INTRODUCTION
The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) is expected to formally
announce the final schedule for the Assistant Loco Pilot (CEN No. 01/2026) Computer-Based
Test 1 (CBT 1) within the week. While the official notification was published
earlier this year with applications closing on June 14, 2026, recent updates
indicate that the multi-shift preliminary exam is highly anticipated to take
place during the third week of October 2026, tentatively spanning from October
15 to October 17, 2026.
RRB ALP 2026 CBT 1 EXAM DATE OVERVIEW
This initial screening phase serves as a vital gatekeeper
for shortlisting eligible candidates toward filling 11,127 vacancies across
various regional railroad zones. Candidates who clear the minimum qualifying
cutoff will advance to CBT 2 based on a merit ratio of 15 times the
communities' total openings. Key pre-examination resources—including the City
Intimation Slip (detailing exam shifts and venue location) and the formal E-Call
Letter / Admit Card—will go live roughly 10 days and 4 days respectively before
the allocated exam date on regional web portals.
|
Current |
Details |
|
Exam Conducting Body |
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) |
|
Advertisement No. |
Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026 |
|
Post |
Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
|
Total Declared Vacancies |
11,127 Posts |
|
CBT 1 Status |
Tentative (Awaiting final confirmation notice) |
|
Estimated Exam Window |
3rd week of October 2026 (Expected October 15–17) |
|
Mode of Examination |
Online Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Exam Duration |
60 Minutes |
|
Number of Questions |
75 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Negative Marking Penalty |
1/3rd mark deducted for every wrong answer |
|
City Slip Release Date |
Expected 9 to 10 days before the exam |
|
Admit Card Download Link |
Expected 4 days prior to your exam date |
|
Website |
Official RRB Application Portal |
RRB ALP VACANCY (CEN 01/2026)
The Railway Recruitment Board announced a massive increase
in vacancies for the Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026. Initially
starting with a smaller pool, the total number of available seats was revised
upward to a substantial 11,127 posts across various Participating Railway
Zones.
Zone-Wise Vacancy
The vacancies are distributed across the following primary
Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) and operational railway divisions:
|
RRB
Zone / City |
||
|
Ahmedabad (479
Posts) |
Ajmer
(561) |
Bengaluru
(473) |
|
Bhopal
(729) |
Bhubaneswar
(280) |
Bilaspur
(1316) |
|
Chandigarh
(324) |
Chennai
(426) |
Gorakhpur
(143) |
|
Guwahati
(246) |
Jammu-Srinagar
(118) |
Kolkata
(812) |
|
Malda
(548) |
Mumbai
(1284) |
Muzaffarpur
(114) |
|
Patna
(114) |
Prayagraj
(762) |
Ranchi
(492) |
|
Secunderabad
(1418) |
Siliguri
(211) |
Thiruvananthapuram
(279) |
|
TOTAL
VACANCIES |
11,127
Posts |
|
RRB ALP ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To secure a position as an Assistant Loco Pilot under CEN
No. 01/2026, applicants must satisfy strict eligibility baselines established
by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB).
1. Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold their final provisional or original
completion certificates on or before the closing date of application
registration. Candidates whose final results are still pending are
explicitly ineligible.
Applicants must fulfill any one of the following:
A: 10th Pass + ITI Certification
Matriculation / SSLC combined with a formal ITI certificate
from an NCVT or SCVT approved institute in any of these approved trades:
- Fitter
| Turner | Machinist | Wireman | Electrician
- Mechanic
(Motor Vehicle) | Mechanic (Diesel) | Tractor Mechanic | Pump Operator
- Instrument
Mechanic | Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic | Armature & Coil Winder
- Mechanic
(Radio & TV) | Electronics Mechanic
- Heat
Engine | Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic
B: Three-Year Engineering Diploma
A regular 3-year Diploma in Engineering from a recognized
polytechnic or technical university. Accepted branches include:
- Mechanical
Engineering
- Electrical
Engineering
- Electronics
Engineering
- Automobile
Engineering
- Note:
Combinations of various sub-streams of these primary engineering
disciplines are also fully accepted.
C: Engineering Degree (BE/BTech)
A formal Degree in Engineering (B.E. or B.Tech) in
Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile fields. A higher technical
degree is fully accepted by the board in place of a 3-year diploma.
2. Age Limit & Relaxations
The core age bracket is capped at 18 to 30 years as of July 1, 2026. However, upper-age relaxations are granted to specific reserved categories under statutory government norms:
|
Candidate Category Profile |
Upper Age Extension |
|
General
(UR) & EWS |
Nil |
|
OBC -
Non-Creamy Layer (NCL) |
3 Years |
|
SC / ST
Candidates |
5 Years |
|
Ex-Servicemen
(OBC-NCL) |
Service
Length + 6 Years |
|
Ex-Servicemen
(SC / ST) |
Service
Length + 8 Years |
|
Widows
(UR) |
Up to 35
Years of age |
3. Strict Medical Fitness Standards (Category A-1)
Because an Assistant Loco Pilot holds direct accountability
for train control and public safety, candidates must pass a thorough medical
checkup at a nominated railway hospital.
