RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 Apply Online Starts Today: 118 Vacancies, Eligibility, Salary & CBT Pattern

15 September 2026 min read

The RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 online application process opens today, 15 September 2026, under Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 05/2026.

The Railway Recruitment Boards have officially announced:

118 Pharmacist (Entry Grade) Vacancies

across Indian Railways.

The Pharmacist post carries:

Pay Level 5

₹29,200 Initial Basic Pay

Age Limit: 20–35 Years

Medical Standard: C2

The last date to submit the online application is:

14 October 2026 at 11:59 PM

while the last date to pay the application fee for a submitted form is 16 October 2026.

RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The detailed CEN confirms 118 Pharmacist vacancies out of the revised 590 total paramedical vacancies.

RRB Pharmacist Vacancy 2026

Railway Recruitment Boards have notified:

118 Pharmacist (Entry Grade) Posts

under Category No. 5 of CEN 05/2026.

This makes Pharmacist the second-largest category in the recruitment after Nursing Superintendent.

The overall post-wise recruitment includes 365 Nursing Superintendent posts, 118 Pharmacist posts, 43 Health & Malaria Inspector posts, 31 Lab Assistant Grade-II posts, 25 Radiographer posts and smaller numbers in the remaining paramedical categories.

Important: 118 Vacancies, Not the Earlier 120

Some older articles may show:

120 Pharmacist vacancies

because that number came from earlier Railway vacancy planning.

The final Detailed CEN 05/2026 now lists 118 Pharmacist (Entry Grade) vacancies.

Candidates should therefore use:

118 Posts

for the current recruitment.

RRB Pharmacist Vacancies for West Bengal Candidates

The detailed RRB-wise vacancy table is particularly useful for candidates considering Kolkata, Malda or Siliguri.

RRB Kolkata

Pharmacist vacancies:

CLW – 1

Eastern Railway – 9

Total:

10 Pharmacist Posts

The category breakup works out to:

Category| Vacancy UR| 6 SC| 0 ST| 2 OBC| 1 EWS| 1 Total| 10

RRB Malda Pharmacist Vacancy

RRB Malda has:

Eastern Railway – 8

South Eastern Railway – 1

Total:

9 Pharmacist Posts

Category-wise:

Category| Vacancy UR| 4 SC| 2 ST| 1 OBC| 1 EWS| 1 Total| 9

RRB Siliguri Pharmacist Vacancy

RRB Siliguri has:

2 Pharmacist Posts

under Northeast Frontier Railway.

The breakup is:

UR – 1

OBC – 1

Therefore, the Kolkata + Malda + Siliguri RRB entries together contain:

21 Pharmacist vacancies

although candidates should remember that Railway/RRB selection and actual place of posting depend on the notified Railway/Unit, merit and preferences.

RRB Pharmacist Eligibility 2026

This is the most important part of the new notification.

For CEN 05/2026, candidates need either:

Route 1 – B.Pharm

Bachelor Degree in Pharmacy (Allopathic)

from a Central or State Government-recognised University or Institute,

AND

Registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

Route 2 – Pharm.D

Doctor of Pharmacy

from a Central or State Government-recognised University or Institute,

AND

Registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

This qualification is directly stated in Annexure-A of the Detailed CEN.

Is D.Pharm Eligible for RRB Pharmacist 2026?

No — not under the qualification wording in Detailed CEN 05/2026.

This requires special attention.

Previous Railway paramedical notifications and several older recruitment websites showed:

10+2 Science + D.Pharm + Pharmacist Registration

as an eligible route.

However, the new CEN 05/2026 Annexure-A specifies only:

B.Pharm (Allopathic)

Pharm.D

with registration as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

Therefore, candidates holding only D.Pharm should not rely on previous-cycle eligibility for this recruitment.

This is one of the biggest changes candidates need to notice in the 2026 detailed notification.

Is B.Pharm Eligible?

Yes.

B.Pharm candidates are eligible provided:

The degree is from a recognised Central/State Government University or Institute.
It meets the prescribed Pharmacy (Allopathic) requirement.
The candidate is registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

Is Pharm.D Eligible?

