The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the RRB ALP Notification 2026 under CEN 01/2026, inviting applications for 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) vacancies across all Indian Railway zones. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online through the official RRB recruitment portal from 15 May to 14 June 2026.
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026: Overview Table
| RRB ALP 2026- Key Highlights | |
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Advt No. | CEN 01/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Online Application Dates | 15th May to 14th June 2026 |
| Education Qualification | Education- 10th pass + SSLC /ITI |
| Age Limit | 18 to 30 years |
| Pay Level | Level-2 (7th CPC) |
| Initial Pay | Rs. 19900 |
| Selection process | CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT, DV, DME |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Official website | https://www.rrbcdg.gov.in/ |
| Official Notification | Download PDF |
Latest Update: The RRB ALP online application portal is live at www.rrbapply.gov.in. Registration closes on 14th June 2026 at 11:59 PM. Please note that candidates must apply for only one RRB zone; applying to multiple zones will result in disqualification.
RRB ALP 2026 Important Dates
| Events | Important Dates |
| Detailed Notification | 14th May 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 15th May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14th June 2026 (11:59 pm) |
| Last Date to Pay Fee | 16th June 2026 |
| Application Modification Window | To be notified |
| Application Status | July 2026 |
| CBT 1 City Intimation | 10 days before exam |
| CBT 1 Admit Card | 4 days before exam |
| CBT 1 Exam Date | To be notified |
| CBT 2 Exam Date | To be notified |
| CBAT Date | To be notified |
| Document Verification | To be notified |
RRB ALP 2026 Vacancy Details
Under CEN 01/2026, the Railway Recruitment Board has announced 11,127 vacancies for Assistant Loco Pilots distributed across 21 RRBs and 17 railway zones. Before completing your online form, please verify the railway zone, educational qualifications, medical standards, and trade-specific requirements.
The detailed category-wise and zone-wise vacancy breakdown is provided below.
RRB ALP Vacancy (Category-wise)
| Category | Vacancies |
| UR | 4860 |
| SC | 1746 |
| ST | 919 |
| OBC | 2598 |
| EWS | 1004 |
| Total | 11127 |
| ExSM | 1115 |
RRB ALP Vacancy (Zone-wise)
| RRB | Zones | Total | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | EsSM |
| Ahmedabad | WR | 147 | 62 | 22 | 11 | 38 | 14 | 15 |
| Ajmer | NWR | 600 | 262 | 97 | 59 | 142 | 40 | 60 |
| WCR | 118 | 56 | 18 | 0 | 32 | 12 | 12 | |
| Prayagraj | NCR | 457 | 284 | 37 | 27 | 65 | 44 | 46 |
| NR | 153 | 62 | 23 | 11 | 42 | 15 | 15 | |
| Bengaluru | SWR | 200 | 80 | 31 | 15 | 54 | 20 | 20 |
| Bhopal | WCR | 423 | 194 | 74 | 23 | 117 | 15 | 42 |
| WR | 30 | 15 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | |
| Bhubaneshwar | ECoR | 801 | 548 | 70 | 36 | 48 | 99 | 80 |
| Bilaspur | CR | 322 | 187 | 77 | 52 | 0 | 6 | 32 |
| SECR | 200 | 84 | 29 | 14 | 53 | 20 | 20 | |
| Chandigarh | NR | 187 | 56 | 39 | 23 | 49 | 20 | 19 |
| Chennai | SR | 186 | 93 | 24 | 14 | 41 | 14 | 19 |
| Gorakhpur | NER | 105 | 28 | 11 | 37 | 17 | 12 | 10 |
| Guwahati | NFR | 676 | 272 | 109 | 63 | 164 | 68 | 68 |
| Jammu | NR | 400 | 158 | 58 | 30 | 110 | 44 | 40 |
| Kolkata | ER | 344 | 135 | 53 | 35 | 89 | 32 | 34 |
| SER | 497 | 280 | 101 | 52 | 40 | 24 | 50 | |
| Malda | ER | 270 | 109 | 41 | 20 | 73 | 27 | 27 |
| SER | 289 | 117 | 43 | 22 | 78 | 29 | 29 | |
| Mumbai | CR | 1078 | 290 | 207 | 99 | 344 | 138 | 108 |
| SCR | 78 | 32 | 7 | 4 | 26 | 9 | 8 | |
| WR | 37 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 4 | |
| Muzaffarpur | ECR | 42 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 4 |
| Patna | ECR | 103 | 41 | 16 | 8 | 28 | 10 | 10 |
| Ranchi | ECR | 555 | 224 | 83 | 42 | 150 | 56 | 56 |
| SER | 745 | 248 | 150 | 63 | 213 | 71 | 74 | |
