RRB Paramedical Syllabus

The RRB Paramedical examination 2027 is conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards for recruitment to various paramedical and healthcare posts in Indian Railways hospitals, health units, and medical facilities across the railway network. Indian Railways operates one of the largest railway healthcare systems in the world, with dedicated hospitals and health units serving railway employees and their dependants.

Paramedical posts are notified across multiple healthcare disciplines including Staff Nurse, Pharmacist, Lab Technician/Superintendent, Radiographer, Dietitian, ECG Technician, OT Technician, Physiotherapist, Health and Malaria Inspector, and Dental Hygienist. Each post has its own specific educational qualification requirement, professional certification, and subject-specific knowledge syllabus for the CBT.

Quick Facts: RRB Paramedical 2027

Paramedical CBT Exam Pattern

The Paramedical CBT consists of two parts: a common aptitude section (45 questions on GA, Arithmetic, and Reasoning) and a professional knowledge section (55 questions specific to the post applied for).

Common Aptitude Section Syllabus (45 Questions)

General Awareness (20 Questions)

•        Current Affairs: national and international events (last 12 months)

•        Indian Railways: history, zones, railway healthcare system, IRMS, major railway hospitals

•        Health and Medical Current Affairs: new government health schemes (Ayushman Bharat, National Health Mission), disease outbreaks, public health policy

•        Indian History, Geography, Polity, and Economy (basic coverage)

•        Science and Technology: ISRO, medical technology developments, digital health

•        Awards and Sports, Static GK

Arithmetic (10 Questions)

•        Number System, Simplification, Percentage

•        Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss

•        Simple and Compound Interest

•        Time and Work, Time Speed and Distance

•        Mensuration: basic 2D and 3D shapes

•        Elementary Statistics: mean, median, mode

General Intelligence and Reasoning (15 Questions)

•        Series: Number and Alphabetical

•        Analogies: verbal and number

•        Coding and Decoding

•        Syllogism and Venn Diagrams

•        Blood Relations, Directions

•        Statement and Conclusion / Assumption

•        Non-Verbal: Mirror Image, Figure Series

Post-wise Professional Knowledge Syllabus

Staff Nurse (Diploma/Degree in Nursing + Registered Nurse)

•        Anatomy and Physiology: all body systems, normal values

•        Medical-Surgical Nursing: care of patients with common medical and surgical conditions

•        Obstetric and Gynecological Nursing: antenatal, intranatal, postnatal care; gynaecological conditions

•        Paediatric Nursing: growth and development, common childhood illnesses, vaccination schedule

•        Mental Health Nursing: psychiatric disorders, therapeutic communication, de-addiction

•        Community Health Nursing: national health programmes, immunisation, family planning

•        Pharmacology: drug classifications, common drugs, routes of administration, drug calculations

•        Nutrition and Dietetics: therapeutic diets, malnutrition, special diets

•        Medical-Surgical Procedures: wound care, IV therapy, catheterisation, nasogastric tube, tracheostomy care

•        Emergency Nursing: CPR, first aid, triage, disaster nursing

•        Ethics, Legal Issues, and Nursing Legislation: NMC Act, Nursing Council standards, patient rights

Pharmacist (Diploma in Pharmacy / B.Pharma)

•        Pharmacognosy: natural sources of drugs, active constituents, standardisation

•        Pharmaceutical Chemistry: drug synthesis, analytical methods, quality control

•        Pharmacology: drug mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, adverse drug reactions

•        Pharmacy Practice: dispensing, labelling, drug interactions, counselling

•        Hospital Pharmacy: drug procurement, storage, inventory management, rational drug use

•        Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940: schedules, regulations, licensing

•        Dosage Forms: tablets, capsules, liquids, injections, topicals; formulation principles

•        Pharmaceutical Calculations: dilutions, dosage calculations, IV flow rate

•        Clinical Pharmacy: therapeutic drug monitoring, patient medication review

Lab Technician / Lab Superintendent (DMLT / BMLT)

•        Clinical Biochemistry: blood glucose, lipids, liver function, kidney function, electrolytes; normal ranges

•        Haematology: complete blood count, blood cell morphology, anaemia classification, coagulation tests

•        Clinical Microbiology: culture and sensitivity, bacterial staining (Gram, ZN), common pathogens

•        Immunology and Serology: ELISA, Widal, VDRL, blood grouping, cross-matching

•        Clinical Pathology: urine analysis, stool examination, body fluid analysis

•        Histopathology and Cytology: tissue processing, staining, PAP smear

•        Blood Bank: blood collection, component separation, compatibility testing, storage