Yes.

Pharm.D is explicitly mentioned in the new detailed notification.

Candidates must also be:

Registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

Is Pharmacy Council Registration Mandatory?

Yes.

Having B.Pharm or Pharm.D alone is not enough.

The candidate must also be:

Registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948

as specified in the notification.

Candidates should therefore keep their registration certificate ready for Document Verification.

Can Final-Year B.Pharm or Pharm.D Students Apply?

Candidates waiting for the final result of the prescribed qualification:

Cannot apply.

RRB states that applicants must possess the required educational/technical/professional qualification on or before 14 October 2026, the application closing date.

Candidates awaiting final results should not submit the application.

RRB Pharmacist Age Limit 2026

The official age limit is:

20–35 Years

as on:

1 January 2027

Age Relaxation

Eligible reserved-category candidates receive upper-age relaxation according to Railway/Central Government rules.

Major relaxations include:

OBC-NCL

3 years

SC/ST

5 years

PwBD

Additional relaxation according to category and applicable rules.

Ex-Servicemen

Relaxation according to the conditions specified in CEN 05/2026.

Candidates claiming reservation or age relaxation must possess the required valid certificates by the prescribed cut-off date.

RRB Pharmacist Salary 2026

The post carries:

Pay Level 5

with:

₹29,200 initial basic pay per month

under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.

In addition, appointed candidates receive applicable allowances according to Railway/Central Government rules.

These may include:

Dearness Allowance
House Rent Allowance
Transport Allowance
Other admissible Railway benefits

Actual gross and in-hand salary varies according to posting location, current allowance rates and deductions.

Medical Standard

The Pharmacist (Entry Grade) post carries:

C2 Medical Standard

Candidates must clear the prescribed Railway medical examination before final appointment.

Passing CBT and Document Verification alone does not guarantee appointment if the candidate fails the required medical standard.

Application Starts Today

The official application schedule is:

Candidates should avoid waiting until the last date because technical issues or heavy traffic can create unnecessary problems.

How to Apply for RRB Pharmacist 2026

Candidates must submit the application online only through the official Railway Recruitment Board application system.

The process is:

Open the official RRB application portal.
Login using your existing RRB account or create an account if required.
Select CEN 05/2026 – Paramedical Categories.
Choose one RRB only.
Enter personal and educational details.
Select Pharmacist (Entry Grade), if eligible.
Enter B.Pharm/Pharm.D qualification details.
Enter Pharmacist registration details.
Select eligible Railway/Unit preferences.
Complete identity verification and live-photo requirements.
Upload the required signature/documents.
Pay the examination fee.
Preview the application carefully.
Submit the form.
Save the final application and registration details.

RRB specifically states that candidates may choose only one RRB, and multiple applications can lead to rejection and debarment.

Can You Change the Chosen RRB Later?

No.

The correction window is available from 17–26 October, but:

Chosen RRB cannot be changed.

Details entered during Create an Account, including registered email/mobile information, also cannot be modified through the regular correction facility.

Choose the RRB carefully before submitting the form.

RRB Pharmacist Application Fee

The official fee structure is:

Candidates who actually appear in CBT are eligible for the prescribed refund:

₹500-fee candidates

₹400 refunded, after applicable bank charges.

₹250-fee candidates

₹250 refunded, after applicable bank charges.

Important

EBC is not the same as EWS or OBC.

RRB explicitly warns candidates not to confuse these categories.

RRB Pharmacist Selection Process

The normal recruitment process is:

Single-Stage CBT

↓

Document Verification

↓

Railway Medical Examination

↓

Final Empanelment

There is:

No regular interview.

RRB states that candidates approximately equal to the number of vacancies will be called for Document Verification based on CBT merit.

For 118 Pharmacist posts nationally, this makes the CBT particularly important.

RRB Pharmacist CBT Pattern 2026

The detailed notification has officially confirmed:

Subject| Questions| Marks Professional Ability – Pharmacy| 70| 70 General Awareness| 10| 10 General Arithmetic + General Intelligence & Reasoning| 10| 10 General Science| 10| 10 Total| 100| 100

Total duration:

90 Minutes

Eligible PwBD/PWD candidates using a scribe receive:

120 Minutes

Negative Marking

There is:

1/3 Negative Marking

for every incorrect answer.

