RRB ALP Recruitment 2026: Official Notice Out for 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot Vacancies

Advertisement Notice: No.2026/E(MPP)/25/13/ALP

Approved Vacancy Details by RRB Date: 19th February 2026

Organization: Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) / Ministry of Railways

Post Name: Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)

Total Vacancies: 11,127

Pay Scale: Level-2 (Basic Pay Rs. 19,900/-)

The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has officially released a short notice confirming the approval of a massive recruitment drive for the year 2026. According to the latest circular issued by the Railway Board on 19.02.2026, the competent authority has approved the Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) for 11,127 vacancies of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) across various Zonal Railways.

This is a golden opportunity for millions of railway aspirants who have been eagerly waiting to join the Indian Railways. In this comprehensive blog post, we will cover everything you need to know about the RRB ALP Recruitment 2026, including the zone-wise vacancy breakdown, eligibility criteria, age limit, selection process, syllabus, and how to apply online.

RRB ALP Recruitment 2026: Quick Overview

For candidates preparing for railway exams, here is a quick snapshot of the upcoming RRB ALP 2026 recruitment drive:

RRB ALP Zone-Wise Vacancy Breakdown 2026

The official notice outlines the exact assessment of vacancies finalized in the Indent Management module of HRMS. The Railway Board has approved a total of 11,127 ALP vacancies. Below is the detailed zone-wise breakdown as per the official notification dated 19th February 2026:

(Note: The asterisks * and ** denote specific administrative distributions or backlog inclusions as per internal railway guidelines, which will be elaborated upon in the detailed CEN).

RRB ALP 2026 Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the highly coveted position of Assistant Loco Pilot, candidates must fulfill strict educational, age, and medical criteria. Here are the anticipated eligibility standards based on standard RRB guidelines.

1. Educational Qualification

The technical nature of the ALP job requires a solid foundational understanding of engineering and mechanical principles. The candidate must possess any ONE of the following qualifications from a recognized board/university/institute:

• Matriculation (Class 10th) + ITI: Passed 10th standard along with an ITI certificate from NCVT/SCVT in designated trades (e.g., Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic Radio & TV, Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Mechanic Diesel, Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic).

• Matriculation (Class 10th) + Act Apprenticeship: Completed Course Act Apprenticeship in the trades mentioned above.

• Diploma in Engineering: 3-year Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering from a recognized AICTE institute.

• Degree in Engineering: Candidates holding a B.E./B.Tech degree in the above-mentioned engineering disciplines are also completely eligible to apply.

(Note: Candidates with only a 12th standard pass certificate without the requisite technical ITI/Diploma/Degree are NOT eligible for the ALP post).

2. Age Limit

The age limit plays a crucial role in the screening process. For the 2026 recruitment cycle, the expected age parameters are:

• Minimum Age: 18 Years

• Maximum Age: 30 Years

Age Relaxation: Upper age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per Government of India norms:

• SC/ST Category: 5 Years (Upper limit 35 years)

• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years (Upper limit 33 years)

• Ex-Servicemen & PwBD: As per prevailing government rules.

3. Medical Standards (Crucial for ALP)

Because an Assistant Loco Pilot is responsible for the safety of thousands of passengers, the medical standards, particularly vision, are extremely stringent. Candidates must qualify the A-1 Medical Standard.

• General Fitness: Physically fit in all respects.

• Visual Acuity (Distant Vision): 6/6, 6/6 without glasses (no fogging test permitted).

• Near Vision: Sn: 0.6, 0.6 without glasses.

• Additional Tests: Must mandatorily pass tests for Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, and Night Vision. Color blindness is a strict disqualification.

Application Fee & Refund Process

Candidates applying for the RRB ALP Vacancy 2026 will be required to pay an application fee via online modes (Net Banking, UPI, Debit/Credit Card). RRB has a unique fee refund policy for candidates who actually appear for the CBT 1 exam.

Important: The refund is processed automatically to the same bank account used during the transaction, or the account details provided in the application form. If you do not appear for the CBT 1 exam, the fee will not be refunded.

RRB ALP Selection Process 2026

The journey to becoming an Assistant Loco Pilot involves a rigorous multi-stage selection process. Candidates must clear each stage sequentially to make it to the final merit list.

Stage 1: Computer Based Test 1 (CBT-1)

• Nature: Qualifying in nature (Marks do not count toward final merit).

• Questions: 75 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs).

• Duration: 60 Minutes.

• Subjects: Mathematics, Mental Ability (Reasoning), General Science, and General Awareness.

• Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for every wrong answer.

Stage 2: Computer Based Test 2 (CBT-2)

CBT-2 is the most critical stage, divided into two parts. The marks from Part A are used to determine merit, while Part B is a qualifying trade test.

