The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has rolled out one of the biggest openings of the year through the RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) recruitment under CEN 01/2026, offering a total of 11,127 vacancies across Indian Railways. The online application window remained open from 15 May to 14 June 2026, and the correction/edit facility closed on 26 June 2026. As on today, 3 July 2026, the recruitment is very much active and moving to the examination stage — the Computer Based Test (CBT-1) date, city intimation and admit card are awaited and expected in the second half of 2026. Interested aspirants who have already applied are advised to begin serious preparation now, and those tracking the next cycle should keep this page handy for updates.
Overview
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), Ministry of Railways |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Category | Railway Jobs / Sarkari Naukri |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 (as per CEN 01/2026 notification) |
| Job Location | All India (across 21 RRBs and 17 Railway Zones) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | rrbcdg.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Notification Released | 14 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 15 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 June 2026 (fee payment till 16 June 2026) |
| Correction/Edit Window | 17 June to 26 June 2026 (closed) |
| CBT-1 Exam Date | To be announced — Expected (2nd half of 2026) |
| Admit Card | Expected 4 days before exam (city intimation 10 days prior) |
Vacancy Details
A total of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot posts have been notified under CEN 01/2026, distributed across all participating Railway Recruitment Boards and zones. As per the official notification, the category-wise break-up is approximately: UR — 4,860; OBC-NCL — 2,598; SC — 1,746; EWS — 1,004; and ST — 919, with vacancies reserved horizontally for Ex-Servicemen. Kindly note that zone-wise and RRB-wise distribution is given in the detailed notification, so candidates should refer to their preferred RRB’s vacancy matrix before finalising choices.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot, candidates must have passed Class 10th (Matriculation) along with any one of the following technical qualifications, as per the official notification:
- Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI (from an NCVT/SCVT recognised institute) in a relevant designated trade such as Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Wireman, Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Turner, Machinist or Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic; OR
- Matriculation plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in a relevant trade; OR
- Three-year Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering (or a combination), or a Degree in Engineering, in lieu of ITI.
Age Limit
As per the notification, the age limit is 18 to 30 years, calculated as on 1 July 2026. Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years (up to 33 years)
- SC/ST: 5 years (up to 35 years)
- PwBD candidates: 10 years (UR), 13 years (OBC), 15 years (SC/ST)
- Ex-Servicemen and other special categories: relaxation as per rules
Application Fee
The application fee for RRB ALP 2026 is as follows:
- General / OBC / EWS candidates: Rs 500
- SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Female / Transgender / Minority / EBC candidates: Rs 250
Kindly note that the fee is refundable on appearing in CBT-1 — Rs 400 will be refunded to General/OBC/EWS candidates and Rs 250 to reserved-category candidates (after deduction of bank charges). Payment is accepted through net banking, debit/credit card, UPI and other online modes.
Salary / Pay Scale
The post of Assistant Loco Pilot carries a pay in Level-2 of the 7th Pay Commission, with an initial basic pay of Rs 19,900 per month. Over and above this, candidates are entitled to Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance and a running/mileage allowance specific to loco running staff. Taking all allowances together, the approximate in-hand salary works out to around Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 per month, along with job security, medical facilities, pension benefits and clear promotional avenues to Loco Pilot.
Selection Process
The selection for Assistant Loco Pilot is conducted through the following stages, in order:
- CBT-1 (First Stage Computer Based Test) — screening/qualifying in nature
- CBT-2 (Second Stage Computer Based Test) — Part A (merit) and Part B (trade, qualifying)
- CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test / Psycho Test) — mandatory for ALP
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination — A-1 standard (higher visual standard: 6/6 distant vision, no colour blindness, good depth perception)
Exam Pattern & Syllabus Highlights
CBT-1: 75 questions for 75 marks in 60 minutes, covering Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning and General Science. Do note that in the 2026 cycle the General Awareness/Current Affairs portion has been removed from CBT-1. There is a negative marking of one-third mark for each wrong answer. The qualifying marks are 40% (UR/EWS), 30% (OBC-NCL/SC) and 25% (ST). Only around 15 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted for CBT-2.
