CEN 05/2026 has been released by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) for recruitment to paramedical categories, covering 590 vacancies in total. Among these, 118 vacancies have been earmarked for the Pharmacist (Entry Grade) post, one of the key opportunities for pharmacy graduates seeking a career in Indian Railways. The online application process began on 15 September 2026 and the last date to submit the application is 14 October 2026. The Pharmacist post carries Pay Level 5 with an initial pay of ₹29,200. The CBT exam date is to be announced separately.
RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Railways, Govt. of India |
| CEN | CEN 05/2026 |
| Recruitment | Paramedical Categories |
| Post | Pharmacist (Entry Grade) |
| Pharmacist Vacancies | 118 |
| Total Paramedical Vacancies | 590 |
| Pay Level | Level 5 (7th CPC) |
| Initial Pay | ₹29,200 |
| Medical Standard | C2 |
| Age Limit | 20–35 years |
| Application Start | 15 September 2026 |
| Last Date | 14 October 2026 |
| CBT Exam Date | To be announced |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
RRB Pharmacist Notification 2026 Out
The RRB Paramedical Recruitment 2026 notification — CEN 05/2026 — has been officially released. It covers the Pharmacist (Entry Grade) post among other paramedical categories, with 118 vacancies earmarked for Pharmacist. Online applications opened on 15 September 2026 and close on 14 October 2026.
📄 Download RRB Paramedical CEN 05/2026 Notification PDF
RRB Pharmacist Important Dates 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CEN 05/2026 | Released Done |
| Application Start Date | 15 September 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 October 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 October 2026 |
| Application Modification Window | 17–26 October 2026 |
| Scribe Details Window | 27–31 October 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced |
| CBT Exam Date | To be announced |
| Result Declaration | To be announced |
RRB Pharmacist Exam Date 2026
RRB Pharmacist CBT Exam Date 2026: To Be Announced. RRB has not yet notified the CBT schedule for Pharmacist (Entry Grade) in CEN 05/2026. The exam date, shift timings and city intimation will be communicated separately through the official RRB website and admit card once the application process concludes.
RRB Pharmacist Eligibility Criteria 2026
RRB Pharmacist Educational Qualification 2026
As per CEN 05/2026, candidates must hold one of the following qualifications:
- Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (Allopathic) from a recognized University/Institute, along with registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, OR
- Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from a recognized University/Institute, along with registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
Age Limit
20–35 years as on 01 January 2027. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per Government of India rules — see the table below.
RRB Pharmacist Age Relaxation 2026
| 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 / 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 |
RRB Pharmacist Medical Standards 2026
| 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; 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. |
RRB Pharmacist Application Form 2026 – Apply Online
The online application process for RRB Pharmacist 2026 started on 15 September 2026 at rrbapply.gov.in. The last date to apply is 14 October 2026. Candidates should complete the application process well before the last date to avoid technical issues.
How to Apply for RRB Pharmacist 2026
- 1Visit the official website of the respective RRB (rrbapply.gov.in).
- 2Open the RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 notification link.
- 3Complete the registration process with a valid email and mobile number.
- 4Fill in all required personal, educational, and professional details carefully.
- 5Upload scanned documents (photo, signature, certificates) as per specifications.
- 6Pay the application fee through the available online payment modes.
- 7Review all entered details before final submission.
- 8Submit the application form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
RRB Pharmacist Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee | Refund After CBT |
|---|---|---|
| UR / OBC | ₹500 | ₹400 |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Women / Transgender / Minorities / EBC | ₹250 | ₹250 (fully refunded) |
RRB Pharmacist Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of the following stages:
- 1Computer-Based Test (CBT): Online objective examination covering professional pharmacy subjects and general aptitude.
- 2Document Verification: Candidates shortlisted in the CBT will be called for document verification of all original certificates.
- 3Medical Examination: Final stage involving a medical fitness test conducted as per Railway standards (B-1 / C-1 / C-2).
Final selection will be based on the candidate's performance in the CBT and successful completion of all subsequent stages. As per CEN 05/2026, the CBT carries 1/3rd negative marking for each wrong answer. If the CBT is conducted across multiple shifts, scores will be normalized to account for difficulty variation between shifts.
RRB Pharmacist Exam Pattern 2026
The examination includes objective-type (MCQ) questions with 1/3rd negative marking per wrong answer. The pattern below reflects the standard RRB paramedical CBT structure — verify the exact subject-wise weightage against CEN 05/2026 before relying on it for preparation.
| Subject | Number of Questions | Marks Allotted |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Ability (Pharmacy) | 70 | 70 |
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 |
| General Arithmetic, General Intelligence & Reasoning | 10 | 10 |
| General Science | 10 | 10 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
RRB Pharmacist Syllabus 2026
Professional Pharmacy Subjects (70 marks)
- Pharmacology
- Pharmaceutics
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry
- Hospital Pharmacy
- Pharmacognosy
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Pharmaceutical Analysis
- Human Anatomy and Physiology
General Subjects (30 marks)
- General Awareness & Current Affairs
- General Science
- Mathematics (General Arithmetic)
- Logical Reasoning
RRB Pharmacist Salary 2026
The RRB Pharmacist Salary is one of the major attractions of this recruitment. Selected candidates receive a competitive salary along with various government allowances and benefits.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level 5 (7th CPC) |
| Basic Pay | ₹29,200 per month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ₹16,060 (55% of basic pay, subject to revision) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Varies based on city of posting (8%–24% of basic pay) |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | Fixed amount to cover commuting expenses |
| Medical Benefits | Railway Medical facilities for employee and family |
| Pension Benefits | NPS (National Pension System) |
| Other Perks | Leave benefits, travel concession, railway passes |
Preparation Tips for RRB Pharmacist 2026
To improve your chances of success in the RRB Pharmacist CBT:
- Read the latest official syllabus carefully before starting preparation.
- Create a structured study timetable with dedicated time for each subject.
- Focus heavily on pharmacy-related subjects (70% of the paper).
- Revise General Awareness and Current Affairs daily.
- Practise previous year question papers to understand difficulty level and patterns.
- Attempt full-length mock tests regularly under timed conditions.
- Improve speed and accuracy through sectional timed practice.
- Revise important topics weekly to strengthen retention.
Consistent preparation and regular practice are key to performing well in the CBT.
Attempt RRB Pharmacist Mock Test Here →