RRB Radiographer Syllabus 2026

RRB Radiographer Syllabus 2026: Official Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme, Topics and Subtopics

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts recruitment examinations for Radiographer X-Ray Technician posts under the paramedical category. The official RRB Paramedical Notification CEN 03/2025 provides the examination pattern, marking scheme, selection process, and professional syllabus for Radiographer X-Ray Technician candidates. The examination assesses candidates' professional knowledge of radiography and medical imaging technology, along with General Awareness, General Science, Mathematics, and Reasoning.

The syllabus information provided below is based on Annexure C of the official RRB Paramedical Notification CEN 03/2025. The professional subject headings are officially prescribed, while the detailed subtopics are expanded study recommendations intended to help candidates prepare comprehensively.

RRB Radiographer Exam Pattern 2026

According to RRB Paramedical CEN 03/2025, the Computer-Based Test (CBT) consists of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions carrying a total of 100 marks. The examination duration is 90 minutes. Eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) candidates using a scribe are allowed 120 minutes. The question paper covers Professional Ability, General Awareness, General Arithmetic and Reasoning, and General Science. The section-wise distribution is indicative and may vary.

Subject	Questions	Marks
Professional Ability	70	70
General Awareness	10	10
General Arithmetic, General Intelligence and Reasoning	10	10
General Science	10	10
Total	100	100

RRB Radiographer Marking Scheme

The RRB Radiographer examination follows a negative marking system. Candidates receive one mark for each correct answer, while one-third of a mark is deducted for every incorrect answer. No marks are awarded or deducted for unanswered questions.

Particulars	Details
Examination Mode	Computer-Based Test
Total Questions	100
Total Marks	100
Exam Duration	90 Minutes
Correct Answer	+1 Mark
Incorrect Answer	-1/3 Mark
Unattempted Question	0 Marks

RRB Radiographer Minimum Qualifying Marks

The minimum qualifying percentage for the RRB Paramedical CBT is 40% for UR and EWS candidates, 30% for OBC and SC candidates, and 25% for ST candidates. These are minimum qualifying requirements and do not represent the final selection cutoff. The recruitment notification also provides for a two-percentage-point relaxation for PwBD candidates if sufficient eligible PwBD candidates are unavailable.

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

RRB Radiographer Professional Ability Syllabus

The following sections cover the official professional subjects prescribed for the Radiographer X-Ray Technician post under Annexure C of CEN 03/2025. The detailed subtopics are recommended areas of study within those official subject headings.

1. Human Anatomy and Physiology

Official Subject: Human Anatomy & Physiology.

Suggested Subtopics: Anatomical position, anatomical planes, directional terminology, cells and tissues, skeletal system, axial skeleton, appendicular skeleton, classification of bones, bone structure, bone growth, joints, joint movements, skull anatomy, vertebral column, thoracic cage, upper limb anatomy, lower limb anatomy, respiratory system, lungs, trachea, bronchi, diaphragm, cardiovascular system, heart anatomy, blood circulation, digestive system, liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, nervous system, brain, spinal cord, endocrine system, reproductive system, and muscular system.

2. Radiology Physics

Official Subject: Radiology Physics.

Suggested Subtopics: Discovery of X-rays, nature and properties of X-rays, electromagnetic radiation, X-ray wavelength and frequency, photon energy, X-ray production, thermionic emission, Bremsstrahlung radiation, characteristic radiation, X-ray spectrum, X-ray beam quality, X-ray beam quantity, attenuation, absorption, scattering, filtration, collimation, half-value layer, inverse square law, heel effect, and radiographic exposure factors.

3. General Physics

Official Subject: General Physics.

Suggested Subtopics: Physical quantities, SI units, mass, force, work, energy, power, motion, Newton's laws, electricity, electric current, voltage, resistance, Ohm's law, electrical circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, transformers, heat, temperature, thermodynamics, waves, sound, light, reflection, refraction, and electromagnetic spectrum.

