Opening Overview
The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have issued Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026 for recruitment to the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP). The recruitment covers 11,127 vacancies across participating RRBs and Railway Zones. The ALP recruitment process will include CBT-1, CBT-2, CBAT, Document Verification and Medical Examination.
The admit card/e-call letter for each examination stage will be made available through the official website of the concerned RRB. Candidates will be informed through official RRB websites, SMS and email. No e-call letter will be sent by post.
Post Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Recruitment | CEN No. 01/2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Pay Level | Level 2 of the 7th CPC |
| Initial Pay | ₹19,900 |
| Medical Standard | A-1 |
| Qualification | Matriculation/SSLC with specified ITI, Course Completed Act Apprenticeship, Diploma or Degree in relevant engineering disciplines |
| Category | Admit Card / E-Call Letter |
| Status | Recruitment notification issued; stage-wise e-call letter schedule will be notified separately |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice in Employment News | 21/03/2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 15/05/2026 at 00:00 hours |
| Online Application Last Date | 14/06/2026 at 23:59 hours |
| Last Date for Application Fee Payment | 16/06/2026 at 23:59 hours |
| Application Modification Window | 17/06/2026 to 26/06/2026 up to 23:59 hours |
| City Intimation | Approximately 10 days before the relevant examination, as stated in the e-call letter instructions |
| E-Call Letter Availability | Approximately 4 days before the relevant CBT/CBAT, subject to official notification |
Admit Card Details
Candidates must download the e-call letter for CBT-1, CBT-2, CBAT or Document Verification from the official website of the RRB selected in their application. The examination centre, date, shift and other details mentioned in the e-call letter will be final.
Candidates should regularly check the official RRB website, registered mobile number and registered email ID because communication will be sent through official websites, SMS and email. Requests for changing the examination centre, date, time or shift will not be accepted.
Documents to Carry to the Examination Centre
- Printed copy of the relevant e-call letter.
- Original valid photo identity proof, such as Aadhaar Card, e-Aadhaar printout, Voter ID, Driving Licence, PAN Card, Passport, government employee identity card or school/college/university photo ID.
- A colour passport-size photograph not older than two months from the date of the relevant examination.
- SC/ST candidates claiming free railway travel should carry the original community certificate and prescribed identity proof while travelling.
- Candidates shortlisted for CBAT must bring the original Self-Screening Medical Declaration Reports in the prescribed Part-A and Part-B formats.
Examination Hall Instructions
- Candidates must write the prescribed self-declaration paragraph, sign and affix their left thumb impression on the e-call letter at the examination venue in the presence of the invigilator.
- The self-declaration must not be written or signed in advance.
- Mobile phones, smart watches, ordinary watches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, earphones, pagers, cameras, books, papers, stationery, bags, wallets, food items, water bottles and other electronic or prohibited items are not permitted inside the examination centre.
- Candidates should not carry a pen or pencil; writing material will be provided at the examination centre.
- Cloakroom facilities may not be available. Candidates should avoid carrying valuables.
- Applying henna on the hands or feet should be avoided because it may obstruct biometric capture.
- Biometric details and identity verification may be conducted at every stage.
Application Fee
| Candidate Category | Examination Fee | Refund on Appearing in CBT-1 |
|---|---|---|
| All candidates except the categories listed below | ₹500 | ₹400, after deduction of applicable bank charges |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Female, Transgender, Minority and EBC candidates | ₹250 | ₹250, after deduction of applicable bank charges |
The fee was payable online through internet banking, debit card, credit card or UPI. Only candidates who appeared in CBT-1 are eligible for the applicable refund. EBC is a fee-concession category and must not be confused with OBC or EWS.
Age Limit
The prescribed age limit for the ALP post is 18 to 30 years as on 01/07/2026.
