The Railway ALP Vacancy 2026 notification officially designated CEN No. 01/2026 was released by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) on behalf of Indian Railways, with the short indicative notice published in the Employment Newspaper dated March 16, 2026 and the detailed notification and online application portal activating on May 15, 2026 at rrbapply.gov.in for 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) vacancies across all Indian Railway zones. The Railway ALP Vacancy 2026 online application window runs from May 15 to June 14, 2026 candidates must apply exclusively through rrbapply.gov.in. Eligible candidates need Class 10 (Matriculation) pass with a valid ITI certificate, or a Diploma/Degree in Engineering, and must be between 18 and 30 years of age as of July 1, 2026.
Railway ALP Vacancy 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) / Indian Railways |
| Advertisement Number | CEN No. 01/2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Pay Level | Level-2 (7th CPC) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 Posts |
| Short Notice Published | March 16, 2026 (Employment Newspaper) |
| Detailed Notification & Application Opens | May 15, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | June 14, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | June 14, 2026 |
| Age Reckoning Date | July 1, 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online Only (rrbapply.gov.in) |
| Application Fee | ₹500 (General/OBC/EWS) / ₹250 (SC/ST/EBC/Female/Transgender) |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in / indianrailways.gov.in |
Railway ALP Vacancy 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Short Notice Published | March 16, 2026 |
| Detailed Notification & Application Opens | May 15, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | June 14, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | June 14, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | As per RRB schedule (post-deadline) |
| Admit Card Release | 04 days before exam date |
| CBT-1 Exam Date | To be notified on rrbapply.gov.in |
Railway ALP Vacancy 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Every candidate applying for the Railway ALP Vacancy 2026 must fulfil the following conditions as on July 1, 2026:
1. Nationality: Only Indian citizens are eligible.
2. Educational Qualification:
Candidates must satisfy one of the following combinations:
| Option | Minimum Qualification |
| Option 1 | Class 10 (Matriculation) pass + ITI certificate in a relevant trade from an NCVT/SCVT-recognised ITI |
| Option 2 | Class 10 pass + Diploma in Engineering in a relevant stream from a Government-recognised polytechnic |
| Option 3 | Class 10 pass + Degree in Engineering (B.E./B.Tech) in a relevant discipline from a recognized university/institution |
3. Age Limit (as on July 1, 2026):
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
| General / UR | 18 years | 30 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 years | 33 years (3 years relaxation) |
| SC / ST | 18 years | 35 years (5 years relaxation) |
| PwBD (General) | 18 years | 40 years (10 years relaxation) |
| PwBD (OBC) | 18 years | 43 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 18 years | 45 years |
| Serving Railway Employees (Group C/D, 3+ years) — UR | 18 years | 40 years |
| Serving Railway Employees — OBC | 18 years | 43 years |
| Serving Railway Employees — SC/ST | 18 years | 45 years |
4. Medical Standards: Candidates must meet Indian Railways’ prescribed medical fitness standards (Vision, colour vision, hearing, and overall health) as per Railway Board’s A2/B1/B2 category norms.
Railway ALP Vacancy 2026: Application Fee
| Category | Application Fee | Refund on Appearing for CBT |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹500 | ₹400 refunded |
| SC / ST / EBC / Female / Transgender | ₹250 | Full ₹250 refunded |
| Payment Mode | Credit Card, Debit Card, Net Banking, UPI, E-Challan | — |
The effective examination fee for General/OBC/EWS candidates who actually appear for CBT-1 is only ₹100 (₹500 paid minus ₹400 refund). SC/ST/EBC/Female/Transgender candidates pay nothing in effect — the full ₹250 is refunded on appearing.
