Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Paramedical Staff Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 590 Vacancies (CEN No. 05/2026)

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have officially released the centralized notification (CEN No. 05/2026) for the recruitment of various Para-Medical Categories across Indian Railways.

This pan-India recruitment campaign aims to fill 590 tentative vacancies for medical and paramedical professionals including Nursing Superintendents, Pharmacists, Laboratory Assistants, Health & Malaria Inspectors, and Radiographers. The online application portal opens on 15th September 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications online up to 14th October 2026 (11:59 PM).

Recruitment Overview Matrix

Feature	Details
Conducting Organization	Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
Ministry / Department	Ministry of Railways, Government of India
Advertisement / CEN Number	CEN No. 05/2026
Post Designations	Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Lab Assistant, Radiographer, ECG Technician, Health & Malaria Inspector, etc.
Total Openings	590 Vacancies
Job Location / Cadre	All India Railway Zones & Medical Units
Application Mode	Online Only (via official RRB portals)
Online Application Start Date	15th September 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	14th October 2026 (11:59 PM)
Official Application Website	rrbapply.gov.in

Important Schedule & Timeline Matrix

Event Description	Official Dates & Timeline
Notification Release Date	14th September 2026
Commencement of Online Registration	15th September 2026
Closing Date & Time for Online Applications	14th October 2026 (23:59 Hours)
Last Date for Application Fee Payment	16th October 2026
Application Correction / Modification Window	17th October to 26th October 2026
Scribe Details Submission Window	27th October to 31st October 2026
Computer-Based Test (CBT) Date	As per official schedule

Post-Wise Vacancy Distribution Matrix

Post Name / Category	Total Openings	Pay Level (7th CPC)
Nursing Superintendent	365	Level 7
Pharmacist (Entry Grade)	118	Level 5
Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II	43	Level 6
Laboratory Assistant Grade II	31	Level 3
Radiographer / X-Ray Technician	25	Level 5
ECG Technician	04	Level 4
Optometrist	02	Level 5
Audiologist & Speech Therapist	01	Level 6
Dialysis Technician	01	Level 5
Total Vacancies	590 Posts	—

Eligibility Criteria & Essential Parameters

1. Age Limit Parameters (As on 1st January 2027)

• Lower Age Limit: 18 to 21 Years (depending on the specific post)
• Upper Age Limit (UR/EWS): Ranges between 30 to 40 Years depending on the post.
• Upper Age Relaxations:
  • SC / ST: 5 Years
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years
  • PwBD Candidates: 10 Years (UR/EWS), 13 Years (OBC-NCL), 15 Years (SC/ST)
  • Ex-Servicemen: As per Government guidelines.

2. Educational Qualifications (Post-Wise Summary)

• Nursing Superintendent: B.Sc. Nursing from a recognized University/Institute OR regular GNM Course with a certificate as a Registered Nurse and Midwife.
• Pharmacist (Entry Grade): Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharm) or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) with registration under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
• Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II: B.Sc. with Chemistry as main/optional subject plus a 1-year Diploma of Health/Sanitary Inspector.
• Laboratory Assistant Gr. II: 10+2 in Science with a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT).
• Radiographer / X-Ray Technician: 10+2 with Physics and Chemistry, plus a 2-year Diploma in Radiography / X-Ray Technician / Radiodiagnosis Technology.
• ECG Technician: 10+2 / Graduation in Science with a Certificate, Diploma, or Degree in ECG Laboratory Technology / Cardiology.

Selection Process Structure

1. Computer-Based Test (CBT): Objective-type multiple-choice examination evaluating professional subject knowledge, general awareness, arithmetic, general intelligence, and general science.
2. Document Verification (DV): Shortlisted candidates based on CBT merit are called for verification of original academic, professional registration, and identity documents.
3. Medical Examination: Final clearance requires meeting strict medical standards prescribed for railway medical personnel (primarily C-1 medical category standards).

Application Fee Structure

• General, OBC, and EWS Candidates: ₹500/- (Note: Rs. 400/- is refunded after deducting bank charges upon appearing in the Stage-1 CBT).
• SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Female, Transgender, Minorities, and Economically Backward Classes (EBC): ₹250/- (Note: Full Rs. 250/- fee is refunded after appearing in the CBT).
• Payment Mode: Online digital channels including Net Banking, Debit Cards, Credit Cards, or UPI.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online

1. Visit Official Portal: Navigate to the centralized RRB application platform at rrbapply.gov.in.
2. Create User Account: Register on the portal using a valid mobile number and email ID to generate your permanent login credentials.
3. Select CEN Notification: Access the active link for CEN No. 05/2026 (Paramedical Categories).
4. Fill Application Form: Log in with your credentials, select your preferred Railway Zone, indicate post preferences, and input personal and educational details.
5. Upload Scanned Files: Upload live passport-size photographs, signatures, category certificates (if claiming fee concessions or travel passes), and thumb impressions as per official specifications.
6. Pay Application Fee: Remit the non-refundable processing fee through online gateways.
7. Final Submission & Printout: Submit the completed form before 14th October 2026 (11:59 PM) and keep a printed copy for future recruitment stages.

🔗 Official RRB Application Portal

🔗 Official Indian Railways Website

📄 Download RRB Paramedical CEN 05/2026 Official Notification PDF

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the last date to apply online for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?

A: The online application portal closes strictly on 14th October 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Q2: How many total vacancies are advertised under CEN 05/2026?

A: A total of 590 vacancies have been notified across various paramedical posts.

Q3: Is the application fee refundable?

A: Yes. Candidates receive a partial or full refund of their examination fee (₹400 for General/OBC/EWS and ₹250 for reserved/female categories) after physically appearing in the Computer-Based Test.

Q4: What is the age calculation reference date for this recruitment?

A: The age limits are calculated as of 1st January 2027.

Q5: Can candidates apply for more than one post?

A: Candidates can apply for multiple posts if they satisfy the specific eligibility criteria for each, though separate applications and fees must be managed where applicable