Railway ALP Recruitment 2026

Apply Online for 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot Vacancies Published: May 15, 2026, CEN No.: 01/2026 Ministry of Railways, Government of India

Great news for job seekers as the official notification for Railway ALP Recruitment 2026 has been announced by the Railway Recruitment Boards under CEN No. 01/2026, Ministry of Railways, Government of India. A total of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies is open across India, and the online application window starts today — May 15, 2026.

This post covers everything you need to know — from eligibility and fees to the complete selection process — straight from the official notification.

Quick Overview RRB ALP Recruitment 2026

Important Dates

Total Vacancy Breakdown (Category-wise)

RRB Zone-wise Vacancy Summary

Educational Qualification

Before filling out the online form, candidates must ensure they meet the following educational criteria required for the Railway ALP Recruitment 2026:

To be eligible for the ALP post, you must hold one of the following qualifications on or before the closing date of application:

Option A: Matriculation / SSLC (10th pass) along with an ITI certificate from a recognised NCVT/SCVT institution in any of the following trades — Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Mechanic (Radio & TV), Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, or Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic.

OR Matriculation / SSLC plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the same trades listed above.

Option B: Matriculation / SSLC plus a three-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering from a recognised institution — this is accepted in place of ITI.

A full Engineering Degree in the above disciplines is also acceptable in place of a Diploma.

Candidates who are still waiting for their final result are not eligible to apply.

Age Limit (as on 01-07-2026)

The general age limit is 18 to 30 years.

Age Relaxation Table

Examination Fee

Fee must be paid online only — through internet banking, debit/credit card, or UPI. No offline payment is accepted.

The fee refund is processed only for candidates who actually appear in the First Stage CBT (CBT-1).

Medical Standard — A1

The ALP post carries the A1 medical standard, which is one of the strictest in Indian Railways. Key requirements include:

Important: Candidates who have undergone LASIK or any other corrective eye surgery are not eligible for the ALP post. A self-declaration must be submitted at the CBAT stage.

Selection Process — Step by Step

The comprehensive selection process for the Railway ALP Recruitment 2026 consists of five major stages as detailed below:

The full recruitment process has five stages:

1. First Stage CBT (CBT-1)

This is a screening exam. Marks from CBT-1 will not be counted in the final merit list — it is only used to shortlist candidates for CBT-2.

Subjects Covered:

• Mathematics (Number System, Algebra, Geometry, Ratio, Profit & Loss, etc.)
• Mental Ability (Analogies, Series, Coding-Decoding, Venn Diagram, etc.)
• General Science (Physics, Chemistry, Life Sciences at 10th standard level)

2. Second Stage CBT (CBT-2)

Top candidates (15 times the vacancies) from CBT-1 move to this stage. CBT-2 has two parts:

Part A covers Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and Basic Science & Engineering.

Part B is a trade-based qualifying paper. Candidates with ITI qualifications appear in their respective trade, while Diploma and Degree holders choose a trade based on their engineering branch.

3. Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)

Candidates equal to 8 times the number of ALP vacancies from Part A of CBT-2 are called for CBAT. All candidates must score a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery to qualify. There is no negative marking in CBAT. This test is conducted only in English and Hindi.

On the day of CBAT, candidates must bring their Self Screening Medical Declaration Report (Annexure VIII A & VIII B) — duly signed by a General Physician and Eye Specialist from a Government Hospital or Medical College.

4. Document Verification (DV)

The final merit list is prepared based on combined scores from CBT-2 Part A (50% weightage) and CBAT (50% weightage). Shortlisted candidates are called for document verification and must bring all original certificates.

5. Medical Examination (ME)

All finally shortlisted candidates undergo a full railway medical examination as per the A1 medical standard. Candidates who fail the medical test will not be offered any alternative posting.

How to Apply Online — Step by Step

1. Visit the Official Website

Go to your nearest RRB’s official website or the main application portal: https://www.rrbapply.gov.in

2. Create Your Account

If you have already registered for a previous RRB CEN (2024 or 2025), use the same login. If you are new, create a fresh account. You will need an active mobile number and valid email ID to receive OTP.