| Secunderabad | ECoR | 824 | 387 | 119 | 57 | 228 | 33 | 82 |
| SCR | 596 | 238 | 90 | 45 | 162 | 61 | 61 | |
| Siliguri | NFR | 600 | 243 | 90 | 46 | 161 | 60 | 60 |
| Trivandrum | SR | 64 | 43 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| Total | 11127 | 4860 | 1746 | 919 | 2598 | 1004 | 1115 | |
Also Check: RRB Technician Notification 2026: 6,565 Posts Announced
RRB ALP Vacancy Trend (Last 4 years)
| Year | Vacancies |
| 2026 | 11.127 |
| 2025 | 10,970 |
| 2024 | 18,799 |
| 2018 | 27,795 |
Preparing for RRB ALP 2026? Enroll in Expert-Led Online Classes Today
Major Changes in the RRB ALP 2026 Exam Structure
Exam Feature RRB ALP 2025 RRB ALP 2026 Final Merit Weightage CBT 2: 70% | CBAT: 30% CBT 2: 50% | CBAT: 50% General Awareness in CBT 1 Included Removed Total Vacancies 10,970 11,127
RRB ALP 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the RRB ALP 2026 recruitment must ensure they fulfill all educational qualifications and age requirements stipulated by the Railway Recruitment Board. See detailed criteria below.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must meet the specific educational and technical criteria as follows:
- Matriculation / SSLC + ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in trades: Armature & Coil Winder, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Fitter, Heat Engine, Instrument Mechanic, Machinist, Mechanic Diesel, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Millwright Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic Radio & TV, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Tractor Mechanic, Turner, Wireman
- Matriculation / SSLC + Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the trades above
- Three-year Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile
- Engineering from a recognised institution
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026)
- Minimum Age- 18 years
- Maximum Age- 30 years
Check Complete Eligibility Criteria and Age Relaxations Here
RRB ALP Application Form
The application window is now open at www.rrbapply.gov.in. Eligible candidates should submit their forms promptly. The final date for RRB ALP online applications is 14th June 2026; we recommend completing your application well before the deadline to avoid technical congestion.
Click Here to Apply Online for RRB ALP 2026
Important Note: Submission of multiple applications for different RRBs will lead to immediate disqualification. Please choose your preferred zone carefully.
RRB ALP 2026 Application Fee
Candidates are required to pay the prescribed application fee while filling out the RRB ALP 2026 form. Failure to remit the fee by the deadline will result in the rejection of your application.
- Fee Payment Modes: Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, or E-Challan (offline mode).
| Category | Application Fee |
| Rs. 250 |
| For All Other Candidates | Rs. 500 |
Application Fee Refund Policy:
Eligible candidates receive a partial refund after appearing for the CBT exam:
- Gen/ OBC/ EWS: Rs. 400/-
- SC/ ST/ EBC/ Female/ Transgender: Rs. 250/-
- Payment modes include Credit/Debit card, Net Banking, or offline via E-Challan.
RRB ALP 2026 Selection Process
The selection process for RRB ALP 2026 follows a multi-stage format as outlined in the official notification. Candidates are reminded that they can apply to only one RRB, and final selection is contingent upon meeting all requirements.
| Stages | Test | Nature |
| Stage 1 | CBT 1 (First Stage Computer-Based Test) | Screening — marks not counted in final merit |
| Stage 2 | CBT 2 (Second Stage CBT) | Merit-based — 50% weightage in final merit |
| Stage 3 | CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test) | Merit-based — 50% weightage in final merit |
| Stage 4 | Document Verification (DV) | Qualifying |
| Stage 5 | Medical Examination (DME) | Qualifying |
Final Merit Calculation: The final merit list is derived from 50% of the CBT-2 (Part A) score and 50% of the CBAT score. Please note that marks from CBT 1 are not included in the final merit calculation.