- General
Fitness Metric: Must be found in excellent mental and physical health.
The candidate must be completely free from organic bodily defects, chronic
ailments, or physical limitations that hinder active railway operations.
- Distant
Vision Parameter: Must be a perfect 6/6 in each eye separately without
glasses. The use of spectacles or contact lenses is an automatic grounds
for rejection.
- Refractive
Surgery Ban: Candidates who have undergone LASIK, PRK, ICL, or any
surgical correction to manipulate eye refraction are strictly disqualified.
- Near Vision Parameter: Must be 0.6 in both eyes separately without reading glasses.
- Diagnostic Diagnostics: Candidates must achieve a 100% score on visual equipment testing for Color Blindness (Color Vision), Binocular Vision, Night Vision, and Field of Vision/Periphery to guarantee safe track signal tracking under adverse weather conditions.
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RRB ALP 5-STAGE SELECTION PROCESS 2026
To secure a position as an Assistant Loco Pilot under CEN
No. 01/2026, candidates must successfully clear a rigorous 5-stage recruitment
process conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board. Failure to clear any single
stage will result in immediate disqualification from the selection cycle.
Overview of Recruitment Stages
|
Selection Stage |
Mode of Exam |
Primary Evaluation Focus |
Merit Contribution Status |
|
Stage 1:
CBT 1 |
Computer-Based |
Basic Math,
Reasoning, Science, & GK |
Screening
Only (Marks not counted in final merit) |
|
Stage 2:
CBT 2 |
Computer-Based |
Part A:
Core Subjects |
Part A:
70% Weightage for final merit |
|
Stage 3:
CBAT |
Computer-Based |
Psychological
& Memory Aptitude Batteries |
30%
Weightage for final merit |
|
Stage 4:
DV |
Physical
Audit |
Certificate
validation and identity verification |
Qualifying
only |
|
Stage 5:
Medical |
Clinical Exam |
Detailed
physical fitness checkup (Strict A-1 Category) |
Mandatory Eligibility
Gate |
Details of the Selection Stages
Stage 1: First Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT 1)
- This
stage serves strictly as an initial screening layer to filter down the
massive pool of applicants.
- It
consists of 75 multiple-choice questions to be solved in 60 minutes.
- RRB
will shortlist candidates for the next stage at a 15x ratio—meaning the
number of candidates selected for CBT 2 will be 15 times the total number
of community-wise vacancies declared in your regional RRB (out of the 11,127
total posts).
- Note:
Marks scored in CBT 1 are not used to determine your final job ranking,
but you must pass the sectional/community cutoffs to advance.
Stage 2: Second Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT 2)
The second stage is split into two distinct sub-sections,
both conducted in a single sitting:
- Part
A (Core Merit Paper): Features 100 questions covering Mathematics,
General Intelligence & Reasoning, and Basic Science & Engineering.
Your score in Part A forms 70% of your final selection merit.
- Part
B (Technical Trade Qualifying Paper): Features 75 questions based on
your specific engineering trade or diploma syllabus. This paper is purely qualifying
in nature. All candidates must secure a minimum score of 35% (applicable
to all categories without relaxation) to remain in the selection process.
Your Part A paper will not be evaluated if you fail Part B.
Stage 3: Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
- Candidates
equal to 8 times the vacancy count are shortlisted for this phase based on
their CBT 2 Part A scores.
- The
test comprises 5 distinct test batteries designed to evaluate your
situational reaction time, memory grid performance, focus, and perceptual
speed.
- Candidates
must score a minimum T-Score of 42 marks in each individual test battery
to pass.
- The
CBAT score contributes the remaining 30% weightage toward your final merit
placement.
Stage 4: Document Verification (DV)
Candidates who make it through the competitive merit
calculations (70% CBT 2 Part A + 30% CBAT) are called for Document
Verification. You will need to bring all original academic certificates,
matriculation documents, ITI/Diploma/Degree certificates, community caste
certificates, and identity cards to verify your eligibility profile.
Stage 5: Medical Examination
The final hurdle is a rigorous medical checkup conducted at
designated railway hospitals. Since an Assistant Loco Pilot is responsible for
train safety, candidates must fulfill the stringent A-1 Medical Standards:
- Visual
Standards: Distant vision must be a perfect 6/6 in both eyes without
glasses (lenses or surgical corrections like LASIK are strictly
prohibited).
- Near
Vision: Must be 0.6 in both eyes without glasses.
- Specialized
Testing: Candidates must pass comprehensive medical assessments for
color vision, binocular vision, field of vision, and night vision.
