Railway Recruitment Boards – Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026 – Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026 for recruitment of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts across 21 RRBs and 17 Railway Zones in India. Detailed notification was published on 14 May 2026. Online applications open from 15 May 2026 to 14 June 2026 at rrbapply.gov.in. Candidates with 10th pass + ITI in relevant trades, or 3-year Diploma/Degree in Engineering are eligible. Age limit is 18–30 years as on 1 July 2026. Pay Level-2 with initial pay of Rs. 19,900 per month. Selection involves CBT-1, CBT-2, Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), Document Verification, and Medical Examination. Stringent A-1 medical standard applies – Lasik surgery candidates are NOT eligible. Candidates must apply to only one RRB; applying to multiple RRBs leads to permanent debarment.
11,127
Total Posts
Pay Level-2 (7th CPC) — Initial Pay ₹19,900/month; in-hand ~₹25,000–₹35,000 with DA, HRA, TA
Salary
18–30
Age (yrs)
All India — 17 Railway Zones across 21 RRBs (candidates post on chosen Zonal Railway for life; inter-railway transfer not allowed for first 5–10 years)
Location
Detailed CEN 01/2026 Released — 11,127 ALP Vacancies Notified
About This Notification
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) have released CEN No. 01/2026 for the recruitment of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India. This is one of the largest railway recruitment drives of 2026, covering all 21 RRBs and 17 Railway Zones pan-India.
Key highlights:
- Total vacancies: 11,127 (UR: 4860 | OBC: 2598 | SC: 1746 | EWS: 1004 | ST: 919)
- Ex-Servicemen (ExSM): 1,115 posts (horizontal, included within above total)
- Pay: Pay Level-2 — Initial pay ₹19,900/month (7th CPC); in-hand ~₹25,000–₹35,000 with allowances
- Age: 18 to 30 years as on 01-07-2026
- Qualification: 10th pass + ITI (relevant trade) OR Diploma/Degree in Engineering
- Medical Standard: A-1 (Stringent) — No glasses; Lasik/corrective eye surgery candidates NOT eligible
- Selection: CBT-1 → CBT-2 → CBAT → DV → Medical; CBT-2 (50%) + CBAT (50%) for final merit
- Application: One RRB only — submitting multiple applications = permanent debarment
- Highest vacancy RRBs: Secunderabad (1,420) | Ranchi (1,300) | Mumbai (1,193) | Kolkata (841) | Bhubaneswar (801)
The post of ALP is the entry point to the prestigious Loco Pilot cadre in Indian Railways. Career progression: ALP → Loco Pilot (Goods) → Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) → Senior Loco Pilot → Loco Supervisor/Inspector.
Important: Candidates must apply to only one RRB and indicate railway zone preferences within that RRB. RRB and zone choice, once submitted, cannot be changed at any stage.
Key Details
Organization
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India
Department
Ministry of Railways, Government of India
Exam Name
RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 – Assistant Loco Pilot Recruitment Examination
Total Posts
11,127
Job Location
All India — 17 Railway Zones across 21 RRBs (candidates post on chosen Zonal Railway for life; inter-railway transfer not allowed for first 5–10 years)
Selection Process
Stage 1: CBT-1 (75 Qs, 60 min, Qualifying) → Stage 2: CBT-2 (Part A: 100 Qs, 90 min, Merit 50% + Part B: 75 Qs, 60 min, Qualifying) → Stage 3: CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test, Merit 50%) → Stage 4: Document Verification → Stage 5: Medical Examination (
Official Website
https://www.rrbapply.gov.in
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality / Citizenship
Indian Nationals only (as per Railway Service Rules)
Age Limit
18 to 30 years as on 01-07-2026. SC/ST: +5 yrs (max 35). OBC-NCL: +3 yrs (max 33). Ex-Servicemen: service period + 3 years as per Railway rules.
Educational Qualification
Option A: 10th pass + ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in relevant trade (Fitter, Electrician, Mechanic, Wireman, Turner, Machinist, etc.) OR Act Apprenticeship. Option B: 10th pass + 3-year Diploma in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Automobile Engineering. Option C: B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/Automobile Engineering. All qualifications must be held as on 14-06-2026.
Medical Standard
A-1 (Stringent). Distant Vision: 6/6, 6/6 without glasses. Near Vision: Sn 0.6, 0.6 without glasses. Must pass Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, Night Vision, Mesopic Vision tests. Fogging test: +2D not accepted. Candidates who have undergone Lasik surgery or any other corrective eye surgery are NOT eligible.
PwBD Suitability
Post NOT suitable for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). No PwBD reservation.
Identity Verification
Aadhaar authentication strongly recommended during account creation or application stage. Non-Aadhaar-verified candidates will face stricter scrutiny at all stages. Name and DOB in Aadhaar must match 100% with 10th class certificate.
Single Application Rule
Candidates can apply to ONLY ONE RRB. Submitting multiple applications to same or different RRBs leads to rejection of ALL applications and permanent debarment from all RRB/RRC examinations.
Domicile / Residency
No domicile restriction. All Indian nationals eligible. However, candidates are ordinarily posted on the Zonal Railway they choose and transfers are not permitted for 5–10 years after joining.
Service Bond
Selected candidates must execute Security and/or Indemnity Bond as required by Railway. No specific monetary bond amount mentioned in CEN 01/2026.
Educational Qualification
- Option A — Matriculation + ITI: 10th pass (SSC/SSLC/Matriculation) from a recognised Board PLUS ITI from NCVT/SCVT-recognised institution in trades: Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV), Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic — OR — Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the above trades
- Option B — Matriculation + Diploma in Engineering: 10th pass PLUS 3-year Diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering or equivalent from a recognised institution
- Option C — Degree in Engineering: B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering or equivalent
- Note: Qualification must be held as on 14-06-2026 (closing date). Candidates awaiting final results are NOT eligible. Candidates with M.Tech/higher in relevant disciplines are also eligible.
Age Limit
General Category: 18–30 years
- SC/ST: 5 years relaxation — Max age 35 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years relaxation — Max age 33 years
- Ex-Servicemen (UR/EWS): Service period rendered + 3 years — Max age 33+service years
- Ex-Servicemen (OBC): Service period + 3 years — Max age 36+service years
- Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST): Service period + 3 years — Max age 40+service years
- Note: SC/ST/OBC candidates applying against UR vacancies will NOT get age relaxation. Age calculated as on 01-07-2026.
