RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Recruitment 2026
The Railway Recruitment Board Assistant Loco Pilot (RRB ALP) exam offers a great opportunity for candidates aiming to build a career in the Indian Railways. It is a national-level recruitment process conducted to fill Assistant Loco Pilot posts across various zones. The application process is carried out online, and candidates must qualify through multiple selection stages.
| RRB ALP 2026 Overview | |
|---|---|
| Details | Information |
| Exam Name | Assistant Loco Pilot |
| Conducting Body | RRB (Railway Recruitment Board) |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot |
| Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Educational Qualification | 10th + ITI/ Diploma/ Degree in Engineering |
| Age Limit | 18 - 30 Years |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Official Website | www.rrbapply.gov.in |
RRB ALP 2026 Important Dates
The RRB ALP 2026 official notification outlines key timelines for the recruitment process. Candidates should mark these dates to ensure timely submission and preparation.
| RRB ALP 2026 Important Dates | |
|---|---|
| Event | Date |
| Notification Date | 21 March 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 15 May 2026 |
| Application End Date | 14 June 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 16 June 2026 |
| Modification Window | 17 June to 26 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | August 2026 |
RRB ALP 2026 Vacancy
A detailed notification has not yet been released on the official website; however, a short notice has been issued for the Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) announcing 11,127 vacancies for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts in 2026. Among all zones, the East Coast Railway has the highest number of vacancies, with 1,625 posts. Candidates can refer to the official notice for the complete zone-wise vacancy distribution.
RRB ALP Zone-wise Vacancy 2026
For candidates who missed the earlier RRB Assistant Loco Pilot recruitment, this is a great opportunity to start their preparation in advance. Aspirants can check the zone-wise vacancy details in the table below to understand how posts are distributed across different railway zones under the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB).
| RRB ALP Zone-wise Vacancy 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RRB Region | Total | General | SC | ST | OBC | EWS |
| RRB Ahmedabad | 147 | 62 | 22 | 11 | 38 | 14 |
| RRB Ajmer | 718 | 318 | 115 | 59 | 174 | 52 |
| RRB Prayagraj | 610 | 346 | 60 | 38 | 107 | 59 |
| RRB Bengaluru | 200 | 80 | 31 | 15 | 54 | 20 |
| RRB Bhopal | 453 | 209 | 82 | 23 | 123 | 16 |
| RRB Bhubaneswar | 801 | 548 | 70 | 36 | 48 | 99 |
| RRB Bilaspur | 522 | 271 | 106 | 66 | 53 | 26 |
| RRB Chandigarh | 187 | 56 | 39 | 23 | 49 | 20 |
| RRB Chennai | 186 | 93 | 24 | 14 | 41 | 14 |
| RRB Gorakhpur | 105 | 28 | 11 | 37 | 17 | 12 |
| RRB Guwahati | 676 | 272 | 109 | 63 | 164 | 68 |
| RRB Jammu | 400 | 158 | 58 | 30 | 110 | 44 |
| RRB Kolkata | 841 | 415 | 154 | 87 | 129 | 56 |
| RRB Malda | 559 | 226 | 84 | 42 | 151 | 56 |
| RRB Mumbai | 1193 | 336 | 219 | 106 | 380 | 152 |
| RRB Muzaffarpur | 42 | 18 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 4 |
| RRB Patna | 103 | 41 | 16 | 8 | 28 | 10 |
| RRB Ranchi | 1300 | 472 | 233 | 105 | 363 | 127 |
| RRB Secunderabad | 1420 | 625 | 209 | 102 | 390 | 94 |
| RRB Siliguri | 600 | 243 | 90 | 46 | 161 | 60 |
| RRB Trivandrum | 64 | 43 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 1 |
| Total | 11127 | 4860 | 1746 | 919 | 2598 | 1004 |
RRB ALP 2026 Application Form
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) will begin the RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Recruitment 2026 application process on 15 May 2026, and the last date to apply is 14 June 2026. A total of 11,127 vacancies have been announced for the ALP post. Eligible candidates who have completed 10th along with ITI or a Diploma can apply online through the official portal, rrbapply.gov.in.
RRB ALP 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet RRB ALP Eligibility requirements for the ALP exam. These criteria cover nationality, age limits, and educational qualifications. It is important to verify all conditions before applying.
