At a Glance
- Total Vacancies
- 11,127 Posts
- Post Name
- CEN No. 01/2026
- Eligibility
- Details
- Exam / Result Date
- To be announced — check rrbapply.gov.in
- Application Last Date
- 14 June 2026
- Application Start Date
- 15 May 2026
- Salary
- ₹19,900 – ₹35,000 | Pay Level-2, 7th CPC
Quick Summary
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 for 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot posts. Apply online from 15 May to 14 June 2026 at rrbapply.gov.in. Minimum qualification: Class 10 + ITI or Engineering Diploma.
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 (CEN 01/2026) – Overview
11,127 posts. 21 Railway Recruitment Boards. One central portal. The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have officially published Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026, inviting online applications for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) across all Zonal Railways and Production Units. Applications are accepted exclusively at rrbapply.gov.in between 15 May 2026 and 14 June 2026 (23:59 hrs). Candidates holding Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI from a recognised NCVT/SCVT institution — or a 3-year Engineering Diploma or B.Tech/B.E. in eligible streams — and aged between 18 and 30 years as on 01 July 2026 are eligible to apply. The selected pay scale is Pay Level-2 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), with a starting basic pay of ₹19,900. General, OBC, and EWS candidates pay an application fee of ₹500; SC, ST, female, ex-servicemen, minority, and EBC applicants pay ₹250 — and the fee is refunded to all those who appear in CBT 1.
The 2025 ALP cycle (CEN 01/2025) announced 9,970 vacancies; this 2026 drive raises the count to 11,127 — an increase of 1,157 posts (roughly 11.6% more) — reflecting Indian Railways' ongoing effort to address loco pilot shortages and operational expansion across its network.
| Organisation | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) – Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
|---|---|
| Advt. No. | CEN No. 01/2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 Posts |
| Pay Scale | ₹19,900 – ₹35,000 | Pay Level-2, 7th CPC |
| Application Start | 15 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 14 June 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online only – rrbapply.gov.in |
| Official Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
Source: Official CEN No. 01/2026 published by Railway Recruitment Boards at rrbapply.gov.in and participating RRB regional websites.
RRB ALP 2026 – Important Dates & Full Schedule
The online application window for RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 opened on 15 May 2026. Candidates have exactly 30 days to register and submit their form before the hard deadline of 14 June 2026 at 23:59 hrs. A correction window follows immediately after, allowing candidates to modify most application details (except mobile number, email, and RRB choice) for a nominal fee of ₹250 per modification.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Begin | 15 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 14 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Pay Exam Fee | 16 June 2026 |
| Application Correction / Modification Window | 17 June 2026 – 26 June 2026 |
| CBT 1 Exam Date | To be announced — check rrbapply.gov.in |
| Admit Card Release | To be announced — check rrbapply.gov.in |
All dates are as per CEN No. 01/2026. Exam date and admit card release date will be notified separately on the official RRB portal.
RRB ALP 2026 – Vacancy Details (Post-wise)
A total of 11,127 vacancies have been approved for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot under CEN 01/2026, distributed across all participating Railway Zones and Production Units. Among all regional boards, RRB Secunderabad holds the highest vacancy count (1,420 posts), followed by Ranchi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bhubaneswar. Category-wise (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS) zone-level breakdowns are available in Annexure-B of the official notification PDF. The post is not suitable for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) vacancies are included within the total count and are not separately additional.
| Post Name | Total Vacancies | Pay Level (7th CPC) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) | 11,127 | Level-2 (₹19,900 – ₹35,000) |
| RRB Zone / Region | Vacancy Highlight |
|---|---|
| RRB Secunderabad | 1,420 posts – Highest among all RRBs |
| RRB Ranchi | Among top zones |
| RRB Mumbai | Among top zones |
| RRB Kolkata | Among top zones |
| RRB Bhubaneswar | Among top zones |
| All 21 RRBs (Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Bilaspur, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Jammu-Srinagar, Kolkata, Malda, Mumbai, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Prayagraj, Ranchi, Secunderabad, Siliguri, Thiruvananthapuram) | Detailed zone & category-wise breakdown in Annexure-B of the notification PDF |
Zone-wise vacancy figures are per Annexure-B of CEN No. 01/2026. For the complete category-wise (UR/OBC/SC/ST/EWS/ExSM) breakdown, download the official notification PDF from rrbapply.gov.in.
RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 – Application Fee
The application fee for RRB ALP 2026 is partially refundable — candidates who appear in CBT 1 get back ₹400 (General/OBC/EWS) or the full ₹250 (SC/ST/Female/ExSM/ Minority/EBC), making this effectively a zero-net-cost application for those who sit the exam. Fee payment is accepted only through online modes — debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
| Category | Application Fee | Fee Refund (after appearing in CBT 1) | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹500 | ₹400 (after deducting bank charges) | ~₹100 |
| SC / ST / PH (PwBD) | ₹250 | ₹250 (full refund) | Nil |
| All Category Female | ₹250 | ₹250 (full refund) | Nil |
| Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) | ₹250 | ₹250 (full refund) | Nil |
| Minority / EBC (family income below ₹50,000/year) | ₹250 | ₹250 (full refund) | Nil |
RRB ALP 2026 – Eligibility Criteria
Class 10 pass with ITI is the minimum entry point for RRB ALP CEN 01/2026. Candidates must be Indian nationals and must satisfy both age and educational qualification conditions as on the closing date of the online application (14 June 2026). The medical standard prescribed is A-1 — one of the most stringent in Railway recruitment — with specific vision and fitness requirements.
Age Limit for RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 (as on 01 July 2026)
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 18 Years | 30 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 Years | 33 Years (+3 years relaxation) |
| SC / ST | 18 Years | 35 Years (+5 years relaxation) |
| Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) | 18 Years | As per Railway recruitment rules |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) | Post is not suitable for PwBD candidates | |
Educational Qualification for RRB ALP 2026
Candidates must hold one of the following qualifications. The ITI trades listed are the only notified ones — a trade not in this list does not qualify.
| Qualification Track | Details |
|---|---|
| Class 10 / Matric / SSLC + ITI (NCVT/SCVT) | Trades: Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic Radio & TV, Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature and Coil Winder, Mechanic Diesel, Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic |
| Class 10 / Matric / SSLC + Course Completed Act Apprenticeship | In the trades listed above (recognised under Apprentices Act) |
| Class 10 / Matric + 3-Year Diploma in Engineering | Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering or a combination of these streams |
| B.E. / B.Tech (Engineering Degree) | Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering (accepted in lieu of Diploma + ITI) |
Medical Standard for RRB ALP 2026 (A-1 Category)
| Medical Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Distant Vision (Unaided) | 6/6 in both eyes — no glasses or contact lenses allowed on duty |
| Colour Vision | Normal colour vision — no colour blindness permitted |
| LASIK / Corrective Eye Surgery | Disqualifying. Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any other eye surgery are ineligible for ALP posts |
| Overall Fitness | Must pass full A-1 medical examination conducted by Railway Medical Authority |
Medical standards as per CEN No. 01/2026. LASIK disqualification is a Railway Board rule applying specifically to safety category posts.
RRB ALP 2026 – Pay Scale & Salary
Selected candidates are placed at Pay Level-2 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix, with an initial basic pay of ₹19,900 per month. Beyond the basic pay, Railway employees in running-duty posts receive additional allowances that significantly raise the effective monthly package.
At Level-2 of the 7th Pay Commission matrix, the basic pay starts at ₹19,900. Adding DA (currently revised twice yearly), HRA, Transport Allowance, and — crucially for ALP — the Running Allowance (paid per kilometre of train operation), the estimated monthly in-hand for a newly joined ALP ranges from approximately ₹25,000 in smaller postings to ₹35,000 in metro-class cities. ALP also enjoys railway travel concessions, medical facilities for self and dependants, and a clear promotion path: Assistant Loco Pilot → Senior ALP → Loco Pilot (Goods) → Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) → Loco Inspector/Supervisor.
RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 – Selection Process
RRB ALP 2026 uses a 5-stage selection process. CBT 1 is purely qualifying; final merit is determined equally by CBT 2 Part-A and CBAT — a key change from the 70/30 split used in the 2025 cycle.
| Stage | Type | Questions / Marks | Duration | Negative Marking | Merit Weightage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT 1 (First Stage) | Computer-Based Test – Qualifying only | 75 Questions / 75 Marks | 60 minutes | 1/3 mark per wrong answer | Not counted in final merit |
| CBT 2 Part-A (Second Stage) | Computer-Based Test – Merit-counting | 100 Questions / 100 Marks | 90 minutes | 1/3 mark per wrong answer | 50% of final merit |
| CBT 2 Part-B (Second Stage) | Computer-Based Test – Qualifying only (35% min) | 75 Questions / 75 Marks | 60 minutes | 1/3 mark per wrong answer | Not counted in final merit |
| CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test) | Aptitude – Must qualify each test battery | As per test battery | As per schedule | No negative marking | 50% of final merit |
| Document Verification (DV) | Verification of certificates & credentials | – | – | – | Qualifying |
| Medical Examination (ME) | A-1 Medical Standard – conducted by Railway Medical Authority | – | – | – | Qualifying |
| Stage | Subjects |
|---|---|
| CBT 1 (75 Questions) | Mathematics | General Intelligence & Reasoning | General Science (Class X level) | General Awareness & Current Affairs |
| CBT 2 Part-A (100 Questions) | Mathematics | General Intelligence & Reasoning | Basic Science & Engineering | General Awareness & Current Affairs |
| CBT 2 Part-B (75 Questions) | Trade-specific technical subjects (based on ITI trade / Engineering stream chosen during application — Electrical, Mechanical, Electronics, Automobile, etc.) |
| CBAT | Computer-based aptitude batteries assessing psychomotor, attention, following instructions, memory, and spatial ability — in Hindi and English only |
How to Fill RRB ALP 2026 Online Form – Step by Step
The application must be submitted exclusively through the official central portal at rrbapply.gov.in. Candidates can apply to only one RRB — submitting to multiple RRBs results in rejection of all applications and lifetime debarment from RRB/RRC exams. Apply early; last-day server load is consistently heavy.
