🔥 At a Glance: RRB ALP Recruitment 2026
- Total Vacancies: 11,127 (All RRBs Combined)
- Post Name: Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)
- Qualification: Matriculation + ITI / Diploma in Engineering
- Salary (Initial Pay): ₹ 19,900/- (Pay Level-2, 7th CPC)
- Age Limit: 18 to 30 Years (as on 01-07-2026)
- Last Date to Apply: 14 June 2026 (11:59 PM)
- Jump to Direct Apply Link ↓
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 – Overview
The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has released the official Centralised Employment Notice (CEN No. 01/2026) for the recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP). This is a golden opportunity for candidates who have completed their Matriculation with ITI or hold a Diploma/Degree in Engineering to secure a prestigious Central Government Railway Job.
A total of 11,127 vacancies have been notified across all 20 participating Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). The online application window opened on 15 May 2026 and will close on 14 June 2026. Candidates can apply through the official portal at rrbapply.gov.in.
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
|---|---|
| Notification No. | CEN No. 01/2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Pay Level | Level-2 (7th CPC) | Initial Pay: ₹ 19,900/- |
| Medical Standard | A-1 (Stringent – No Glasses / No LASIK) |
| Job Location | All Over India (Zonal Railways) |
| Apply Mode | Online Only (via rrbapply.gov.in) |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in |
📅 RRB ALP 2026 Important Dates
| Crucial Events | Important Dates |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice in Employment News | 21 March 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 15 May 2026 (00:00 Hrs) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 14 June 2026 (23:59 Hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 June 2026 (23:59 Hrs) |
| Application Modification Window | 17 June 2026 to 26 June 2026 |
| CBT-1 (First Stage Exam Date) | To Be Announced on RRB Websites |
| E-Call Letter / Admit Card | 4 Days Before CBT-1 Date |
| Exam City Intimation | 10 Days Before CBT-1 Date |
💳 RRB ALP 2026 Application Fee
- General / OBC-NCL / EWS Candidates: ₹ 500/- (₹ 400/- refunded after appearing in CBT-1)
- SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / Female / Transgender / Minorities / EBC Candidates: ₹ 250/- (Full ₹ 250/- refunded after appearing in CBT-1)
- Payment Mode: Online only via Internet Banking, Debit/Credit Cards, or UPI.
- Important: Fee refund will be credited ONLY to the bank account seeded with the candidate's Aadhaar number.
⏳ Age Limit (As on 01-07-2026)
The crucial date for age calculation for RRB ALP 2026 is 01 July 2026.
- Minimum Age: 18 Years
- Maximum Age: 30 Years
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit):
| Category / Community | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST Candidates | 5 Years (Max age: 35 Years) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates | 3 Years (Max age: 33 Years) |
| Ex-Servicemen (UR/EWS) | 3 Years (after deducting service length from age) |
| Ex-Servicemen (OBC-NCL) | 6 Years (after deducting service length from age) |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST) | 8 Years (after deducting service length from age) |
| Serving Railway Staff (UR/EWS) with 3+ yrs service | Up to 40 Years of age |
| Serving Railway Staff (OBC-NCL) with 3+ yrs service | Up to 43 Years of age |
| Serving Railway Staff (SC/ST) with 3+ yrs service | Up to 45 Years of age |
| Widowed / Divorced Women (UR/EWS) Not Remarried | Up to 35 Years of age |
| Widowed / Divorced Women (OBC-NCL) Not Remarried | Up to 38 Years of age |
| Widowed / Divorced Women (SC/ST) Not Remarried | Up to 40 Years of age |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices (CCAA) | Relaxed to the extent of apprenticeship training undergone |
Note: Date of Birth must be between 02-07-1996 (UR/EWS) and 01-07-2008 (both dates inclusive). For SC/ST: not before 02-07-1991; for OBC-NCL: not before 02-07-1993.