| Category | Age Relaxation / Maximum Age |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years relaxation |
| OBC-NCL | 3 years relaxation |
| Ex-Servicemen, UR/EWS | 3 years after deduction of service period from age |
| Ex-Servicemen, OBC-NCL | 6 years after deduction of service period from age |
| Ex-Servicemen, SC/ST | 8 years after deduction of service period from age |
| Railway staff with minimum 3 years of service, UR/EWS | Maximum 40 years |
| Railway staff with minimum 3 years of service, OBC-NCL | Maximum 43 years |
| Railway staff with minimum 3 years of service, SC/ST | Maximum 45 years |
| Widowed, divorced or judicially separated women, UR/EWS | Maximum 35 years |
| Widowed, divorced or judicially separated women, OBC-NCL | Maximum 38 years |
| Widowed, divorced or judicially separated women, SC/ST | Maximum 40 years |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices | Relaxation to the extent of apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices who became apprentices before 25 years of age | UR/EWS: 35 years; OBC-NCL: 38 years; SC/ST: 40 years |
The date of birth must match the candidate's Matriculation, SSLC, 10th-class or equivalent certificate. The permitted dates of birth are inclusive: UR/EWS candidates born from 02/07/1996 to 01/07/2008, OBC-NCL candidates from 02/07/1993 to 01/07/2008, and SC/ST candidates from 02/07/1991 to 01/07/2008.
Vacancy Details
| RRB | Railway Zone | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total | ExSM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | WR | 62 | 22 | 11 | 38 | 14 | 147 | 15 |
| Ajmer | NWR | 262 | 97 | 59 | 142 | 40 | 600 | 60 |
| Ajmer | WCR | 56 | 18 | 0 | 32 | 12 | 118 | 12 |
| Prayagraj | NCR | 284 | 37 | 27 | 65 | 44 | 457 | 46 |
| Prayagraj | NR | 62 | 23 | 11 | 42 | 15 | 153 | 15 |
| Bengaluru | SWR | 80 | 31 | 15 | 54 | 20 | 200 | 20 |
| Bhopal | WCR | 194 | 74 | 23 | 117 | 15 | 423 | 42 |
| Bhopal | WR | 15 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 30 | 3 |
| Bhubaneswar | ECoR | 548 | 70 | 36 | 48 | 99 | 801 | 80 |
| Bilaspur | CR | 187 | 77 | 52 | 0 | 6 | 322 | 32 |
| Bilaspur | SECR | 84 | 29 | 14 | 53 | 20 | 200 | 20 |
| Chandigarh | NR | 56 | 39 | 23 | 49 | 20 | 187 | 19 |
| Chennai | SR | 93 | 24 | 14 | 41 | 14 | 186 | 19 |
| Gorakhpur | NER | 28 | 11 | 37 | 17 | 12 | 105 | 10 |
| Guwahati | NFR | 272 | 109 | 63 | 164 | 68 | 676 | 68 |
| Jammu-Srinagar | NR | 158 | 58 | 30 | 110 | 44 | 400 | 40 |
| Kolkata | ER | 135 | 53 | 35 | 89 | 32 | 344 | 34 |
| Kolkata | SER | 280 | 101 | 52 | 40 | 24 | 497 | 50 |
| Malda | ER | 109 | 41 | 20 | 73 | 27 | 270 | 27 |
| Malda | SER | 117 | 43 | 22 | 78 | 29 | 289 | 29 |
| Mumbai | CR | 290 | 207 | 99 | 344 | 138 | 1,078 | 108 |
| Mumbai | SCR | 32 | 7 | 4 | 26 | 9 | 78 | 8 |
| Mumbai | WR | 14 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 5 | 37 | 4 |
| Muzaffarpur | ECR | 18 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 42 | 4 |
| Patna | ECR | 41 | 16 | 8 | 28 | 10 | 103 | 10 |
| Ranchi | ECR | 224 | 83 | 42 | 150 | 56 | 555 | 56 |
| Ranchi | SER | 248 | 150 | 63 | 213 | 71 | 745 | 74 |
| Secunderabad | ECoR | 387 | 119 | 57 | 228 | 33 | 824 | 82 |
| Secunderabad | SCR | 238 | 90 | 45 | 162 | 61 | 596 | 61 |
| Siliguri | NFR | 243 | 90 | 46 | 161 | 60 | 600 | 60 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | SR | 43 | 8 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 64 | 7 |
| Total | 4,860 | 1,746 | 919 | 2,598 | 1,004 | 11,127 | 1,115 |
Eligibility / Qualification
Candidates must already possess the prescribed qualification from a recognized Board, Institute or University on or before the closing date of online application. Candidates awaiting the final result of the required qualification were not eligible.
Eligible qualification pathways for Assistant Loco Pilot include:
- Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI from a recognized NCVT or SCVT institution in Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio and TV), Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature and Coil Winder, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist or Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic trades.
- Matriculation/SSLC plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in any of the specified trades.
