RRB ALP Recruitment 2026: 11127 Posts Open Across 20 RRBs – Apply by 14 June 2026

The RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 vacancy zone-wise breakdown and salary details are now officially available under Centralised Employment Notice CEN No. 01/2026. The Railway Recruitment Boards, under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have invited online applications for 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts across all participating Railway Zones and Production Units. The application window opens on 15 May 2026 and closes on 14 June 2026 at 23:59 hours. Candidates holding Matriculation plus ITI, a three-year Diploma in relevant engineering disciplines, or even an Engineering Degree in eligible streams can apply. One detail most competitors miss: the examination fee is fully refundable for all categories – ₹500 for general candidates and ₹250 for SC/ST/Female/Ex-SM/Minority/EBC – on appearing in CBT-1, making this effectively a zero-cost application for those who sit the exam.

Based on official CEN No. 01/2026 published by Railway Recruitment Boards, Ministry of Railways, Government of India. Verified: May 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

A uniquely strict rule for ALP: candidates who have undergone LASIK or any other corrective eye surgery are categorically ineligible. The online application includes a built-in self-screening medical declaration that candidates must complete before submitting, and a signed medical report from a Government hospital Eye Specialist and General Physician must be produced on CBAT day.

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Important Dates

Submit your application well before 14 June 2026 – RRBs will not be responsible if candidates are unable to submit due to heavy website traffic on the closing date.

Vacancy and Zone-Wise Analysis

Secunderabad RRB leads all boards with 1,420 total vacancies covering ECoR and SCR zones, making it the single largest RRB in this recruitment drive. Mumbai RRB follows closely with 1,193 posts across CR, SCR, and WR, and Ranchi RRB holds 1,300 vacancies spread across ECR and SER – these three RRBs together account for nearly 36% of all 11,127 posts. OBC candidates across all RRBs have a combined allocation of 2,598 seats, reflecting the standard 27% OBC reservation. SC candidates hold 1,746 seats and ST candidates 919 seats nationally. Ex-Servicemen have 1,115 reserved posts included within the total vacancy count – these are not additional seats but are drawn from within the existing allocations. Candidates choosing their RRB should note that once an RRB is selected and the application is submitted, it cannot be changed under any circumstances. Vacancies across all RRBs are provisional and may increase, decrease, or become nil depending on Railway Administration requirements.

Salary and In-Hand Calculation

The initial basic pay for ALP is ₹19,900 at Level-2 of the 7th Pay Commission pay matrix. Adding Dearness Allowance at the current rate, HRA based on city class, and Transport Allowance, the gross monthly compensation in a non-field station works out to approximately ₹33,000–₹38,000. After NPS contribution and other standard deductions, take-home is approximately ₹28,000–₹33,000 per month for a newly joined ALP in a Tier-2 or Tier-3 city posting. This figure is higher in metro postings due to enhanced HRA. Additionally, ALP is a Group C railway post with job security, free railway pass benefits, medical facilities for self and family, and promotion prospects to Loco Pilot (Senior Section Engineer grade over time), making the total compensation significantly more valuable than the base salary figure alone. During the training period after selection, only stipend will be paid.

Application Fee

Fee refund is processed only to the bank account seeded with the candidate’s Aadhaar number. During the application process, Aadhaar–bank account linking is validated. Candidates without a seeded account will be redirected to the NPCI portal for real-time linking. Only candidates who appear in CBT-1 receive the refund – rejected applications and no-shows are not eligible. EBC (annual family income below ₹50,000) candidates get the concessional ₹250 fee but are entitled only to fee concession, not job reservation.

Age Limit

Age calculation example: An OBC candidate born on 15 August 1994 will be 31 years 10 months as on 01 July 2026 – within the relaxed OBC age limit of 33 years. Date of birth must match the Matriculation/SSLC/10th class certificate exactly; no subsequent change will be permitted. If a candidate qualifies for age relaxation on multiple grounds, only the maximum applicable relaxation is granted – relaxations are not cumulative.