CBT-2: Part A carries 100 questions (100 marks, 90 minutes) on Mathematics, Reasoning and Basic Science & Engineering; Part B carries 75 questions (75 marks, 60 minutes) based on the relevant trade and is qualifying in nature (35% required). Part A is counted for merit.
CBAT: The aptitude test comprises battery tests such as Memory, Following Directions, Depth Perception, Concentration and Perceptual Speed. A minimum T-score of 42 is required in each test, and there is no negative marking. In the 2026 cycle, the weightage of CBT-2 Part A and CBAT is 50:50 for the final merit.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official RRB website and open the CEN 01/2026 (ALP) link.
- Complete the one-time registration using a valid mobile number and email ID to generate login credentials.
- Fill in the application form with personal, educational and category details carefully.
- Upload the scanned photograph, signature and other documents in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the application fee online through the available payment modes.
- Choose your preferred RRB and exam-language options, then submit the form.
- Download and print the final submitted application for your records. Kindly note the application window (15 May – 14 June 2026) is now closed; the next cycle can be applied for at the official portal: rrbcdg.gov.in
Admit Card & Result
The RRB ALP admit card (e-call letter) will be released online, expected about 4 days before the CBT-1 exam, with the exam city and date intimation slip issued around 10 days prior. Candidates can download the hall ticket from the official website using their Registration Number and Date of Birth/Password. The admit card is mandatory for entry and must be carried with a valid original photo ID. After each stage, the RRB publishes the answer key (with an objection window), followed by stage-wise results and the final merit list based on normalised scores. Aspirants are advised to keep checking rrbcdg.gov.in for authentic updates.
Preparation Tips & Document Checklist
Since CBT-1 is expected in the second half of 2026, aspirants should make the most of this preparation window. A few practical suggestions:
- Strengthen your basics in Mathematics and Reasoning, and practise previous years’ RRB papers with a timer.
- For General Science, focus on Class 10 level Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
- Attempt regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy, keeping the one-third negative marking in mind.
- For CBAT, practise concentration and perceptual-speed drills, as this stage cannot be relaxed.
Document checklist: Matriculation and ITI/Diploma/Degree certificates and mark sheets, category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) where applicable, PwBD/Ex-Servicemen certificate if relevant, valid photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/Voter ID), recent passport-size photographs and the application printout.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the notification come?
The official RRB ALP notification for CEN 01/2026 was released on 14 May 2026. The application window has already closed. For the next cycle, the fresh notification will be published on rrbcdg.gov.in and the participating RRB websites, so aspirants are advised to keep visiting this page and the official portal for the announcement.
What is the total number of ALP vacancies in 2026?
A total of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies have been notified under CEN 01/2026 across all RRBs and railway zones, as per the official notification.
What is the age limit for RRB ALP 2026?
The age limit is 18 to 30 years as on 1 July 2026, with usual relaxations of 3 years for OBC-NCL, 5 years for SC/ST and further relaxation for PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates as per rules.
When is the CBT-1 exam expected?
As per the current status, the CBT-1 date is yet to be announced and is expected in the second half of 2026. The exam city intimation and admit card will be released shortly before the exam.
What is the salary of an Assistant Loco Pilot?
The post carries Level-2 pay with a basic of Rs 19,900, and an approximate in-hand salary of Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 per month, including allowances such as DA, HRA and running allowance.
Important Links
Official Website / Apply Online
Disclaimer: The information provided above is for general guidance only and has been compiled from the official notification and reliable sources. Vacancy numbers, dates and other details are subject to change. Interested aspirants are strongly advised to verify all details on the official website (rrbcdg.gov.in) and read the detailed CEN 01/2026 notification before applying or taking any decision.