🎓 RRB ALP 2026 Total Vacancy Details (Category-Wise)
| Category | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR / General) | 4,860 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 2,598 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 1,746 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 919 |
| EWS (Economically Weaker Section) | 1,004 |
| Ex-Servicemen (Horizontal, included above) | 1,115 |
| Grand Total (All RRBs) | 11,127 |
📊 RRB-Wise & Zone-Wise Vacancy Table
| RRB | Railway Zone | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | WR | 62 | 22 | 11 | 38 | 14 | 147 |
| Ajmer | NWR + WCR | 318 | 115 | 59 | 174 | 52 | 718 |
| Prayagraj | NCR + NR | 346 | 60 | 38 | 107 | 59 | 610 |
| Bengaluru | SWR | 80 | 31 | 15 | 54 | 20 | 200 |
| Bhopal | WCR + WR | 209 | 82 | 23 | 123 | 16 | 453 |
| Bhubaneswar | ECoR | 548 | 70 | 36 | 48 | 99 | 801 |
| Bilaspur | CR + SECR | 271 | 106 | 66 | 53 | 26 | 522 |
| Chandigarh | NR | 56 | 39 | 23 | 49 | 20 | 187 |
| Chennai | SR | 93 | 24 | 14 | 41 | 14 | 186 |
| Gorakhpur | NER | 28 | 11 | 37 | 17 | 12 | 105 |
| Guwahati | NFR | 272 | 109 | 63 | 164 | 68 | 676 |
| Jammu-Srinagar | NR | 158 | 58 | 30 | 110 | 44 | 400 |
| Kolkata | ER + SER | 415 | 154 | 87 | 129 | 56 | 841 |
| Malda | ER + SER | 226 | 84 | 42 | 151 | 56 | 559 |
| Mumbai | CR + SCR + WR | 336 | 219 | 106 | 380 | 152 | 1193 |
| Muzaffarpur | ECR | 18 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 42 |
| Patna | ECR | 41 | 16 | 8 | 28 | 10 | 103 |
| Ranchi | ECR + SER | 472 | 233 | 105 | 363 | 127 | 1300 |
| Secunderabad | ECoR + SCR | 625 | 209 | 102 | 390 | 94 | 1420 |
| Siliguri | NFR | 243 | 90 | 46 | 161 | 60 | 600 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | SR | 43 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 64 |
| Grand Total (All RRBs) | 4860 | 1746 | 919 | 2598 | 1004 | 11,127 | |
Note: Vacancies are provisional and may increase or decrease as per the actual requirement of Railway Administrations.
🎓 Educational Qualification & Eligibility
Candidates must already possess the required qualification on or before the closing date (14 June 2026). Those awaiting final results are NOT eligible to apply.
| Option | Required Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| Option A | Matriculation / SSLC (10th Pass) + ITI from NCVT/SCVT recognized institutions in the following trades: Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV), Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic OR Matriculation + Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the trades mentioned above. |
| Option B | Matriculation / SSLC + 3-Year Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering (or combination of these streams) from a recognized institution in lieu of ITI. Note: A full Degree in the above Engineering disciplines is also acceptable in lieu of Diploma. |
🏥 Medical Standards for ALP Post (Standard A-1)
The post of ALP requires Medical Standard A-1 — the strictest medical fitness category in Indian Railways. Candidates must be physically fit in all respects. Below are the mandatory vision requirements:
- Distant Vision: 6/6, 6/6 in BOTH eyes WITHOUT glasses (with fogging test; must not accept +2D).
- Near Vision: Sn: 0.6, 0.6 WITHOUT glasses.
- Must pass tests for Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, Night Vision, and Mesopic Vision.
- Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any other corrective eye surgery are NOT eligible.
- The post of ALP is NOT suitable for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD).
💰 RRB ALP 2026 Salary & Pay Scale
The post of Assistant Loco Pilot falls under Pay Level-2 as per the 7th Pay Commission. In addition to the basic pay, candidates are entitled to various allowances as per their posting city:
| Pay Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-2 (7th CPC) |
| Initial Basic Pay | ₹ 19,900 per month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | As per Central Government rates (revised quarterly) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 8%, 16%, or 24% of Basic Pay (depending on city classification) |
| Transport Allowance (TA) | As applicable per posting city |
| Other Benefits | Free Railway Pass, Medical Facilities, Pension (NPS), Group Insurance |
| Training Period | Stipend only during mandatory training period |
📝 RRB ALP 2026 Exam Pattern & Selection Process
The selection process for RRB ALP 2026 consists of multiple stages. All CBT stages have negative marking of 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer.
