RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot), CEN 01/2026
What is the RRB Assistant Loco Pilot post, who can apply, how do CBT-1, CBT-2 and the CBAT work, what does the A-1 medical standard ask, and when is the exam?
An Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) works in the locomotive cab of Indian Railways trains. The Railway Recruitment Boards fill the post through a centralised notice: CEN 01/2026 notified 11,127 posts across all RRBs. You need Class 10 plus an ITI or a course-completed apprenticeship in a listed trade, or a three-year diploma in mechanical, electrical, electronics or automobile engineering (a degree in these branches also counts). Selection runs through two computer-based tests, a computer-based aptitude test (CBAT), document verification and a medical exam. Applications closed on 14 June 2026, and the RRBs have set CBT-1 for 3 to 5 November 2026.
This page may be out of date. It was due for a re-check on 30 June 2027. Confirm every rule with the official source before acting on it.
Applications closed on 14 June 2026. The RRBs have scheduled CBT-1 for 3 to 5 November 2026; CBT-2, CBAT and document verification dates will follow on the RRB websites.
Exam at a glance
- Conducted by
- Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways; you apply to one RRB only, through rrbapply.gov.in[1]
- Posts
- 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot posts across all RRBs (CEN 01/2026); the zone-wise numbers may go up or down[1]
- Pay
- Level 2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix, initial pay Rs 19,900[1]
- Education
- Class 10 plus ITI (NCVT/SCVT) or a course-completed apprenticeship in a listed trade, or a three-year diploma in mechanical, electrical, electronics or automobile engineering; a degree in these branches also counts[1]
- Age limit
- 18 to 30 years on 1 July 2026, so born from 2 July 1996 to 1 July 2008 (UR and EWS); OBC (NCL) from 2 July 1993, SC and ST from 2 July 1991[1]
- Medical standard
- A-1: distant vision 6/6, 6/6 without glasses, plus colour, binocular, field, night and mesopic vision tests; Lasik or other eye surgery makes you ineligible[1]
- Selection
- CBT-1 (screening), CBT-2 (Part A counts, Part B qualifying), CBAT, document verification and medical exam. Final merit = CBT-2 Part A and CBAT, 50:50.[1]
- CBT-1 dates
- 3, 4 and 5 November 2026 (RRB notice of 21 September 2026; exam city slip notice of 23 October 2026)[2]
How the final merit is weighted
| Community | Born on or after | Born on or before |
|---|---|---|
| UR (including OBC creamy layer) and EWS | 2 July 1996 | 1 July 2008 |
| OBC (NCL) | 2 July 1993 | 1 July 2008 |
| SC and ST | 2 July 1991 | 1 July 2008 |
The base band is 18 to 30 on 1 July 2026. If you qualify for relaxation on more than one ground, you get the largest one, not the total. SC, ST and OBC (NCL) candidates applying against UR vacancies get no age relaxation. Ex-servicemen, serving railway staff, widowed or divorced women and course-completed apprentices have their own limits in para 5.1.[1]
| Stage | What it is | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| CBT-1 | 60 minutes, 75 questions (maths, mental ability, Class 10 general science), 1/3 negative marking | Pass mark UR and EWS 40%, OBC (NCL) and SC 30%, ST 25%; marks do not count in the final panel |
| CBT-2 | 2 hours 30 minutes: Part A 100 questions in 90 minutes, Part B 75 trade questions in 60 minutes, 1/3 negative marking | Part A pass marks as in CBT-1; Part B is qualifying at 35% for everyone; only Part A marks count |
| CBAT | Computer-based aptitude test from RDSO, English and Hindi only, no negative marking | A T-score of at least 42 in each test battery; bring the self-screening medical report (Annexure VIII A and VIII B) in original |
| Document verification | Certificates checked against your application | Candidates equal to the number of vacancies are called, by merit and zone preference |
| Medical exam | A-1 standard, tested by the Railway administration | If you are found unfit, no other post is offered |
About 15 times the vacancies of each RRB go from CBT-1 to CBT-2, and 8 times the vacancies of each community go to the CBAT. Shortlisting is RRB-wise, among candidates who chose the same RRB.[1]
An Assistant Loco Pilot is the entry post on the running side of the railway: you work in the locomotive with the Loco Pilot. CEN 01/2026 places it at Level 2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix with an initial pay of Rs 19,900.
