The Railway Board has increased the number of vacancies for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts under RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 (CEN 01/2026). As per the latest notice issued by the Ministry of Railways, an additional 3,500 ALP vacancies have been approved after reviewing the vacancy position.
Earlier, the Railway Recruitment Boards had announced 11,127 vacancies for Assistant Loco Pilot posts under Pay Level 2. After this enhancement, the total number of RRB ALP vacancies has increased to 14,627 posts.
The additional vacancies will be distributed among different railway zones according to the approved zone-wise allocation.
- Download RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 Official Notification PDF
- RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Increased Notification
RRB ALP New Vacancy 2026 Notice Details
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
| Department | Ministry of Railways |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Recruitment | RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 |
| CEN Number | CEN 01/2026 |
| Earlier Vacancies | 11,127 Posts |
| Additional Vacancies Added | 3,500 Posts |
| Total Vacancies | 14,627 Posts |
| Pay Level | Level 2 |
| Notice Date | 29 September 2026 |
RRB ALP Additional Vacancy 2026 Zone Wise Distribution
The Railway Board has allocated the additional 3,500 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies among the following railway zones:
| Railway Zone | Additional ALP Vacancies |
|---|---|
| ECoR (East Coast Railway) | 450 |
| ECR (East Central Railway) | 500 |
| SCR (South Central Railway) | 700 |
| SECR (South East Central Railway) | 200 |
| SER (South Eastern Railway) | 790 |
| Metro (Kolkata Metro) | 360 |
| WR (Western Railway) | 500 |
| Total | 3,500 |
Railway Board Instructions for Additional Vacancies
According to the official notice, the zonal railways have been instructed to place the additional vacancy indents on the OIRMS Portal. The railway zones and units must ensure that the prescribed reservation rules are followed while submitting the additional vacancy details. The notice also mentioned that the indent for Metro vacancies will be placed by South Eastern Railway (SER).
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 Overview
The RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 is conducted for the selection of eligible candidates for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot in Indian Railways. Candidates who applied for CEN 01/2026 will now be considered for the revised vacancy count after this enhancement. The increase in vacancies provides additional opportunities for candidates who have applied for the RRB ALP 2026 examination.
| Organization Name | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Advertisement No. | CEN No. 01/2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Department | Ministry of Railways, Government of India (Various Zonal Railways) |
| Total Vacancies (Increased) | 14,627 (All RRBs combined) |
| Pay Scale | Level-2 in 7th CPC Pay Matrix; Initial Pay Rs. 19,900/- |
| Medical Standard | A-1 (Stringent vision and physical fitness standards; Lasik surgery candidates NOT eligible) |
| Application Mode | Online only (via official RRB websites) |
| Selection Mode | CBT-1 (75 marks) + CBT-2 (Part A: 100 marks + Part B: 75 marks qualifying) + CBAT + Document Verification + Medical Examination |
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 - Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfill all eligibility conditions as on the closing date of online application (14-06-2026). Educational/Technical qualification certificates must be from a recognized Board/University/Institute. Candidates awaiting results of their final examination for the prescribed qualification are NOT eligible to apply. The post of ALP is not suitable for Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD). Candidates who have undergone Lasik Surgery or any other corrective eye surgery are not eligible for this post.
Educational Qualification
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Option A - Matriculation + ITI | Matriculation / SSLC plus ITI from recognised institutions of NCVT/SCVT in the trades of 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 above trades. |
| Option B - Matriculation + Diploma/Degree in Engineering | Matriculation / SSLC plus 3-year Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering (or combination of these streams) from a recognised institution in lieu of ITI. Note: Degree in the above Engineering disciplines will also be acceptable in lieu of Diploma. |
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 - Age Limit
Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years of age as on 01-07-2026. Age relaxation is available for various categories as detailed below. If a candidate is eligible for relaxation on more than one ground, only the maximum relaxation will be granted (not cumulative). SC, ST, and OBC (NCL) candidates applying against UR vacancies will not get any age relaxation. There is no fixed limit on the number of attempts - candidates can appear as long as they are within the prescribed upper age limit.
