Railway hospitals in India recruit doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals through standardized national processes.
This guide explains hiring channels, key roles, eligibility, selection stages, and verified pay bands and salaries.
Hiring Channels and Who Manages Them
Paramedical posts are filled by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) via centralized notifications and computer-based tests.
Permanent doctors enter through the UPSC Combined Medical Services Examination into the Indian Railway Health Service (IRHS).
Zonal railways also hire Contract Medical Practitioners (CMPs) on fixed, consolidated pay through walk-in interviews.
Paramedical staff
Nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians, radiographers, dialysis and ECG technicians, and health inspectors are recruited by RRBs.
Recruitment follows a national notification, online applications, a computer-based test, and document and medical checks.
Vacancies are distributed across zones and divisions.
Permanent doctors
Inducted into IRHS as Assistant Divisional Medical Officers (ADMOs) through the UPSC CMS cycle.
The Railway Board coordinates cadre management, postings, and career progression.
Contract Medical Practitioners (CMPs)
General Duty Medical Officers, specialists, and super-specialists are engaged by zones through short notices.
Selection is typically by walk-in interview and document verification. Tenure is usually up to one year, extendable based on requirement and performance.
Core Posts and Starting Pay (paramedical)
Pay for RRB paramedical categories follows the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) matrix.
“Initial pay” below refers to the entry-level basic pay for the post.
Allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and other admissible benefits are added as per rules.
- Nursing Superintendent (often listed as Staff Nurse / Nursing Supdt.) — Level 7; initial basic ₹44,900. Typical qualification: GNM or B.Sc. Nursing with registration under the state nursing council. Age band and experience, if any, are specified in the notification.
- Dialysis Technician — Level 6; initial basic ₹35,400. Typical qualification: B.Sc. plus a dialysis-related diploma and/or experience.
- Health & Malaria Inspector Grade II — Level 6; initial basic ₹35,400. Typical qualification: a science degree (often with Chemistry) and public-health related training as specified.
- Pharmacist (Entry Grade) — Level 5; initial basic ₹29,200. Qualification: Diploma/Degree in Pharmacy and registration with the Pharmacy Council.
- Radiographer (X-ray Technician) — Level 5; initial basic ₹29,200. Qualification: Diploma/Degree in Radiography/Imaging Technology.
- ECG Technician — Level 4; initial basic ₹25,500. Qualification: 10+2 with science plus ECG technician training per the notice.
- Laboratory Assistant Grade II — Level 3; initial basic ₹21,700. Qualification: 10+2 with science and lab-tech certificate/diploma per the post.
Eligibility and Medical Standards
Each category requires specific conditions.
Paramedical categories
Nursing with a valid registration. A pharmacy requires a Diploma/Degree and council registration.
Radiography, Lab, ECG, and Dialysis posts require the listed diplomas/degrees and, in some cases, experience.
Each RRB notification also specifies medical fitness standards (e.g., B1, C1, C2) that candidates must meet at the final stage.
IRHS doctors (UPSC CMS)
Must hold an MBBS degree and have completed the compulsory rotating internship by the date specified.
Permanent registration with a state medical council or the National Medical Commission is required per the rules.
CMP doctors
Must have MBBS (and PG degree or diploma for specialist categories) with registration.
Age limits, relaxation clauses, and tenure terms are set out in the zonal walk-in notice.
How to Apply
Start by identifying your career path, and then use the right portal and recruiter to present your application.
RRB paramedical
Read the latest centralized employment notice carefully, including annexures for eligibility, medical standards, and post codes.
Apply online through the concerned RRB within the application window. Select your RRB and zone preferences correctly.
Keep soft copies of photos, signatures, and certificates ready in the listed formats and sizes. Track updates for the same RRB portal.
IRHS via UPSC CMS
Register on the UPSC portal during the CMS cycle.
Fill the application, upload documents, and select the Railway option among services (as applicable).
After the written stages, medicals and document checks follow before the appointment.
CMP (contract)
Check zonal railway websites and divisional hospital pages for walk-in notices.
Carry originals and self-attested copies of MBBS/PG certificates, registration, photo ID, passport photos, and proof of age.
Selection is usually interview-based with prompt joining on selection.
Selection Process (paramedical)
The RRB selection process is standardized in three ways.
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): Post-wise syllabus published in the notification annexures. The exam tests professional knowledge and relevant general subjects.
- Document Verification (DV): Checking of identity, educational qualifications, registration licenses, category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), and experience where required.
- Medical Examination: Conducted per Railway medical standards aligned to the post. Merit is based on CBT performance, subject to DV and medical fitness. There is no role for agents or intermediaries; communication is via official portals and SMS/email updates.
Career Path and Work Settings
Paramedical staff progress within cadre hierarchies to senior grades and supervisory roles, subject to departmental promotion rules and qualifying service.
Nursing staff move from entry roles to senior nursing superintendent and matron-level responsibilities as per sanctioned structures.
Technical cadres such as radiography, lab, pharmacy, and public health units have defined promotional avenues based on seniority and departmental exams.
IRHS doctors advance from ADMO to higher grades with opportunities for specialization, administrative roles, and teaching links.
Practical Preparation Tips
Align credentials with the post. Check the precise degree/diploma, registration, and experience lines before applying.
Follow the syllabus. Use the post-wise exam outline in the notification to structure preparation and prioritize scoring topics.
Keep category certificates, registration cards, internship completion, and experience proofs updated and consistent with your application data.
Review the required vision and fitness class for your post. Manage timelines if any corrective procedures or updated certificates are needed.
Bottom Line
Railway hospitals recruit at scale through transparent national systems with clear pay structures.
Paramedical hiring is centralized through RRBs with well-defined syllabi, medical standards, and entry basics by pay level.
If you know your target post and zone, align your credentials, track the correct portal, and prepare your documents early to move quickly when notifications open.
