The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, have officially published the examination schedule for the Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) Recruitment under Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026. This recruitment drive is being conducted to fill 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies across various railway zones nationwide.
According to the official notification dated 21 September 2026, the First Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT-1) is scheduled to be conducted from 03 November 2026 to 05 November 2026.
Candidates who submitted their online applications can now review the official examination timetable, city slip release dates, Aadhaar biometric guidelines, and CBT-1 paper pattern. In this detailed guide, Jobtheta.com brings you every essential update straight from the railway recruitment authorities.
1. RRB ALP Recruitment 2026: Key Overview
| Particular | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Authority | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| Notification Reference | CEN No. 01/2026 |
| Post Designation | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 Posts |
| Examination Stage | Computer-Based Test (CBT-1) |
| CBT-1 Exam Dates | 03 November 2026 to 05 November 2026 |
| Exam City Slip Release | 10 Days Prior to Exam Date (around 24 October 2026) |
| Admit Card Release Date | 4 Days Prior to Candidate’s Exam Date |
| Official Application Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
| Indian Railways Portal | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
2. Official RRB ALP CBT-1 Exam Schedule & Timeline
The Railway Recruitment Boards have established a strict timeline leading up to the CBT-1 examination days:
| Event Milestone | Scheduled Timeline |
|---|---|
| Official Exam Date Notice Released | 21 September 2026 |
| Exam City & Date Intimation Slip | Live 10 days prior to the exam date |
| SC / ST Free Travel Authority Pass | Available with City Slip (10 days prior) |
| E-Call Letter / Admit Card Download | Starts 4 days prior to your exam date |
| CBT-1 Nationwide Examination Dates | 03, 04, and 05 November 2026 |
| CBT-1 Result & CBT-2 Shortlisting | To be notified post examination |
3. City Intimation Slip & Admit Card Release Details
To help candidates plan travel arrangements across different states, RRB follows a phased release protocol:
- Exam City & Date Intimation Slip: The portal link to view your assigned test city, state, shift, and date will activate on all regional RRB websites exactly 10 days before the examination date (expected by 24 October 2026).
- Free Travel Authority for SC/ST Candidates: Eligible SC/ST candidates can download their free railway travel pass along with their city slip.
- E-Call Letter Download: Hall tickets with exact center names and addresses become accessible 4 days prior to your specific examination date via candidate login.
4. Mandatory Aadhaar Biometric Guidelines (Crucial Instructions)
The Ministry of Railways has implemented strict identity verification protocols to eliminate impersonation. Candidates must review these mandatory requirements:
Important Advisory from RRB:
- Biometric Verification: Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication will occur at the examination center prior to entry into the testing lab.
- Unlock Your Aadhaar: Candidates must ensure their biometrics remain in an UNLOCKED condition in the UIDAI portal/m-Aadhaar app before arriving at the exam center. Locked biometrics will cause authentication failures and entry denial.
- Document Required: Carry your original physical Aadhaar Card or a printout of an e-verified Aadhaar.
- Aadhaar Data Accuracy: Ensure your name, father’s name, and date of birth on your Aadhaar Card strictly match your Class 10th Matriculation certificate.
5. RRB ALP CBT-1 Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme
CBT-1 serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the CBT-2 stage. Marks scored in CBT-1 are normalized but not added to the final merit list.
| Section / Subject | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 Questions | 20 Marks | Combined 60 Minutes |
| Mental Ability (Reasoning) | 25 Questions | 25 Marks | Combined 60 Minutes |
| General Science | 20 Questions | 20 Marks | Combined 60 Minutes |
| General Awareness (Current Affairs) | 10 Questions | 10 Marks | Combined 60 Minutes |
| Total Composite Paper | 75 Questions | 75 Marks | 60 Minutes (1 Hour) |
(Note: Eligible PwBD candidates accompanied by a scribe receive an extended duration of 80 minutes).
Key Exam Regulations:
- Question Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), bilingual in English, Hindi, and 13 regional languages.