Once your account is created, the details — including mobile number and email ID — cannot be changed at any stage.

3. Authenticate Your Identity

Candidates are strongly advised to verify their identity using Aadhaar or DigiLocker during account creation. This makes subsequent stages smoother. Candidates who use alternate photo IDs will face stricter scrutiny at every stage.

4. Fill the Application Form

Fill in all required details carefully. Choose your preferred RRB and railway zone. You can apply to only one RRB. Submitting more than one application will result in rejection and permanent debarment.

5. Complete Self-Screening Medical Declaration

Before submitting your application, you must declare that you meet the basic medical fitness standards — including no LASIK surgery, no colour blindness, no use of spectacles, no diabetes or hypertension, etc.

6. Capture Live Photo

The application will prompt you to capture a live photograph through your device’s camera. Do not upload a pre-existing or printed photo. Wear dark-coloured clothing (not white). No caps, glasses, or masks are allowed in the photo.

7. Upload Signature

Upload your signature in running handwriting (cursive) using black ink on white paper. The image must be in JPG/JPEG format, size between 30 KB and 49 KB.

8. Pay the Application Fee

Pay the fee online via UPI, debit/credit card, or internet banking. You will receive an SMS and email confirmation once payment is successful.

9. Submit and Save

After successful payment, your application is complete. Save your registration number carefully. You will need it throughout the recruitment process.

Documents to Keep Ready

Modification of Application

If you have already submitted your application and want to make corrections (except to your account details and chosen RRB), you can do so between 17 June 2026 and 26 June 2026 by paying a modification fee of ₹250 per occasion (non-refundable).

No modifications will be accepted after 26 June 2026.

Things to Remember Important Warnings

• Apply to only one RRB. Multiple applications will get all your forms rejected and you will be banned from future RRB exams.
• Candidates who have had LASIK surgery are not eligible.
• Once you choose your RRB, it cannot be changed.
• Do not carry mobile phones, earphones, watches, bags, or food items to the examination centre.
• Do not apply henna on your hands before the exam — it can interfere with biometric capture.
• Beware of fake websites and agents claiming to offer railway jobs. RRBs never appoint agents or coaching centres.
• Keep your registered mobile number and email active throughout the entire recruitment process.

Official Websites of All Participating RRBs

Helpline for Technical Issues

If you face any technical problem while submitting your application, contact the official helpline:

• Email: rrb.help@csc.gov.in
• Phone: 0172-565-3333 and 9592001188
• Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all working days

Official Notification Links–

• Apply Online: https://www.rrbapply.gov.in
• Official Notification PDF: https://www.rrbcdg.gov.in/uploads/2026/01-ALP/012026ALP-CEN.pdf
• Next Notification: View Here
• Next Notice: View Here

Why You Should Not Miss This Opportunity

The ALP post is one of the most respected technical jobs in the government sector. Once selected, you receive a starting salary of ₹19,900 per month under 7th Pay Commission Level 2, plus various allowances. You also get free railway passes, pension benefits, job security, and promotion opportunities within the railway department. Training is fully provided, and only a stipend is paid during the training period.

The application window is open from 15 May 2026 to 14 June 2026. Do not wait until the last day — the website may experience heavy traffic near the deadline. Apply early, keep all your documents ready, and prepare well for the Computer Based Tests.

Note: This article is based on the official CEN No. 01/2026 released by the Railway Recruitment Boards under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. I am not a job provider — I can only share updates and guide you through the process. All details have been taken directly from the official notification. For any updates or changes, always visit the official RRB websites only. Selection is done purely on merit. For the latest job updates, you can also visit our website Assam Job Update.

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Powrel Prakash

Prakash Powrel is the Founder & Editor of Assam Job Update. He is dedicated to helping students and job seekers across Assam and Northeast India by publishing verified Government Jobs, Private Jobs, Admissions, Results, Scholarships, and Career updates based on official notifications and trusted sources.