RRB ALP
Recruits Assistant Loco Pilots (Pay Level 2) who assist in operating trains and progress to Loco Pilot posts. It is the main entry route into the running staff cadre of Indian Railways.
Eligibility
Class 10 plus ITI in a notified trade (Electrician, Fitter, Mechanic Diesel, Armature and Coil Winder, etc.) or Course Completed Act Apprenticeship; alternatively a 3-year Diploma or Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering. The official CEN 01/2026 sets the age limit at 18–30 years as on 1 July 2026, with standard relaxations. Candidates must meet medical standard A-1, including stringent vision requirements and no glasses.
Age limit: 18–30 years as on 1 July 2026 (CEN 01/2026); OBC-NCL +3, SC/ST +5 years
Exam pattern
Multi-stage online CBT. CBT 1: 75 questions in 60 minutes on Mathematics, Reasoning, General Science and General Awareness (qualifying, used to shortlist). CBT 2 Part A: 100 questions in 90 minutes on Mathematics, Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering, and General Awareness; Part B: 75 trade questions in 60 minutes, qualifying at 35%. Negative marking of 1/3 mark per wrong answer in all CBTs. Shortlisted candidates take the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) with a minimum T-score of 42 in each test; final merit is 70% CBT 2 Part A and 30% CBAT, followed by document verification and medical (A-1).
Syllabus at a glance
Mathematics, reasoning and General Awareness are at Class 10 level, as in other RRB exams. General Science covers Class 10 physics, chemistry and life sciences. Basic Science and Engineering in CBT 2 covers engineering drawing, units and measurements, mass-weight-density, work-power-energy, heat and temperature, basic electricity, levers and simple machines, occupational safety and environment education. Part B covers the ITI trade syllabus of the candidate's discipline.
Upcoming dates
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 01/2026 CBT 1 | 3–5 Nov 2026 | confirmed |
| CBT 1 answer key and objection window | Mid-Nov 2026 | expected |
| CBT 1 result and CBT 2 shortlisting | Dec 2026 – Jan 2027 | expected |
| CBT 2, followed by CBAT | Feb – Apr 2027 | expected |
| Next ALP notification (CEN 01/2027) | Early to mid 2027 | tba |
Expected dates follow the usual calendar; confirm on the official notification before planning.
Free prep material
Standard books
- RRB ALP & Technician Stage I & II – Arihant Experts (Arihant Publications)
- Lucent's General Science – Ravi Bhushan (Lucent Publications)
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations – R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand)
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand)
- RRB ALP Previous Years' Solved Papers – Kiran Prakashan
- Objective Electrical / Mechanical Technology – relevant ITI trade objective book (e.g. Arihant or Upkar)
How toppers play it
- CBT 1 is only a screener, but cut-offs are high, so treat it seriously; then shift most effort to CBT 2 Part A, which carries 70% of the final merit.
- Do not neglect Part B: it is only qualifying (35%) but failure eliminates you regardless of Part A score; revise ITI trade theory from Bharat Skills material.
- Prepare for the CBAT early with free online memory, depth-perception and attention tests; every test needs a T-score of 42 and there is no second chance.
- Check medical standard A-1 (distant vision 6/6, no glasses, colour vision) before applying; many CBAT-qualified candidates are lost at medical.
- Basic Science and Engineering questions recur heavily; make a one-page formula sheet for units, electricity and mechanics and revise it weekly.