Government jobPay Level 5Group CNon‑gazetted
Pharmacist (Railways)
फार्मासिस्ट (रेलवे)
Pay Level 5 post in railway hospitals via RRB Paramedical — dispensing medicines and managing the hospital drug store.
Indian Railways (Medical Department) · Ministry of Railways · central government
In-hand pay at joining, per month
₹48,000–₹56,000
Lower in small towns, higher in metros. Work out your own city below.
- Exam
- RRB Paramedical
- Qualification
- ITI / Diploma
- Age limit
- 20–35 years
- Transfers
- Within your allotted zone/region
- Work hours
- Outpatient hours, with shift or emergency duty at larger hospitals
- Probation
- As per railway rules
Estimated in-hand / month
₹50,568
Gross ₹55,440 · CTC ≈ ₹7.4 lakh/yr
Where are you posted?
Pharmacist (Railways) · rates as of January 2026 (DA 60%). Excludes CGHS, GPF/insurance deductions and special allowances. Estimate only.
New to pay slips? Read how in-hand salary is worked out.
What you will actually do
- Dispensing medicines against prescriptions and explaining dosage
- Indenting, receiving and storing drugs and surgical items
- Maintaining stock ledgers and expiry control
- Preparing medicine kits for accident relief trains and health units
- Supporting procurement and local purchase paperwork
A typical day
You sit at the dispensing counter of a railway hospital or health unit through outpatient hours, serving a steady line of employees and pensioners, many on long-term medicines. Afterwards you update the stock in the hospital system, raise indents for what is running low and check for near-expiry items. Stock verification teams audit the store, and discrepancies are your responsibility.
Promotion path
Timelines are ranges and vary by cadre. See how promotions and MACP work.
Pharmacist (Railways) (joining)
Pay Level 5
₹48,000–₹56,000 in-hand
Pharmacist Grade II / Senior Pharmacist
6–10 years · Level 6 · via dpc
₹57,000–₹67,000 in-hand
Chief Pharmacist
Further 8–12 years · Level 7 · via dpc
₹72,000–₹84,000 in-hand
Promotion timelines vary by cadre and vacancies. If not promoted, MACP gives a pay upgrade after 10, 20 and 30 years.
How to get in
Railway Recruitment Boards
- 1.Computer-based test
- 2.Document verification
- 3.Medical examination
Eligibility: Class 12 in Science (or equivalent) with a diploma in Pharmacy and registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948; or B.Pharm with registration. Age 20–35. SC/ST: 5 years, OBC (non-creamy layer): 3 years, PwBD: 10 years, plus relaxations for ex-servicemen and railway staff, as per the notification.
Physical standards: Medical standard C-2.
The good
- Level 5 pay with railway benefits for diploma holders
- Regular hours at most units
- Age limit of 35
The hard parts
- Accountable for drug stock
- Constant public dealing at the counter
- Few vacancies
Postings
Railway hospitals are at zonal and divisional headquarters, with smaller health units at larger stations and colonies. You apply to one Railway Recruitment Board and are posted in the zone or production unit attached to it. Inter-zone transfer is possible only on request or mutual exchange, with loss of seniority.
Questions people ask
What is the in-hand salary of Pharmacist (Railways)?+
Pharmacist (Railways) is a Pay Level 5 post with a starting basic pay of ₹29,200. At current rates (DA 60%, January 2026), the starting in-hand salary is roughly ₹48,000–₹56,000 a month, depending on whether you are posted in a Z, Y or X class city.
What is the qualification and age limit for Pharmacist (Railways)?+
Class 12 in Science (or equivalent) with a diploma in Pharmacy and registration as a Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948; or B.Pharm with registration. Age: 20–35 years. Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years, OBC (non-creamy layer): 3 years, PwBD: 10 years, plus relaxations for ex-servicemen and railway staff, as per the notification.
Which exam do I need to clear for Pharmacist (Railways)?+
RRB Paramedical (Railway Recruitment Boards).
Is registration with a State Pharmacy Council required?+
Yes. You must be a registered pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948.
Compare with similar posts
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नर्सिंग अधीक्षक (रेलवे)
Pay Level 7 nursing post in railway hospitals via RRB Paramedical — ward and patient care, with an upper age limit of 40.
Health and Malaria Inspector Grade-II (Railways)
स्वास्थ्य एवं मलेरिया निरीक्षक ग्रेड-II (रेलवे)
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Laboratory Assistant Grade-II (Railways)
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Pay Level 3 post in railway hospital laboratories via RRB Paramedical — collecting samples and running routine tests.
Sources
This profile is being reviewed. Confirm details in the latest official notification. Salary computed from pay rules as of January 2026.