CBT 2 Shortlisting Criteria: Candidates equal to 15 times the number of notified vacancies per RRB will be shortlisted for the CBT 2 stage based on their normalized CBT 1 performance.
RRB ALP Exam Pattern & Syllabus
The selection process for the RRB ALP 2026 includes three Computer-Based Test (CBT) stages: CBT 1, CBT 2, and the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), followed by mandatory Document Verification and a Medical Examination.
CBT 1 Exam Pattern (Updated 2026)
The RRB ALP 2026 exam pattern has been revised. CBT 1 now features 75 questions (excluding General Awareness). The paper tests Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and General Science. As a screening test, CBT 1 scores do not contribute to final merit.
| Subjects | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration | Qualifying Marks |
| 75 | 75 | 1 hour | UR & EWS - 40%, OBC (NCL) - 30% SC - 30% ST - 25% |
Exam Marking Scheme: +1 mark for correct answers; -1/3 mark for each incorrect response.
CBT 1 serves strictly as a qualifying screening test; scores from this stage are not included in the final merit list.
CBT 2 Exam Pattern
CBT 2 is a 2 hour and 30-minute exam consisting of Part A (merit-based) and Part B (trade-specific, qualifying only).
Marking Scheme: +1 mark per correct answer and -1/3 mark per incorrect answer in Part A. Part B requires a minimum of 35% to qualify.
| Sections | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Part A | |||
| Mathematics | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | |||
| General Science | |||
| Part B | |||
| Relevant Trade | 75 | 75 | 60 minutes |
| Total | 175 | 175 | 2 hours 30 minutes |
Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
Qualified candidates from CBT 2 will progress to the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT). The final selection list is generated based on combined performance. Importantly, there is no negative marking during the CBAT round.
| Detail | Information |
| Applicable For | ALP posts only |
| Negative Marking | No |
| Language | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
| Weightage in Final Merit | 50% (increased from 30% in 2025) |
| What It Tests | Memory, Following Directions, Concentration, Perceptual Speed, Information Ordering |
| Minimum Score to Qualify | 42 out of 70 in each test battery |
CBAT Preparation Tip: Since CBAT now holds 50% weightage in the final merit, we advise treating it with high priority and practicing psychometric test modules daily.
Q. Are there a limited number of attempts for the RRB ALP exam?
Ans. There is no specific limit on the number of attempts as long as candidates meet the age requirement of 18 to 30 years (subject to official category-based age relaxations).
View Detailed RRB ALP 2026 Syllabus (CBT 1 & 2)
RRB ALP 2026 Salary & Pay Scale
Successful candidates appointed as Assistant Loco Pilots receive an attractive salary package including HRA, DA, and Running Allowances. The position falls under Level 2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix.
| Component | Details |
| Pay Level | Level-2 (7th CPC) |
| Initial Basic Pay | Rs. 19.900 |
| In-hand Salary (approx.) | Rs. 25,000 – Rs. 35,000/month |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 8% – 24% of basic pay (varies by city) |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | As revised by the Government |
| Running Allowance | Based on km travelled |
| Transport Allowance | 10% deduction from basic + DA |
| New Pension Scheme (NPS) | 10% deduction from basic + DA |
RRB ALP Career Growth Path
The career progression path for an Assistant Loco Pilot within the Indian Railways is structured and growth-oriented:
Assistant Loco Pilot (Entry Level) → Loco Pilot (Goods) ~2 years → Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) ~5 years → Senior Loco Pilot ~10 years → Loco Supervisor/Inspector ~15+ years
RRB ALP Previous Year Cut-Off Marks
The Railway Recruitment Board publishes category-wise cut-off marks alongside the RRB ALP results. Analyzing previous years' cut-offs can provide valuable insights into the expected competition levels for the current recruitment cycle.
