What is MPESB Group-5 Recruitment 2026?

A government recruitment you simply cannot miss as an optometrist in India.

The Madhya Pradesh Employees Selection Board (MPESB), Bhopal has released the official notification for Group-5 Combined Recruitment Exam 2026, covering Nursing Staff, Paramedical Staff, and equivalent positions across multiple government departments in Madhya Pradesh.

Within this large recruitment drive, there is a dedicated vacancy for the post of Optometrist — a rare and valuable opportunity for optometry professionals to secure a permanent government position at a prestigious medical institution.

The single Optometrist vacancy is posted at Shyam Shah Medical College & Associated Gandhi Smarak and Sanjay Gandhi Smriti Hospital, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh — one of the leading government medical colleges in central India. The position falls under Pay Level 7, offering a starting salary of ₹28,700/month with a scale up to ₹91,300.

Vacancy Details

Category-wise breakdown of the Optometrist post

Pay Scale & Benefits

What you earn as a Government Optometrist in Madhya Pradesh

Eligibility Criteria

Check all requirements before applying

📚 Educational Qualification

• ✓ Passed 12th (Higher Secondary) examination under the 10+2 system with Biology, Chemistry, and Physics as subjects from a recognized board.
• ✓ Obtained a Diploma in Optometry and Refraction from a recognized institution.
• ✓ Holds a valid live registration with the Madhya Pradesh Para-Medical Council (M.P. Sah-Chikitseey Parishad) — mandatory at the time of application.

🎂 Age Limit (as on 01 January 2026)

🇮🇳 Nationality & Domicile

• ✓ Must be an Indian citizen (or citizen of Nepal as per MP Civil Service Recruitment Rules 1961)
• ✓ Aadhaar registration is mandatory — Aadhaar must be unlocked for biometric verification during the exam
• ✓ Live registration at MP Employment Office is mandatory for all candidates
• ✓ Non-MP domicile candidates can apply only for Unreserved (Open) category — no reservation or age relaxation benefits

Important Dates

Mark your calendar — these are the deadlines you must not miss

Exam Pattern

Understand the structure before you start preparing

Detailed Syllabus for Optometrist

The official syllabus as mentioned in the MPESB 2026 notification (Paper Code H)

Application Fee

Know exactly how much to pay before applying

How to Apply — Step by Step

Follow these steps carefully to ensure your application is accepted

• 1

  Visit the Official Portal

  Go to www.mponline.gov.in → Citizen Services → ESB → Group-5 Recruitment 2026

• 2

  Register / Login

  Create a new account or login with your existing credentials. Keep your Aadhaar number handy.

• 3

  Fill the Application Form

  Select “Optometrist” (Post Code 35) as your preference. Fill all personal, educational, and contact details accurately. Enter your MP Para-Medical Council registration number.

• 4

  Upload Documents

  Upload colour photo (white background, both ears visible), signature, and two lines of handwriting in the prescribed format (JPG). Also upload qualification certificates and category certificates if applicable.

• 5

  Set Exam City Preferences

  Select 4 preferred exam cities in order of preference from the list: Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Khandwa, Neemuch, Ratlam, Rewa, Sagar, Satna, Sidhi, Ujjain.

• 6

  Pay Application Fee

  Pay ₹500 (UR) or ₹250 (reserved categories) via Credit/Debit Card, Net Banking, or MP Online Kiosk. Save the payment receipt.

• 7

  Submit & Save Application Number

  Review all details before final submission. Save and print your application form and application number — this is required to download your admit card later.

How to Prepare for MPESB Optometrist 2026

Practical strategy to maximise your score in this competitive exam

🎯 1. Master the Technical Section (75 Marks)

The technical section carries 75% of total marks and is entirely based on your optometry knowledge. Focus on:

• ✓Refraction & Errors: This is the core. Know myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, aphakia, presbyopia, anisometropia inside-out — etiology, signs, symptoms, management, and optical correction.
• ✓Physical Optics: Prisms, lenses, vergence, image formation, reflection, and refraction principles are high-yield topics in government exams.
• ✓Ocular Diseases: Glaucoma and cataract are always asked. Know the types, clinical features, and management strategies thoroughly.
• ✓Clinical Procedures: Retinoscopy, Keratometry, Lensometry, VA testing, Colour vision tests — know the procedure, instruments, and clinical significance.
• ✓Contact Lenses & Low Vision: These are increasingly tested in government exams. Don’t skip them.