| Category | Age Limit / Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General (UR) & EWS | 18 to 30 years (as on 01-07-2026) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years relaxation (max 33 years) |
| SC & ST | 5 years relaxation (max 35 years) |
| Ex-Servicemen (UR & EWS) | 3 years after deduction of length of service from age |
| Ex-Servicemen (OBC-NCL) | 6 years after deduction of length of service from age |
| Ex-Servicemen (SC & ST) | 8 years after deduction of length of service from age |
| Serving Railway Staff (Group C/D) - UR & EWS | Maximum 40 years of age |
| Serving Railway Staff (Group C/D) - OBC (NCL) | Maximum 43 years of age |
| Serving Railway Staff (Group C/D) - SC & ST | Maximum 45 years of age |
| Widowed / Divorced / Judicially Separated Women (UR & EWS) | Maximum 35 years of age |
| Widowed / Divorced / Judicially Separated Women (OBC-NCL) | Maximum 38 years of age |
| Widowed / Divorced / Judicially Separated Women (SC & ST) | Maximum 40 years of age |
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 - Application Fee
Candidates are required to pay the non-refundable recruitment fee online. Fee can be paid only through online mode - internet banking, debit/credit cards, or UPI. Applications received without the prescribed fee will be summarily rejected. Candidates who appear in CBT-1 will receive a refund of their examination fee (after deducting applicable bank charges) credited to their Aadhaar-seeded bank account. Candidates whose applications are rejected, or who do not appear in CBT-1, will not receive any refund.
| Category | Examination Fee | Refund on Appearing in CBT-1 |
|---|---|---|
| All Candidates (except categories below) | Rs. 500/- (Rupees Five Hundred only) | Rs. 400/- refunded (deducting bank charges) |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / Female / Transgender / Minorities / Economically Backward Class (EBC) | Rs. 250/- (Rupees Two Hundred and Fifty only) | Rs. 250/- fully refunded (deducting bank charges) |
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 - Selection Process
The selection process for RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 consists of five successive stages - First Stage CBT (CBT-1), Second Stage CBT (CBT-2), Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), Document Verification (DV), and Medical Examination (ME). CBT-1 is a screening exam only and its marks are not counted in the final panel. The final merit list is prepared on the basis of combined marks from Part-A of CBT-2 (50% weightage) and CBAT scores (50% weightage). Negative marking of 1/3rd mark per wrong answer applies in both CBT-1 and CBT-2. There is no negative marking in CBAT.
Stage 1 - First Stage CBT (CBT-1) - Screening Only
| Details | Particulars |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 Minutes |
| Total Questions / Marks | 75 Questions / 75 Marks (1 mark per question) |
| Type | Objective MCQ - Computer Based Test |
| Negative Marking | 1/3rd mark deducted per wrong answer |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks | UR & EWS: 40% | OBC (NCL): 30% | SC: 30% | ST: 25% |
| Shortlisting for CBT-2 | 15 times the vacancies notified per RRB (based on CBT-1 merit, RRB-wise) |
| Syllabus | Mathematics, Mental Ability (Reasoning), General Science (10th standard level) |
Stage 2 - Second Stage CBT (CBT-2)
| Part | Duration | Questions | Nature | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part-A | 90 Minutes | 100 Questions / 100 Marks | Competitive - marks counted for merit | UR & EWS: 40% | OBC (NCL): 30% | SC: 30% | ST: 25% |
| Part-B | 60 Minutes | 75 Questions / 75 Marks | Qualifying only - trade-specific | 35% for all candidates irrespective of category |
| Total Duration | 175 Questions / 2.5 Hours | |||
Part-A Syllabus (CBT-2): Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering (Engineering Drawing, Units, Measurements, Basic Electricity, Levers, IT Literacy, etc.)
