✍️ By Sarkari Nokrii Editorial Team | 📅 Published: 27 April 2026 | 🔄 Last Updated: 27 April 2026
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is gearing up to release one of the year’s biggest employment notifications — 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) vacancies under CEN 01/2026. This massive recruitment drive is a golden opportunity for 10th pass, ITI, and Diploma holders seeking a stable and prestigious career in Indian Railways. As per reliable sources, the official notification is expected in May 2026, and the online application window will open shortly afterwards. Here’s everything you need to know — from eligibility, age limit, and vacancy breakdown to the selection process, exam pattern, and step‑by‑step application guide.
What is the RRB ALP 11,127 Upcoming Vacancy 2026?
The RRB ALP 2026 recruitment is a centralised employment notice (CEN 01/2026) to fill 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot posts across various Zonal Railways and Production Units. The ALP plays a critical role in assisting the Loco Pilot in driving trains, monitoring signals, and ensuring passenger safety. This bumper vacancy is one of the largest announced in recent years and is open to candidates with a 10th pass qualification along with an ITI or an Engineering Diploma in relevant trades.
The official notification is expected in May 2026, and the online application will be accepted through rrbapply.gov.in. Candidates are advised to keep all educational and identity documents ready for a seamless application process.
RRB ALP 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for RRB ALP 2026, you must meet one of the following educational qualifications:
- 10th pass (Matriculation/SSLC) + ITI from an NCVT/SCVT recognised institute in trades like Fitter, Electrician, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Wireman, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, etc.
- 10th pass + Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the above‑mentioned trades.
- Diploma in Engineering (3 years) in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering from a recognised university/institute.
There is no minimum percentage requirement, but the qualification must be completed before the closing date of the application.
RRB ALP Age Limit & Relaxation
| Category | Age Limit | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 18 – 30 years | No relaxation |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 – 33 years | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 18 – 35 years | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR) | 18 – 40 years | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 18 – 33 years (after deducting service) | Length of service + 3 years |
The age will be calculated as on the cut‑off date specified in the official notification. Reservation benefits are applicable only to candidates with valid caste/disability certificates.
RRB ALP 2026 Vacancy Details
The total number of notified vacancies is 11,127. The exact zone‑wise and category‑wise distribution will be published in the CEN 01/2026 notification. A provisional breakup based on past recruitments is given below (subject to change):
| RRB Region | Expected Vacancies |
|---|---|
| RRB Ahmedabad | 900+ |
| RRB Ajmer | 1000+ |
| RRB Allahabad | 1100+ |
| RRB Bangalore | 800+ |
| RRB Bhopal | 600+ |
| RRB Bhubaneswar | 550+ |
| RRB Bilaspur | 450+ |
| RRB Chandigarh | 700+ |
| RRB Chennai | 750+ |
| RRB Gorakhpur | 650+ |
| RRB Guwahati | 500+ |
| RRB Kolkata | 900+ |
| RRB Mumbai | 1100+ |
| RRB Patna | 700+ |
| RRB Ranchi | 500+ |
| RRB Secunderabad | 650+ |
| RRB Siliguri | 300+ |
| RRB Thiruvananthapuram | 400+ |
Note: The above figures are indicative. The exact vacancy distribution will be confirmed in the official CEN 01/2026 document.
RRB ALP Selection Process 2026
The recruitment will be carried out in multiple stages to ensure merit‑based selection:
- First Stage CBT (Computer Based Test) – Preliminary screening test with objective questions from Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Science, and General Awareness.
- Second Stage CBT – Divided into Part A (same subjects as CBT 1, but with higher difficulty) and Part B (Relevant Trade/Engineering subjects). Part B is qualifying in nature.
- Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) – Mandatory psycho‑aptitude test. Candidates must secure a minimum of 42 marks in each test battery (out of 60) to qualify.
- Document Verification & Medical Examination – Candidates who clear all previous stages will be called for DV and a medical fitness test as per Indian Railway Medical Standards (A‑1).