4. Radiation Physics and Physics of Diagnostic Radiology

Official Subject: Radiation Physics & Physics of Diagnostic Radiology.

Suggested Subtopics: Atomic structure, atomic number, mass number, isotopes, electron binding energy, ionization, excitation, radioactive decay, half-life, ionizing radiation, non-ionizing radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, coherent scattering, pair production, radiation attenuation, linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, half-value layer, radiation intensity, X-ray interactions with matter, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, effective dose, and diagnostic radiation dosimetry.

5. X-Ray Machines and Accessories

Official Subject: X-Ray Machines & Accessories.

Suggested Subtopics: X-ray tube construction, cathode, anode, tungsten filament, focusing cup, stationary anode, rotating anode, focal spot, tube housing, tube cooling, X-ray generators, high-voltage transformers, rectifiers, exposure control panels, kVp selector, mA selector, exposure timer, automatic exposure control, collimators, filters, grids, grid ratio, grid frequency, Potter-Bucky diaphragm, image receptors, radiographic tables, vertical bucky stands, portable X-ray machines, mobile radiography equipment, fluoroscopy units, and C-arm systems.

6. Maintenance of Radiographic Equipment

Official Subject: Maintenance.

Suggested Subtopics: Routine equipment inspection, preventive maintenance, X-ray tube care, tube cooling, tube rating charts, equipment calibration, electrical safety, generator maintenance, detector maintenance, collimator alignment, equipment cleaning, equipment fault identification, maintenance records, equipment performance testing, and safety checks.

7. X-Ray Film and Image Processing Techniques

Official Subject: X-ray Film / Image Processing Techniques (Dark Room Techniques).

Suggested Subtopics: Radiographic film construction, film emulsion, silver halide crystals, latent image formation, film speed, film contrast, film latitude, characteristic curve, intensifying screens, calcium tungstate screens, rare-earth screens, manual film processing, automatic film processing, developer, fixer, washing, drying, darkroom design, safelight, film storage, film handling, film fog, chemical stains, processing artifacts, digital image processing, image contrast, image brightness, image enhancement, and digital image artifacts.

8. Clinical Radiography and Positioning

Official Subject: Clinical Radiography-Positioning.

Suggested Subtopics: Patient positioning principles, anatomical landmarks, central ray direction, central ray angulation, centering points, source-to-image distance, image evaluation, chest PA projection, chest AP projection, lateral chest, abdominal radiography, KUB radiography, upper limb positioning, hand radiography, wrist radiography, scaphoid projections, forearm radiography, elbow radiography, shoulder radiography, lower limb positioning, foot radiography, ankle radiography, knee radiography, femur radiography, hip radiography, pelvis radiography, cervical spine radiography, thoracic spine radiography, lumbar spine radiography, skull radiography, paranasal sinus projections, trauma radiography, pediatric positioning, and portable radiography.

9. Medical Ethics and Patient Care

Official Subject: Medical Ethics and Patient Care.

Suggested Subtopics: Professional ethics, patient rights, patient confidentiality, informed consent, patient identification, communication skills, patient preparation, patient transfer, patient immobilization, infection prevention, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, aseptic techniques, care of pediatric patients, care of elderly patients, care of unconscious patients, patient privacy, and patient safety.

10. Principles of Medical Emergencies

Official Subject: Principles of Medical Emergencies.

Suggested Subtopics: Basic life support, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, airway management, respiratory emergencies, cardiac arrest, shock, syncope, seizures, anaphylaxis, contrast media reactions, oxygen administration, emergency patient positioning, emergency communication, emergency equipment, and first aid.

11. Equipment

Official Subject: Equipment.

Suggested Subtopics: Diagnostic radiology equipment, radiographic accessories, patient positioning devices, immobilization equipment, radiographic tables, image receptors, fluoroscopy equipment, mobile radiography units, C-arm systems, contrast injectors, patient monitoring devices, oxygen delivery equipment, suction apparatus, and emergency equipment.

