RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 — Full Notification Details
If you have been waiting for a big Railway recruitment, this is it. The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially released CEN 01/2026 for 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts across Indian Railways. Online applications open on 15 May 2026 and close on 14 June 2026. This guide covers everything — vacancies, eligibility, fees, selection stages, medical standard, and salary — so you don't have to look anywhere else.
What is an ALP?
An Assistant Loco Pilot is the crew member who works alongside the Loco Pilot (train driver) in the locomotive cab. ALPs assist in operating the train, monitor instruments, handle emergency protocols, and over time become eligible for promotion to Loco Pilot (Goods) → Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) → Senior Loco Pilot — one of the better career tracks in Indian Railways. The role requires sharp focus, technical aptitude, and passing a strict medical standard (Medical A-1) — which means your eyesight must be perfect without any glasses or lenses.
Total Vacancies — 11,127 Posts
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 4,860 |
| OBC-NCL | 2,598 |
| SC | 1,746 |
| EWS | 1,004 |
| ST | 919 |
| Total | 11,127 |
Vacancies are provisional. Indian Railways may revise the number upward or downward before the final merit list.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | 14 May 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | 15 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 June 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 16 June 2026 |
| Form Correction Window | 17–26 June 2026 |
| CBT Stage 1 Exam | To be announced |
Eligibility — Education Qualification
You need to satisfy one of the following:
- 10th Pass + ITI in a relevant trade from a recognized NCVT/SCVT institute
- 10th Pass + Act Apprenticeship completed in a relevant engineering trade
- 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering
- B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering
Key ITI trades accepted: Fitter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Tractor Mechanic, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Wireman, Armature & Coil Winder, Heat Engine, Millwright Maintenance Mechanic, and several others. Refer to the official notification for the complete trade list.
⚠️ Candidates in their final semester/year are NOT eligible — you must have the certificate in hand at the time of applying.
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026)
| Category | Age Range | DOB Range |
|---|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 18–30 years | 02 Jul 1995 – 01 Jul 2007 (not before, not after) |
| OBC-NCL | 18–33 years | 02 Jul 1992 – 01 Jul 2007 |
| SC / ST | 18–35 years | 02 Jul 1990 – 01 Jul 2007 |
| PwD (UR) | 18–40 years | |
| PwD (OBC) | 18–43 years | |
| PwD (SC/ST) | 18–45 years |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee | Refund on Appearing in CBT-1 |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS (Male) | ₹500 | ₹400 refunded |
| SC / ST / PwD / Ex-Servicemen | ₹250 | ₹250 fully refunded |
| All Female Candidates | ₹250 | ₹250 fully refunded |
Refund is credited to the same bank account used for payment within 14 days of appearing in CBT-1.
Selection Process — 4 Stages
| Stage | Format | Questions / Marks |
|---|---|---|
| CBT Stage 1 | Maths, GI&R, General Science, General Awareness — 60 minutes | 75 Qs / 75 Marks |
| CBT Stage 2 (Part A) | Maths, GI&R, Basic Science & Engineering, Engineering Drawing — 90 minutes | 100 Qs / 100 Marks |
| CBT Stage 2 (Part B) | Trade-specific technical questions — 60 minutes. Qualifying only — marks not counted in merit | 75 Qs (Qualifying) |
| CBAT | Computer-Based Aptitude Test — tests spatial awareness, memory, attention. Min 42/70 mandatory for all | 70 Marks |
| Document Verification | Originals checked at the allotted RRB | — |
| Medical Examination | Medical Standard A-1 — no glasses/lenses allowed. Strict vision and colour tests | Pass/Fail |
Final Merit = 50% weightage to CBT-2 Part A + 50% to CBAT. CBT-1 is only for shortlisting to CBT-2 (15× vacancies per RRB).
Medical Standard A-1 — Vision Requirements
This is where many candidates are disqualified. ALP posts require Medical Standard A-1 — the strictest in Indian Railways. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you will be rejected at the medical stage.
| Test | Standard Required |
|---|---|
| Distant Vision (both eyes) | 6/6, 6/6 — WITHOUT glasses or contact lenses |
| Near Vision | Sn 0.6, 0.6 — WITHOUT glasses |
| Colour Vision | Normal (CP-1 class) — must not be colour blind |
| Night Vision | Normal |
| Binocular Vision | Normal |
Salary & Pay Scale
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Pay Level | Level-2 (7th CPC Pay Matrix) |
| Basic Pay | ₹19,900/month |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | As per current rate |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | 8–24% of basic (city-dependent) |
| Running Allowance | Per km driven — adds significantly to take-home |
| Estimated In-Hand | ₹32,000–₹38,000/month |
| Pension | NPS (National Pension Scheme) |
| Other Perks | Free railway pass (family), medical, travel concessions |
After promotion to Loco Pilot (Goods), the pay jumps to Level-5. Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) earns at Level-6. Running Allowance is a major income booster — experienced drivers earn ₹10,000–₹20,000 extra monthly from this alone.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Go to rrbapply.gov.in → click New Registration
- Register with your mobile number and email ID — you'll get an OTP to verify
- Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, and ITI/Diploma trade information
- Choose your preferred RRB zone (you can apply to only one zone)
- Upload your photo (20–50 KB, JPEG) and signature (10–40 KB, JPEG)
- Pay the application fee via Net Banking, Debit/Credit Card, or UPI
- Submit the form and download/print the confirmation page
- Use the correction window (17–26 June 2026) if you need to fix any errors — one-time only
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there negative marking in RRB ALP CBT?
Yes. CBT-1 and CBT-2 have 1/3 negative marking for each wrong answer. CBT-2 Part B (trade test) is qualifying — it also has negative marking. The CBAT has no negative marking.
Q: Can I apply to more than one RRB zone?
No. Each candidate can apply to only one RRB zone. If you submit multiple applications to different zones, all will be cancelled.
Q: I wear glasses. Can I apply for RRB ALP?
Only if your uncorrected vision meets 6/6, 6/6 standard. Even if corrected vision is perfect, you will fail the medical if your natural eyesight doesn't meet the requirement. LASIK surgery candidates — check the Railways' specific policy on post-LASIK eligibility, as it has changed over recent notifications.
Q: Is a 3-year diploma directly eligible, or do I also need 10th?
If you hold a 3-year Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Automobile Engineering from a recognized institute, you are directly eligible. A separate 10th pass certificate is not additionally required in that case — your diploma is sufficient.
Q: What is the CBAT test like?
CBAT is a Computer-Based Aptitude Test that measures psychological fitness for train operation — it tests spatial ability, memory, attention to detail, and motor coordination. You need a minimum of 42 out of 70 marks to qualify — no category relaxation here. CBAT preparation is about practice on aptitude simulators.
Q: What is the career path after ALP?
ALP → Loco Pilot Goods (Level-5) → Loco Pilot Mail/Express (Level-6) → Senior Loco Pilot → Loco Pilot (Passenger). At each stage, pay and running allowance both increase. Senior Loco Pilots can earn over ₹1 lakh/month including allowances in premium express duties.