Railway ALP Vacancy 2026: Salary Structure
Selected candidates under Railway ALP Vacancy 2026 receive the following compensation package as Level-2 employees:
| Component | Amount |
| Basic Pay (Level-2) | ₹19,900 per month |
| Grade Pay | ₹1,900 |
| Dearness Allowance (~55% of Basic) | ~₹10,945 |
| House Rent Allowance (X-city: 27%) | ~₹5,373 |
| Transport Allowance | ~₹1,800–₹3,600 |
| Gross Salary | ₹30,000 – ₹40,000/month (city-dependent) |
| Net Deductions | ~₹2,000 – ₹3,000 |
| In-Hand / Net Salary | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000/month |
In addition to the pay structure, ALPs receive free railway passes, medical benefits under the Railway Health Scheme (RHS), subsidized housing at Railway Colonies, and Provident Fund with Railway Pension. Career growth from Assistant Loco Pilot → Loco Pilot (Goods) → Loco Pilot (Mail/Express/Rajdhani) involves periodic assessment-based promotions.
Railway ALP Vacancy 2026: Selection Process — 5 Stages
The Railway ALP Vacancy 2026 selection process runs through five defined stages:
Stage 1 — CBT-1 (Computer-Based Test — First Stage):
An objective multiple-choice online test of 75 questions in 60 minutes covering Mathematics (20 questions), General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 questions), and General Science + Current Affairs (30 questions). CBT-1 is a screening test — only candidates above the cut-off advance to CBT-2. Marks from CBT-1 are not counted in the final merit.
Stage 2 — CBT-2 (Computer-Based Test — Second Stage):
A two-part paper totalling 175 questions in 150 minutes: Part A covers General Technical Abilities (100 questions), and Part B covers the specific ITI/Diploma/Engineering trade syllabus (75 questions). Part B is qualifying in nature — candidates must score minimum 35% in Part B. The merit list for ALP posts uses only Part A scores.
Stage 3 — CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test — For ALP Post Only):
Shortlisted candidates appear for the CBAT, which assesses critical operational aptitudes like Memory, Following Instructions, Depth Perception, Concentration, Speed Perception, and Visual Scanning through interactive tasks. CBAT is not required for candidates applying for the Technician post under the same CEN.
Stage 4 — Document Verification (DV):
Candidates shortlisted based on the combined CBT-2 + CBAT merit must produce original educational certificates, ITI/Diploma/Degree, age proof, category certificate, Aadhaar, and experience proof at designated DV centres. Candidates who fail to produce valid documents at DV stand automatically disqualified.
Stage 5 — Medical Examination:
Final-stage candidates undergo a comprehensive medical fitness test at an Indian Railways Medical Centre, including eyesight testing (colour vision is critical for loco pilot roles), hearing tests, and general physical health assessment. The complete appointment follows successful medical clearance under Railway Board’s prescribed standards.
Railway ALP Vacancy 2026: Exam Pattern — CBT-1
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 | — |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 | — |
| General Science | 20 | 20 | — |
| Current Affairs & General Awareness | 10 | 10 | — |
| Total | 75 | 75 | 60 minutes |
Negative Marking: 1/3 mark deducted for every wrong answer in CBT-1 and CBT-2. No deduction for unattempted questions.
How to Apply for Railway ALP Vacancy 2026
All applications must submit online at rrbapply.gov.in from May 15 to June 14, 2026:
- Visit rrbapply.gov.in → Click on “CEN No. 01/2026 — ALP Recruitment 2026”
- Click “New Registration” → Enter your name, date of birth, email ID, and mobile number
- Log in and select your preferred RRB zone (candidates can choose only ONE RRB)
- Fill all sections: personal details, educational qualification, ITI/Diploma/Degree details, and community/category
- Upload scanned copies of: Class 10 Certificate, ITI/Diploma/Degree Certificate & Marksheets, Category Certificate, Aadhaar Card, photograph, and signature in prescribed format
- Pay ₹500 (General/OBC/EWS) or ₹250 (SC/ST/EBC/Female/Transgender) through the online payment gateway
- Submit and download the application reference number confirmation slip — preserve it for admit card download and correspondence
Railway ALP Vacancy 2026: Official Resources
| Resource | Details |
| Application Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
| Indian Railways Official Website | indianrailways.gov.in |
| CEN Number | CEN 01/2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Last Date to Apply | June 14, 2026 |
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