📖 2. General Section Strategy (25 Marks)

Don’t ignore the 25-mark general section — it can be the deciding factor in a close competition:

• ✓General Hindi: Focus on grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. Even if you are from outside MP, practice basic Hindi grammar rules.
• ✓General Knowledge: Current affairs (last 6 months), India-specific GK, MP state GK, and science general awareness.
• ✓Mathematics: Class 10 level — percentages, ratio, simple & compound interest, speed-time-distance, data interpretation.
• ✓English: Basic grammar, fill-in-the-blanks, one-word substitutions.

⚡ 3. Tackle Negative Marking Smartly

With −0.25 for every wrong answer, don’t blindly guess. If you’re unsure between 2 options, attempt. If you have no idea, skip. This strategy alone can protect 3–5 marks in the exam.

📅 4. Practice with Previous Year MCQs

Government optometry exams across India — DSSSB, AIIMS, NHM, MPESB — often repeat concepts and sometimes exact questions. Practice with previous year papers to understand the question style, difficulty level, and most-tested topics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answers to the most common questions about this recruitment

• How many Optometrist vacancies are there in MPESB Group-5 2026?

  There is 1 Optometrist vacancy (Post Code 35) under MPESB Group-5 Recruitment 2026, located at Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. The single vacancy is in the Unreserved (UR) / Open category, meaning all eligible candidates can compete.
• What is the salary for the MPESB Optometrist 2026 post?

  The pay scale is ₹28,700 – ₹91,300 (Pay Level 7) as per the 7th Pay Commission. During the probation period (3 years), pay is disbursed at 70%, 80%, and 90% of the minimum in Year 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Additional allowances (DA, HRA, TA) are also provided as per MP Government rules.
• Is Diploma in Optometry sufficient, or is a Degree required?

  The minimum educational qualification as per the official MPESB 2026 notification requires a Diploma in Optometry and Refraction from a recognized institution. A Bachelor’s degree in Optometry (B.Optom) is a higher qualification and also eligible. Both diploma and degree holders can apply, as long as they also have 10+2 with PCB and MP Para-Medical Council registration.
• Can candidates from outside Madhya Pradesh apply for this vacancy?

  Yes, candidates from outside MP can apply, but only for the Unreserved (Open) category. They will not be eligible for any reservation benefits, age relaxation, or fee waivers that are applicable to MP domicile residents. Since this vacancy is entirely in the UR category, all eligible candidates can effectively compete.
• What is the exam date and pattern for MPESB Optometrist 2026?

  The exam begins from 15 April 2026. It is a computer-based online MCQ test of 100 questions carrying 100 marks, conducted over 2 hours. The paper has two sections: 25 marks for General Knowledge/Hindi/English/Math/Science/Aptitude and 75 marks for Technical/Optometry content. There is negative marking of −0.25 per wrong answer.
• Is MP Para-Medical Council registration mandatory?

  Yes, absolutely. MP Para-Medical Council (Sah-Chikitseey Parishad) registration is mandatory at the time of application. Candidates without a valid, live registration will not be considered eligible. Ensure your registration is active before filling the form.
• How is the final merit list prepared for MPESB Group-5?

  Results are prepared using Normalized Equi-Percentile (NEP) Scaling since the exam is held across multiple shifts. Your percentile score determines your rank. In case of a tie in percentile, the candidate with higher raw marks in the written exam is ranked higher; if still tied, the older candidate gets priority by age.
• How long is the merit list valid after results?

  The merit/waiting list is valid for 1 year from the date of result declaration, or until a new exam result is declared (whichever is earlier). A waiting list of 15% of total vacancies is prepared. Appointment orders must be issued within 3 months of the selection list being sent to the department.

Official Links & Resources

Always refer to official sources for the most accurate and updated information