The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), under the Ministry of Railways, have released the detailed notification for Paramedical Categories recruitment, under Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 05/2026, dated 12 September 2026. This drive offers 590 permanent Group C vacancies across nine paramedical disciplines — from Nursing Superintendent to Dialysis Technician — spanning Pay Levels 3 to 7. This article covers the complete recruitment details — vacancy breakup, eligibility, selection process, and how to apply.
1. Recruitment Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB), Ministry of Railways |
| CEN Number | CEN No. 05/2026, dated 12.09.2026 |
| Indicative Notice Released | 8 September 2026 (with an initial estimate of 560 vacancies) |
| Detailed Notification Released | 14 September 2026 (revised to 590 vacancies) |
| Total Vacancies | 590 |
| Post Category | Permanent, Group ‘C’ |
| Number of Paramedical Categories | 9 |
| Mode of Application | Online, via the common RRB application portal |
Note on the vacancy revision: The initial indicative notice on 8 September 2026 mentioned 560 tentative vacancies. When the detailed notification followed on 14 September 2026, this was revised upward to 590 vacancies — a recovery from the earlier estimate. Always refer to the detailed notification figures (590) as the current, authoritative count.
2. Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative/short notice released | 8 September 2026 |
| Detailed notification released | 12/14 September 2026 |
| Online application start | 15 September 2026 |
| Online application close | 14 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
3. Vacancy Details
Total Vacancies: 590, across nine paramedical categories:
| Post | Vacancies | Pay Level |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | 365 | Level 7 |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) | 118 | Level 5 |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II | 43 | Level 6 |
| Lab Assistant Grade II | 31 | Level 3 |
| Radiographer/X-Ray Technician | 25 | Level 5 |
| ECG Technician | 4 | Level 4 |
| Dialysis Technician | Included in remaining balance | Level 6 |
| Optometrist | Included in remaining balance | Level 4 |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | Included in remaining balance | Not separately confirmed |
| Total | 590 |
Nursing Superintendent alone accounts for 365 posts — roughly 62% of the entire notification — making it by far the largest single category in this recruitment. Pharmacist (Entry Grade) is a distant second at 118 posts.
(Important: The exact figures for ECG Technician, Dialysis Technician, Optometrist, and Audiologist & Speech Therapist come from a single source and could not be independently cross-verified against a second source at the time of writing — together, these smaller/newer categories account for the remaining balance after Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Health & Malaria Inspector, Lab Assistant, and Radiographer are subtracted from 590. Candidates should confirm the exact number for these specific categories against the official detailed notification PDF before relying on them.)
Two new categories — Optometrist and Audiologist & Speech Therapist — have been added to this year’s paramedical recruitment; they did not exist in the previous CEN 03/2025 vacancy list, which had 434 total posts.
The exact zone-wise and RRB-wise vacancy breakup for each of the nine categories is detailed in the full notification PDF — candidates should check the specific numbers for their preferred RRB and post before applying.
4. Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification (Indicative, by Post)
| Post | Typical Qualification |
|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | B.Sc. in Nursing, or GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery), from a recognised institution, along with valid registration |
| Pharmacist | Diploma/Degree in Pharmacy (D.Pharm/B.Pharm), with valid registration |
| Radiographer/X-Ray Technician | Diploma/Degree in Radiography or Radiological Technology |
| Lab Assistant Grade II | Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology (DMLT) or equivalent |
| Other paramedical categories (Health & Malaria Inspector, ECG Technician, Dialysis Technician, Optometrist, Audiologist & Speech Therapist) | Relevant diploma/degree qualification specific to each discipline, as detailed in the official notification |
(Candidates should verify the exact qualification, including any required registration with a state/national council, for their specific post from the official CEN 05/2026 notification.)
Age Limit
Age limits vary by post and are specified in the detailed notification — candidates should check the exact age bracket applicable to their chosen category.
5. Selection Process
Selection for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 involves three stages:
- Computer Based Test (CBT) — an objective-type examination testing relevant subject knowledge along with general aptitude sections.