•        Quality Control in Laboratory: internal and external QC, calibration

•        Laboratory Safety: biosafety levels, sharps disposal, decontamination

•        Laboratory Instrumentation: operation and maintenance of common laboratory instruments

Radiographer (Diploma/Degree in Medical Radiology/Imaging Technology)

•        Radiological Physics: X-ray production, properties, interaction with matter

•        Radiographic Anatomy: positioning of all body regions for standard radiographic projections

•        Radiographic Techniques: exposure factors, image quality, processing techniques

•        Special Radiographic Procedures: barium studies, IVP, angiography, interventional radiology

•        CT Scanning: principles, scan parameters, patient preparation, common CT protocols

•        MRI: principles, safety considerations, basic sequences, contraindications

•        Ultrasound: principles, transducer types, basic abdominal and obstetric protocols

•        Radiation Protection: AERB regulations, dose limits, radiation shielding, ALARA principle

•        Digital Radiology: CR, DR, PACS systems, digital imaging quality

•        Nuclear Medicine Basics: radioisotopes, gamma camera, thyroid scan, bone scan

Dietitian (Degree in Food and Nutrition / Home Science with specialisation in Dietetics)

•        Human Nutrition: macronutrients, micronutrients, dietary requirements at different life stages

•        Nutritional Assessment: anthropometric measurements, biochemical tests, dietary recall methods

•        Clinical Dietetics: therapeutic diets for diabetes, hypertension, renal failure, liver disease, obesity, cancer

•        Paediatric Nutrition: infant feeding, weaning, childhood malnutrition (PEM, stunting, wasting)

•        Community Nutrition: national nutritional programmes, ICDS, Mid-Day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan

•        Food Science: food composition, food processing and preservation methods

•        Food Safety and Hygiene: FSSAI regulations, food-borne illnesses, kitchen hygiene standards

•        Hospital Dietetics: menu planning for hospital wards, cost calculation, bulk cooking

ECG Technician (Diploma in Cardiac Technology / Medical Electronics)

•        Cardiac Anatomy and Physiology: heart chambers, valves, coronary circulation, cardiac cycle

•        Electrophysiology: resting potential, action potential, conduction system (SA node, AV node, Bundle of His, Purkinje fibres)

•        ECG: principles, lead systems (standard limb, augmented, precordial), normal ECG waveform and intervals

•        ECG Interpretation: basic arrhythmias (AF, VF, heart block, SVT, PVCs), acute MI patterns, ST changes

•        Holter Monitoring: indications, recording procedure, analysis

•        Exercise Stress Testing (TMT): procedure, indications, contraindications, interpretation

•        Echocardiography Basics: principles, standard views, common findings

•        Cardiac Equipment: operation and maintenance of ECG machines, defibrillators, monitors

•        Cardiology Procedures Assistance: catheterisation lab assistance, pacemaker basics

OT Technician (Diploma in OT Technology / Medical Electronics)

•        Surgical Anatomy: regional anatomy relevant to common surgical procedures

•        Surgical Instruments: identification, classification, sterilisation, handling

•        Anaesthesia Equipment: ventilators, vaporisers, laryngoscopes, intubation equipment

•        Sterilisation and Disinfection: autoclaving, ETO, UV, chemical methods; sterilisation indicators

•        Aseptic Technique: sterile field preparation, gowning and gloving, surgical scrub

•        Operation Theatre Setup: lay-up of instrument trolleys, draping, patient positioning

•        Surgical Procedures: scrub and scout roles in general, orthopaedic, gynaecological, and paediatric surgery

•        Monitoring: pulse oximetry, ECG monitoring, BP monitoring in OT

•        OT Safety: electrical safety, fire safety, sharps disposal, radiation safety in OT

•        Infection Control: hospital-acquired infections, prevention, CSSD management

Physiotherapist (BPT or MPT)

•        Anatomy: musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary anatomy

•        Physiology: exercise physiology, muscle contraction, neurophysiology

•        Pathology: common orthopaedic, neurological, and cardiopulmonary conditions

•        Assessment and Diagnosis: ROM measurement, MMT grading, sensory testing, postural assessment

•        Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: management of fractures, joint replacements, sports injuries, arthritis

•        Neurological Physiotherapy: stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease

•        Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy: ICU physiotherapy, chest physiotherapy, post-cardiac surgery rehabilitation

•        Electrotherapy: TENS, IFT, ultrasound therapy, LASER, short wave diathermy; principles and clinical application

