The Railway Recruitment Boards have opened the online application process for 590 paramedical vacancies under Centralised Employment Notification CEN 05/2026. The recruitment drive covers several healthcare related positions across Indian Railways and is open to candidates who meet the prescribed educational, technical and other eligibility requirements.
The online application process began on September 15, 2026. According to the recruitment schedule, candidates can submit their applications until October 14, 2026, up to 11:59 pm. The last date for payment of the application fee for submitted applications is October 16, 2026. Candidates will also get an opportunity to modify their applications between October 17 and October 26, subject to the applicable conditions and modification fee.
The recruitment notification covers nine paramedical categories. Nursing Superintendent accounts for the largest share of the vacancies, with 365 posts. Pharmacist Entry Grade has 118 vacancies, while Health and Malaria Inspector Grade II has 43 posts. The notification also includes 31 vacancies for Lab Assistant Grade II and 25 posts for Radiographer X-Ray Technician.
The remaining vacancies are distributed among ECG Technician, Optometrist, Dialysis Technician, and Audiologist and Speech Therapist posts. There are four vacancies for ECG Technician, two for Optometrist, one for Dialysis Technician and one for Audiologist and Speech Therapist. Altogether, these categories account for 590 vacancies.
The vacancies are spread across the Railway Recruitment Boards and different railway administrations. The detailed distribution of vacancies by RRB, railway zone and other categories is provided in the recruitment notification. Candidates are advised to check the relevant vacancy details before submitting their applications because the notified vacancies are provisional and can change according to the requirements of the concerned Railway administrations.
The posts are placed across different pay levels. Nursing Superintendent is a Level 7 position with an initial pay of Rs 44,900. Dialysis Technician, Health and Malaria Inspector Grade II, and Audiologist and Speech Therapist are Level 6 posts with an initial pay of Rs 35,400. Pharmacist Entry Grade and Radiographer X-Ray Technician are Level 5 posts with an initial pay of Rs 29,200.
ECG Technician and Optometrist are Level 4 positions with an initial pay of Rs 25,500, while Lab Assistant Grade II is a Level 3 post with an initial pay of Rs 21,700. The applicable medical standards and age requirements differ according to the post.
Candidates should carefully check the educational qualification requirements for the particular post before applying. The recruitment includes positions requiring qualifications in nursing, pharmacy, laboratory services, radiography and other allied healthcare disciplines. Applicants must possess the prescribed qualification and meet the requirements specified in the detailed CEN by the relevant cut-off date.
Age eligibility also varies according to the post. The age is generally reckoned as on January 1, 2027, with different age bands specified for different categories. For example, the Nursing Superintendent position has an age range of 20 to 40 years, while the Pharmacist Entry Grade position has an age range of 20 to 35 years. Other posts have their own prescribed age limits. Candidates belonging to eligible reserved categories may receive age relaxation according to the applicable government rules.
The application process is entirely online. Candidates are required to use the official RRB recruitment system and should carefully read the detailed notification before completing the application. Applicants should select the appropriate RRB and ensure that the information entered in the application matches their official educational and identity documents.
Candidates should also make sure that they upload or provide the required information in the prescribed format. Errors in personal details, educational qualifications, category information or other important fields can create problems during later stages of the recruitment process. Applicants are therefore advised to review the complete application before submitting it.
The application fee also varies according to the candidate category. Reports based on the recruitment notification state that the standard fee is Rs 500, while eligible candidates under specified categories can avail themselves of a reduced fee of Rs 250. The applicable fee, payment conditions and refund provisions should be checked in the official notification before payment.
After the application process, candidates will have to appear for the Computer Based Test. The date for the CBT has not yet been announced. The Railway Recruitment Boards are expected to publish the examination schedule separately through their official websites. Candidates should therefore regularly check the official RRB portals for updates regarding the examination date, city information, admit card and other recruitment-related announcements.
The recruitment process is expected to include the CBT followed by document verification and a medical examination for candidates who qualify at the required stages. The exact requirements and conditions differ according to the post and are specified in CEN 05/2026. Candidates should read the notification carefully rather than relying only on general recruitment information.
One important point for applicants is the application deadline. The online form must be submitted by October 14, 2026, before 11:59 pm. However, candidates who have submitted their applications will have additional time to complete the applicable fee payment, with the payment deadline set for October 16. The application modification window will subsequently run from October 17 to October 26.
Candidates are advised not to wait until the final hours to submit their forms. Heavy website traffic or technical difficulties near the deadline can create difficulties in completing an application. Applicants should complete the registration, upload the required details and documents, make the fee payment where applicable and confirm successful submission well before the closing time.
The RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 is significant for candidates seeking employment in healthcare related positions within Indian Railways. With 590 vacancies across nine categories, the recruitment covers a range of professional and technical roles. Nursing Superintendent and Pharmacist positions account for a substantial portion of the total vacancies, while the notification also provides opportunities in radiography, laboratory services, medical inspection, ECG services, optometry, dialysis and audiology.
The Railway Recruitment Boards have advised candidates to rely on the detailed CEN and official RRB websites for the latest information. Any changes to vacancies, examination dates, application procedures or other recruitment conditions will be communicated through official channels.
Candidates should therefore verify their eligibility, post specific qualifications, age requirements, vacancy details and application instructions before applying. The official notification should be treated as the primary source for all recruitment related decisions.
With applications currently open, eligible candidates have until October 14, 2026, to complete the online application process. The fee payment deadline is October 16, followed by the application modification window from October 17 to October 26. The CBT date will be announced later by the Railway Recruitment Boards.
