
The RRB Pharmacist Exam 2026 is an important competitive examination for pharmacy graduates who want to work in the railway medical services. The exam evaluates knowledge from pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, pharmaceutics, and biochemistry. Candidates must understand drug actions, pharmaceutical formulations, clinical uses, and basic laboratory tests.
Preparing for this exam requires a strong conceptual understanding. Many questions are based on standard pharmaceutical principles and commonly used drugs. Regular revision of important topics and practicing multiple-choice questions can improve accuracy and confidence.
Here, we’ll discuss important questions and key concepts for the RRB Pharmacist 2026 exam. The explanations are written in simple language so that students can revise quickly.
Pharmaceutical chemistry focuses on drug composition, chemical properties, and reactions. Several questions in the exam test basic understanding of drug sources and chemical characteristics.
1. Which agent is used as a vulcanizing agent in rubber closures?
Answer: Sulfur
Sulfur is used during the vulcanization process of rubber. This process improves the strength and elasticity of rubber materials used in pharmaceutical containers and closures.
2. Which test is used for the detection of typhoid fever?
Answer: Widal test
The Widal test is a laboratory test used to detect antibodies against typhoid bacteria.
3. Which antifungal drug belongs to the azole class?
Answer: Fluconazole
Fluconazole belongs to the triazole group of antifungal drugs. It is commonly used to treat fungal infections.
4. Which drug acts as a loop diuretic?
Answer: Furosemide
Furosemide increases urine production. It is used in the treatment of edema and hypertension.
5. Which drug is used as a local anesthetic and is obtained from a plant source?
Answer: Cocaine
Cocaine is an alkaloid obtained from the plant Erythroxylum coca. It was historically used as a local anesthetic.
Pharmaceutics studies dosage forms, formulations, and drug delivery systems.
1. What are the ideal properties of semisolid dosage forms?
Ideal semisolid preparations should have the following characteristics:
Smooth texture
Non-greasy nature
Non-irritating effect
Stable formulation
A rough texture is not considered suitable for semisolid preparations.
2. Which surfactant acts as a cationic surfactant in pharmaceutical preparations?
Answer: Benzalkonium chloride
Benzalkonium chloride is water-soluble. It acts as a disinfectant, emulsifier, and wetting agent.
3. Which polymer is used as a film-forming agent?
Answer: Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)
HPMC forms a thin film when applied to surfaces. It is widely used in coatings and controlled drug release formulations.
4. Which dye is commonly used in leakage tests of pharmaceutical containers?
Answer: Methylene blue
Methylene blue is used in concentrations around 0.5–1 percent to check container integrity.
5. What is the function of glidants in tablet manufacturing?
Glidants reduce friction between powder particles. This improves powder flow during tablet production.
Pharmacology explains how drugs act in the body and how they are used for treatment.
1. Which antibody is produced first during the primary immune response?
Answer: IgM
IgM is the first antibody produced when the body is exposed to an infection.
2. Which drug is used for the treatment of myasthenia gravis?
Answer: Neostigmine
Neostigmine increases the level of acetylcholine at neuromuscular junctions.
3. Which drug is used as an antidote for paracetamol poisoning?
Answer: N-acetylcysteine
This drug protects the liver from damage caused by paracetamol overdose.
4. Which drug is the physiological antagonist of histamine?
Answer: Adrenaline
Adrenaline acts through a different receptor mechanism and counteracts the effects of histamine.
5. Which drug is used as a mast cell stabilizer?
Answer: Sodium cromoglycate
It prevents the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators.
Pharmacokinetics studies how drugs move through the body.
1. What is bioavailability?
Bioavailability is the amount of a drug that reaches systemic circulation in its unchanged form.
2. What happens when the excretion ratio becomes zero?
This means that the drug is not being eliminated through that pathway.
3. How can elimination of acidic drugs be increased?
Elimination of acidic drugs increases when the urinary pH becomes more basic.
4. What occurs in Phase II drug metabolism?
Phase II metabolism involves conjugation reactions such as glucuronidation. These reactions make drugs more water-soluble.
Pharmacognosy deals with drugs obtained from natural sources such as plants.
1. Which plant source contains morphine?
Answer: Opium
Morphine was one of the first alkaloids isolated from opium.
2. From which plant are digitalis glycosides obtained?
Answer: Digitalis purpurea
The leaves of this plant contain cardiac glycosides used in heart diseases.
3. What is cutch?
Cutch is obtained from the Acacia tree. It is used as an astringent.
4. Which natural product is used as a bulk-forming laxative?
Answer: Isabgol
Isabgol absorbs water and increases stool volume.
Biochemistry questions test knowledge about enzymes, proteins, vitamins, and metabolism.
1. Where does glycolysis occur in the cell?
Answer: Cytosol
Glycolysis is the metabolic pathway that converts glucose into energy.
