CISF ASI Paramedical Syllabus 2026, Check Topic-wise Syllabus and Exam Pattern

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) conducts the ASI Paramedical recruitment examination to select eligible candidates for various paramedical posts. The CISF ASI Paramedical Recruitment 2026 is being conducted to fill 24 vacancies for Pharmacist, X-Ray Technician, and Lab Technician posts. Candidates should be familiar with the latest exam pattern and syllabus, as the CISF ASI Paramedical Syllabus 2026 mainly focuses on testing professional knowledge related to the respective trade. Understanding the syllabus helps aspirants prepare strategically and perform better in the examination.

CISF ASI Paramedical Exam Pattern 2026

• Total Marks: 100
• Each question carries equal marks.
• No negative marking for incorrect answers.
• Unattempted questions will receive zero marks.

CISF ASI Paramedical Syllabus 2026

As the official detailed syllabus has not yet been released, candidates can prepare according to the expected syllabus compiled from standard pharmacy and paramedical education curricula. The topics mentioned below are likely to form the basis of the written examination and can help candidates strengthen their preparation.

Pharmacist

1. Pharmaceutics

This is a high-weightage, foundational subject focusing on drug formulation and dispensing.

• Dosage Forms: Preparation, evaluation, and manufacturing defects of solid (tablets, capsules), liquid (syrups, elixirs), and semisolid (ointments, creams) dosage forms.
• Sterile Preparations: Formulation and sterilization methods for parenterals and ophthalmic products.
• Dispensing Pharmacy: Prescription reading, handling incompatibilities, Latin terms, and pharmaceutical calculations (posology, alligation, pediatric dosing).
• Cosmetics & Additives: Dentifrices, facial cosmetics, deodorants, shampoos, and pharmaceutical packaging materials.

2. Pharmacology & Toxicology

• General Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics (ADME), pharmacodynamics, routes of administration, and drug-receptor interactions.
• Systemic Pharmacology: Classifications, mechanism of action, and adverse effects of drugs acting on the Central Nervous System (CNS), Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), Cardiovascular System (CVS), Respiratory system, and Gastrointestinal tract.
• Chemotherapy: Antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, antitubercular, and antimalarial drugs.
• Toxicology: Principles of toxicology, heavy metal poisoning, and specific antidotes (e.g., organophosphates, paracetamol toxicity).

3. Pharmaceutical Chemistry

• Inorganic Chemistry: Acids, bases, and buffers. Limit tests (chloride, sulfate, arsenic, iron). Gastrointestinal agents, dental products, and radiopharmaceuticals.
• Medicinal & Organic Chemistry: IUPAC nomenclature, chemical structures, and Structure-Activity Relationships (SAR) of major drug classes.
• Pharmaceutical Analysis: Principles of acid-base titrations, non-aqueous titrations, chromatography (TLC, HPLC), and basic spectroscopy (UV, IR).

4. Pharmacognosy

• Fundamentals: Classification, biological sources, and cultivation of crude drugs.
• Phytoconstituents: Chemical tests, active constituents, and therapeutic uses of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, volatile oils, and resins.
• Quality Control: Adulteration, evaluation (macroscopic and microscopic), and quantitative microscopy (stomata index, palisade ratio).
• Traditional Medicine: Basics of Ayurvedic, Unani, and Homeopathic systems.

5. Human Anatomy and Physiology (HAP)

• Cell & Tissues: Cell structure, functions, and elementary tissue types.
• Organ Systems: Anatomy and basic physiology of the skeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, nervous, urinary, reproductive, and endocrine systems.
• Blood & Lymph: Composition of blood, blood grouping, coagulation cascades, and the lymphatic system.
• Sense Organs: Anatomy and physiology of the eye, ear, and skin.

6. Pharmaceutical Jurisprudence

• Key Acts: Pharmacy Act (1948), Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1940) & Rules (1945), and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act (1985).
• Schedules: Memorize the drug schedules (e.g., Schedule H for prescription drugs, Schedule X for narcotics, Schedule M for GMP).
• Other Legislation: Drug Price Control Order (DPCO), Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, Poisons Act, and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

7. Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy

• Hospital Setup: Organizational structure, drug distribution systems (floor stock, unit dose), hospital formulary, and the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (PTC).
• Clinical Practice: Drug interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring, patient counseling, and understanding Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs).