• Part A (Merit Deciding):

  • Subjects: Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering.

  • Questions: 100 MCQs.

  • Duration: 90 Minutes.

• Part B (Trade Qualifying Test):

  • Subjects: Questions based on the specific technical trade selected by the candidate (e.g., Electrician, Fitter).

  • Questions: 75 MCQs.

  • Duration: 60 Minutes.

  • Qualifying criteria: 35% marks required regardless of community/category.

• Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for every wrong answer in both parts.

Stage 3: Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)

Only candidates who opted for the ALP post and cleared CBT-2 will be called for the CBAT (often called the Psycho Test).

• Nature: You must score a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each of the test batteries.

• Language: Bilingual (English and Hindi).

• Negative Marking: There is NO negative marking in the CBAT.

• Merit Weightage: Final merit is drawn by giving 70% weightage to CBT-2 (Part A) and 30% weightage to the CBAT.

Stage 4 & 5: Document Verification (DV) & Medical Examination

Shortlisted candidates will be called for DV. Upon successful verification of original certificates, candidates undergo the strict A-1 medical examination conducted by the Railway Medical Board.

RRB ALP Syllabus 2026

A strategic preparation approach requires a deep understanding of the syllabus. Here are the core topics you need to cover:

1. Mathematics: Number System, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio & Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Simple & Compound Interest, Profit & Loss, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Square Root, Age Calculations, and Calendar & Clock.

2. General Intelligence & Reasoning: Analogies, Alphabetical & Number Series, Coding & Decoding, Mathematical Operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Data Interpretation & Sufficiency, Conclusions & Decision Making, Similarities & Differences, Analytical Reasoning, Classification, and Directions.

3. Basic Science & Engineering (Crucial for CBT-2): Engineering Drawing (Projections, Views, Drawing Instruments, Lines, Geometric figures), Units, Measurements, Mass Weight & Density, Work Power & Energy, Speed & Velocity, Heat & Temperature, Basic Electricity, Levers & Simple Machines, Occupational Safety & Health, Environment Education, and IT Literacy.

4. General Awareness: Current affairs, Science & Technology, Sports, Culture, Personalities, Economics, Politics, and other subjects of importance.

How to Apply Online for RRB ALP 2026

Once the detailed Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) is published, the online application link will be activated on all regional RRB websites. Follow these steps to apply:

1. Visit Official Website: Go to the official portal of your respective regional RRB (e.g., RRB Allahabad, RRB Secunderabad, RRB Patna).

2. Find the Link: Click on the link that says "CEN No. XX/2026 - Apply Online for Assistant Loco Pilot".

3. Registration: Click on "New Registration". Fill in your basic details like Name, Date of Birth, Email ID, and Mobile Number to generate registration credentials.

4. Complete Application: Log in and fill out the detailed application form, including educational background, community details, and physical identification marks.

5. Choose RRB Zone & Trade: Carefully select the RRB zone you wish to apply for and your preferred technical trade for CBT-2 Part B. (Note: RRB zone once selected cannot be changed).

6. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your recent passport-size photograph, signature, and category certificate (if applicable) strictly according to the specified dimensions.

7. Pay the Fee: Proceed to the payment gateway and pay the application fee via online methods.

8. Print Application: Submit the form and take a printout of the final confirmation page for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How many total vacancies are announced for RRB ALP 2026₹ Ans. As per the notice dated 19.02.2026, a total of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies have been approved across 17 Zonal Railways and CLW.

Q2. Can a 12th pass candidate apply for the RRB ALP post₹ Ans. No. Merely passing the 12th standard is not enough. You must have a Matriculation (10th) certificate coupled with a relevant ITI certificate, or a Diploma/Degree in Engineering to be eligible.

Q3. Is the RRB ALP application fee refundable₹ Ans. Yes, a portion of the application fee (Rs. 400 for UR/OBC and Rs. 250 for reserved categories) is refunded, but only if the candidate physically appears for the CBT-1 examination.

Q4. Is there negative marking in the RRB ALP Exam₹ Ans. Yes, there is a negative marking of 1/3rd of the allotted marks for every incorrect answer in both CBT-1 and CBT-2. However, there is no negative marking in the CBAT (Psycho Test).

Q5. Can I wear spectacles if I am applying for Assistant Loco Pilot₹ Ans. No. The medical standard required is A-1. You must have 6/6 distant vision without glasses. Use of contact lenses or spectacles is a strict ground for medical disqualification for the ALP post.

Disclaimer: This blog post is based on the official approved vacancy details released by RRB (Notice No.2026/E(MPP)/25/13/ALP dated 19.02.2026) and standard previous RRB guidelines. Candidates are strongly advised to read the detailed Centralized Employment Notification (CEN) carefully on the official RRB websites once it is published before applying.