•        Exercise Therapy: therapeutic exercises, proprioception, balance training, gait training

•        Paediatric Physiotherapy: developmental milestones, neurodevelopmental treatment

Health and Malaria Inspector (Degree in Science / Health Inspector Certificate)

•        Epidemiology: disease transmission, epidemic investigation, surveillance methods

•        Communicable Disease Control: malaria (lifecycle of Plasmodium, vector control, drugs), dengue, filaria, kala-azar, tuberculosis, cholera, typhoid, COVID-19

•        Vector Control: insecticides, larvicides, biological control, environmental management, IRS

•        Environmental Health: safe water supply, sanitation, solid waste management, environmental pollution

•        Food Hygiene and Sanitation: food safety inspection, FSSAI standards, foodborne disease control

•        Maternal and Child Health: MCH programmes, immunisation schedule, nutrition

•        National Health Programmes: NVBDCP, RNTCP, NMHP, RMNCH+A, and others

•        Occupational Health: occupational diseases, industrial hygiene, railway occupational hazards

•        Health Education and Communication: IEC materials, behaviour change communication

•        Health Legislation: Epidemic Diseases Act, Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, Insecticides Act

Dental Hygienist (Diploma in Dental Hygienist Course)

•        Oral Anatomy and Histology: teeth structure, periodontium, oral mucosa

•        Dental Caries: etiology, classification, prevention, fluoride therapy

•        Periodontal Diseases: classification, pathogenesis, assessment, non-surgical management

•        Oral Prophylaxis: scaling, root planing, polishing techniques

•        Preventive Dentistry: pit and fissure sealants, topical fluoride application, dietary counselling

•        Dental Radiography: periapical, bitewing, panoramic X-rays; radiation protection

•        Oral Health Education: community oral health programmes, school dental health

•        Dental Instruments: identification, sterilisation, maintenance

•        Infection Control in Dentistry: cross-infection prevention, use of PPE, surface disinfection

•        Common Oral Diseases: oral cancer screening, xerostomia, developmental anomalies

Post-wise Qualification Requirements

Paramedical Subject Syllabus Pages

Preparation Tips for RRB Paramedical 2027

1. Professional Knowledge is the Key Differentiator

With 55 out of 100 marks from professional knowledge, your performance in the post-specific section almost entirely determines your rank. The 45-mark common aptitude section (GA, Arithmetic, Reasoning) is similar across all paramedical posts but the professional knowledge section requires dedicated subject-specific preparation.

2. Use Your Academic Syllabus as the Foundation

The professional knowledge questions in RRB Paramedical are based on your diploma or degree course curriculum. Revise your academic textbooks thoroughly, particularly the subjects covered in your board or university examinations. Past questions from nursing, pharmacy, and other allied health entrance examinations (AIIMS, BHU, NIMHANS) are also useful for additional practice.

3. Current Health Affairs for GA Section

The General Awareness section for paramedical posts has a higher proportion of health and medical current affairs compared to other RRB examinations. Follow news on government health schemes (Ayushman Bharat, National Health Mission, POSHAN Abhiyan), new drug approvals, disease outbreaks, and Indian Railways healthcare developments.

Frequently Asked Questions: RRB Paramedical

Q1. Is the Paramedical CBT the same for all posts?

The exam structure (100 qs, 90 min) and the common aptitude portion (45 marks) are identical for all paramedical posts. However, the 55-mark professional knowledge section is entirely different for each post (Staff Nurse questions are completely different from Pharmacist or Radiographer questions).

Q2. Is professional registration mandatory for all paramedical posts?

Registration requirements vary by post. Staff Nurse posts require a valid RN/RM registration with a State Nursing Council. Pharmacist posts require State Pharmacy Council registration. Physiotherapist posts require State PT Council registration. For other posts, registration may be desirable but not always mandatory. Check the specific post notification for exact requirements.

Q3. Is there any physical or medical standard for paramedical posts?

All selected candidates must pass a Medical Examination conducted by a Railway Medical Officer. The medical standards for paramedical posts are generally less stringent than for operational posts (ALP, RPF). Candidates with significant disabilities should check the reservation and physical standard norms in the official notification.

Q4. What is the pay scale for RRB Paramedical posts?

Pay levels vary by post: Staff Nurse is Level 7 (Rs. 44,900), Pharmacist is Level 5 (Rs. 29,200), Lab Technician is Level 5, and other paramedical posts range from Level 2 to Level 7 depending on qualification and responsibility. Check the current official notification for post-wise pay levels.