Educational Qualification

A frequently misunderstood rule for this recruitment: final year students are not eligible and must not apply – the prescribed qualification must be held in full on or before the closing date of 14 June 2026. Diploma and Degree candidates must select one trade from the Part-B trade list matching their engineering discipline at the time of applying, as Part-B of CBT-2 tests trade-specific knowledge. Certificates must have a date of issue; if the date is after the closing date, consolidated marksheets with result declaration dates must be produced at Document Verification.

Selection Process

Stage 1 – CBT-1 (First Stage Computer Based Test)

CBT-1 is a screening exam only – its marks are not counted in the final merit list. Duration is 60 minutes with 75 objective questions carrying 1 mark each. Negative marking applies at 1/3rd mark per wrong answer. Minimum pass percentage is 40% for UR/EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL and SC, and 25% for ST. Syllabus covers Mathematics, Mental Ability, and General Science at the 10th standard level. Candidates scoring above the cutoff are shortlisted for CBT-2 at 15 times the notified vacancies per RRB.

Stage 2 – CBT-2 (Second Stage Computer Based Test)

CBT-2 has two parts totalling 175 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes. Part-A (100 questions, 90 minutes) covers Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and Basic Science and Engineering – only Part-A marks count for shortlisting. Part-B (75 questions, 60 minutes) is trade-specific and purely qualifying in nature; a minimum of 35% is required by all candidates regardless of category. Negative marking of 1/3rd applies in Part-A; there is no negative marking in Part-B.

Stage 3 – CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test)

Candidates equal to 8 times the ALP vacancies are shortlisted for CBAT based on Part-A marks. CBAT tests aptitude specifically for loco pilot duties and is conducted only in English and Hindi. There is no negative marking in CBAT. Candidates must secure a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery section separately to qualify – failing even one battery means disqualification from CBAT. Self Screening Medical Declaration Report (Annexures VIIIA and VIIIB) signed by a Government hospital General Physician and Eye Specialist must be produced on CBAT day.

Stage 4 – Document Verification and Medical Examination

Final merit is prepared combining Part-A of CBT-2 (50% weightage) and CBAT scores (50% weightage). Candidates equal to the number of vacancies are shortlisted for Document Verification and Medical Examination. The A-1 medical standard for ALP is among the strictest in railway recruitment – unaided distant vision 6/6 in both eyes without glasses, normal colour vision, binocular vision, field of vision, night vision, and mesopic vision are all mandatory. No alternative appointment is offered to candidates who fail the medical.

Your first 7 days after applying:

1. Note your Registration Number immediately after successful application submission – RRBs will not provide this number if lost.
2. Keep your registered mobile number and email ID active throughout the entire recruitment process – all communication including e-call letters will come through these only.
3. Authenticate your identity using DigiLocker or Aadhaar during account creation – candidates using alternate Photo IDs face significantly stricter scrutiny at every subsequent stage.
4. Begin CBT-1 preparation focusing on Mathematics, Mental Ability, and General Science at Class 10 level – these three subjects cover all 75 questions.
5. For CBT-2 Part-B, identify your trade (ITI holders) or select the applicable trade group (Diploma/Degree holders) from the Part-B qualification-wise grouping table in Annexure-A and begin trade syllabus preparation from the DGT website (dgt.gov.in).
6. Collect all original documents – Matriculation certificate, ITI/Diploma/Degree certificate, caste certificate (OBC must be issued on or after 01 April 2026), and arrange a visit to a Government hospital for the Self Screening Medical Declaration to be ready for CBAT day.
7. If you are a currently serving government employee, inform your employer in writing and arrange for an NOC to be ready for Document Verification.

