The Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has officially approved and released the assessment of vacancies for one of the most highly anticipated recruitment drives of the year. The RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 aims to fill 11,127 vacancies for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) across various railway zones in India.

This comprehensive guide provides you with everything you need to know regarding the eligibility criteria, selection process, and application procedure for these prestigious railway jobs.

1. Overview of RRB ALP 2026

2. Important Dates

3. Zonal Vacancy Distribution

4. Eligibility Criteria

5. Selection Process

6. Application Fee

7. How to Apply Online

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Overview of RRB ALP 2026

The Railway Board released the indicative notification via the employment newspaper on March 21, 2026. This recruitment drive offers a stable career path with a competitive salary and government benefits.

Post Name: Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)
Total Vacancies: 11,127 Posts
Pay Level: Level 2 (Pay Scale: ₹19,900 - ₹63,200 plus allowances)
Job Location: Across India

2. Important Dates

Mark your calendars to ensure you don't miss the registration window.

Event	Date
Vacancy Notification Released	19 February 2026
Online Registration Starts	15 May 2026
Online Registration Ends	14th June 2026
CBT Exam Dates	To be notified later

3. Zonal Vacancy Distribution

The 11,127 vacancies are distributed across several Zonal Railways. Here are some of the major highlights:

East Coast Railway: 1625 vacancies
South Eastern Railway: 1531 vacancies
Central Railway: 1400 vacancies
Northeast Frontier Railway: 1276 vacancies
Northern Railway: 740 vacancies
For a full list, refer to the official zonal notification.

4. Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit (as of 01/072026)

Minimum: 18 Years
Maximum: 30 Years
Relaxation: 05 years for SC/ST and 03 years for OBC-NCL.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess one of the following:

Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI in specified trades (e.g., fitter, electrician, diesel mechanic, etc.).
Diploma in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile).
Degree in Engineering in the specified disciplines.

Medical Standard

Standard A-1: Candidates must be physically fit in all respects, with 6/6 distance vision without glasses. Not that LASIK surgery is not allowed.

5. Selection Process

The recruitment involves a multi-stage, rigorous evaluation:

1. CBT Stage-1: Initial screening.

2. CBT Stage-2: Technical and general evaluation.

3. CBAT: Computer-Based Aptitude Test.

4. Document Verification (DV).

5. Medical Examination.

Note: There is a negative marking of 1/3rd for every wrong answer in CBT-1 and CBT-2.

6. Application Fee

General / OBC: ₹500
SC / ST / Ex-SM / Female / Minorities / EBC: ₹250 (This amount is refundable upon appearing in CBT-1).
Payment Mode: Online (UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card).