The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced Railway RRB ALP Recruitment 2026, inviting applications for 11,127 vacancies for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) under Central Employment Notice CEN – 01/2026. Notably, the application window opened on 15 May 2026 and closes on 14 June 2026 — with only days remaining to submit your form. Candidates who have passed 10th grade along with a relevant ITI certificate or hold a Diploma/Degree in Engineering are eligible to apply. Moreover, a partial fee refund is available to all candidates who appear in Stage I of the examination.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Board | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Advertisement Number | CEN – 01/2026 |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Job Location | Zone-wise across India |
Vacancy Breakdown
The 11,127 posts are distributed across five reservation categories, with the Unreserved category accounting for the largest share. Specifically, candidates from OBC, SC, EWS, and ST backgrounds will find dedicated vacancies reserved for their respective categories in this recruitment.
| Category | No. of Posts |
|---|---|
| UR (Unreserved) | 4,860 |
| OBC | 2,598 |
| EWS | 1,004 |
| SC | 1,746 |
| ST | 919 |
| Total | 11,127 |
Refer to the official notification for a complete zone-wise vacancy breakup across all RRB regions.
Eligibility Criteria
Many aspirants feel uncertain about whether their ITI trade or engineering discipline qualifies for the ALP post — here is the exact breakdown, so you can confirm your standing before applying.
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Age Reference Date: 01 July 2026
- Age Relaxation: Applicable as per Railway regulations — refer to the official notification for category-wise relaxation details
Educational Qualification
- Passed 10th grade (Matriculation) from a recognised Board, along with an ITI certificate in the relevant trade from a recognised institution
- Alternatively, a Diploma or Degree in Engineering in the respective field from a recognised institution is also accepted
- For zone-wise trade and discipline eligibility, refer to the official notification
Nationality
- Candidates must be Indian citizens, as specified in the official notification
Important Dates
Your deadline is approaching fast, so plan your application without further delay. Importantly, the fee payment deadline extends two days beyond the application last date — but waiting until the final day carries its own risk of technical disruptions.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | 13 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 15 May 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 June 2026 |
| Fee Payment Deadline | 16 June 2026 |
| Correction Window | 17 – 26 June 2026 |
| Exam Date | To Be Announced |
| Admit Card Date | 04 Days Before Exam |
| Result Date | To Be Announced |
Application Fee
The fee structure for Railway RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 includes a partial refund mechanism — a significant benefit that rewards candidates who show up and sit for Stage I of the exam.
| Category | Application Fee | Refund After Stage I |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC | ₹ 500/- | ₹ 400/- refunded |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Serviceman | ₹ 250/- | ₹ 250/- refunded |
Accepted payment modes include Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS, and Cash Card / Mobile Wallet.
Exam Pattern
The selection process for Railway RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 is a structured four-stage process. Furthermore, the detailed subject-wise CBT syllabus is available via the official syllabus link provided in the Important Links section below.
| Stage | Mode | Details |
|---|---|---|
| CBT 1 | Computer-Based Test | Stage I Screening |
| CBT 2 | Computer-Based Test | Stage II Main Exam |
| CBAT | Computer-Based Aptitude Test | Aptitude Assessment |
| Document Verification & Medical | Offline | Final Selection Stage |
In addition, candidates who appear in Stage I CBT become eligible for the partial fee refund as mentioned in the fee section above.
How to Apply Online
Applying for Railway RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 requires careful attention at every step, particularly when selecting your preferred RRB zone. Make sure you complete your submission well before 14 June 2026.
- Visit the official RRB / Indian Railways website at https://indianrailways.gov.in/
- Find and open the official recruitment notification for CEN – 01/2026
- Register using your valid email address and mobile number
- Fill in the online application form with accurate personal, academic, and trade/discipline details
- Upload your recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format
- Pay the applicable application fee through your preferred online payment mode
- Submit the completed form and save the acknowledgement slip for all future reference
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Apply Online | Click Here |
| Short Notice | Click Here |
| Official Notification | Click Here |
| Syllabus & Exam Pattern | Click Here |
| Railway RRB ALP Official Website | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When did the Railway RRB ALP Recruitment 2026 application open and what is the last date to apply?
The online application started on 15 May 2026 and the final deadline is 14 June 2026 – if you have not yet applied, today is the day to act.
Q2. What is the minimum qualification required for the ALP post?
Candidates must have passed 10th grade along with an ITI certificate in a relevant trade. Alternatively, a Diploma or Degree in Engineering in the applicable field is also accepted. Consequently, both ITI holders and diploma engineers are eligible to apply for this recruitment.
Q3. Can SC and ST candidates get a fee refund after appearing in Stage I?
Yes – SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Serviceman candidates who pay ₹250 and appear in CBT Stage I will receive a full refund of ₹250/- directly to their bank account. Indeed, appearing in the exam is the only condition to claim this refund.
Q4. Is there negative marking in the RRB ALP CBT examination?
The detailed exam pattern and marking scheme are available in the official syllabus. Therefore, candidates should review the official notification and syllabus document for confirmed information on negative marking rules before beginning their preparation.
Q5. How many days before the exam will the admit card be released?
RRB will release the admit card 4 days before the exam date. In other words, keep checking your registered email and the official RRB portal closely once the exam schedule is announced.