8. Biochemistry & Clinical Pathology

• Biomolecules: Chemistry, structure, and metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
• Enzymes & Vitamins: Classifications, coenzymes, functions, and specific deficiency diseases.
• Clinical Pathology: Normal reference values for blood and urine, alongside standard kidney and liver function tests.

9. Drug Store and Business Management

• Inventory Control: Modern techniques like ABC analysis, VED analysis, Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), safety stock, and lead time.
• Business Operations: Requirements for setting up a retail pharmacy, cash book maintenance, ledger, recruitment, profit/loss accounting, and government tender/supply procedures.

10. Health Education & Community Pharmacy

• Public Health: Concept of health, balanced diets, nutrition, and first aid.
• Communicable Diseases: Epidemiology, transmission, and prevention of diseases like Tuberculosis, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and water-borne infections.
• National Programs: National Health Mission (NHM), National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), family planning, and national immunization schedules.

Lab Technician

1. Hematology and Blood Banking

• Composition and function of blood
• Normal cell morphology and hemopoiesis
• Hemocytometer principles and cell counts (RBC, WBC, Platelets, AEC)
• Methods of hemoglobin estimation and clinical significance
• Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Packed Cell Volume (PCV)
• Red cell indices (MCV, MCH, MCHC)
• Preparation and staining of peripheral smears
• Coagulation cascade and routine coagulation studies (BT, CT, PT, aPTT, D-dimer)
• Classification and lab diagnosis of anemias and leukemias
• ABO and Rh blood group systems and inheritance
• Forward and reverse blood grouping techniques
• Major and minor cross-matching and Gel card technology
• Direct and Indirect Antiglobulin Tests (Coombs Test)
• Donor screening, phlebotomy, and blood collection procedures
• Blood anticoagulants and preservatives
• Preparation, storage, and shelf life of blood components
• Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn (HDN) and transfusion reactions

2. Clinical Microbiology

• Bacterial cell structure, morphology, and classification
• Principles and methods of sterilization and disinfection
• Routine and special staining techniques (Gram, AFB, Albert’s, India ink)
• Types and preparation of culture media
• Aerobic and anaerobic cultivation techniques
• Routine biochemical tests for bacterial identification
• Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) methods
• Pathogenesis and lab diagnosis of common pathogenic bacteria
• General characteristics and lab diagnosis of common viruses (HIV, Hepatitis, Dengue, Rabies)
• Life cycles and lab diagnosis of common parasites and helminths
• Characteristics and identification of common pathogenic fungi

3. Clinical Biochemistry

• Regulation of blood sugar and tests for Diabetes Mellitus
• Total protein, Albumin, Globulins, and the A:G ratio
• Lipid profile tests and clinical significance
• Liver Function Tests (Bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, ALP)
• Kidney Function Tests (Urea, Creatinine, Uric acid, Clearance tests)
• Thyroid Function Tests (T3, T4, TSH)
• Measurement of serum electrolytes and basic ABG analysis
• Clinical utility of diagnostic enzymes (Amylase, Lipase, CK-MB, LDH)
• Principles of Colorimetry, Spectrophotometry, and Flame photometry
• Principles of Electrophoresis and Chromatography
• Common tumor markers (PSA, CEA, AFP, CA-125)

4. Clinical Pathology & Body Fluids

• Physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine
• Stool examination for occult blood, ova, and cysts
• Routine sputum analysis and AFB testing
• Semen analysis according to WHO guidelines
• Physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of CSF
• Analysis of serous fluids (pleural, pericardial, peritoneal)

5. Histopathology and Cytopathology

• Steps of tissue processing (Fixation to Embedding)
• Types, properties, and applications of tissue fixatives
• Types of microtomes, knives, and section cutting techniques
• Methods and fluids used for bone decalcification
• Principle and procedure of routine H&E staining
• Common special stains used in histopathology
• Exfoliative cytology and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
• Preparation of vaginal/cervical smears and Pap staining technique

6. Immunology and Serology

• Innate versus acquired immunity
• Structure and classes of Immunoglobulins
• Principles of antigen-antibody reactions (agglutination, precipitation)
• Common serological tests (Widal, VDRL/RPR, ASO, CRP, RF)
• Principles of ELISA, RIA, Immunofluorescence, and Chemiluminescence

