The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) on behalf of the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have released the detailed Centralised Employment Notification CEN 05/2026 for the recruitment of 590 vacancies in various Paramedical Staff Categories across different Zonal Railways and Production Units.
This nationwide recruitment drive features high-demand healthcare posts including Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist (Entry Grade), Radiographer (X-Ray Technician), Lab Assistant Grade-II, Health and Malaria Inspector, and ECG Technician. Online registration is officially open on the centralized railway recruitment portal rrbapply.gov.in from 15 September 2026 to 14 October 2026.
Important Alert: Candidates may apply to only ONE Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and submit only ONE common online application for the notified posts according to their eligibility. Multiple submissions across different RRBs will lead to immediate rejection of candidature.
RRB Paramedical CEN 05/2026: Quick Overview
| Recruiting Organization | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Notification Number | CEN 05/2026 (Paramedical Categories) |
| Total Vacancies | 590 Posts |
| Key Designations | Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Lab Assistant, Radiographer, Health Inspector |
| Job Location | Pan-India (Zonal Railway Hospitals and Health Units) |
| Online Application Window | 15 September 2026 to 14 October 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 16 October 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Application Modification Window | 17 October 2026 to 26 October 2026 |
| Selection Mode | Computer Based Test (CBT) followed by Document Verification & Medical Examination |
| Official Application Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
Post-Wise Vacancies, Pay Level & Educational Eligibility
Qualifications and medical fitness standards vary by medical discipline:
| Post Designation | 7th CPC Pay Level & Basic Pay | Age Limit | Minimum Educational Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | Level-7 (INR 44,900/-) | 20 to 40 Years | B.Sc. (Nursing) / General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM 3-year course) from a recognized institute + Valid Registration as Registered Nurse & Midwife |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | Level-5 (INR 29,200/-) | 20 to 35 Years |
Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (Allopathic) from a Central or State Government |
| Radiographer / X-Ray Technician | Level-5 (INR 29,200/-) | 19 to 33 Years | 10+2 with Science + Diploma in Radiography / X-Ray Technician from a recognized institution |
| Lab Assistant Grade-II / Tech | Level-3 / Level-4 (INR 21,700 – 25,500/-) | 18 to 33 Years | Class 12 in Science + Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Gr-III | Level-6 (INR 35,400/-) | 18 to 33 Years | B.Sc. with Chemistry + 1-year Diploma in Health / Sanitary Inspector |
Note: Age calculations are reckoned per the cut-off specified in CEN 05/2026. Standard central government relaxations apply: 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL, and up to 10 years for PwBD applicants.
Application Fee & Refund Policy
In accordance with Railway Recruitment Board guidelines, examination fees include a partial/full refund provision upon appearing in the Computer Based Test (CBT):
| Candidate Category | Application Fee | Refund Amount (After Attending CBT) |
|---|---|---|
| General, OBC, and EWS Male Candidates | INR 500/- | INR 400/- (deducting bank service charges) |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Female, Transgender, Minorities & EBC | INR 250/- | INR 250/- (Full refund minus bank processing charges) |
Selection Process & CBT Exam Scheme
The recruitment is conducted through a single Computer Based Test (CBT) of 90 minutes duration:
- Professional Ability (Core Healthcare Subject): 70 Questions (70 Marks)
- General Awareness: 10 Questions (10 Marks)
- General Arithmetic, General Intelligence & Reasoning: 10 Questions (10 Marks)
- General Science: 10 Questions (10 Marks)
- Total: 100 Questions | 100 Marks | Duration: 90 Minutes (120 Minutes for eligible PwBD scribe candidates)
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
How to Apply Online at rrbapply.gov.in
- Go to the centralized recruitment portal at rrbapply.gov.in.
- Click on “Apply” and select “Create an Account” if you are a new user, or log in with your mobile number/email ID and password.
- Select the recruitment notification CEN 05/2026 (Paramedical Categories).
- Select your preferred participating Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) and post preference order.
- Input your educational, technical, and council registration credentials accurately.
- Upload your scanned passport photograph, signature, and community certificate (if requesting travel pass).
- Pay the examination fee via Net Banking, UPI, or Credit/Debit card and print the final submitted application form.
Official Notification & Application Links
| Direct Online Application Portal | Apply Online at rrbapply.gov.in |
| Detailed Notification (CEN 05/2026 PDF) | Download Official CEN 05/2026 Notification |
| Unified RRB Official Portal | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
