RRB Assistant Loco Pilot Recruitment 2026 – Apply

About The Railway Recruitment Boards, functioning under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have released Centralised Employment Notice CEN No. 01/2026 for the recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP). With over 11,000 vacancies on offer across 20 RRBs and multiple Zonal Railways, this is one of the largest government recruitment drives of 2026. The ALP role is operationally vital as these professionals assist senior Loco Pilots in safe train operations across the country's extensive rail network. Descriptions The Assistant Loco Pilot is a Group C post at Pay Level 2 under the 7th Central Pay Commission. Selected candidates are deployed across Zonal Railways and Production Units. The role involves assisting Loco Pilots in train operations, monitoring locomotive performance, and ensuring passenger safety. Candidates must undergo formal training before joining active duty, and only a stipend is paid during the training period. After completing service requirements, ALPs become eligible for promotion to Loco Pilot and higher running staff grades. This post is NOT suitable for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). APPLY FOR - Post Names - Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Vacancies Total Vacancies: 11,127 Breakdown (Approximate Reservation): - UR (General) : 4,860 - OBC (NCL) : 2,598 - SC : 1,746 - ST : 919 - EWS : 1,004 - PwBD : Not Suitable - Ex-Servicemen : 1,115 (included within total, not separate) Important Dates - Employment News Indicative Notice : 21 March 2026 - Online Application Opens : 15 May 2026 (00:00 hrs) - Online Application Closes : 14 June 2026 (23:59 hrs) - Last Date for Fee Payment : 16 June 2026 (23:59 hrs) - Application Modification Window : 17 June 2026 to 26 June 2026 Eligibility Criteria Nationality: Indian citizens are eligible. Citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who arrived before 01 January 1962, and persons of Indian origin migrating from specified countries may also apply, subject to a Government of India eligibility certificate. Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026): 18 to 30 years. Age Relaxation: SC/ST get 5 years; OBC (NCL) get 3 years; Ex-Servicemen (UR/EWS) get 3 years after deducting service length; Widowed or Divorced females (UR/EWS) are eligible up to 35 years; Serving Railway Group C or D staff (UR/EWS) are eligible up to 40 years. Educational Qualification: Option A: Matriculation/SSLC with ITI from NCVT/SCVT in trades such as Fitter, Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Mechanic (Diesel), Turner, Machinist, Wireman, Heat Engine, Tractor Mechanic, Armature and Coil Winder, Refrigeration and AC Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, or Mechanic (Radio and TV). Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the above trades is also accepted. Option B: Matriculation/SSLC with a 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering from a recognised institution. A full Degree in these engineering streams is also accepted in lieu of Diploma. Medical Standards (A-1 Category): - Distant Vision: 6/6, 6/6 without glasses (fogging test must not accept +2D) - Near Vision: Sn 0.6, 0.6 without glasses - Must pass Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, Night Vision, and Mesopic Vision tests - Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any corrective eye surgery are NOT eligible Selection Process Selection Process (Step by Step) Step 1 - CBT-1 (Screening Test): 75 questions in 60 minutes covering Mathematics, Mental Ability, and General Science. Negative marking of 1/3 mark per wrong answer applies. Minimum pass percentage: UR/EWS - 40%, OBC/SC - 30%, ST - 25%. CBT-1 marks are NOT counted in final merit. Top 15 times the vacancy count per RRB are shortlisted for CBT-2. Step 2 - CBT-2 (Main Exam): Two parts total. Part-A has 100 questions in 90 minutes covering Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and Basic Science and Engineering. Part-B has 75 questions in 60 minutes as a qualifying test based on ITI/DGT trade syllabus - minimum 35% required for all categories. Only Part-A marks count toward merit ranking. Negative marking applies in Part-A. Step 3 - CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test): Candidates equal to 8 times the ALP vacancies (category-wise) are shortlisted from Part-A of CBT-2. The test is conducted in English and Hindi only with no negative marking. Each test battery section must be cleared separately with a minimum T-score of 42. Self Screening Medical Declaration (Annexure VIIIA and VIIIB, signed by a Government hospital doctor) is mandatory on CBAT day. Step 4 - Document Verification (DV): Final merit is calculated using 50% weightage each from Part-A of CBT-2 and CBAT scores. Candidates equal to the vacancy count are called for DV. All original documents must be presented on the designated DV date. Step 5 - Medical Examination: Final appointment is subject to passing the Railway's Medical Standard A-1 fitness test as per IRMM Vol. I guidelines. Application Fees - General / OBC / EWS candidates : Rs. 500/- (Rs. 400 refunded after attending CBT-1) - SC / ST / Female / Ex-SM / Minority / Transgender / EBC : Rs. 250/- (fully refunded after attending CBT-1) - Application Modification Fee : Rs. 250/- per change (non-refundable) Why this Job is Important The Assistant Loco Pilot post is the starting point for a prestigious career in Indian Railways' running staff cadre. With more than 11,000 vacancies in a single notification, this is a rare mass recruitment opportunity from one of India's largest Central Government organisations. ALPs directly support the safe movement of millions of passengers daily across the country. For ITI certificate holders and engineering diploma graduates, this is one of the most accessible and rewarding Central Government positions available - offering competitive pay, job security, and a defined long-term career progression.

Application Process 1. Visit the official RRB website for your chosen region (see list in CEN para 13.7). 2. Create a new account or log in with existing credentials from 2024 or 2025 CEN registrations. 3. Authenticate your identity via DigiLocker or Aadhaar for a smoother experience at all stages. 4. Fill in all personal, educational, and category details with care - no corrections after submission. 5. A live photograph is captured through webcam or mobile front camera during the application - no pre-saved photo upload required. 6. Upload signature in JPG/JPEG format (30 to 49 KB, cursive running handwriting in black ink on white paper only). 7. SC/ST candidates claiming free train travel must upload their caste certificate in PDF format (under 400 KB). 8. Choose your RRB and set Railway Zone preferences in order - this cannot be changed after submission. 9. Pay the application fee and save the confirmation sent via SMS and email. 10. Use the modification