Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)

Overview

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have released a Detailed Centralised Employment Notice (CEN No.: 01/2026) for the recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP). This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 11127 vacancies across various Railway Zones in India. Candidates with Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI, Course Completed Act Apprenticeship, or a three-year Diploma/Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering are eligible to apply. The selected candidates will be placed at Pay Level-2 with an initial pay of Rs. 19900. The online application submission commenced on 15.05.2026 and the last date to apply is 14.06.2026.

Important Dates

• Date of Indicative Notice in Employment News: 21.03.2026
• Opening date & time of on-line application submission: 15.05.2026 (00:00) Hrs.
• Closing date & time of on-line Application submission: 14.06.2026 (23:59) Hrs.
• Last Date for Application fee payment for the submitted applications: 16.06.2026 (23:59) Hrs.
• Dates for Modification window for corrections in application form with payment of modification fee: 17.06.2026 to 26.06.2026 (23:59) Hrs.

Vacancy Details

A total of 11127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts are available across all Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and Railway Zones. Detailed RRB-wise and Zone-wise distribution of vacancies is provided in Annexure B of the official notification. These vacancies are provisional and may increase or decrease as per the requirements of the Railway Administration.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification:

Candidates must possess one of the following qualifications from recognized institutions/Boards as on the closing date of application:

• Matriculation / SSLC plus ITI from recognised institutions of NCVT/SCVT in trades such as 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 & Air-Conditioning Mechanic. OR
• Matriculation / SSLC plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the trades mentioned above. OR
• Matriculation / SSLC plus three years Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering or a combination of various streams of these Engineering disciplines from a recognised Institution in lieu of ITI.

Note: Degree in the Engineering disciplines as above will also be acceptable in lieu of Diploma in Engineering. Candidates awaiting final results are not eligible to apply.

Age Limit (as on 01.07.2026):

Candidates should be between 18 to 30 years of age. Age relaxation is applicable for various categories as per Government of India rules. For example, SC/ST candidates get 5 years, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years, and Ex-servicemen receive relaxation based on their service length.

Medical Standards:

Candidates must meet the prescribed medical standards, particularly A-1, which includes specific vision standards (Distant Vision: 6/6, 6/6 without glasses with fogging test, Near Vision: Sn: 0.6, 0.6 without glasses, and passing tests for Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, Night Vision, Mesopic Vision). Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or any other surgical procedure to correct refractive error are not eligible for the post of ALP.

Nationality/Citizenship:

A candidate must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee, or a person of Indian origin migrated from specific countries with the intention of permanently settling in India.

Selection Process

The recruitment process for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) involves the following stages:

1. First Stage CBT (CBT-1): A screening exam, marks not counted for final panel. Duration: 60 minutes, 75 questions, 75 marks. Negative marking: 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer. Syllabus includes Mathematics, Mental Ability, and General Science.
2. Second Stage CBT (CBT-2): Comprises two parts, Part-A and Part-B. Part-A marks are counted for shortlisting. Part-B is a qualifying test. Total Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes (Part-A: 90 minutes, 100 questions; Part-B: 60 minutes, 75 questions). Negative marking: 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer.
3. Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): Candidates equal to 8 times the vacancies will be shortlisted. Mandatory to clear each test battery/section separately. Only in English and Hindi, no negative marking. Minimum T-score of 42 in each battery.
4. Document Verification (DV): Merit list prepared RRB-wise based on 50% weightage of CBT-2 Part-A marks and 50% weightage of CBAT scores.
5. Medical Examination (ME): Final appointment is subject to passing the requisite medical fitness test.

How to Apply

Interested and eligible candidates must apply ONLINE ONLY through the official websites of the participating Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs). The application process involves the following steps:

1. Create an Account: Candidates must first create an account using the link provided on the official RRB websites. Existing users from previous CENs can use their same login credentials. A valid mobile number and email ID are mandatory. No changes to account details (mobile number, email ID, chosen RRB) are permitted after creation.
2. Fill Online Application Form: Complete the application form with accurate information.
3. Fee Payment: Pay the examination fee online through internet banking, debit/credit cards, or UPI. The fee is Rs. 500/- for General/OBC candidates (with a refund of Rs. 400/- on appearing in CBT-1) and Rs. 250/- for SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Female/Transgender/Minorities/EBC candidates (with a full refund on appearing in CBT-1).
4. Upload Documents: Upload scanned signature (running handwriting, black ink on white paper, 30-49 KB, JPG/JPEG format) and SC/ST certificate (if applicable, in PDF format, less than 400 KB). Live photo capturing is required during the application process.
5. Self-Screening Medical Declaration: Candidates must declare conformity with minimum prescribed physical and mental fitness standards.

Candidates are advised to submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues. Multiple applications will lead to rejection.

Important Links

• Official Notification PDF: Download Notification (CEN No. 01/2026)
• Official Indian Railways Website: www.indianrailways.gov.in
• RRB Websites (for application): Refer to Para 13.7 of the notification for links to all participating RRB websites.

Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Recruitment FAQ

What is the last date for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Recruitment?

The last date is mentioned in the official notification.

What is the qualification for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Recruitment?

The required qualification is Matriculation/SSLC with ITI/Apprenticeship/Diploma/Degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Automobile Engineering.

Where can I apply for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Recruitment?

Candidates can apply through the official apply link given in the Important Links section.