| RRB ALP CBT 1 Cut Off 2024-25 | ||||||
| Zone | Category | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS |
| Ajmer | Open | 54.33 | 36.19 | 27.99 | 39.27 | 40.18 |
| EXSM | 40.56 | 55.46 | -- | 31.53 | -- | |
| Chandigarh | Open | 40.09 | 30.01 | 25.02 | 30.01 | -- |
| EXSM | 41.97 | 40.71 | -- | 36.11 | -- | |
| Mumbai | Open | 57.17 | 36.68 | 30.48 | 44.08 | 40.17 |
| EXSM | 40.21 | 40.26 | -- | 31.25 | -- | |
| Malda | Open | 63.06 | 41.57 | 39.81 | 55.98 | 49.80 |
| EXSM | 42.99 | 37.46 | -- | 32.85 | -- | |
| Ranchi | 61.61 | 39.67 | 31.05 | 48.47 | 40.44 | |
| 41.03 | -- | 46.23 | 31.03 | -- | ||
| Guwahati | Open | 59.91 | 37.48 | 26.24 | 49.18 | 40.11 |
| EXSM | 42.56 | 38.41 | -- | 46.84 | -- | |
| Bilaspur | Open | 58.41 | 40.68 | 30.39 | 46.14 | 40.00 |
| EXSM | 40.24 | 31.37 | -- | 30.08 | 41.17 | |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Open | 48.93 | 30.06 | 31.49 | 48.90 | 40.09 |
| EXSM | 41.36 | -- | -- | 30.49 | -- | |
| Chennai | Open | 49.51 | 34.42 | 25.07 | 39.35 | 40.15 |
| EXSM | 41.41 | 31.47 | -- | 30.06 | -- | |
| Kolkata | Open | 63.44 | 45.73 | 34.71 | 46.82 | 40.05 |
| EXSM | 41.20 | 34.70 | -- | 31.09 | -- | |
| Gorakhpur | Open | 63.90 | 44.13 | 25.24 | 51.37 | 40.09 |
| EXSM | 49.03 | 35.65 | -- | 35.62 | -- | |
| Ahmedabad | Open | 54.54 | 36.01 | 28.67 | 41.38 | 40.01 |
| EXSM | 42.67 | -- | 32.76 | 32.56 | -- | |
| Patna | Open | 67.59 | 49.65 | 25.23 | 62.71 | 55.43 |
| EXSM | 45.88 | 62.48 | -- | 30.65 | 41.28 | |
| Bengaluru | Open | 58.49 | 42.11 | 32.24 | 47.16 | 40.07 |
| EXSM | 40.25 | 45.24 | 43.64 | 31.96 | -- | |
| Prayagraj | Open | 59.58 | 48.81 | 25 | 54.51 | 40.09 |
| EXSM | 40.24 | 31.07 | -- | 31.05 | 49.52 | |
| Bhubaneswar | Open | 60.98 | 42.46 | 44.08 | 50.83 | 40.13 |
| EXSM | 40.02 | 34.24 | -- | 31.46 | -- | |
| Jammu-Srinagar | Open | 52.53 | 35.49 | 25.03 | 38.15 | 41.68 |
| EXSM | 52.54 | 51.37 | -- | -- | -- | |
| Bhopal | Open | 45.53 | 31.53 | 27.59 | 38.90 | 40.02 |
| EXSM | 40.84 | -- | -- | 30.59 | -- | |
| Secunderabad | Open | 56.20 | 38.27 | 32.32 | 43.81 | 40.09 |
| EXSM | 30.42 | 30.42 | 30.42 | 30.42 | 30.42 | |
| Muzzafapur | Open | 72.08653 | 50.45285 | 32.10956 | 66.25954 | 56.30216 |
| EXSM | 43.18830 | -- | -- | 33.60804 | -- | |
Understand the RRB Normalisation Formula for 2026
Participating RRBs for RRB ALP 2026 Exam
Under the CEN 01/2026 notification, candidates are recruited for Assistant Loco Pilot positions across 21 Railway Recruitment Boards. The full list of participating zones and boards is available in the official notification document.