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark will be deducted for every incorrect response.
- Minimum Qualifying Percentages:
- UR & EWS: 40%
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 30%
- SC: 30%
- ST: 25%
- Shortlist Ratio for CBT-2: Candidates equal to 15 times (15x) the number of community-wise vacancies will be shortlisted for CBT-2 based on normalized CBT-1 scores.
6. Complete Selection Process for Assistant Loco Pilot
To secure an appointment as an Assistant Loco Pilot, aspirants must clear five successive stages:
[Stage 1: CBT-1 (Screening)] ➔ [Stage 2: CBT-2 (Part A & B)] ➔ [Stage 3: CBAT (Psycho Test)] ➔ [Stage 4: Document Verification] ➔ [Stage 5: Medical Exam (A-1 Standard)]- CBT-1: Screening round of 75 objective questions.
- CBT-2: Two-part test:
- Part A (100 Marks, 90 Mins): Math, Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering (determines merit).
- Part B (75 Marks, 60 Mins): Relevant trade syllabus (qualifying with 35% mandatory).
- Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): Psycho test measuring reaction speed, depth perception, and alertness (8 times vacancies called).
- Document Verification (DV): Scrutiny of educational, trade, and category certificates.
- Medical Examination: Strict adherence to A-1 Medical Standards (Distant vision: 6/6, 6/6 without glasses; no color blindness, squint, or refractive error allowed).
7. Pay Scale & Allowances for Assistant Loco Pilot
Selected candidates enjoy strong job security and structured Central Government remuneration under the 7th Central Pay Commission:
- Pay Level: Level-2 of 7th CPC Pay Matrix
- Initial Basic Pay: ₹19,900/- per month
- Running Allowances: Mileage Allowance (KMA) paid per kilometer run on duty, which substantially enhances monthly take-home earnings.
- Additional Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, Night Duty Allowance, and National Holiday Allowance.
8. How to Check RRB ALP Exam Date & City Slip
Follow these steps to access your exam details once the link goes live:
- Step 1: Visit the official central application portal at rrbapply.gov.in or your regional RRB website.
- Step 2: Click on the link titled “CEN 01/2026 (ALP) – View Exam City, Date Intimation & Download e-Call Letter”.
- Step 3: Enter your Registration Number and User Password (Date of Birth).
- Step 4: Submit the captcha security code and log in.
- Step 5: View your exam city, shift timings, and reporting guidelines.
- Step 6: Download the Travel Authority slip (if eligible) and print a copy for your journey.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When will the RRB ALP CBT-1 Exam 2026 be conducted?
The RRB ALP CBT-1 examination is scheduled to be held from 03 November 2026 to 05 November 2026.
Q2. How many total vacancies are announced under CEN 01/2026?
There are 11,127 vacancies for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot across all railway zones.
Q3. When will the RRB ALP Exam City Slip be released?
The Exam City and Date Intimation Slip will be released 10 days prior to the exam date (expected around 24 October 2026).
Q4. Is there negative marking in the RRB ALP CBT-1 examination?
Yes. There is a penalty of 1/3rd mark deducted for each incorrect answer in CBT-1.
Q5. Why is Aadhaar unlocking mandatory before visiting the exam center?
RRB conducts biometric fingerprint authentication at the exam venue. If your biometrics are locked in the UIDAI portal, the system will fail to verify your identity, resulting in entry denial.
Q6. What is the required medical fitness standard for ALP posts?
Candidates must meet the A-1 Medical Standard, which mandates a distant visual acuity of 6/6, 6/6 without glasses and freedom from color blindness.
10. Official Regional RRB Websites & Links
| Regional RRB | Official Direct Portal |
|---|---|
| Official Exam Date Notice (English) | Download English Notice PDF |
| Official Exam Date Notice (Hindi) | Download Hindi Notice PDF |
| Central RRB Apply Portal | rrbapply.gov.in |
| Ministry of Railways Portal | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Latest Railway Recruitment Updates | Jobtheta.com |
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