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How to Apply for RRB ALP CEN 01/2026

1. Visit the official website of your chosen RRB from the list given at Para 13.7 of the CEN (e.g., rrbahmedabad.gov.in, rrbcdg.gov.in, etc.).
2. Click on the link for CEN 01/2026 and proceed to Create an Account. Use the same account if you have previously registered for any 2024/2025 CEN.
3. During account creation, authenticate your identity using DigiLocker or Aadhaar for smoother processing. Note: no changes to account details – including mobile number and email – are permitted after creation.
4. Complete the Self-Declaration Medical Questionnaire before filling the main application form. This checks your eligibility against ALP medical standards including vision and LASIK surgery history.
5. Fill the online application with personal details, educational qualification, and zone preferences under your chosen RRB. Select your medium of examination (English, Hindi, or one of 13 regional languages).
6. Capture your live photograph using your device’s webcam or front camera as directed by the application module – pre-existing photographs are not accepted and will lead to rejection.
7. Upload your signature (black ink, white paper, running handwriting, JPG/JPEG, 30–49 KB) and SC/ST certificate PDF if applicable for free train travel.
8. Pay the examination fee online (Internet Banking / Debit Card / Credit Card / UPI) by 16 June 2026. Save the payment confirmation received via email and SMS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the approximate in-hand salary of a Railway ALP after joining in 2026?

A newly joined ALP at Level-2 starts with a basic pay of ₹19,900 per month. Adding Dearness Allowance, HRA based on city class, and Transport Allowance, the gross monthly pay is approximately ₹33,000–₹38,000. After NPS deduction and other standard deductions, take-home is approximately ₹28,000–₹33,000 per month in a non-metro posting. This does not include the value of free railway passes, free medical facilities, and other service benefits.

Which RRB has the most ALP vacancies in CEN 01/2026?

Secunderabad RRB leads with 1,420 total vacancies covering the ECoR and SCR zones, followed by Ranchi RRB with 1,300 vacancies and Mumbai RRB with 1,193 vacancies. These three RRBs together account for approximately 36% of the total 11,127 posts. Candidates should choose their RRB carefully, as the choice is permanent once submitted.

What is the last date to apply for RRB ALP 2026?

The online application window closes on 14 June 2026 at 23:59 hours. The fee payment deadline is 16 June 2026 at 23:59 hours. Application modifications can be made between 17 June and 26 June 2026 on payment of ₹250 per occasion. After 26 June 2026, no modifications will be entertained by any RRB.

Can diploma or degree holders apply for RRB ALP 2026?

Yes. Candidates holding a 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering (or combination of these) from a recognised institution are eligible. Engineering Degree holders in these disciplines are also accepted in lieu of Diploma. Such candidates must select the applicable trade for CBT-2 Part-B from the qualification-wise grouping table provided in Annexure-A of the CEN.

What is the CBAT in RRB ALP 2026 and what are the qualifying marks?

CBAT stands for Computer Based Aptitude Test, a specialised test designed to assess aptitude for loco pilot duties. It is conducted in English and Hindi only with no negative marking. Candidates must secure a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery section separately to qualify – failing any single battery disqualifies the candidate. CBAT scores carry 50% weightage in the final merit list, equal to Part-A of CBT-2.

Is RRB ALP 2026 suitable for candidates who have had LASIK eye surgery?

No. Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any other corrective eye surgery for refractive error are categorically ineligible for the post of ALP. The ALP post requires A-1 medical standard with unaided distant vision 6/6 in both eyes. The online application includes a mandatory self-declaration on this point, and a signed declaration from a Government hospital Eye Specialist must be produced on CBAT day.

How is the examination fee refunded for RRB ALP 2026?

The fee is refunded after candidates appear in CBT-1 – ₹400 for general candidates and the full ₹250 for SC/ST/Female/Ex-SM/Minority/EBC candidates (bank charges deducted). Refund is credited only to the bank account seeded with the candidate’s Aadhaar number. Rejected applications and candidates who do not appear in CBT-1 are not eligible for any refund.

Can final year engineering students apply for RRB ALP CEN 01/2026?

No. Candidates awaiting results of their final qualifying examination must not apply. The complete prescribed educational and technical qualification must be held on or before the closing date of 14 June 2026. Applying without the completed qualification will result in rejection of candidature at the Document Verification stage.