RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) 2026 — Age Limit, Eligibility & Syllabus
Railway Recruitment Board · Railways (RRB)
Quick highlights
- Qualification
- 10th Pass
- Age limit
- 18 – 30 years
- Age as on
- 2026-07-01
- Salary
- ₹19,900 – ₹63,200 per month (Pay Level 2) plus running allowance
- Typical vacancies
- Roughly 5,000 – 18,000 posts per cycle
- Notification window
- ALP notifications appear roughly every two to three years; check RRB CEN announcements.
About this exam
Assistant Loco Pilot is the most aspirational technical railway post for ITI and diploma holders, and the direct path to becoming a Loco Pilot. Selection needs a technical CBT plus a strict aptitude test and vision standards.
Educational qualification: 10th pass plus ITI in a relevant trade, or a three-year engineering diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile.
Age limit and category relaxation
| Category | Relaxation | Upper age |
|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 0 years | 30 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 years | 33 years |
| SC | 5 years | 35 years |
| ST | 5 years | 35 years |
Ex-servicemen get 3 years and PwD candidates up to 10 years additional relaxation as per rules.
Selection process
1. CBT 1
75 questions, 60 minutes, 1/3 negative marking, screening only.
2. CBT 2 Part A & B
Part A merit-based general subjects; Part B qualifying trade-specific technical paper (35% needed).
3. Computer Based Aptitude Test
Mandatory CBAT with minimum 42 marks in each test battery; no relaxation for any category.
4. DV & Medical (A1)
Strictest railway vision standard — 6/6 distant vision without glasses, colour vision required.
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Syllabus
Mathematics
Number system, BODMAS, LCM-HCF, ratio, percentage, mensuration, time-work, distance, SI-CI, profit-loss, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, square root.
Reasoning
Analogies, series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, syllogism, Venn diagram, data interpretation, statement-argument, decision making.
General Science
Physics, chemistry and life sciences at class 10 CBSE level.
Technical (Part B)
Trade syllabus as per ITI/diploma stream — fitter, electrician, mechanic, welder or the relevant engineering discipline.
Cut-off trend
CBT 1 cut-offs generally sit at 55-70 out of 75 for UR; CBAT is the biggest elimination stage for most candidates.
Official links
indianrailways.gov.in (RRB zones)Always download notifications and apply only through the official website.
Frequently asked questions
Can a 10th pass without ITI apply for RRB ALP?
No. You need 10th plus ITI in a relevant trade or a three-year engineering diploma. Matric alone is not enough.
Is spectacles allowed for RRB ALP?
No. ALP requires medical category A1 with 6/6 distant vision in both eyes without glasses, plus normal colour vision.
Keep a Plan B ready
ITI trade skills plus aptitude clearance are exactly what corporate Maintenance Technician, EV Service Technician and Manufacturing Operator roles pay a premium for.