The marking scheme is:

Correct

Wrong

−1/3

Unattempted

Three incorrect answers can therefore cancel the mark gained from one correct answer.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Category| Minimum Qualifying Marks UR| 40% EWS| 40% OBC-NCL| 30% SC| 30% ST| 25%

RRB can relax these eligibility marks by 2 marks for PwBD candidates in the prescribed shortage situation.

These are only minimum qualifying marks.

The actual competitive cut-off can be considerably higher.

RRB Pharmacist Syllabus 2026

The Detailed CEN has now provided the official Professional Ability syllabus.

The 70-mark Pharmacy syllabus includes:

Human Anatomy and Physiology

Pharmaceutical Analysis

Pharmaceutics

Pharmaceutical Inorganic Chemistry

Remedial Biology / Remedial Mathematics

Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry

Biochemistry

Pathophysiology

Computer Applications in Pharmacy

Environmental Sciences

Physical Pharmaceutics

Pharmaceutical Microbiology

Pharmaceutical Engineering

Medicinal Chemistry

Pharmacology

Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Industrial Pharmacy

Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence

Herbal Drug Technology

Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Quality Assurance

Instrumental Methods of Analysis

Pharmacy Practice

Novel Drug Delivery System

Biostatistics and Research Methodology

Social and Preventive Pharmacy

Pharma Marketing Management

Pharmaceutical Regulatory Science

Pharmacovigilance

Quality Control and Standardization of Herbals

Computer Aided Drug Design

Cell and Molecular Biology

Cosmetic Science

Experimental Pharmacology

Advanced Instrumentation Techniques

Dietary Supplements and Nutraceuticals

This list comes directly from Annexure-C of CEN 05/2026.

General Arithmetic Syllabus

Common topics include:

Number System
BODMAS
Decimals
Fractions
LCM & HCF
Ratio & Proportion
Percentage
Mensuration
Time & Work
Time & Distance
Simple & Compound Interest
Profit & Loss
Algebra
Geometry
Trigonometry
Elementary Statistics
Square Root
Age Problems
Calendar & Clock
Pipes & Cistern

Reasoning Syllabus

Major topics include:

Analogies
Alphabetical & Number Series
Coding-Decoding
Mathematical Operations
Relationships
Syllogism
Venn Diagram
Data Interpretation
Data Sufficiency
Conclusions
Decision Making
Similarities & Differences
Analytical Reasoning
Classification
Directions
Statement–Argument
Statement–Assumption

General Awareness

The common syllabus includes:

Current Affairs
Indian Geography
Indian History
Freedom Struggle
Indian Culture
Indian Polity
Constitution
Indian Economy
Environmental Issues
Sports
Scientific and Technological Developments

General Science

General Science covers:

Physics + Chemistry + Life Science

up to approximately:

Class 10 CBSE level

Which Section Should Pharmacist Candidates Prioritise?

The answer is clear:

Professional Pharmacy

because it carries:

70 out of 100 marks

The remaining 30 marks are divided among General Awareness, Arithmetic/Reasoning and General Science.

A practical preparation split could therefore be:

This is a preparation recommendation, not an official RRB time allocation.

Most Important Pharmacy Subjects to Start With

Because the official syllabus is broad, candidates should first strengthen:

Pharmacology

Pharmaceutics

Pharmaceutical Chemistry / Medicinal Chemistry

Pharmacognosy

Pharmaceutical Analysis

Biochemistry & Pathophysiology

Pharmacy Practice

Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence

Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics

Quality Assurance

Then cover the remaining official Annexure-C topics systematically.

RRB has not published an official chapter-wise question-weightage table, so candidates should avoid websites claiming that exactly 10 or 15 questions are guaranteed from any one subject.