- Document Verification (DV) — for candidates who qualify the CBT, based on merit and category-wise vacancy availability.
- Medical Examination — a fitness check conducted before final appointment, particularly relevant given the healthcare-adjacent nature of these roles.
Important note on application structure: Each candidate applies to only one RRB (Railway Recruitment Board). That specific RRB then handles the candidate’s entire process — CBT, document verification, and medical examination — from start to finish. Your choice of RRB, railway zone, and post preference at the time of application matters significantly, since it determines which options you remain linked to throughout the recruitment.
6. Salary & Pay Structure
| Post | Pay Level | Initial Basic Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Superintendent | Level 7 | ₹44,900 |
| Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II / Dialysis Technician | Level 6 | ₹35,400 |
| Pharmacist (Entry Grade) / Radiographer/X-Ray Technician | Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
| ECG Technician / Optometrist | Level 4 | ₹25,500 |
| Lab Assistant Grade II | Level 3 | ₹21,700 |
(Pay Level for Audiologist & Speech Therapist, a newly added category, was not confirmed in available sources — candidates should check the official notification for this specific post.)
In addition to basic pay, selected candidates receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other benefits applicable to Central Government/Railway employees, along with the job security and structured career progression associated with a permanent Group C position. Promotion typically follows departmental examinations and seniority — for example, a Nursing Superintendent can progress to Senior Nursing Superintendent and Chief Nursing Superintendent, while a Pharmacist can progress to Senior Pharmacist and Pharmacy Superintendent.
7. How to Apply
- Visit the official RRB website relevant to your chosen zone, or the central RRB information page: rrb.indianrailways.gov.in
- Locate the notification link for “Paramedical Categories Recruitment, CEN No. 05/2026.”
- Read the complete detailed notification carefully to confirm your eligibility, post preference, and the RRB you wish to apply under.
- Register on the common RRB application portal using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in the online application form with your personal, educational, and category details.
- Select your preferred RRB, railway zone, and post/category preferences carefully — remember, you apply to only one RRB, which manages your entire process.
- Upload the required photograph, signature, and supporting documents as specified in the notification.
- Pay the applicable application fee online (details specified in the official notification).
- Review your application carefully before final submission.
- Submit the application and download a copy for your records.
Deadline: Complete your application before 14 October 2026, 11:59 PM.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
590 vacancies across nine paramedical categories, under CEN No. 05/2026.
14 October 2026, 11:59 PM. The application window opened on 15 September 2026.
The initial indicative notice on 8 September 2026 gave a tentative figure of 560. The detailed notification, released shortly after, revised this upward to 590 — the current, authoritative vacancy count.
Nursing Superintendent, Pharmacist, Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II, Lab Assistant Grade II, Radiographer/X-Ray Technician, ECG Technician, Dialysis Technician, Optometrist, and Audiologist & Speech Therapist.
A Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification and a Medical Examination.
From ₹21,700 (Level 3, Lab Assistant Grade II) up to ₹44,900 (Level 7, Nursing Superintendent), under the 7th CPC, with Pharmacist, Radiographer, Health & Malaria Inspector, and Dialysis Technician falling in between at Levels 5 and 6.
No. Each candidate applies to only one RRB, which manages the candidate’s entire selection process — CBT, document verification, and medical examination.
Yes. These are permanent Group ‘C’ positions in Indian Railways, with standard central government service benefits.
A B.Sc. in Nursing or GNM (General Nursing and Midwifery) from a recognised institution, along with valid registration.
Through the common RRB application portal, accessible via your chosen RRB’s official website or the central RRB portal at rrb.indianrailways.gov.in.
Nursing Superintendent, with 365 posts — around 62% of the entire 590-post notification.
9. Official Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Notification – RRB Paramedical Categories CEN 05/2026 | Download PDF |
| Official RRB Website | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
Read the complete official notification carefully to confirm the exact post-wise, zone-wise vacancy breakup, eligibility, and age limit for your chosen category and RRB. Apply carefully, since your RRB choice determines your entire selection process from CBT through to medical examination.
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