RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Recruitment 2026 — Complete Guide

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) conducts the Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) examination to recruit technical staff responsible for driving and maintaining trains across the Indian Railways network. RRB ALP is one of the most highly anticipated technical exams in India, drawing millions of applicants with ITI, Diploma, or Engineering degrees.

With the Railways returning to an annual recruitment calendar, the ALP notification is now expected in the first quarter of every calendar year. Aspirants can find the RRB ALP 2026 exam date, trade syllabus, psycho test details, exact physical standards (A-1), and salary structure below.

1. RRB ALP 2026 Overview

Parameter	Details
Exam Name	RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) 2026
Conducting Authority	Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs)
Post Classification	Non-Gazetted Group 'C' Technical
Medical Standard	A-1 (Strictly enforced, 6/6 Vision without glasses)
Selection Process	CBT 1 → CBT 2 → CBAT (Psycho Test) → DV
Official Application Portal	rrbapply.gov.in

2. RRB ALP 2026 Important Exam Dates (Tentative)

As per the Railway Board's annual calendar:

Event	Expected Timeline
Notification Release (CEN)	January – February 2026
Online Application Window	February – March 2026
Status of Application Published	April – May 2026
CBT-1 Exam Date	June – July 2026
CBT-1 Result	August 2026
CBT-2 Exam Date	September 2026
Aptitude / Psycho Test (CBAT)	November 2026

3. Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Aspirants must possess Matriculation (10th) OR SSLC AND ONE of the following:

1. ITI: NCVT/SCVT Certificate in relevant 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 & AC Mechanic).
2. Apprenticeship: Completed Act Apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act.
3. Diploma: 3-year Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering.
4. Engineering Degree: Degree (B.Tech/B.E.) in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering.

Age Limit (As on Crucial Date defined in CBT)

• Target Group: 18 to 33 Years (General)
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 18 to 36 Years (+3)
• SC / ST: 18 to 38 Years (+5)

Medical Standards (A-1) — Most Crucial

• Physique: Physically fit in all respects.
• Vision: Distant Vision 6/6, 6/6 without glasses with fogging test (must not accept +2D).
• Tests: Must pass tests for Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, Night Vision, and Mesopic Vision.
• Note: Candidates wearing glasses or having undergone Lasik surgery are NOT eligible.

4. Selection Process & Exam Pattern

Phase 1: First Stage CBT (CBT-1) — Screening

Subject	Questions	Marks	Time
Mathematics	20	20	—
Mental Ability (Reasoning)	25	25	—
General Science (10th Std)	20	20	—
General Awareness & Current Affairs	10	10	—
Total	75	75	60 minutes

Negative Marking: 1/3 for each wrong answer. Marks are only for shortlisting to CBT-2.

Phase 2: Second Stage CBT (CBT-2) — Merit + Qualifying

CBT-2 consists of two parts. Candidates must qualify both.

Part A (Merit Deciding Section):

Subject	Questions	Marks	Time
Mathematics	25	25	—
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	25	—
Basic Science and Engineering	50	50	—
Total	100	100	90 minutes

Part B (Qualifying Trade Test):

Subject	Questions	Marks	Time
Relevant Trade Subject (ITI Syllabus)	75	75	60 minutes

Part B is strictly qualifying. Candidates must score at least 35% (26.25 marks) regardless of category. Without passing Part B, Part A marks will not be considered.

Phase 3: Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)

• Only for ALP candidates. Administered in English/Hindi. No negative marking.
• Tests memory, depth perception, concentration, perceptual speed, and following directions.
• Final Merit weighting: 70% of CBT-2 (Part A) + 30% of CBAT (Psycho Test).

5. RRB ALP Salary & Perks

Component	Amount
Pay Level	Level 2 (7th CPC)
Initial Basic Pay	₹19,900
Running Allowance	Calculated per KM driven (adds ₹10,000–₹15,000/month)
Night Duty Allowance	Variable based on shifts
Gross Salary In-Hand	₹35,000 – ₹45,000 per month

Additional perks: Liberal Leave rule, Free Railway Passes for self & family, Pension (NPS), Medical benefits across Railway Hospitals, and Railway Quarters.

6. How to Apply Online

1. Visit the centralized railway recruitment portal: rrbapply.gov.in OR your regional RRB site (rrbcdg.gov.in, rrbmumbai.gov.in, etc.).
2. Click on "Apply Online" against the ALP CEN 2026 Notification.
3. Fill the academic and personal details, and thoroughly select your Trade for CBT-2 Part B.
4. Choose your RRB Zone carefully (You can apply to ONLY ONE RRB).
5. Upload Photo against a light background and Signature as per specifications.
6. Pay the fee: ₹500 for General/OBC | ₹250 for SC/ST/Female/EBC (Partial refund issued after appearing for CBT-1).
7. Print the final application summary.

7. Preparation Strategy & Books

• Basic Science & Engineering (CBT-2 Part A): Carries massive weight (50 marks). Focus on Engineering Drawing, Units, Mass Weight Density, Work Power Energy, and Basic Electricity.
• Psycho Test Safety: Do not ignore CBAT. Download RDSO-approved test formats and start practicing on a PC.
• Trade Test Trap: Many B.Tech candidates fail in Part B (Trade Test) because it tests core ITI concepts. Read ITI Trade textbooks corresponding to your selected trade.
• Books Recommended:
  • Mathematics/Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
  • Basic Science and Engineering — Platform Coaching (Rukmini Prakashan)
  • Trade Theory — Youth Competition Times (YCT) or Asian Publishers (ITI syllabus).