AIIMS CRE-5 Ophthalmic Technician Recruitment 2026
The wait is over! AIIMS has released the CRE-5 Recruitment 2026 notification, and there is great news for Ophthalmic Technician aspirants. Through this single Common Recruitment Examination, AIIMS and other Central Government institutes are filling these posts together. Below is a complete, easy-to-understand guide — vacancy, eligibility, qualification, experience, age relaxation, exam pattern, language, fees and how to apply.
Quick Overview
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Recruitment
AIIMS CRE-5 2026
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Category
Ophthalmic Technician
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Exam Group
Group 23
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Total Vacancies
2 posts
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Domain Subject (80 MCQs)
Ophthalmic Techniques
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Medium of Exam
English only
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Application Dates
13 June – 3 July 2026
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Exam Date (CBT)
25–27 July 2026 (Tentative)
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Pay Level / Salary
Pay Level 6 (as per 7th CPC pay matrix, roughly ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400).
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Official Website
aiimsexams.ac.in
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What is AIIMS CRE-5 2026?
The Common Recruitment Examination (CRE-5) is a single-window recruitment by AIIMS New Delhi to fill Group-B and Group-C non-faculty posts across many participating AIIMS institutes and other Central Government bodies (ICMR, CNCI Kolkata, RML Hospital, Kalawati Saran, CAPFIMS, RHTC Najafgarh, Vardhman Mahavir, etc.). One application and one exam can make you eligible for jobs in several institutes — you only set your preference order later.
Who Can Apply?
Students with a B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Techniques (or equivalent). The Optometrist and senior Technical Officer (Refractionist) posts additionally need 5 years of relevant experience.
Eligibility — Post, Qualification, Experience & Age (AIIMS-wise)
The essential qualification, required experience and age limit for each post are given below, exactly as per the official notification:
| Post (Pay Level) | Age Limit | Experience | Essential Qualification | AIIMS / Institute |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ophthalmic Technician Grade-I Level 6 |
30 yrs | Not required | B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Techniques or equivalent from a recognised University/Institution. | AIIMS New Delhi |
| Optometrist Level 6 |
21–35 yrs | 5 years (relevant field) | B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Techniques or equivalent + 5 years experience in the relevant field. | AIIMS Bathinda |
| Technical Officer (Ophthalmic / Refractionist) — (in qualification annexure; no vacancy this time) Level 6 |
21–35 yrs (Bhopal & Raipur: 21–30) | 5 years (Raebareli, Bhubaneswar, Vijaypur); not required (Bhopal, Raipur) | B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Techniques or equivalent; experience requirement varies by institute as noted. | AIIMS Raebareli, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Raipur, Vijaypur |
Note: The base qualification — B.Sc. in Ophthalmic Techniques or equivalent — is the SAME across all institutes. Optometrist and senior Technical Officer (Refractionist) posts additionally require 5 years of relevant experience. IMPORTANT: although the qualification annexure lists Technical Officer (Ophthalmic/Refractionist) posts at several AIIMS (Raebareli, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Raipur, Vijaypur), in this CRE-5 only AIIMS New Delhi (Ophthalmic Technician Gr-I) and AIIMS Bathinda (Optometrist) carry actual vacancies.
Age Relaxation
The upper age limit is relaxable for reserved and special categories as below:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | 10 years (over and above the relaxation for SC/ST/OBC) |
| Central Govt. employees with 3+ years regular service (UR) | 5 years (OBC/SC-ST employees get further relaxation as per rules) |
| Group-C: J&K domicile (1980-1989) | 5 years |
| Group-C: Widows / Divorced / judicially separated women (UR) | Up to age 35 (OBC up to 38, SC/ST up to 40) |
Age relaxation is counted from the upper age limit and applies per participating institute/post only (not across all institutes collectively). Crucial date for age = closing date of registration (3 July 2026).