You choose one RRB when you apply and rank the railway zones under it. Shortlisting and the merit list are worked out RRB-wise, so you compete only with the candidates who picked the same RRB. Once you are empanelled for a zone, you lose the claim to your next preference.[1]
It suits someone with a technical trade or a diploma who has very good unaided eyesight and is fine with shift work on trains. The A-1 medical standard asks for 6/6 distant vision in each eye without glasses, plus colour, field, night and mesopic vision tests. Anyone who has had Lasik or another surgery to correct their eyesight cannot hold the post, so check this before you spend months preparing.
The notice marks the post not suitable for persons with benchmark disabilities. The accepted ITI trades are 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 and Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic.[1]
CBT-1 has three areas: mathematics (number system, percentages, time and work, mensuration, elementary statistics and similar topics), mental ability (series, coding, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data sufficiency and so on) and general science at Class 10 level.
CBT-2 Part A repeats the maths and reasoning areas and adds basic science and engineering: engineering drawing, units and measurement, work, power and energy, heat, basic electricity, levers and simple machines, safety, environment and IT literacy. Part B is a trade test from the DGT trade syllabus. ITI holders answer from their own trade; diploma and degree holders pick one trade that matches their branch, for example Electrician or Wireman for electrical, Fitter or Turner for mechanical.
The CBAT is an aptitude test set by RDSO. It has no negative marking, but you must clear every test battery on its own, and it decides half of your final merit.[1]
Tips and tricks
- Read your trade syllabus on the DGT website. Part B of CBT-2 is only qualifying, but you need 35% there before your Part A marks count.[1]
- Get the self-screening medical report signed by an eye specialist and a general physician before the CBAT. Without the original you are not allowed to sit the test.[1]
- Practise aptitude-test questions under time pressure. The CBAT is half of your final merit and every battery has its own pass mark.[1]
- Leave a question blank when you are guessing blind in the CBTs. A wrong answer costs a third of a mark; a blank costs nothing.[1]
Questions people ask
What is the age limit for RRB ALP 2026?
18 to 30 years on 1 July 2026, so UR and EWS candidates born from 2 July 1996 to 1 July 2008 could apply. OBC (NCL) gets 3 more years and SC and ST 5 more years.[1]
Can a diploma holder apply for RRB ALP?
Yes. Class 10 plus a three-year diploma in mechanical, electrical, electronics or automobile engineering (or a combination of these) is accepted in place of ITI, and a degree in these branches is accepted in place of the diploma.[1]
Is there negative marking in RRB ALP?
Yes, in both CBT-1 and CBT-2: one third of a mark is cut for each wrong answer. The CBAT has no negative marking.[1]
Do CBT-1 marks count in the final ALP merit list?
No. CBT-1 only screens candidates for CBT-2. The final merit uses CBT-2 Part A marks and the CBAT score with equal weight.[1]
When is the RRB ALP CBT-1 exam?
The RRBs have scheduled CBT-1 for 3, 4 and 5 November 2026. Your own date, shift and city come through the exam city link and the e-call letter on the RRB websites.[2]
Can I wear glasses for RRB ALP?
No. The A-1 standard asks for distant vision of 6/6 in each eye and near vision of Sn 0.6, both without glasses, and eye surgery to correct vision makes you ineligible.[1]
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Official and partner links
- Official bodyRailway Recruitment Boards (official website)
Sources
- Detailed Centralised Employment Notice CEN No. 01/2026, Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Railway Recruitment Boards, Ministry of Railways. important dates and post table (p4), paras 3.0, 5.0-5.2, 7.0, 12.0-12.4 (pp7-15), Annexure-A (p23). Accessed 1 November 2026.
- Notice regarding tentative schedule of CBT-I, CEN 01/2026 ALP (21.09.2026) and notice regarding city intimation slip and helpdesk link (23.10.2026), Railway Recruitment Boards. single page each: paras 1-5. Accessed 1 November 2026.
Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us through the corrections page. Updated 1 November 2026.