Overview
RRB ALP Eligibility Criteria 2026
Age Limit
Candidates must be 18-30 years as of July 1, 2026 (for General/EWS; DOB between July 2, 1996, and July 1, 2008), with relaxations like 3 years for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST. Upper age may extend to 33 years in some cases per revised norms.
Educational Qualification
Applicants need Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI from NCVT/SCVT in trades like Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright, Mechanic (M/D/DSL), or Electronics Mechanic, or a 3-year Diploma in Engineering/Technology.
Nationality
Candidates must be Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugees (pre-1962), or persons of Indian origin from specified countries.
Eligibility Table
RRB ALP Selection Process 2026
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| CBT 1 (Stage I) | Qualifying exam on maths, reasoning, general science, awareness (75 questions, 60 min) |
| CBT 2 (Stage II) | Part A (100 questions: maths, reasoning, basic science/engg); Part B (75 practical questions, 60 min) |
| CBAT | Aptitude test (memory, reaction, judgment); no negative marking, 70% CBT2A + 30% CBAT weightage |
| Document Verification | Original certificates check |
| Medical Exam | A-1 standards (vision, hearing, fitness) |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Short Notification Release | March 16, 2026 |
| Detailed Notification | Expected April-May 2026 |
| Online Application Start | May 15, 2026 |
| Application End | June 14, 2026 |
| CBT 1 Exam | Feb 13,16-18, 2026 |
| CBT 2 Exam | To be announced |
| Admit Card Release | 4 days before exam |
RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026
RRB ALP 2026 exam pattern follows a multi-stage computer-based format for Assistant Loco Pilot recruitment, covering CBT 1, CBT 2 (Parts A & B), and CBAT.
CBT 1 Pattern
This screening stage has 75 objective questions (75 marks) across Mathematics (20), General Intelligence & Reasoning (25), General Science (20), and General Awareness (10), with 60 minutes duration and 1/3 negative marking.
CBT 2 Pattern
Part A: 100 questions (100 marks) in 90 minutes on Mathematics (25), General Intelligence & Reasoning (25), Basic Science & Engineering (40), General Awareness (10), with 1/3 negative marking. Part B: 75 qualifying questions (75 marks) on trade-specific skills in 60 minutes.
Exam Pattern Table
RRB ALP Salary 2026
Basic pay forms the core, supplemented by Dearness Allowance (around 50% of basic), House Rent Allowance (24-27% city-based), Transport Allowance, and Running Allowance (key for loco staff, e.g., ₹6,050). Gross pay approximates ₹26,752, with net around ₹24,900 after deductions like NPS (₹1,848).
Salary Breakdown Table
Career Progression Salaries
Promotions increase earnings significantly.
RRB ALP Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee Amount | Refund Condition |
|---|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹500 | ₹400 after CBT 1 |
| SC/ST/PwBD/Female/EBC | ₹250 | Full ₹250 after CBT 1 |
| Modification Fee | ₹250 | Non-refundable |
How to Apply for RRB ALP Recruitment 2026
Follow these steps carefully to complete your RRB ALP application:
Visit the official RRB website for your region or rrbapply.gov.in and click “New Registration.”
Enter personal details (name, DOB, email, mobile) to generate a Registration ID and password.
Log in using the ID/password and fill in educational qualifications, category, and RRB preferences.
Upload scanned photo (20-50 KB, 3.5×4.5 cm) and signature (15-30 KB, black/blue ink on white paper).
Preview and submit the form, then pay the fee online (₹500/₹250 based on category).
Take a printout of the submitted application and payment receipt for records.
Key Requirements Table
RRB ALP 2026 Important Links
RRB ALP 2026 exam guidelines
Report Early: Arrive at the exam center 1 hour before your shift starts (e.g., 9-10 AM for Shift 1).
Carry Essentials: Bring a printed admit card, valid photo ID (Aadhaar/Voter ID/PAN), and 2 passport-size photos.
Biometric Verification: Undergo mandatory thumbprint, finger impression, and iris scan—tampering leads to disqualification.
Prohibited Items: Leave mobiles, electronics, calculators, bags, eatables, and study materials outside; only transparent water bottles allowed.
