posts may be conducted at overlapping times. Check the notification for any specific restriction.
Ans: The exam date has not been announced yet. It will be notified along with the admit card release closer to the exam.
Ans: Yes, reports indicate 1/3 mark is deducted for each wrong answer, consistent with standard RRB exam patterns — confirm from the official notification.
Conclusion
RRB Paramedical Staff Recruitment 2026-27 (CEN No. 05/2026) opens up hundreds of Group C paramedical positions across Indian Railways, with applications open from 15 September to 14 October 2026. While the initial indicative vacancy figure stands at 560, candidates should treat the detailed CEN notification on rrbapply.gov.in as the final and authoritative source for the exact vacancy count, post-wise eligibility, age limits, and exam schedule, since several of these details have varied across secondary reports at different stages of the announcement. Reading the official PDF carefully before applying — and reapplying that same diligence at the document verification and medical exam stages — will give applicants the best chance of a smooth selection process.