Documents to Keep Ready

Candidates should prepare:

Class 10 certificate for DOB
B.Pharm degree or Pharm.D qualification
Semester/year marksheets
Pharmacist Registration Certificate
Aadhaar/valid identity details
SC/ST certificate, where applicable
OBC-NCL certificate, where applicable
EWS certificate, where applicable
PwBD certificate
Ex-Servicemen documents
EBC/minority documents for fee concession where applicable
Active mobile number
Active email
Signature as per application specifications

Do not apply unless you can support your eligibility with original documentation during DV.

RRB Pharmacist Exam Date 2026

Not announced yet.

The Detailed CEN states that CBT dates and subsequent recruitment notices will be communicated separately through official RRB websites.

Candidates should ignore any social-media graphic claiming a confirmed CBT date unless it is supported by an RRB notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 application starting today?

Yes.

Applications open on:

15 September 2026.

How many Pharmacist vacancies are there?

118 Pharmacist (Entry Grade) vacancies.

What is the last date?

14 October 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Is D.Pharm eligible?

No, not under the new Detailed CEN 05/2026 qualification table.

The notification lists B.Pharm (Allopathic) or Pharm.D, plus Pharmacist registration.

Is B.Pharm eligible?

Yes, subject to the prescribed recognition and registration requirements.

Is Pharm.D eligible?

Yes.

Is Pharmacist registration mandatory?

Yes.

Candidates must be registered as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

What is the age limit?

20–35 years as on 1 January 2027.

What is the salary?

₹29,200 initial basic pay at Level 5.

What is the medical standard?

C2.

How many questions are there?

100 questions for 100 marks.

How many Pharmacy questions?

70 Professional Ability questions.

What is the exam duration?

90 minutes.

Is there negative marking?

Yes.

1/3 mark per wrong answer.

Is there an interview?

No regular interview.

The normal selection route is:

CBT → Document Verification → Medical Examination.

Conclusion

The RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 application process begins today, 15 September 2026, for:

118 Pharmacist (Entry Grade) vacancies

under CEN 05/2026.

The post offers:

Level 5

₹29,200 Initial Basic Pay

Age 20–35 Years

C2 Medical Standard

100-Mark CBT

70 Marks Professional Pharmacy

1/3 Negative Marking

The most important eligibility update is that the new Detailed CEN lists:

B.Pharm (Allopathic) OR Pharm.D

along with registration as Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.

Unlike older Railway recruitment information, D.Pharm is not listed as an eligible route in the current CEN 05/2026 Pharmacist qualification table.

Eligible candidates can submit their form up to 14 October 2026 at 11:59 PM, but should apply early and choose their RRB carefully because the chosen RRB cannot later be changed.

SEO Title

RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 Apply Online Starts Today: 118 Vacancies, Eligibility & CBT Pattern

Alternative SEO Title

RRB Pharmacist Vacancy 2026: 118 Posts, B.Pharm/Pharm.D Eligibility, ₹29,200 Salary & Apply Online

Meta Description

RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026 applications start September 15 for 118 Pharmacist Entry Grade posts under CEN 05/2026. Check B.Pharm/Pharm.D eligibility, age 20–35, ₹29,200 salary, 70-mark Pharmacy syllabus, CBT pattern, fees and application dates.

Suggested URL Slug

"rrb-pharmacist-recruitment-2026-118-vacancies"

Focus Keywords

RRB Pharmacist Recruitment 2026, RRB Pharmacist Vacancy 2026, Railway Pharmacist Recruitment, CEN 05/2026 Pharmacist, RRB Pharmacist Eligibility, RRB Pharmacist Salary, RRB Pharmacist Syllabus 2026, RRB Pharmacist Apply Online, Railway Pharmacist CBT Pattern, Pharmacist Government Jobs 2026

Suggested Website Headline

RRB Pharmacist 2026 Applications Open Today: 118 Posts — B.Pharm/Pharm.D Candidates Check Eligibility

Suggested Thumbnail Text

RRB PHARMACIST 2026

118 VACANCIES

APPLY FROM TODAY

B.PHARM • PHARM.D

Have a question about your preparation?

Message us on WhatsApp — Bengali or English, we reply the same day.

Chat on WhatsApp