7. Laboratory Management, Quality Control & Safety

• Biomedical Waste Management (BMWM) color-coding and disposal methods
• Internal and External Quality Control procedures
• Levy-Jennings charts, standard deviations, and trend analysis
• Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Biosafety levels
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and handling hazardous materials

8. Basic Human Anatomy, Physiology & Molecular Biology

• Cell structure, organelles, and their functions
• Basic physiology of major human organ systems
• Fundamentals of DNA and RNA structure
• Principles of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and RT-PCR
• Basic concepts of Flow Cytometry

X-Ray Technician

1. Anatomy and Physiology

• Osteology: Detailed study of the skeletal system, individual bones, and joints.
• Systems Overview: Respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, excretory, nervous, and reproductive systems.
• Topographic Anatomy: Surface landmarks for exact patient positioning.

2. Radiation Physics

• Atomic Structure: Fundamentals of matter, electromagnetic radiation, and X-ray production.
• X-Ray Tube: Construction, types (rotating vs. stationary anode), and heat dissipation mechanisms.
• Interactions: Photoelectric effect, Compton scatter, and tissue attenuation.
• Electrical Circuits: Transformers, rectifiers, and generators used in radiographic equipment.

3. Radiographic Photography & Darkroom Techniques

• X-Ray Film: Structure, emulsion types, and latent image formation.
• Intensifying Screens: Phosphor types, rare-earth screens, and screen-film contact.
• Processing: Developer and fixer chemistry, manual vs. automatic processing.
• Digital Radiography (CR & DR): Image plates, flat-panel detectors, and PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication Systems).
• Image Quality: Factors affecting density, contrast, spatial resolution, and artifacts.

4. Radiographic Positioning and Techniques

• Upper & Lower Extremities: Routine and special views (e.g., scaphoid, skyline patella, mortise view).
• Spine & Pelvis: Cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joints.
• Chest & Abdomen: PA/AP views, decubitus, and lordotic projections.
• Skull & Bones: Towne’s, Caldwell, Water’s, and submentovertex views.

5. Special Radiological Procedures

• Contrast Media: Types (barium, iodine), adverse reactions, and emergency management.
• Gastrointestinal Tract: Barium swallow, meal, follow-through, and enema.
• Biliary Tract & Urinary System: ERCP, PTC, IVU/IVP, MCU, and RGU.
• Reproductive & Other: HSG (Hysterosalpingography), sialography, and myelography.

6. Radiation Hazards and Protection

• Dosimetry: Units of radiation (Sievert, Gray, Roentgen) and measurement devices (TLD badges).
• Biological Effects: Somatic and genetic effects, deterministic vs. stochastic.
• Protection Principles: Time, distance, shielding, and the ALARA principle.
• Regulatory Guidelines: AERB (Atomic Energy Regulatory Board) safety codes, maximum permissible doses, and lead equivalent thicknesses for aprons and barriers.

7. Recent Advances in Imaging

• Computed Tomography (CT): Generations, slip-ring technology, pitch, and Hounsfield units.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Basic physics, T1/T2 weighting, RF coils, and quench procedures.
• Ultrasound (USG): Piezoelectric effect, transducers, and Doppler basics.
• Nuclear Medicine: Basic concepts of radioisotopes and hybrid imaging (PET-CT).

8. Patient Care and Hospital Practice

• Ethics: Medicolegal aspects, patient consent, and confidentiality.
• Vital Signs: Monitoring blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.
• Infection Control: Sterilization, BMW (Biomedical Waste) management guidelines, and cross-infection prevention.
• Emergency Handling: CPR basics and anaphylactic shock management during contrast administration.

CISF ASI Paramedical Selection Process 2026

• Physical Standard Test (PST)
• Documentation Verification
• Basic Vocational Aptitude Test (BVAT)
• Written Examination
• Detailed Medical Examination (DME)

Basic Vocational Aptitude Test (BVAT)

The Basic Vocational Aptitude Test (BVAT) is conducted after the Physical Standard Test and document verification process. The test is qualifying in nature and is designed to assess candidates’ suitability for the duties associated with the post.