Ministry of Railways • Centralised Employment Notice
Official Notification
Official Notification
Official Notification: CEN 01/2026 (Assistant Loco Pilot) • Official Portal: rrbapply.gov.in
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026: CEN 01/2026 Notification for 18,799 Assistant Loco Pilot Posts at rrbapply.gov.in
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Indian Railways Mega Recruitment: Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have officially invited applications for 18,799 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) vacancies across 16 Railway Zones under CEN 01/2026. Candidates possessing Matriculation plus ITI or Diploma in Engineering can apply online at rrbapply.gov.in.
Quick Overview
| Recruiting Authority | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Recruitment Notice | Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026 |
| Post Designation | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) – Level 2 |
| Total Vacancies | 18,799 Posts (Across 16 Railway Zones) |
| Application Mode | Online Registration via rrbapply.gov.in |
| Pay Level | Level 2 of 7th CPC (Initial Pay: Rs. 19,900/- plus running allowance) |
| Medical Standard | A-1 Fitness Standard (Distant Vision: 6/6 without glasses) |
Important Dates & Schedule
| Event / Milestone | Official Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | September 18, 2026 |
| Closing Date for Form Submission | October 20, 2026 (23:59 Hrs) |
| CBT 1 Screening Exam Window | November / December 2026 |
| CBT 2 Technical Exam Window | February 2027 |
| Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) | April 2027 |
Vacancy Details & Post Breakdown
| Post Designation | Pay Matrix / Scale | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Railway (NR) | Level 2 (Rs. 19,900) | 2,850 Posts |
| Western Railway (WR) | Level 2 (Rs. 19,900) | 2,480 Posts |
| Eastern Railway (ER) | Level 2 (Rs. 19,900) | 2,120 Posts |
| Central Railway (CR) | Level 2 (Rs. 19,900) | 2,200 Posts |
| Southern & South Western Railway | Level 2 (Rs. 19,900) | 3,149 Posts |
| Other Zonal Railways & Workshops | Level 2 (Rs. 19,900) | 6,000 Posts |
Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications
| Educational Criteria | Matriculation / 10th Class pass PLUS ITI in recognized trade (Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright, Wireman, Machinist, Diesel Mechanic, Tractor Mechanic) OR 3-year Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering OR B.E./B.Tech in relevant engineering discipline. |
| Age Limit (as on 01/07/2026) | 18 to 33 years. Age relaxation: 3 years for OBC (NCL), 5 years for SC/ST, and PwBD/Ex-Servicemen as per GoI rules. |
| Medical Standard | Strict Medical Standard A-1: Distant Vision 6/6, 6/6 without glasses with fogging test; Near Vision Sn: 0.6, 0.6 without glasses; must pass color vision, binocular vision, field of vision, and night vision tests. |
Pay Scale & Allowances
Assistant Loco Pilots start at Pay Level 2 of the 7th Central Pay Commission with an initial basic pay of Rs. 19,900/- per month. With Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and Kilometer Allowance (Running Allowance averaging Rs. 18,000 – 25,000 monthly), the gross starting monthly salary typically ranges between Rs. 42,000/- and Rs. 50,000/- depending on posting location.
Selection Process & Examination Pattern
- First Stage CBT (CBT 1): Screening examination of 75 multiple choice questions (60 minutes) covering Math, Reasoning, General Science, and General Awareness.
- Second Stage CBT (CBT 2): Part A (100 Questions, 90 mins for merit) covering Basic Science & Engineering, Maths, Reasoning + Part B (75 Questions, 60 mins qualifying technical trade test).
- Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): Psycho-aptitude testing for candidates who clear CBT 2. Must score minimum 42 marks in each test battery.
- Document Verification & Medical Examination: Strict verification of certificates followed by comprehensive A-1 medical fitness test at Railway Hospitals.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official centralized RRB portal at
rrbapply.gov.in. - Click on ‘Create an Account’ or log in with your registered mobile number and password.
- Select ‘CEN 01/2026 Assistant Loco Pilot’ and choose your preferred participating RRB Zone.
- Enter educational qualifications, trade certification, and personal details.
- Upload scanned photograph (white background) and signature in prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee: Rs. 500/- for General/OBC (Rs. 400 refunded upon CBT 1 attendance); Rs. 250/- for SC/ST/Female/Ex-SM/EBC (fully refunded upon CBT 1 attendance).
- Submit the application form and save the confirmation receipt with registration number.
Official Links & Direct Actions
| Document / Action Link | Direct URL / Action |
|---|---|
| RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 Official Notification | Download PDF → |
| RRB Centralized Application Portal | Apply Online → |
| RRB Zone-Wise Vacancy Matrix | View Vacancy Table → |
| Official Indian Railways Portal | Visit Portal → |