Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has released a short notice on 16 March 2026 for the recruitment of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts under CEN 01/2026. The full detailed notification will be available on 14 May 2026. Online applications will open from 15 May 2026. This is a highly competitive Central Government Railway job with excellent pay and perks under 7th CPC Pay Level-2.
Assistant Loco Pilots assist the Loco Pilot (Driver) in running trains. After gaining experience and passing departmental exams, ALPs are promoted to Loco Pilot (Goods), Loco Pilot (Passenger), and eventually Senior Loco Pilot — making this one of the best career growth paths in Indian Railways.
IMPORTANT DATES
| Short Notice Date | 16 March 2026 |
| Detailed Notification Date | 14 May 2026 (Tentative) |
| Online Apply Start Date | 15 May 2026 (Tentative) |
| Online Apply Last Date | 14 June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 14 June 2026 (Tentative) |
| Exam Date | To be notified (Expected Sep–Oct 2026) |
| Admit Card | 4 Days Before Exam |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in / indianrailways.gov.in |
APPLICATION FEE
| General / OBC | Rs. 500/- (Tentative) |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Serviceman | Rs. 250/- (Tentative) |
| Refund Policy | Fee refunded on appearing for CBT Stage 1 |
| Payment Mode | Online — Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, IMPS, Mobile Wallet |
AGE LIMIT — As on 01 July 2026
| Minimum Age | 18 Years |
| Maximum Age | 30 Years (Tentative) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | Max 33 Years (+3 Years) |
| SC / ST | Max 35 Years (+5 Years) |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | Max 40 Years (+10 Years) |
| PwBD (OBC) | Max 43 Years (+13 Years) |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | Max 45 Years (+15 Years) |
| Ex-Serviceman | Service period + 3 years (subject to rules) |
EDUCATION QUALIFICATION
| Option 1 | Class 10th Pass (Matric) from any recognized Board PLUS ITI Certificate from NCVT/SCVT in a relevant trade |
| Option 2 | Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile / Computer Science or allied) from a recognized institute |
| Option 3 | Degree in Engineering (B.Tech / B.E.) in relevant discipline |
| Relevant ITI Trades | Electrician, Fitter, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic Radio & TV, Electronic Mechanic, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic — check official notification for full list |
| Note | Exact trade list will be available in detailed notification on 14 May 2026 |
PAY SCALE & SALARY
| Pay Matrix Level | Level-2 (7th Central Pay Commission) |
| Basic Pay | Rs. 19,900/- per month |
| DA (Dearness Allowance) | Approximately 50% of basic pay (revised quarterly) |
| HRA (House Rent Allowance) | 8% to 27% of basic pay (depends on posting city — X, Y, Z class) |
| Running Allowance | Additional Rs. 4,000 – Rs. 8,000+/month depending on kilometers run |
| Approximate Gross Monthly Salary | Rs. 35,000 – Rs. 50,000/- (including all allowances + running allowance) |
| Promotion Path | ALP → Loco Pilot (Goods) → Loco Pilot (Passenger) → Senior Loco Pilot → Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) |
| Benefits | Railway Pass, Medical, Pension, PF, Gratuity, Subsidized Canteen |
VACANCY DETAILS
| Total Posts | 11,127 Posts (Tentative — Zone wise) |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| RRBs Involved | All 21 RRBs across India (Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Allahabad, Bangalore, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Bilaspur, Chandigarh, Chennai, Gorakhpur, Guwahati, Jammu-Srinagar, Kolkata, Malda, Mumbai, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Ranchi, Secunderabad, Siliguri, Thiruvananthapuram) |
| Zone-wise Vacancy | Available in detailed notification on 14 May 2026 |
SELECTION PROCESS — 4 STAGES
| Stage | Process | Details / Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CBT Stage 1 | 75 Qs / 60 Min | Maths (20), General Intelligence & Reasoning (25), General Science (20), General Awareness/Current Affairs (10) | Negative Marking: 1/3 |
| 2 | CBT Stage 2 | Part A: 100 Qs/90 Min — Maths (25), Reasoning (25), Basic Science & Engg (40), GK (10) | Part B: 75 Qs/60 Min — Trade-specific technical questions (Qualifying in nature) |
| 3 | CBAT | Computer Based Aptitude Test — Tests spatial ability, memory, following directions, concentration & attention | Qualifying in nature | Only for candidates opting ALP (not Technician) |
| 4 | DV + Medical | Document Verification followed by Medical Examination as per Railway Medical Standards |
CBT STAGE 2 — PART B TRADE SUBJECTS
| Electrician | Electrical circuits, AC/DC machines, transformers, wiring, safety measures |
| Fitter | Fitting operations, measuring tools, precision instruments, machine tools |
| Electronic Mechanic | Electronic circuits, semiconductor devices, digital electronics, measuring instruments |
| Instrument Mechanic | Measurement and instrumentation, process control, calibration |
| Mechanic Motor Vehicle | Engine components, transmission, brakes, electrical systems of vehicles |
| Refrigeration & AC Mechanic | Refrigeration cycles, AC systems, troubleshooting, gas handling |
| Other Trades | As per NCVT/SCVT trade syllabus — check official notification for your specific trade |
HOW TO APPLY
▶ Step 1: Visit rrbapply.gov.in from 15 May 2026 onwards.
▶ Step 2: Click 'New User Registration' — Enter Name, Mobile, Email, DOB to register.
▶ Step 3: Receive OTP on mobile/email and complete registration.
▶ Step 4: Login with Registration Number and Password.
▶ Step 5: Fill the Application Form — Personal details, Educational Qualification, Trade selection.
▶ Step 6: Select your preferred RRB zone from the list.
▶ Step 7: Upload Photo (20–50 KB) and Signature (10–40 KB) in JPG format.
▶ Step 8: Pay application fee online — Rs. 500/- (General/OBC) or Rs. 250/- (SC/ST/PwBD).
▶ Step 9: Review form carefully — Name, DOB, and details must match 10th Marksheet exactly.
▶ Step 10: Submit the form and save the confirmation number + fee receipt.