2. Which enzyme works in an acidic medium in the stomach?
Answer: Pepsin
Pepsin helps in protein digestion.
3. What is the milk sugar called?
Answer: Lactose
Lactose is a disaccharide made of glucose and galactose.
4. Which vitamin deficiency causes scurvy?
Answer: Vitamin C
5. Which vitamin deficiency causes pernicious anemia?
Answer: Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation.
Clinical pharmacology focuses on the therapeutic uses and side effects of drugs.
1. Which antibiotic can cause ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity?
Answer: Gentamicin
It belongs to the aminoglycoside group.
2. Which drug inhibits cyclooxygenase enzymes?
Answer: Aspirin
Aspirin blocks COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes and reduces inflammation.
3. Which drug is used for grand mal seizures?
Answer: Phenytoin
It stabilizes nerve membranes and prevents seizures.
4. Which drug is used in the treatment of diabetes from the biguanide class?
Answer: Metformin
It reduces glucose production in the liver.
5. Which condition may occur after long-term glucocorticoid use?
Answer: Cushing’s syndrome
This condition occurs due to excess glucocorticoids in the body.
Here are some MCQs for the RRB Pharmacist Exam:
Q1: Which process removes water of crystallization from hydrated crystals?
A. Sublimation
B. Exsiccation
C. Distillation
D. Crystallization
Answer: Exsiccation
Explanation: Exsiccation removes bound water molecules from hydrated crystals and converts them into anhydrous substances.
Q2: Which sterilization method is commonly used for aqueous injections?
A. Dry heat sterilization
B. Moist heat sterilization
C. Radiation sterilization
D. Filtration sterilization
Answer: Moist heat sterilization
Explanation: Moist heat sterilization is widely used for aqueous preparations because steam effectively destroys microorganisms.
Q3: A substance that kills pathogenic bacteria is known as:
A. Virucide
B. Fungicide
C. Bactericide
D. Germistat
Answer: Bactericide
Q4: What is the primary unit of weight in the Avoirdupois system?
A. Grain
B. Gram
C. Pound
D. Kilogram
Answer: Pound
Q5: Which compound is commonly used in sunscreen formulations?
A. Zinc oxide
B. Titanium dioxide
C. Magnesium sulfate
D. Sodium chloride
Answer: Titanium dioxide
Q6: Disinfection refers to the process of:
A. Removing dirt from surfaces
B. Killing pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects
C. Destroying bacterial spores
D. Killing microorganisms inside the human body
Answer: Killing pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate objects.
Q7: What is the HLB value of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
A. 10
B. 20
C. 40
D. 60
Answer: 40
Q8: Which extraction method involves soaking powdered crude drugs in solvent?
A. Distillation
B. Maceration
C. Sublimation
D. Percolation
Answer: Maceration.
Q9: Which compound is commonly used for treating dandruff?
A. Selenium sulfide
B. Zinc sulfate
C. Calcium carbonate
D. Potassium permanganate
Answer: Selenium sulfide.
Q10: Which principle is used in a roller mill?
A. Impact
B. Compression
C. Attrition
D. Cutting
Answer: Compression.
Q11: Which defect causes irreversible instability in emulsions?
A. Creaming
B. Flocculation
C. Cracking
D. Sedimentation
Answer: Cracking.
Q12: Which is a cationic emulsifying agent?
A. Cetrimide
B. Tween
C. Span
D. Sodium lauryl sulfate
Answer: Cetrimide.
Q13: The HLB value range for wetting agents is:
A. 1–3
B. 3–7
C. 7–9
D. 10–15
Answer: 7–9.
Q14: The typical weight of vaginal suppositories is:
A. 1 g
B. 2 g
C. 3–6 g
D. 8 g
Answer: 3–6 g.
Q15: Vesicles formed from non-ionic surfactants are called:
A. Liposomes
B. Niosomes
C. Transfersomes
D. Ethosomes
Answer: Niosomes.
Students should also revise the following concepts for the exam:
Surfactant classification and functions
Hydrophilic-lipophilic balance values
Emulsion instability problems such as cracking
Sterilization techniques
Extraction processes like maceration
Diffusion and solubility laws
Tablet manufacturing principles
Understanding these topics helps students solve many exam questions.
Effective preparation requires regular revision and concept clarity. The following strategies can help candidates prepare for the exam.
1. Focus on Core Subjects : Revise pharmacology, pharmaceutics, pharmacognosy, and biochemistry regularly.
2. Practice MCQs Daily : Daily practice improves familiarity with exam patterns.
3. Revise Drug Classifications : Many questions are based on drug classes and mechanisms.
4. Understand Mechanisms : Understanding how drugs work helps in solving complex questions.
5. Maintain Revision Notes : Short notes help during the final days of preparation.