Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot For Indian Railways 2026

1. Educational & Technical Qualifications

To be eligible, candidates must possess one of the following qualifications on or before the closing date of application submission. Candidates waiting for final results are not eligible to apply.

• Option A: Matriculation / SSLC plus ITI from recognized institutions of NCVT/SCVT in relevant trades.
  • Relevant trades include: 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.
• Option B: Matriculation / SSLC plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the trades mentioned above.
• Option C: Matriculation / SSLC plus a 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering (or a combination of various streams of these disciplines) from a recognized institution.
• Option D: A Degree in the Engineering disciplines listed above is also acceptable in lieu of a Diploma.

2. Medical Standards (A-1 Category)

The post of ALP has exceptionally stringent medical requirements. Candidates called for Document Verification must pass the following fitness criteria:

• General Fitness: Physically fit in all respects.
• Distant Vision: 6/6, 6/6 without glasses with a fogging test (must not accept +2D).
• Near Vision: Sn: 0.6, 0.6 without glasses.
• Other Vision Tests: Must pass tests for Colour Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, Night Vision, and Mesopic Vision.
• Disqualifying Criteria: Candidates who have undergone LASIK surgery or any other surgical procedure to correct refractive errors are not eligible.

3. Age Limit (As of 01-07-2026)

• General Rule: Candidates must be between 18 to 30 years of age.
• Permissible Age Relaxations (Upper Age Limit):
  • SC & ST Candidates: 5 Years.
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: 3 Years.
  • Ex-Servicemen Candidates: 3 to 8 years depending on their category (after deducting the length of service from their current age).
  • Female Candidates (Widowed, Divorced, or Judicially Separated and not remarried): Up to 35 years for UR/EWS, 38 years for OBC-NCL, and 40 years for SC/ST.

4. The Recruitment Process Steps

The selection process is broken down into five distinct, mandatory stages:

Stage I: First Stage CBT (CBT-1)

• Nature: Screening exam used only to shortlist eligible candidates for CBT-2. Marks scored here will not be counted toward the final merit panel.
• Pattern: 75 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 60 minutes.
• Negative Marking: -1/3 mark for every wrong answer.
• Minimum Pass Percentages: UR & EWS: 40%, OBC (NCL): 30%, SC: 30%, ST: 25%.

Stage II: Second Stage CBT (CBT-2)

Candidates equal to 15 times the number of vacancies per RRB will be shortlisted for this stage based on their CBT-1 merit. It comprises two parts:

• Part-A (90 mins, 100 questions): Covers Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, and Basic Science & Engineering. Only the marks scored in Part-A are counted for shortlisting for future stages.
• Part-B (60 mins, 75 questions): A qualifying test matching the candidate’s chosen technical trade syllabus. Candidates must secure a minimum qualifying score of 35% irrespective of community to have their Part-A evaluated.
• Negative Marking: Same as CBT-1 -1/3rd  mark for every wrong answer).

Stage III: Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)

• Candidates equal to 8 times the number of vacancies for each category will be shortlisted based on Part-A scores of CBT-2 (provided they qualify in Part-B).
• Pattern: Must secure a minimum T-score of 42 marks in each test battery/section separately to qualify.
• There is no negative marking in the CBAT.
• Candidates must produce an original Self-Screening Medical Declaration Report on the exam day to participate.

Stage IV: Document Verification (DV)

• A merit list is prepared strictly based on a combined score: 50% weightage from Part-A of CBT-2 and 50% weightage from CBAT scores.
• Candidates equal to the exact number of vacancies are called to produce all original supporting certificates (educational, age, caste/category certificates, etc.).

Stage V: Medical Examination (ME)

• Shortlisted candidates must clear the final official medical fitness test managed by the Railway Administration to secure an offer of appointment.