RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 – 590 Posts

Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have released Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 05/2026 for recruitment to various paramedical categories. RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 covers 590 vacancies across 9 posts, with qualifications ranging from 12th pass with relevant paramedical diplomas to bachelor’s-level professional qualifications.

The online application process starts on 15 September 2026 and closes on 14 October 2026 at 23:59 hrs. Selection will be through a Single Stage Computer Based Test (CBT), followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination.

RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 Overview

The recruitment is distinctive because one centralised notification covers nine different paramedical posts across all RRB zones. Applicants therefore need to check the qualification, age limit and medical standard applicable to their particular post rather than treating the recruitment as having one common eligibility requirement.

RRB CEN 05/2026 Important Dates

The notification does not specify the CBT examination date. Candidates should therefore check the RRB website for the later examination schedule.

RRB Paramedical Vacancy Details

There are 590 vacancies across nine paramedical posts. The combined post-wise vacancies are as follows:

RRB-wise and Railway Zone-wise vacancy details are provided in Annexure-B of the detailed notification. The vacancies are provisional and may increase or decrease according to the requirements of the concerned Railway administrations.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must possess the prescribed educational, technical or professional qualification from a recognised Institute or University by the closing date of 14 October 2026. Candidates awaiting final results are not eligible to apply.

Post-wise Educational Qualification

The notification also states that Open and Distance Learning qualifications from UGC-recognised Universities/Institutions of National Importance are accepted for ECG Technician and Lab Assistant Gr. II, subject to UGC approval.

RRB CEN 05/2026 Age Limit

Age is calculated as on 01.01.2027, and the permitted age varies according to the post. The age range in the vacancy details runs from 18–33 years to 20–40 years. The candidate’s date of birth must match the Matriculation/SSLC certificate.

Upper Age Relaxation

Additional age provisions apply to certain serving Railway employees and widowed, divorced or judicially separated women who meet the conditions specified in the notification. If more than one relaxation applies, only the maximum single relaxation is permitted rather than cumulative relaxation.

Salary / Pay Scale

The recruitment offers different 7th CPC pay levels according to the post. The initial pay ranges from ₹21,700 for Lab Assistant Gr. II to ₹44,900 for Nursing Superintendent.

Application Fee

Fee payment is accepted through internet banking, debit/credit card or UPI. Applications without the prescribed fee will be rejected. Refunds are credited only to the candidate’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account.

Selection Process

Selection under RRB CEN 05/2026 consists of:

Single Stage CBT → Document Verification → Medical Examination

The CBT has 100 objective multiple-choice questions and is conducted for 90 minutes. PwBD/PWD candidates eligible for the scribe facility receive 120 minutes. There is a negative marking of 1/3 mark for every wrong answer.

CBT Exam Pattern

The section-wise distribution is indicative and may vary. The examination is available in English, Hindi and 13 regional Indian languages, including Tamil.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Shortlisting for Document Verification is carried out RRB-wise at a 1:1 rate of vacancies based strictly on CBT merit. Final empanelment depends on CBT merit, successful Document Verification and passing the prescribed Medical Examination.

How to Apply for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026

Candidates should complete the application through the unified RRB application system.

1. Visit the official RRB website and open the relevant RRB webpage.
2. Create an account using a valid personal mobile number and active email ID. Candidates with an account from earlier RRB CENs should use their existing login credentials.
3. Complete identity authentication through DigiLocker or Aadhaar as instructed.
4. Select one RRB, followed by the applicable Railway Zone and post preferences.
5. Capture the required live photograph using a webcam or mobile front camera.
6. Upload the scanned signature and other mandatory documents requested in the application.
7. Select the examination language.
8. Submit the application and pay the examination fee online through the permitted payment modes.
9. Complete the application by 14.10.2026 at 23:59 hrs and fee payment by 16.10.2026.
10. If required, use the modification window from 17.10.2026 to 26.10.2026, subject to the prescribed modification fee.

