Candidates must hold a Diploma in Pharmacy (D.Pharma) or Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharma) from a recognised institution and must be registered with the State Pharmacy Council or Pharmacy Council of India. Age limit is 18–42 years with standard relaxations for reserved categories. Both D.Pharma and B.Pharma holders are eligible, though B.Pharma candidates may have a slight advantage in the subject knowledge section.

RRB Pharmacist Grade 3 is placed in 7th CPC Pay Matrix Level 5, with a basic pay of ₹29,200 per month. Including DA, HRA, and other allowances, the monthly take-home is approximately ₹35,000–₹45,000. Railway health service employees also receive free medical treatment, subsidised housing where available, and railway travel concessions for themselves and dependants. Promotion to Pharmacist Grade 2 and Head Pharmacist is possible with experience.

The pharmacy section covers Pharmaceutics (dosage forms, formulation), Pharmaceutical Chemistry (organic and inorganic chemistry of drugs), Pharmacology (drug actions, adverse effects), Pharmacognosy (natural drugs), Biochemistry, Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacovigilance, and Hospital Pharmacy practices. Standard D.Pharma and B.Pharma textbooks cover all these areas. The paper tests both theoretical knowledge and clinical application.

RRB Pharmacist Grade 3 requires C1 medical standard, which is one of the more permissive categories. Distant vision of 6/12 in the better eye (corrected) is acceptable. Colour vision testing is not critical for pharmacy posts. The medical examination ensures general fitness for dispensary and clinical duties. Candidates with common refractive errors that are correctable are not disqualified.

RRB Pharmacist Grade 3 vacancies are notified across all 21 regional boards and typically number in the hundreds during a recruitment cycle. The exact count depends on retirements in railway hospitals and health units. Vacancies are zone-wise and candidates must apply to the specific RRB notifying vacancies in their preferred zone. Previous cycles have seen 500–1500 total pharmacist vacancies across all zones.