RRB ALP eligibility criteria 2026 define the required age limit, educational qualification, nationality, and medical standards that every Assistant Loco Pilot aspirant must fulfil before applying online.
RRB ALP Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Overview
It is essential to verify eligibility before submitting the application to avoid rejection during later stages like document verification or medical examination. Meeting these criteria ensures smooth progression through the recruitment process.
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Age Range: 18 to 30 years (as on the specified cut-off date, typically 1st July of the notification year; relaxations apply for reserved categories).
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Minimum Education: Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI in specified trades or Diploma in relevant engineering disciplines.
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Nationality Requirement: Primarily Indian citizen, with provisions for certain other categories like Nepal/Bhutan subjects.
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Medical Category: High medical standard (A-1), with strict vision and physical fitness requirements.
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Number of Attempts: No fixed limit; restricted only by age criteria and relaxations.
RRB ALP Age Limit 2026
RRB ALP Minimum and Maximum Age
The age limit for RRB ALP 2026 is generally between 18 and 30 years. Candidates must calculate their age as on the reference date mentioned in the official CEN notification (often 1st July 2025 or similar for recent cycles). The lower age ensures maturity for the role, while the upper limit maintains a balance in recruitment.
RRB ALP Age Relaxation Category-wise
Age relaxation is provided over the upper age limit as per government norms.
| Category | Age Relaxation (in years) |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 |
| Ex-Servicemen | Up to the extent of service rendered + 3 years (after deduction of military service) |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) - UR | 10 |
| PwBD - OBC | 13 |
| PwBD - SC / ST | 15 |
| Railway Staff (with 3+ years service) | Up to 5–10 years (as per rules) |
| Jammu & Kashmir Domicile (1980–1989) | 5 |
| Widows / Divorced Women (not remarried) | Up to 35–40 years (category-specific) |
Relaxation is cumulative where applicable but subject to official notification limits.
RRB ALP Educational Qualification
Minimum Qualification for RRB ALP
Candidates must have passed Matriculation/SSLC plus:
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ITI/Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in specified trades from NCVT/SCVT recognized institutions, OR
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3-year Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Automobile Engineering (or combinations) from a recognized institution.
Higher qualifications like degrees are accepted if they align with the allowed streams. Equivalent qualifications are considered only if explicitly permitted in the notification.
Trade-wise and Discipline-wise Eligibility
The trade/branch must match the official list for Assistant Loco Pilot posts.
| Department / Stream | Accepted ITI Trades (Examples) | Accepted Diploma Branches |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical | Electrician, Wireman, Armature & Coil Winder, Electronics Mechanic | Electrical / Electronics Engineering |
| Mechanical | Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Mechanic Diesel, Heat Engine | Mechanical Engineering |
| Electronics | Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic Radio & TV | Electronics Engineering |
| Automobile | Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Tractor Mechanic | Automobile Engineering |
| Others | Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic, Millwright / Maintenance Mechanic | Relevant combinations |
Candidates should confirm their exact trade/branch appears in the official CEN notification list.
RRB ALP Nationality Criteria
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Citizen of India.
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Subject of Nepal or Bhutan.
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Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanent settlement.
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Persons of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam), with the intention of permanent settlement in India.
Candidates in non-Indian citizen categories may require a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
RRB ALP Medical Standards and Physical Requirements
Medical Category for Assistant Loco Pilot
RRB ALP requires A-1 medical category (highest standard). This includes rigorous checks for vision, colour vision, hearing, physical fitness, and absence of conditions that could impair safe train operation.
RRB ALP EyeSight and Vision Standards
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Distant Vision: 6/6, 6/6 without glasses or with glasses (specific power limits apply).
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Near Vision: N6 (with or without correction).
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Must have normal colour vision (no colour blindness allowed).
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Binocular vision, field of vision, and night vision must be satisfactory.
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Lasik surgery may be permitted with specific conditions and waiting periods.
Disqualifying Medical Conditions
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Colour blindness or defective colour vision.
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Serious vision defects are not correctable to standards.
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Chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, epilepsy, heart conditions) affect safe performance.
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Major locomotor disabilities impacting duties.
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Hearing impairment beyond limits.
- Any condition deemed unfit for loco pilot operations by the railway medical authority.
Number of Attempts and Other Conditions
There is no fixed cap on the number of attempts for RRB ALP; eligibility is primarily governed by the age limit (including relaxations). Candidates must maintain good character, with no debarment for malpractice in previous exams. Proficiency in the regional language may be assessed if specified.
Documents Required to Prove RRB ALP Eligibility
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10th/Matriculation mark sheet and certificate.
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ITI/Diploma certificate and mark sheets (with trade/branch details).
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Caste/Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) in the prescribed format.
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PwBD certificate (if applicable).
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Ex-Servicemen discharge book/service certificate.
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Domicile/J&K certificate (if claiming relaxation).
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Age proof (birth certificate/10th certificate).
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Medical fitness reports (at later stages).
Common Reasons for Rejection under RRB ALP Eligibility
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Underage or overage as per the cut-off date.
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Non-matching or invalid ITI trade/Diploma branch.
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Incomplete, invalid, or non-prescribed category/EWS/PwBD certificates.
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Failure to meet medical standards, especially vision/colour vision tests.
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Discrepancies in documents during verification.
RRB ALP Eligibility Criteria 2026 – Important Points for Candidates
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Always check age precisely on the reference date mentioned in the notification.
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Ensure your ITI trade or Diploma branch exactly matches the official eligible list.
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Medical standards for ALP are very strict, particularly for eyesight and colour vision, no colour blindness is allowed.
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Eligibility is verified at multiple stages, including application, CBT, document verification, and medical exam.
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Refer only to the official RRB notification for the latest and accurate details.