Stage 1: First Stage CBT (CBT-1) – Screening
| Subject / Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 | 60 Minutes |
| Mental Ability & General Intelligence (Reasoning) | 25 | 25 | |
| General Science (10th Standard Level) | 30 | 30 | |
| Total | 75 | 75 | 60 Minutes |
Minimum Pass Percentage: UR & EWS – 40% | OBC (NCL) – 30% | SC – 30% | ST – 25%. Note: Marks of CBT-1 are NOT counted in the final merit list.
Stage 2: Second Stage CBT (CBT-2) – Merit Deciding
| Part | Subjects | Questions | Duration | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering | 100 | 90 Minutes | Merit Deciding (Min. 40% UR/EWS, 30% OBC/SC, 25% ST) |
| Part B | Trade-Specific Technical Questions (as per ITI/Engineering discipline) | 75 | 60 Minutes | Qualifying (Min. 35% for ALL categories) |
| Total | 175 | 2 Hrs 30 Min | ||
Stage 3: Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
- Candidates equal to 8 times the number of ALP vacancies per RRB will be shortlisted for CBAT based on Part-A of CBT-2 marks.
- CBAT will be in English and Hindi only.
- No Negative Marking in CBAT.
- Minimum qualifying T-score: 42 marks in each test battery separately for all candidates irrespective of category.
- Candidates must submit the Self Screening Medical Declaration Report (Annexure VIIIA & VIIIB) on CBAT day, signed by a General Physician and Eye Specialist from a Central/State Government Hospital or Medical College.
Stage 4: Document Verification (DV) & Medical Examination (ME)
- Final merit list is prepared based on: Part-A of CBT-2 (50% weightage) + CBAT Score (50% weightage).
- In case of a tie, the older candidate gets higher merit; if age is same, alphabetical order of given name (A to Z) is used.
- Candidates must pass the Railway A-1 Medical Examination. No alternate appointment is provided.
⚙️ Complete Selection Process at a Glance
- CBT-1 (First Stage CBT): Screening Test – 75 Questions, 60 Minutes.
- CBT-2 (Second Stage CBT): Merit Test – 175 Questions, 2 Hours 30 Minutes (Part A + Part B).
- CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test): Qualifying Aptitude Test (No Negative Marking).
- Document Verification (DV): Verification of all original certificates.
- Medical Examination (ME): A-1 Medical Standard fitness test by Railway Medical Authorities.
📚 CBT-2 Part B: Trade-Wise Qualification Grouping
| Engineering Qualification | Trade / Subject to Choose for Part-B |
|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering (all streams) | Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman, Armature & Coil Winder, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic |
| Electronics Engineering (all streams) | Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV) |
| Mechanical Engineering (all streams) | Fitter, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Heat Engine, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic |
| Automobile Engineering (all streams) | Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic |
💻 How to Apply for RRB ALP 2026 Online Form
- Step 1: Visit the official application portal at rrbapply.gov.in. You can also apply through the website of any one of the 20 official RRB websites.
- Step 2: Create an Account by clicking on the registration link. If you have already created an account for CEN notified in 2024/2025, use the same login credentials.
- Step 3: Authenticate your identity using DigiLocker or Aadhaar (strongly recommended) during account creation for a smoother process.
- Step 4: Fill in your personal, educational, and technical qualification details carefully. No changes to the "Create an Account" details (name, DOB, mobile, email) are allowed after submission.
- Step 5: Complete the Self-Screening Medical Declaration questionnaire (for vision, physical, and mental fitness). A downloadable medical report will be generated which you must get signed by a Government Hospital doctor for submission on CBAT day.
- Step 6: Capture your Live Photograph using a webcam or front camera at the time of applying (no pre-existing photo upload required). Do NOT wear glasses, cap, or mask while capturing the photo.
- Step 7: Upload your Signature in JPG/JPEG format (Black ink, running/cursive handwriting, white background, 30-49 KB, min 140×60 pixels).
- Step 8: Select only ONE RRB and indicate your zone/railway preference under the chosen RRB. This choice is FINAL and cannot be changed.
- Step 9: Pay the required application fee online. Acceptance of application is confirmed only after successful fee payment (you will receive email & SMS confirmation).
- Step 10: Save your Registration Number for all future correspondence. Download and keep the application form for your records.