- Visit the official Railway Recruitment portal at rrbapply.gov.in and click on the link labelled "Click here to apply for Pay Level-2 post of Assistant Loco Pilot" under CEN 01/2026.
- Click "Apply" and then "Create an Account." Fill in your personal information, complete Aadhaar verification (name and date of birth in Aadhaar must match your Class 10 certificate 100%), and set your login password (combination of uppercase, lowercase, special characters, and numbers).
- Log in with your registered mobile number/email ID and password. Select your preferred RRB zone and the post/zone preferences within it. This choice is final and cannot be changed after submission.
- Fill in all required details: personal information, educational qualification details (ITI trade / Diploma stream / Degree), and contact information. Ensure all entries match your original certificates exactly.
- Upload scanned documents in the prescribed format: recent passport-size photograph (clear, white background), signature in running (cursive/joined) handwriting in black ink on white paper — block or capital signatures are grounds for rejection. SC/ST candidates wanting free train travel concession must also upload their category certificate (PDF, under 400 KB).
- Pay the application fee online — debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI — before 16 June 2026 (23:59 hrs). Ensure your Aadhaar is linked to your bank account via NPCI for the fee refund mechanism to work.
- Preview the complete form carefully before final submission. Verify every column — name, date of birth, qualification, trade/stream, photo, and signature. Once submitted, corrections are limited to the correction window only (17–26 June 2026, at ₹250 per modification).
- Submit the application and download or print the final submitted form (PDF). Keep this for all future reference throughout the recruitment process.
RRB ALP 2026 Admit Card – How to Download (When Released)
The RRB ALP 2026 CBT 1 admit card (hall ticket) will be released separately on each of the 21 RRB regional websites and on the central portal rrbapply.gov.in approximately 10–15 days before the exam. No admit card will be sent by post. The date has not been announced yet — bookmark your chosen RRB's regional website and check regularly.
- Visit your chosen RRB's regional website (e.g. rrbcdg.gov.in, rrbchennai.gov.in, rrbmumbai.gov.in, rrbsecunderabad.gov.in) or the central portal rrbapply.gov.in when the admit card link is active.
- Click on the RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 Admit Card link available on the homepage.
- Log in with your registration credentials (application number / registered mobile number and password or date of birth as prompted).
- Download and save the admit card PDF. Print at least two copies in A4 size on white paper.
- Carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar card, passport, voter ID, etc.) to the exam centre. Both documents are mandatory for entry.
RRB ALP 2026 – Exam Syllabus & Paper Pattern (Brief)
The RRB ALP 2026 exam tests candidates across three online stages. CBT 1 covers Class X-level general subjects; CBT 2 Part-A adds Basic Science & Engineering; Part-B goes deep into the candidate's ITI trade or engineering stream. CBAT uses computer-based aptitude batteries in Hindi and English only.
| Stage | Subjects Covered | Questions | Duration | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT 1 (Qualifying) | Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Science (Class X), General Awareness & Current Affairs | 75 | 60 min | 1/3 mark |
| CBT 2 Part-A (Merit) | Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering, General Awareness & Current Affairs | 100 | 90 min | 1/3 mark |
| CBT 2 Part-B (Qualifying – 35% min) | Trade/Stream-specific technical knowledge (Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering or relevant ITI trade) | 75 | 60 min | 1/3 mark |
| CBAT (Aptitude – No negative marking) | Psychomotor abilities, attention, following instructions, memory, and spatial orientation batteries | Per battery | Per battery | None |
RRB ALP 2026 – Official Links & Notification PDF
| Apply Online | rrbapply.gov.in |
| Download Detailed Notification PDF | rrbapply.gov.in (notification link on homepage) |
| RRB CDG (Chandigarh) | rrbcdg.gov.in |
| RRB Secunderabad (Highest Vacancies) | rrbsecunderabad.gov.in |
| RRB Chennai | rrbchennai.gov.in |
| RRB Mumbai | rrbmumbai.gov.in |
| Indian Railways Official Website | indianrailways.gov.in |