Part-B Syllabus (CBT-2) - Trade-wise Qualifying Test:
| Sl. No. | Qualification of Candidate | Trade / Subject of Choice for Part-B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering (and combinations) | Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman, Armature & Coil Winder, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic |
| 2 | Electronics Engineering (and combinations) | Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV) |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering (and combinations) | Fitter, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic, Heat Engine, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic |
| 4 | Automobile Engineering (and combinations) | Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic |
Stage 3 - Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
| Shortlisting for CBAT | 8 times the ALP vacancies per community/category per RRB (based on Part-A marks of CBT-2) |
| Qualifying Marks | Minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery separately (all candidates irrespective of category) |
| Language | English and Hindi only |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking |
Stage 4 & 5 - Document Verification (DV) and Medical Examination (ME)
Final merit list is prepared RRB-wise from candidates qualifying in CBAT, with 50% weightage to Part-A of CBT-2 marks and 50% weightage to CBAT scores. Candidates equal to the number of vacancies are shortlisted for DV and Medical Examination. In case of a tie, the older candidate is preferred; if age is also equal, alphabetical order of given name (A to Z) is applied.
Tie-Breaking Rules
| 1st Tie-Break | Seniority of age (older candidate preferred) |
| 2nd Tie-Break | Alphabetical order (A to Z) of given name (not surname) |
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 - Medical Standards
The post of ALP carries Medical Standard A-1. Candidates must be physically fit in all respects with stringent vision requirements. Candidates who have undergone Lasik Surgery or any other corrective eye surgery are not eligible. A Self Screening Medical Declaration Report (Part-A signed by General Physician and Part-B signed by Eye Specialist, both from a Central/State Government Hospital or Medical College) must be submitted on the CBAT exam day.
| Medical Standard | General Fitness | Vision Standards |
|---|---|---|
| A-1 | Physically fit in all respects | (i) Distant Vision: 6/6, 6/6 without glasses with fogging test (must not accept +2D); (ii) Near Vision: Sn: 0.6, 0.6 without glasses; (iii) Must pass tests for Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, Night Vision, Mesopic Vision, etc. |
How to Apply for RRB ALP Recruitment 2026
Applications must be submitted online only through the official websites of participating RRBs (listed at Para 13.7 of the CEN). Hard copy / offline applications will not be accepted under any circumstances. The online portal is active from 15-05-2026 to 14-06-2026 (23:59 Hrs.). Candidates must first create an account on the RRB portal. Those who created an account for CENs notified in 2024/2025 should use the same credentials. Details filled in the "Create an Account" form (including mobile number, email ID) and the chosen RRB cannot be modified at any stage after account creation. Candidates can apply to only one RRB and submit only one application - multiple applications to the same or different RRBs will result in rejection of all applications and debarment from future RRB/RRC exams. Aadhaar or DigiLocker authentication is strongly advised during account creation for a smoother recruitment process. A live photograph is captured during the online application; pre-existing photographs are not accepted. No documents need to be uploaded at application stage (except signature and SC/ST certificate for free travel pass, if applicable).
Documents to be Produced at Document Verification (on being called):
- Age proof - Matriculation / SSLC / 10th class certificate
- Educational qualifications (Matriculation onwards) - marksheets and certificates
- ITI / Diploma / Degree certificate in prescribed trade / discipline
- SC / ST / OBC-NCL / EWS / Ex-Servicemen certificate (if applicable), in prescribed format and issued by competent authority
- Self Screening Medical Declaration Report (Annexure VIII A & VIII B) - to be submitted on CBAT day
- NOC from present employer (if applicable, for Government servants)
Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official RRB website for their chosen RRB for updates on all stages. Helpline for technical queries: Email: [email protected] | Phone: 0172-565-3333 and 9592001188 (10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on working days).
