RRB ALP 2026: Vacancy, Exam Dates, Eligibility & Selection Process

RRB ALP 2026 Recruitment: Vacancies, Dates & Selection Process

Comprehensive Guide to Centralised Employment Notice (CEN 01/2026)

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have announced 11,127 vacancies for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) under Centralised Employment Notice CEN 01/2026. As part of the annual railway recruitment cycle, this nationwide drive offers technical aspirants an entry into Indian Railways with a Level-2 pay scale (starting basic pay of ₹19,900 plus applicable allowances).

RRB ALP 2026: Important Dates & Schedule

Event / Milestone	Official Date
Notification Release Date	May 14, 2026
Online Application Start Date	May 15, 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	June 14, 2026 (23:59 Hrs)
Application Fee Payment Deadline	June 16, 2026
Application Form Correction Window	June 17 – June 26, 2026
Application Status Release	August 22, 2026
Exam City Intimation Slip	10 days before the exam date
E-Call Letter (Admit Card) Download	4 days before candidate's exam date
RRB ALP CBT 1 Exam Dates	November 3 to November 5, 2026

 

Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

A total of 11,127 posts are distributed across 21 Railway Recruitment Boards:

Category	Vacancies
Unreserved (UR)	4,860
Other Backward Classes (OBC-NCL)	2,598
Scheduled Castes (SC)	1,746
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)	1,004
Scheduled Tribes (ST)	919
Total Vacancies	11,127

Top zones with high vacancies: Secunderabad (1,420), Ranchi (1,300), Mumbai (1,193), Kolkata (841), and Bhubaneswar (801).

Eligibility Criteria

1. Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess any one of the following qualifications from a recognized institution:

·         Matriculation / Class 10th (SSLC) plus ITI in relevant trades (Electrician, Fitter, Wireman, Machinist, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Diesel Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, etc.).

·         Matriculation plus completed Act Apprenticeship in the specified technical trades.

·         3-Year Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering).

·         Degree in Engineering (B.E. / B.Tech) in the specified technical disciplines is also accepted in lieu of a Diploma.

Note: Diploma or Degree in Computer Science, IT, or Civil Engineering alone without the core approved disciplines does not fulfill eligibility criteria.

2. Age Limit (as of July 1, 2026)

• Standard Age Range: 18 to 30 years.
• Age Relaxation:
   - OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): +3 years (up to 33 years)
   - SC / ST: +5 years (up to 35 years)
   - Ex-Servicemen and other categories receive relaxation as per Central Government norms.

3. Medical Fitness Standard

• Medical Standard A-1: Absolute physical fitness with distance vision of 6/6, 6/6 without glasses. Must pass color vision, binocular vision, field of vision, and mesopic tests.
• Disqualification: Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or any surgical procedure to correct refractive error are strictly ineligible for ALP posts.

Selection Process & Exam Pattern

The recruitment cycle comprises five sequential stages:

·         Stage 1: First Stage CBT (CBT 1): Screening round consisting of 75 objective questions (60 minutes duration) covering Mathematics, Mental Ability/Reasoning, and General Science. Negative marking of 1/3rd mark for incorrect answers.

·         Stage 2: Second Stage CBT (CBT 2): Divided into two parts:
• Part A: 100 questions (90 minutes) covering Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and Basic Science & Engineering. Scores directly contribute to final merit.
• Part B: 75 questions (60 minutes) based on candidate's trade syllabus. Qualifying in nature (minimum 35% required).

·         Stage 3: Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): Psychometric test for candidates qualifying CBT 2. Candidates must score a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery to qualify. Final merit is prepared by giving combined weightage to CBT 2 Part A and CBAT.

·         Stage 4: Document Verification (DV): Scrutiny of original certificates, educational degrees, and caste/category credentials.

·         Stage 5: Medical Examination: Comprehensive A-1 medical checkup conducted by Railway Medical Authorities.

How to Check Status & Download Admit Card

Registered candidates can access their portal directly on the official application site (www.rrbapply.gov.in) or via respective regional RRB portals:

1. Visit rrbapply.gov.in and log in using your registered mobile/email and password.

2. Click on Application Status to verify whether your application form has been accepted.

3. The City Intimation Slip goes live 10 days before the CBT 1 exam date, showing test city, shift, and reporting details.

4. Download the E-Call Letter (Admit Card) 4 days prior to your exam date. Ensure you bring an original, verifiable Aadhaar card along with the printed hall ticket on exam day.