Vacancy Details (AIIMS-wise)
| # | Post | AIIMS / Institute | Vacancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ophthalmic Technician Grade-I | AIIMS New Delhi | 1 |
| 2 | Optometrist | AIIMS Bathinda | 1 |
| TOTAL | 2 |
Which AIIMS has how many posts
| # | AIIMS / Institute | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AIIMS New Delhi | 1 |
| 2 | AIIMS Bathinda | 1 |
| GRAND TOTAL | 2 |
Language / Medium of Examination
Rule: posts requiring 10th / 10+2 are usually bilingual (English & Hindi); posts with a technical subject in the essential qualification or Bachelor's & above are in English only. For this category, the medium is English only.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
- Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT). Duration: 90 minutes.
- 100 MCQs of 400 marks (each question = 4 marks).
- 20 MCQs — General Knowledge & Aptitude + Knowledge of Computer; 80 MCQs — Domain (subject) of the respective group.
- Paper divided into 5 sections of 18 minutes each (20 questions per section). Once a section's time lapses, you cannot return to it.
- Negative marking: 1/4 mark deducted for each wrong answer.
Domain subject: Ophthalmic Techniques. Qualifying marks: UR/EWS 40%, OBC 35%, SC/ST 30%, PwBD 30%.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC | Rs. 3000/- |
| SC / ST / EWS | Rs. 2400/- (SC/ST fee refunded after appearing in exam) |
| Persons with Disabilities (PwBD) | Exempted (No fee) |
Fee is per GROUP. Candidate applying in more than one group must pay separately for each group. Payment via Debit/Credit Card/Net Banking. Fee once paid is non-refundable (except SC/ST refund after exam).
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration last date | 3rd July 2026 (up to 5:00 PM) |
| NOC submission (Govt/PSU/Autonomous employees) | 08.07.2026 |
| Status of application form for acceptance | 11.07.2026 |
| Issue of Admit Card | As per scheme of examination (3 days before exam) |
| Date of CBT (Computer Based Test) | 25th to 27th July 2026 (Tentative) |
| Date of Skill Test | To be notified later |
Admit Card
- Admit Card issued 3 days before the date of examination of the respective post/group; city/state notified 7 days in advance.
- Released only on AIIMS Examination website www.aiimsexams.ac.in — download by login. No admit card sent by post.
- Candidate must bring downloaded Admit Card to the centre and hand over to invigilator. Failing to do so may cancel candidature.
- Separate Admit Card issued for Skill Test (if any), conducted at few selected locations, preferably Delhi/NCR.
Selection Process
- Computer Based Test (CBT) — 100 MCQs, 400 marks, 90 minutes.
- Skill Test — applicable only for certain groups (AIIMS may introduce it for any group).
- Document Verification & eligibility check.
- Merit list and seat allocation as per preference & category.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
- Visit the official website www.aiimsexams.ac.in.
- Complete your One-Time Registration (OTR) if not done already.
- Login and open the CRE-5 application form.
- Select the correct group for your post and fill your details carefully.
- Upload photo, signature and required documents/certificates.
- Pay the application fee online (Debit/Credit Card / Net Banking).
- Submit and download a copy of the final form.
Tip: Apply early — corrections are limited and the last date (3 July 2026) usually sees heavy website traffic.
How to Prepare — Strategy & Tips
- Focus on Optics, Refraction, Ocular Anatomy & Physiology, common eye disorders, ophthalmic instruments and refractive error correction.
- Revise visual acuity testing, retinoscopy, slit-lamp basics and lens prescription concepts.
- The paper is English only - learn ophthalmic terminology in English.
- Practise refraction-based numerical and instrument-identification MCQs.
- Cover the 20 GK/Aptitude/Computer MCQs for quick, reliable marks.
Best Free Resources for Preparation
At Testpaperlive Classes, we run daily LIVE classes at 3 PM and provide bilingual MCQs, model papers and notes specially for Ophthalmic Technician and other paramedical exams:
- Daily LIVE classes at 3 PM on YouTube — “Testpaperlive Paramedical Classes”.
- Topic-wise MCQ practice papers and previous-year style questions.
- Subject notes and revision material for Ophthalmic Techniques.
- Books and printed material on our store: store.testpaperlive.com.Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
AIIMS CRE-5 2026 is a strong opportunity for Ophthalmic Technician aspirants to land a Central Government job through a single exam. Check your eligibility, apply before 3 July 2026, and start focused preparation for the 25–27 July 2026 exam. Consistent MCQ practice with the right guidance is the key to clearing it.