- RRB ALP Educational Qualification:Applicants should possess Matriculation / SSLC along with an ITI certificate from a recognised institution. Alternatively, candidates with Matriculation / SSLC plus a 3-year diploma in relevant engineering disciplines are also eligible. Fulfilment of medical requirements is mandatory.
- RRB ALP Nationality:A candidate must be a citizen of India, Nepal, or Bhutan. Tibetan refugees who migrated to India before January 1, 1962, are also eligible.
- RRB ALP Age Limit:Candidates applying for the RRB ALP positions must fall within the specified age bracket of 18 to 30 years. Age relaxation rules apply for reserved categories as per government norms.
RRB ALP Age Criteria 2026
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has prescribed specific age criteria for candidates applying for the Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) post. Applicants must satisfy the minimum and maximum age requirements mentioned in the official notification. Age relaxation is also applicable for reserved categories as per government rules.
| Age Group (in Years) | Upper Limit of Date of Birth (Not Before) | Lower Limit of Date of Birth (Not After) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | UR (includes OBC-CL) & EWS | OBC (NCL) | SC / ST | All candidates |
| 18 – 30 Years | 02.07.1996 | 02.07.1993 | 02.07.1991 | 01.07.2008 |
Note: Candidates must enter their date of birth exactly as mentioned in their Matriculation/10th class certificate. Any mismatch may lead to disqualification.
RRB ALP Application Fee 2026
In order to complete the RRB ALP application process, the candidates must pay the application fee as prescribed for the respective category. Details of the same are mentioned below.
| Category / Community | Fee Amount | Refund Details |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS and all other candidates except those mentioned below | ₹500/- | ₹400/- will be refunded after deducting applicable bank charges upon appearing in the 1st Stage CBT. |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / Female / Transgender / Minorities / Economically Backward Class (EBC) (EBC is not OBC or EWS) | ₹250/- | Full ₹250/- will be refunded after deducting applicable bank charges upon appearing in the 1st Stage CBT. |
RRB ALP Salary
As per the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), the RRB ALP salary structure falls under Pay Matrix Level-2. The initial basic pay for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) is ₹19,900 per month, while the overall monthly salary can reach approximately ₹35,000 depending on the posting location and applicable allowances.
In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates are entitled to several allowances and benefits, including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and Running Allowance based on kilometers travelled. Employees also receive benefits under the New Pension Scheme (NPS), with the prescribed contribution deduction as per government rules.
RRB ALP 2026 Exam Pattern
Candidates appearing for the RRB ALP examination should be aware of the detailed exam pattern for both CBT 1 and CBT 2. Understanding the duration, number of questions, and total marks is crucial for effective preparation.
RRB ALP CBT 1 Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates get 60 minutes to solve 75 questions of 75 marks in the RRB ALP CBT 1 exam. A table has been provided with the detailed information of the CBT 1 exam pattern.
| Subject | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 | 60 minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | |
| General Science | 20 | 20 | |
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | 10 | 10 | |
| Total | 75 | 75 | 60 minutes |
RRB ALP CBT 2 Exam Pattern 2026
RRB ALP CBT 2 Exam Pattern 2026 provides detailed information related to subjects, total questions, and the marking scheme. Candidates get 175 questions in CBT 2 to solve in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
| Part | Subject / Section | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Mathematics | 100 (combined) | 100 | 90 minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | ||||
| Basic Science & Engineering | ||||
| General Awareness & Current Affairs | ||||
| Part B | Relevant Trade / Professional Knowledge (Qualifying) | 75 | 75 | 60 minutes |
| Total | 175 | 175 | 150 minutes |
RRB ALP 2026 Selection Process
RRB ALP Selection Process comprises the multilevel selection rounds. It is to assess the performance of the candidates who appeared in the exam.
- CBT 1 (Computer-Based Test 1)
- CBT 2 (Computer-Based Test 2)
- CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination (ME)
RRB ALP 2026 Salary
RRB ALP 2026 Salary is Rs 19,900. The salary range is as per the Level 2 as per the 7th CPC. In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates are entitled to various allowances, perks, and benefits, making it an attractive career option within the Indian Railways.