12. Techniques of Modern Imaging Modalities

Official Subject: Techniques of Modern Imaging Modalities.

Suggested Subtopics: Computed radiography, digital radiography, flat-panel detectors, direct and indirect digital detectors, PACS, DICOM, computed tomography, CT scanner components, CT generations, Hounsfield units, window width, window level, slice thickness, pitch, CT reconstruction, CT artifacts, CT contrast studies, magnetic resonance imaging, MRI principles, T1-weighted images, T2-weighted images, TR, TE, MRI coils, MRI pulse sequences, MRI artifacts, MRI safety, ultrasonography, ultrasound physics, transducers, Doppler ultrasound, ultrasound artifacts, mammography, and fluoroscopy.

13. Contrast and Special Radiography Procedures

Official Subject: Contrast & Special Radiography Procedures.

Suggested Subtopics: Contrast media classification, barium sulfate, iodinated contrast media, ionic and non-ionic contrast agents, contrast administration, contrast reactions, patient preparation, barium swallow, barium meal, barium follow-through, barium enema, intravenous urography, retrograde pyelography, micturating cystourethrogram, retrograde urethrography, hysterosalpingography, sialography, fistulography, sinography, arthrography, myelography, angiography, venography, cholangiography, and fluoroscopic contrast examinations.

14. Quality Control at Radiology and Radiation Safety

Official Subject: Quality Control at Radiology & Radiation Safety.

Suggested Subtopics: Quality assurance, quality control, acceptance testing, equipment calibration, kVp accuracy, exposure timer accuracy, exposure reproducibility, mA linearity, beam alignment, collimator accuracy, filtration testing, half-value layer measurement, radiation leakage testing, detector quality control, image quality evaluation, radiation protection principles, ALARA, justification, optimization, dose limitation, radiation monitoring, TLD badges, personal dosimeters, radiation shielding, lead aprons, protective barriers, radiation warning signs, occupational radiation exposure, radiation effects on human tissues, AERB safety requirements, and radiation safety documentation.

General Awareness Syllabus

The General Awareness section covers knowledge of current affairs and general topics. Important areas include Indian history, geography, Indian polity, Indian Constitution, economics, culture, sports, scientific and technological developments, important personalities, environmental issues, national and international events, and other topics of general importance.

General Arithmetic, General Intelligence and Reasoning Syllabus

The Arithmetic and Reasoning section includes number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, simple interest, compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, elementary statistics, age calculations, calendar, clock, analogies, alphabetical series, number series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data interpretation, data sufficiency, classification, directions, statement and conclusion, decision making, and analytical reasoning.

General Science Syllabus

The General Science section includes Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences up to the Class 10 CBSE level. Candidates should prepare fundamental scientific concepts, physical laws, electricity, magnetism, light, heat, chemical reactions, acids, bases, salts, metals, non-metals, carbon compounds, cell biology, human physiology, reproduction, heredity, and environmental science.

RRB Radiographer Selection Process

The recruitment process under CEN 03/2025 includes a Computer-Based Test followed by Document Verification and a Medical Examination. The Railway Recruitment Board reserves the right to conduct additional CBTs if considered necessary. Candidates must satisfy the prescribed eligibility conditions and medical standards for appointment.

Official Source and Verification

This article is based on the Railway Recruitment Board Paramedical Notification CEN 03/2025. The examination pattern and marking scheme are provided in Section 13 of the notification, while the professional syllabus for Radiographer X-Ray Technician is listed in Annexure C under Category No. 5.

Official Notification: RRB Paramedical CEN 03/2025 – Detailed Notification PDF

Important Note: The professional syllabus headings are taken from the official RRB notification. The detailed subtopics provided under each heading are expanded preparation recommendations and are not separately enumerated by RRB. Candidates should refer to the latest applicable recruitment notification for any subsequent changes.