The Railway Recruitment Board has released the RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 Notification under CEN No. 01/2026 for the appointment of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) across various railway zones in India. The online application process is open from 15 May 2026 to 14 June 2026. This is a massive opportunity for candidates who have completed Class 10 along with an ITI or hold an engineering diploma or degree.
This post explains all the key details — vacancies, eligibility, age limit, salary, application fee, exam pattern, and the step-by-step application process.
RRB ALP 2026 Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Notification Number | CEN 01/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Application Dates | 15 May – 14 June 2026 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in |
About the Assistant Loco Pilot Post
The Assistant Loco Pilot is one of the most sought-after technical posts in Indian Railways. The 11,127 vacancies are distributed across 17 railway zones and all 21 participating RRBs. An important rule to remember: candidates can apply to only one RRB. Applying to multiple RRBs will lead to disqualification.
The ALP role also offers strong career growth. The typical promotion path is: Assistant Loco Pilot → Loco Pilot (Goods) → Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) → Senior Loco Pilot → Loco Supervisor / Loco Inspector.
RRB ALP 2026 Important Dates
- Notification Released: 14 May 2026
- Online Application Starts: 15 May 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 14 June 2026 (11:59 PM)
RRB ALP 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have passed Class 10 (Matriculation) from a recognized board, along with an ITI certificate in a relevant trade (such as Electrician, Fitter, Mechanic, or Welder), OR a 3-year Diploma in Engineering, OR a Degree in Engineering in the relevant discipline.
Important: Candidates awaiting their final qualification results are not eligible. Also note that the ALP post is not suitable for Persons with Benchmark Disability, and candidates who have undergone Lasik or other corrective eye surgery are not eligible.
Age Limit: Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years as on 1 July 2026. Age relaxation applies as per Railway rules — 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL, and additional relaxation for PwBD and Ex-Servicemen.
RRB ALP 2026 Application Fee
- General / OBC / EWS: ₹500 (₹400 refunded after appearing in CBT 1)
- SC / ST / PwBD / Female / Ex-Servicemen / EBC: ₹250 (full ₹250 refunded after appearing in CBT 1)
Aadhaar-based verification is mandatory during registration. Ensure your name, gender, and date of birth match your Class 10 certificate exactly.
RRB ALP 2026 Salary
Selected candidates will be placed in Level-2 of the 7th Pay Commission with a starting basic pay of ₹19,900 per month. Along with the basic pay, candidates receive railway allowances, medical benefits, job security, and promotion opportunities within Indian Railways.
RRB ALP 2026 Selection Process
The selection involves several stages:
- CBT 1 (Computer-Based Test 1) — qualifying stage. Note that the General Awareness section has been removed; CBT 1 now has only three sections: Mathematics, Mental Ability, and General Science.
- CBT 2 (Computer-Based Test 2) — includes Part A (merit) and Part B (qualifying).
- CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test) — compulsory for ALP posts; no negative marking here.
- Document Verification
- Medical Examination
There is a 1/3 mark penalty for wrong answers in both CBT 1 and CBT 2. The tests are available in English, Hindi, and 13 regional Indian languages. Note that CBT 1 and CBT 2 Part B are strictly qualifying — their marks are not added to the final merit.
How to Apply for RRB ALP 2026
- Visit the official website rrbapply.gov.in.
- Register using your basic details and complete Aadhaar-based verification.
- Log in and fill in the application form with educational and personal details.
- Choose your preferred RRB / zone (remember — only one).
- Upload your photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit and take a printout of the confirmation for future reference.
Important Note
All details are based on the official CEN 01/2026 notification and may be subject to change. Candidates must read the full official notification and Annexure B (for zone-wise vacancies) and verify everything at rrbapply.gov.in before applying. REFE JOB is not affiliated with the Railway Recruitment Board and does not charge any fee.
Conclusion
With 11,127 vacancies, the RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 is one of the largest railway recruitment drives this year and a fantastic opportunity for ITI and engineering qualified candidates seeking a secure, well-respected railway career. The application window closes on 14 June 2026, so eligible candidates should complete the process early, choose their RRB carefully, and begin preparing for CBT 1. Best of luck.
Zahid Bhat is an education writer with over 6 years of experience covering government jobs, competitive exams, and scholarships across India. He writes for REFE JOB to help students and aspirants — from Jammu & Kashmir to Tamil Nadu — get accurate, free, and timely information about SSC, IBPS, UPSC, JKSSB, and state recruitment boards. Every post is sourced from official notifications and government portals.