The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially rolled out an exciting employment opportunity for medical professionals through the latest notification. If you are qualified in pharmacy and seeking a secure government career, this campaign is tailored for you. This recruitment drive forms a vital part of the overarching RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 initiative.
Official announcements detail a total of 590 vacancies across various medical streams, with 118 vacancies specifically designated for the Pharmacist (Entry Grade) post under notification code CEN 05/2026. Candidates can check the official details in the RRB Pharmacist Notification 2026.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Organisation | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| CEN Number | CEN 05/2026 |
| Post Name | Pharmacist (Entry Grade) |
| Total Paramedical Vacancies | 590 |
| Pharmacist Vacancies | 118 |
| Pay Level | Level 5 |
| Initial Pay | ₹29,200 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 October 2026 |
| Official Application Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
Important Dates and Deadlines
Aspirants must adhere strictly to the schedule provided by the Railway Recruitment Boards to avoid missing any phase of the recruitment process.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice | 12 September 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 15 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 14 October 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 October 2026 |
| Application Modification Window | 17 to 26 October 2026 |
| Scribe Details Submission | 27 to 31 October 2026 |
| RRB Pharmacist Exam Date | To Be Announced |
Railway Pharmacist Vacancy Distribution
The overall recruitment drive includes several paramedical designations. The breakdown of roles and corresponding pay levels is detailed below:
| 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 |
| Optometrist | 2 | Level 4 |
| Dialysis Technician | 1 | Level 6 |
| Audiologist & Speech Therapist | 1 | Level 6 |
| Total | 590 | – |
Eligibility Criteria and Qualifications
Applicants must fulfill specific age and educational requirements before submitting their forms.
Age Limit
The permissible age limit for the Pharmacist (Entry Grade) post is 20-35 years.
Essential Qualifications Checklist
- 10+2 in Science or equivalent, plus Diploma in Pharmacy from a recognised institution, registered under Pharmacy Act 1948.
- Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy (B.Pharma) from a recognised university, registered under Pharmacy Act 1948.
Age Relaxations
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC & ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (UR & EWS) | 3 years after deducting service period from age |
| Ex-Servicemen (OBC-NCL) | 6 years after deducting service period from age |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC & ST) | 8 years after deducting service period from age |
| PwBD (UR & EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC-NCL) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC & ST) | 15 years |
| Group C & erstwhile Group D Railway Staff or Substitutes with ≥ 3 years service | UR & EWS – up to 40 years OBC – up to 43 years SC & ST – up to 45 years |
| Quasi-Administrative Railway Office Staff | Age relaxation equal to service length or 5 years (whichever is less) |
| Widowed/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (Not Remarried) | UR & EWS – up to 35 years OBC – up to 38 years SC & ST – up to 40 years |
Application Fees
Candidates need to submit application fees as specified below, with provisions for fee refunds after appearing in the Computer Based Test (CBT):
- UR / OBC: ₹500 (Refund of ₹400 after CBT)
- SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Women / Transgender / Minorities / Economically Backward Class (EBC): ₹250 (Refund of ₹250 after CBT)
| Category | Application Fee | Refund after CBT |
|---|---|---|
| UR / OBC | ₹500 | ₹400 |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Women / Transgender / Minorities / Economically Backward Class (EBC) | ₹250 | ₹250 |
Steps to Apply for RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can complete their submissions online via the official application portal. Access the active registration portal using the RRB Pharmacist Apply Online Link (Active).
- Visit the official RRB application portal.
- Open the link for CEN 05/2026.
- Complete the registration process using the required details.
- Log in and fill out the Pharmacist application form.
- Enter personal, educational and other required information.
- Upload the necessary documents, photograph and signature.
- Pay the applicable application fee.
- Check all details before final submission.
- Submit the application form and save a copy for future reference.
After finishing your application, ensure you keep your login credentials secure and monitor the official portal for admit card release timelines and examination city intimations.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
The written examination consists of 100 multiple-choice questions carrying 100 marks. A negative marking of 1/3 mark applies for every incorrect response. For comprehensive study outlines, review the RRB Pharmacist Syllabus 2026.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Ability | 70 | 70 |
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 |
| General Arithmetic, General Intelligence, and Reasoning | 10 | 10 |
| General Science | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
| Subject | Syllabus Topics |
|---|---|
| General Arithmetic | Number systems, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM and HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern |
| General Awareness | Knowledge of Current affairs, Indian Geography, Culture, and History of India including Freedom Struggle, Indian Polity, and Constitution, Indian Economy, Environmental Issues Concerning India and the World, Sports, General scientific and technological developments |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision-Making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions |
| General Science | Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences (up to 10th Standard CBSE syllabus) |
Salary Details
The selected candidates for the Pharmacist (Entry Grade) position are entitled to attractive emoluments under the 7th CPC framework.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Post | Pharmacist (Entry Grade) |
| Pay Level | Level 5 |
| Initial Basic Pay | ₹29,200 |
| Pay Commission | 7th CPC |
| Allowances | As applicable under Railway rules |
Medical Standards and LASIK Guidelines
Candidates must meet the required medical standard, which is C-2. Furthermore, candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery are eligible provided they meet specific criteria.
| S.No. | Medical Standard | General Fitness | Vision Standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B-1 | Physically fit in all respects | Distance Vision: 6/9, 6/12 with or without glasses (lens power not exceeding 4D); Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses; Must pass tests for Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Night Vision, and Mesopic Vision. |
| 2 | C-1 | Physically fit in all respects | Distance Vision: 6/12, 6/18 with or without glasses; Near Vision: Sn. 0.6, 0.6 with or without glasses when reading or doing close work. |
| 3 | C-2 | Physically fit in all respects | Distance Vision: 6/12, nil with or without glasses; Near Vision: Sn. 0.6 with or without glasses for reading or close work. |
LASIK Eligibility Conditions Checklist
- No complications from surgery.
- Surgery performed at least one year before.
- Medical certificate provided by the specialist.
- Residual corneal thickness not less than 425 microns.
- Visual acuity must meet IRMM standards.
- Fundus must be normal with no progressive eye disease.
Preparation Resources and Useful Links
To boost your preparation and performance, make use of standard materials and expert guidance tools:
- Also Check: RRB Paramedical Recruitment Notification 2026
- RRB Pharmacist Previous Year Question Papers