Only one RRB can be selected, and the selected RRB and account-creation information cannot subsequently be modified. Multiple applications can result in rejection of all applications and may lead to disqualification or debarment.

Preparation Tips for RRB Paramedical Recruitment

The most important preparation area is Professional Ability, which accounts for 70 of the 100 CBT questions. Candidates should therefore concentrate on the professional subject corresponding to their selected paramedical post rather than preparing only the general sections.

For example, a Nursing Superintendent applicant should align professional preparation with the nursing qualification required for the post, while Pharmacist, Radiographer, ECG Technician, Optometrist and Laboratory candidates should focus on the technical knowledge associated with their respective qualification. The notification’s post-specific eligibility requirements make it important to apply only for posts for which the candidate already holds the prescribed qualification.

The CBT also includes General Awareness, General Arithmetic/General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Science. Since the examination carries negative marking of 1/3 mark for each wrong answer, candidates should also practise accurate objective-question solving.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Selecting more than one RRB or submitting multiple applications.
• Applying without possessing the required qualification by the closing date.
• Entering qualification or personal details incorrectly.
• Ignoring the specific medical standard applicable to the selected post.
• Missing the final fee-payment confirmation after submitting the application.
• Waiting until the final hours to complete the online application.

Required Documents Checklist

Candidates should have the documents required by the online application system ready, particularly:

• Educational qualification certificates relevant to the selected post.
• Matriculation/SSLC certificate for date-of-birth verification.
• Category certificate, where applicable.
• Professional registration details/certificate where specifically required for the post.
• Scanned signature and other documents requested during online application.

Important Instructions

Candidates must satisfy the educational and technical qualification requirements by the closing date. The candidature remains provisional until the required certificates are verified during Document Verification.

Candidates can select only one RRB, and their selected RRB and account-creation details cannot be changed later. Applicants should also note that medical standards are applicable to the opted post, and candidates found medically unsuitable will not receive an alternative appointment.

Important Links

The notification and application links above are the links provided in the supplied recruitment source.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RRB CEN 05/2026?

RRB CEN 05/2026 is a Centralised Employment Notification for various paramedical categories under the Railway Recruitment Boards. It covers 9 posts with a total of 590 vacancies.

How many vacancies are available in RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?

There are 590 vacancies. Nursing Superintendent has the highest number with 365 posts, followed by Pharmacist (Entry Grade) with 118 posts and Health & Malaria Inspector Gr II with 43 posts.

What is the last date to apply for RRB CEN 05/2026?

The last date for online application submission is 14 October 2026 at 23:59 hrs. The last date for fee payment is 16 October 2026.

What qualification is required for RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026?

The qualification depends on the post. Requirements include 12th-level qualifications with relevant paramedical diplomas for certain posts and bachelor’s-level qualifications such as B.Sc. Nursing, Pharmacy, Audiology and Optometry for others.

What is the selection process for RRB CEN 05/2026?

Candidates are selected through a Single Stage CBT, followed by Document Verification and Medical Examination. The CBT contains 100 questions for 100 marks and has 1/3-mark negative marking for each wrong answer.

What is the application fee?

The fee is ₹500 for all other candidates and ₹250 for SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Female, Transgender, Minorities and EBC candidates, subject to the refund conditions stated in the notification.

Is there negative marking in the RRB paramedical CBT?

Yes. The notification specifies a deduction of 1/3 mark for every wrong answer in the CBT.

Where can I apply for RRB CEN 05/2026?

Candidates can apply through the unified RRB application portal. The official application link is provided in the Important Links section above.

Conclusion

RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 provides 590 vacancies across nine paramedical posts, with post-specific educational and professional requirements. Candidates should carefully check the qualification, age, medical standard, application requirements and selection process applicable to their chosen post before submitting the form. Verify the official notification and complete the application through the official RRB portal within the stated deadline.