Dress Code: Wear light-colored clothes without metal accessories for quick frisking.
Rough Work: Use the question paper itself—no separate sheets provided.
Follow Instructions: Obey invigilators at all times; any violation results in expulsion.
Check Prior: Download the city intimation slip 7-10 days before to know your exam city and plan travel.
Preparation Tips
Understand Syllabus & Pattern: Review CBT 1 (maths, reasoning, science, awareness), CBT 2 (technical focus), and CBAT structure first—prioritize high-weightage topics like basic engineering and quantitative aptitude.
Create a Study Plan: Divide into phases—30 days syllabus coverage, 30 days practice/sectional tests, 30 days mocks/revision; study 8-10 hours daily with breaks every hour.
Focus on Key Subjects: Master maths (percentage, time/work, SI/CI), reasoning (puzzles/coding), and technical basics (your ITI trade); solve 20-25 questions daily per subject.
Practice Previous Papers: Analyze PYQs for trends, difficulty, and cutoffs; solve under timed conditions to build speed and accuracy while minimizing negative marking.
Take Mock Tests: Attempt 1-2 full-length mocks weekly after syllabus completion; review errors in a notebook and revise weak areas like formulas or current affairs.
Revise Regularly: Make short notes for facts/formulas; revise weekly, focusing on technical subjects (40% weightage in CBT 2); avoid new topics in last 15 days.
Manage Health & Time: Sleep 7-8 hours, eat well, take short walks; track progress daily and adjust plan—balance speed with 90%+ accuracy.
Minimum qualifying marks for RRB ALP CBT stages
CBT 1 Qualifying Marks (out of 75)
UR & EWS: 40% or 30 marks
OBC/SC: 30% or 22.5 marks
ST: 25% or 18.75 marks
CBT 2 Part A Qualifying Marks (out of 100)
UR & EWS: 40% or 40 marks
OBC/SC: 30% or 30 marks
ST: 25% or 25 marks
Part B Qualifying Marks (out of 75)
All categories: 35% or 26.25 marks (qualifying nature only)
CBAT Qualifying Marks
Minimum 42 marks in each test battery (no negative marking), irrespective of category
Zone-Wise Major Centers
Candidates choose 3 preferred cities from their RRB region; examples include:
Bangalore (Karnataka focus): Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Belagavi, Mangaluru, Davangere.
Chennai: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur.
Mumbai: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur.
Secunderabad: Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Warangal, Guntur.
Other Zones: Ahmedabad (Surat, Vadodara), Ajmer (Jaipur, Jodhpur), Bhopal (Indore, Jabalpur).
Full lists cover 100+ cities nationwide; check regional RRB sites or admit card for your exact center after allocation. No changes allowed post-submission.
RRB ALP 2026 FAQs
Q1: What is the total number of vacancies?
A: 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot posts approved under CEN 01/2026 across all RRB zones.
Q2: What are the application dates?
A: Online applications open May 15, 2026, and close June 14, 2026, on rrbapply.gov.in or regional RRB sites.
Q3: What is the age limit?
A: 18-30 years as of July 1, 2026 (relaxations: OBC +3 years, SC/ST +5 years).
Q4: Educational qualification required?
A: Matriculation/SSLC + ITI (NCVT/SCVT in specified trades) or 3-year Engineering Diploma.
Q5: What are the exam stages?
A: CBT 1 (screening), CBT 2 (Part A technical + Part B qualifying), CBAT (aptitude), Document Verification, Medical Exam (A-1).
Q6: Application fee structure?
A: ₹500 (Gen/OBC/EWS, ₹400 refundable post-CBT 1); ₹250 (SC/ST/Female, fully refundable).
Q7: Minimum qualifying marks for CBT 1?
A: UR/EWS: 40%, OBC/SC: 30%, ST: 25% (out of 75 marks).
Q8: Starting salary for ALP?
A: ₹19,900 basic (Level 2) + allowances; in-hand ~₹25,000-₹35,000 monthly.
Q9: When are CBT 1 exams scheduled?
A: February 13, 16-18, 2026 (check updates as dates may shift).
Q10: Medical standards needed?
A: A-1 category: Normal vision/hearing, no deformities, final approval by Railway Medical Authority.