- Matriculation/SSLC plus a three-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering, or a combination of streams from a recognized institution.
- A Degree in the specified engineering disciplines is also acceptable in place of the Diploma.
Medical Standards
The Assistant Loco Pilot post carries the A-1 medical standard and is not suitable for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities as specified in the notification.
- Distant vision: 6/6 in both eyes without glasses, with fogging test; +2D must not be accepted.
- Near vision: Sn 0.6, 0.6 without glasses.
- Candidates must pass colour vision, binocular vision, field of vision, night vision and mesopic vision tests.
- Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or any other refractive-error correction surgery are not eligible.
- Candidates shortlisted for CBAT must submit self-screening medical reports signed by a General Physician and Eye Specialist from a Central or State Government Hospital or Medical College.
- Candidates who fail the prescribed medical examination will not receive an alternative appointment.
Selection Process
- First Stage Computer Based Test (CBT-1).
- Second Stage Computer Based Test (CBT-2).
- Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT).
- Document Verification (DV).
- Medical Examination (ME).
Candidates are shortlisted RRB-wise. Shortlisting for CBT-2 is generally at up to 15 times the vacancies of the concerned RRB. Shortlisting for CBAT is at up to 8 times the vacancies for each notified community/category, subject to the prescribed conditions.
Exam Pattern
CBT-1
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Questions | 75 |
| Maximum Marks | 75 |
| Marks per Question | 1 |
| Negative Marking | One-third mark for every wrong answer |
| Nature | Screening examination; marks are not counted in the final panel |
Subjects include Mathematics, Mental Ability and General Science. General Science is based on Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences up to the 10th-standard level. Minimum qualifying percentages are UR/EWS: 40%, OBC-NCL: 30%, SC: 30% and ST: 25%.
CBT-2
| Part | Duration | Questions | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part-A | 90 minutes | 100 | Marks counted for further shortlisting |
| Part-B | 60 minutes | 75 | Qualifying only |
| Total | 150 minutes | 175 |
CBT-2 includes one-third negative marking for each wrong answer. Part-A covers Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and Basic Science and Engineering. The minimum qualifying percentage in Part-A is UR/EWS: 40%, OBC-NCL: 30%, SC: 30% and ST: 25%. Part-B requires 35% qualifying marks for all candidates, irrespective of category.
Part-B is based on the relevant trade syllabus prescribed by the Directorate General of Training. ITI and apprenticeship candidates must select the trade corresponding to their qualification. Degree and Diploma candidates must select an appropriate trade based on their engineering discipline.
CBAT
- CBAT is conducted only in English and Hindi.
- There is no negative marking in CBAT.
- Candidates must qualify in every test battery separately.
- A minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery is required for all candidates.
- Final merit is prepared using Part-A CBT-2 marks and CBAT scores with 50% weightage each.
Documents Required at Document Verification
Shortlisted candidates must produce original certificates along with two sets of self-attested photocopies. These may include educational qualification certificates, date-of-birth proof, caste/category certificate, OBC-NCL certificate with self-declaration, EWS Income and Asset Certificate, Ex-Serviceman documents, NOC from the present employer and other applicable documents.
Certificates must be in English or Hindi. Certificates in another language must be accompanied by a self-attested translated version. Failure to produce original documents on the scheduled date may lead to cancellation of candidature.
Important Instructions
- Candidates could apply to only one RRB and submit only one application.
- The selected RRB cannot be changed after account creation and application submission.
- Details entered in the Create an Account form, including mobile number and email ID, cannot be modified.
- Aadhaar or DigiLocker authentication was advised for smoother identity verification.
- The live photograph had to be captured during the online application; uploading a pre-existing photograph was not permitted.
- Applications with unclear or non-standard signatures, incorrect photographs, multiple applications or false information may be rejected.
- Candidates must keep their registered mobile number and email ID active throughout the recruitment process.
- RRBs may conduct additional CBT, CBAT, Document Verification or Medical Examination wherever required.
- Selection by RRB only constitutes recommendation; appointment is issued by the concerned Railway Zone subject to verification and medical fitness.
Contact Details
For technical issues related to CEN 01/2026 application submission, candidates may contact the helpdesk on working days between 10:00 AM and 5:00 PM.
- Email: rrb.help@csc.gov.in
- Phone: 0172-565-3333, 9592001188