| RRB ALP 2026 Participating RRBs | |
| RRB Regions | Official website |
| Ahmedabad | www.rrbahmedabad.gov.in |
| Ajmer | www.rrbajmer.gov.in |
| Bengaluru | www.rrbbhopal.gov.in |
| Bhopal | www.rrbbhopal.gov.in |
| Bhubaneshwar | www.rrbbbs.gov.in |
| Bilaspur | www.rrbbilashpur.gov.in |
| Chandigarh | www.rrbccdg.gov.in |
| Chennai | www.rrbchenna.gov.in |
| Gorakhpur | www.rrbgkp.gov.in |
| Guwahati | www.rrbguwahati.gov.in |
| Jammu Srinagar | www.rrbjammu.nic.in |
| Kolkata | www.rrbkolkata.gov.in |
| Malda | www.rrbmalda.gov.in |
| Mumbai | www.rrbmumbai.gov.in |
| Muzaffarpur | www.rrbmuzaffarpur.gov.in |
| Patna | www.rrbpatna.gov.in |
| Prayagraj | www.rrbald.gov.in |
| Ranchi | www.rrbranchi.gov.in |
| Secunderabad | www.rrbsecunderabad.gov.in |
| Siliguri | www.rrbsiliguri.gov.in |
| Thiruvananthapuram | www.rrbthiruvanthapuram.gov.in |
FAQs
Yes, the official RRB ALP Notification 2026 (CEN 01/2026) was released on 14th May 2026, announcing 11,127 vacancies across regional RRB websites.
The hierarchy is: Assistant Loco Pilot → Loco Pilot (Goods) → Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) → Senior Loco Pilot → Loco Supervisor/Loco Inspector.
The age limit for the 2026 recruitment is 18 to 30 years as of 1st July 2026. Age relaxations are provided for SC/ST (5 years), OBC-NCL (3 years), PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen as per government guidelines.
A total of 11,127 vacancies have been released for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot under CEN 01/2026, spread across 17 railway zones and 21 RRBs.
Online applications commenced on 15th May 2026 and remain open until 14th June 2026 (11:59 PM). Applications must be submitted via the official rrbapply.gov.in portal.
A major update is the revised merit weighting: 50% for CBT-2 (Part A) and 50% for CBAT. Previously, the weighting was 70% for CBT-2 and 30% for CBAT.
CBT 1 consists of 75 MCQs to be completed in 60 minutes. Topics include Mathematics, Reasoning, and Science. Negative marking of 1/3 applies. Qualifying marks are 40% (UR/EWS), 30% (OBC/SC), and 25% (ST).
An Assistant Loco Pilot assists the Loco Pilot in the safe operation of trains. Duties include monitoring signals, observing locomotive instruments, ensuring brakes are tested, and verifying engine levels for fuel, oil, and water.
The deadline for submitting applications is 14th June 2026, while the final date for fee payment is 16th June 2026.
Also Read:
- RRB ALP City Intimation Slip 2026 Released for 16th & 17th Feb: Check Exam City and Date Now
- RRB ALP Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern: Detailed Guide for CBT 1, CBT 2 & CBAT
- RRB ALP Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 11,127 Posts at rrbapply.gov.in
- RRB ALP Admit Card 2026 Released: CEN 01/2025 Hall Ticket Download Link
- RRB ALP Answer Key 2026 Out for CBT 1 (CEN 01/2025): Download Response Sheet PDF
- RRB ALP Cut Off 2026: Zone-wise Previous Year Cut-Off Marks & Trends
- RRB ALP Result 2026: Expected Release Date, Merit List PDF & Zone-wise Cut-Offs (CEN 01/2025)
- RRB ALP Previous Year Question Papers with Solutions: Download Free PDFs
- RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026: Revised CBT 1, CBT 2 & CBAT Details
- RRB ALP Salary Structure 2026, Pay Scale, In Hand Salary, Job Profile