🔗 RRB ALP 2026 Important Web Links
| Apply Online (RRB Application Portal) | Apply Here |
|---|---|
| Download Official Notification (PDF) | Download Here |
| Official RRB Application Website | rrbapply.gov.in |
| Check RRB-Wise Websites List | See Below ↓ |
| Join Our Telegram Channel (Fast Updates) | Join Now |
🌐 Official Websites of All 20 Participating RRBs
| RRB | Official Website |
|---|---|
| RRB Ahmedabad | www.rrbahmedabad.gov.in |
| RRB Ajmer | www.rrbajmer.gov.in |
| RRB Bhopal | www.rrbbhopal.gov.in |
| RRB Bhubaneswar | www.rrbbbs.gov.in |
| RRB Bilaspur | www.rrbbilaspur.gov.in |
| RRB Chandigarh | www.rrbcdg.gov.in |
| RRB Chennai | www.rrbchennai.gov.in |
| RRB Gorakhpur | www.rrbgkp.gov.in |
| RRB Guwahati | www.rrbguwahati.gov.in |
| RRB Jammu-Srinagar | www.rrbjammu.nic.in |
| RRB Kolkata | www.rrbkolkata.gov.in |
| RRB Malda | www.rrbmalda.gov.in |
| RRB Mumbai | www.rrbmumbai.gov.in |
| RRB Muzaffarpur | www.rrbmuzaffarpur.gov.in |
| RRB Patna | www.rrbpatna.gov.in |
| RRB Prayagraj | www.rrbald.gov.in |
| RRB Ranchi | www.rrbranchi.gov.in |
| RRB Secunderabad | www.rrbsecunderabad.gov.in |
| RRB Siliguri | www.rrbsiliguri.gov.in |
| RRB Thiruvananthapuram | www.rrbthiruvananthapuram.gov.in |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – RRB ALP 2026
Q1. How many total vacancies are there in RRB ALP 2026?
Ans: A total of 11,127 vacancies have been notified for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) under CEN No. 01/2026 across all 20 Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs).
Q2. What is the last date to apply for RRB ALP 2026?
Ans: The last date to submit the online application is 14 June 2026 (23:59 Hrs). The last date for application fee payment is 16 June 2026 (23:59 Hrs).
Q3. Can ITI pass candidates apply for RRB ALP 2026?
Ans: Yes. Candidates with Matriculation (10th) + ITI from NCVT/SCVT in the specified trades (Fitter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, etc.) are eligible to apply. This is the most common qualification for this post.
Q4. Can I apply for RRB ALP if I have done LASIK surgery?
Ans: No. Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any other corrective eye surgery are strictly NOT eligible for the post of ALP. This is clearly stated in the official notification (CEN No. 01/2026).
Q5. Can Engineering Graduates (B.Tech/BE) apply for RRB ALP 2026?
Ans: Yes. A full Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering is acceptable in lieu of a Diploma. Such candidates can apply under Option B of the educational qualifications.
Q6. What is the salary of an Assistant Loco Pilot in Indian Railways?
Ans: The initial basic pay is ₹ 19,900/- per month under Pay Level-2 (7th CPC). Including Dearness Allowance (DA), HRA, and Transport Allowance, the gross monthly earnings are significantly higher depending on the city of posting.
Q7. Can I apply to more than one RRB?
Ans: No. A candidate can apply to ONLY ONE RRB and submit ONLY ONE online application. Submitting more than one application will result in the rejection of ALL applications and permanent debarment from future RRB/RRC exams.
Q8. What is the exam pattern for RRB ALP CBT-1?
Ans: CBT-1 consists of 75 questions for 75 marks to be solved in 60 minutes. Subjects include Mathematics (20 Qs), Mental Ability/Reasoning (25 Qs), and General Science (30 Qs). There is negative marking of 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer. CBT-1 is only a screening test; its marks are NOT added to the final merit.
Q9. Is there negative marking in CBAT (Aptitude Test)?
Ans: No. There is NO negative marking in the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT). However, all candidates must score a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery separately to qualify.
Q10. What documents do I need to upload while applying?
Ans: You need to upload: (1) Your Live Photograph (captured in real-time via the application portal — no pre-saved photo allowed), and (2) Your Signature in JPG/JPEG format (black ink, cursive handwriting, white background, 30-49 KB). SC/ST candidates also need to upload their caste certificate if claiming free railway travel pass.
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