RRB ALP Exam Pattern & Syllabus
First Stage CBT
| Subject | No. of Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 | 60 minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | |
| General Science | 20 | 20 | |
| General Awareness | 10 | 10 | |
| Total | 75 | 75 |
Second Stage CBT – Part A
| Subject | No. of Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 25 | 25 | 90 minutes |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 30 | 30 | |
| General Science | 25 | 25 | |
| General Awareness | 15 | 15 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Second Stage CBT – Part B (Qualifying)
| Subject | No. of Qs | Marks | Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relevant Trade / Engineering Discipline | 75 | 75 | 35% (UR), 30% (SC/ST/OBC) |
📌 Negative Marking: There will be a negative marking of 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer in all CBT papers. No negative marking applies for the CBAT.
How to Apply Online for RRB ALP 2026?
Once the notification is live, follow these steps to submit your application carefully:
- Visit the Official RRB Apply Portal – Go to www.rrbapply.gov.in.
- Find the ALP Application Link – Click on “CEN 01/2026 – Assistant Loco Pilot”.
- Register – If you are a new user, complete the one‑time registration with your name, mobile number, and email to generate a registration ID and password.
- Fill the Application Form – Log in and enter personal details, educational qualifications, preference for RRB zone and exam language.
- Upload Documents – Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other required certificates as per the prescribed specifications.
- Pay Application Fee – ₹500 for UR/OBC/EWS (₹400 refunded after appearing in CBT‑1) and ₹250 for SC/ST/Ex‑SM/PwBD/Female/Transgender/EBC.
- Submit & Print – Submit the form and take a printout of the final submitted application for future reference.
RRB ALP Vacancy 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Is the RRB ALP 11,127 vacancy officially confirmed?
Ans. Yes, the Indian Railways has approved the recruitment of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilots, and the official CEN 01/2026 notification is expected in May 2026.
Q2. What is the minimum qualification for RRB ALP 2026?
Ans. Candidates must have passed 10th class along with an NCVT/SCVT ITI in a relevant trade, or hold a 3‑year Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Automobile Engineering.
Q3. Can final year Diploma/ITI students apply?
Ans. No, candidates must have completed their diploma or ITI before the closing date of the application. Final year students are not eligible unless they possess a provisional certificate.
Q4. What is the application fee for RRB ALP 2026?
Ans. ₹500 for General/OBC/EWS candidates (₹400 refunded after appearing in CBT‑1) and ₹250 for SC/ST/Ex‑Servicemen/Female/PwBD/Transgender/EBC.
Q5. What is the selection process for RRB ALP?
Ans. The selection consists of First Stage CBT, Second Stage CBT (Part A & Part B), Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), Document Verification, and Medical Examination.
Q6. Can I apply for multiple RRBs in one application?
Ans. No, you can only select one Railway Recruitment Board (zone) as your first preference. However, you may be considered for other zones based on merit and vacancy availability.
Q7. Is there any physical or medical test for RRB ALP?
Ans. Yes, after clearing the CBAT, candidates must undergo a medical examination. The medical standard is generally A‑1 (for ALP), which includes vision tests, colour blindness check, and physical fitness parameters.
Q8. What is the salary of an RRB ALP?
Ans. The pay scale is Level 2 of the 7th CPC Pay Matrix (₹19,900 – ₹63,200) plus allowances like DA, HRA, and Transport Allowance, making the gross salary around ₹35,000 per month initially.
Q9. Will the RRB ALP exam be held online or offline?
Ans. The entire examination process (CBT‑1, CBT‑2, CBAT) is conducted online at designated centres across India.
Q10. Can Diploma in Mechanical Engineering candidates apply for ALP if they don’t have ITI?
Ans. Absolutely. A three‑year Diploma in Mechanical (or Electrical/Electronics/Automobile) is a standalone qualification accepted by RRB for the ALP post, and no additional ITI certificate is required.
RRB ALP Vacancy 2026 – Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| Notification (Soon) | Will be updated |
| Apply Online (Soon) | rrbapply.gov.in |
| Official RRB Website | rrbcdg.gov.in |
| More Railway Notifications | View All |
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📢 Join Telegram ChannelDisclaimer: All information is based on reliable sources and previous RRB ALP recruitment patterns. Candidates should refer to the official CEN 01/2026 notification for exact details. Sarkari Nokrii is not affiliated with any official Government body or RRB. Last updated: 27 April 2026.