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RRB ALP CBT 1 EXAM PATTERN 2026
The First Stage Computer-Based Test (CBT 1) is an
objective, multiple-choice screening exam. Since this stage filters candidates
for the rest of the recruitment drive, understanding the exact weightage of
subjects and timing constraints is vital for effective preparation.
CBT 1 Structure
|
Exam Parameter |
Details and Specifications |
|
Mode of
Examination |
Online
Computer-Based Test (CBT) |
|
Question
Type |
Multiple
Choice Questions (MCQs) |
|
Total
Number of Questions |
75
Questions |
|
Maximum
Marks |
75 Marks
(1 mark per question) |
|
Total Time
Duration |
60 Minutes
(1 Hour) |
|
Negative
Marking Penalty |
1/3rd mark
deducted for each incorrect answer |
|
Normalization
Policy |
Applied
across multi-shift sessions to balance difficulty |
Subject-Wise Questions
The exam evaluates your foundational knowledge across four
core disciplines. While the RRB maintains a standard distribution, slight
variations can occur across different shifts.
|
Subject / Section Area |
Number of Questions |
Max Marks |
Core Conceptual Focus |
|
Mathematics |
20 Questions |
20 Marks |
Number
System, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM/HCF, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage,
Mensuration, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Simple & Compound
Interest, Profit & Loss, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Elementary
Statistics, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendars & Clocks, Pipes
& Cisterns. |
|
General
Intelligence & Reasoning |
25 Questions |
25 Marks |
Analogies,
Alphabetical & Number Series, Coding & Decoding, Mathematical
Operations, Relationships, Syllogisms, Jumbling, Venn Diagrams, Data
Interpretation & Sufficiency, Conclusions & Decision Making,
Similarities & Differences, Analytical Reasoning, Classification,
Directions, Statements—Arguments & Assumptions. |
|
General
Science |
20 Questions |
20 Marks |
Foundational
physics, chemistry, and life sciences. The syllabus strictly covers the 10th
standard CBSE/NCERT curriculum setup. |
|
General
Awareness & Current Affairs |
10 Questions |
10 Marks |
Recent
developments in Science & Technology, Sports, Culture, Personalities,
Economics, Politics, and other subjects of vital national importance. |
|
Total |
75
Questions |
75 Marks |
Exam Day Rules
- Negative
Marking Precision: Accuracy is critical. For every three incorrect
responses, 1 full mark will be deducted from your total score [C1].
Unanswered questions will receive zero penalty.
- Minimum
Qualifying Thresholds: To be considered for shortlisting, candidates
must score above the baseline qualifying marks based on their category:
- UR
(Unreserved) / EWS: 40% (Minimum 30 Marks)
- OBC
(Non-Creamy Layer): 30% (Minimum 22.5 Marks)
- SC
(Scheduled Caste): 30% (Minimum 22.5 Marks)
- ST
(Scheduled Tribe): 25% (Minimum 18.75 Marks)
- Note:
Simply meeting these minimum thresholds does not guarantee advancement.
Only the top candidates scoring well above the cutoff—up to 15 times the
regional vacancy pool—will be shortlisted for CBT 2.
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RRB ALP 2026 ALL IMPORTANT DATES
The complete timeline from the initial registration launch
up to the tentative evaluation and answer key releases.
|
Recruitment Event |
Important Milestone Dates |
|
Official
Notification Release |
May 13, 2026 |
|
Online
Application Start Date |
May 14, 2026 |
|
Closing
Date for Registrations |
June 14, 2026
(11:59 PM) |
|
Modification
/ Correction Window |
June 15 to
June 24, 2026 |
|
Scrutiny
of Applications |
July to
August 2026 |
|
Application
Status Link Activation |
September
2026 |
|
Release of
Exam City Intimation Slip |
Expected
October 5, 2026 |
|
SC/ST Free
Travel Authority Download |
Expected
October 5, 2026 |
|
RRB ALP
CBT 1 Admit Card Release |
Expected 4
days prior to your shift (Starting Oct 11, 2026) |
|
RRB ALP
CBT 1 Exam Date Window |
Tentatively October
15 to October 17, 2026 |
|
Provisional
Answer Key Release |
Expected November
2026 |
|
Objection
Management Window |
Expected November
2026 |
|
CBT 1
Final Results & Cutoff Scores |
Expected December
2026 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs): RRB ALP 2026 CBT 1 EXAM
The official, finalized date sheet will be published shortly by the Railway Recruitment Board. According to recent updates and regional scheduling logs, the computer-based testing window is expected to be conducted during the third week of October 2026, tentatively spanning from October 15 to October 17, 2026.
Yes. Under the revised guidelines for CEN 01/2026, the General Awareness and Current Affairs section has been completely removed from the CBT 1 phase. Candidates now only need to prepare for three subjects: Mathematics, Mental Ability (Reasoning), and General Science. The overall duration remains 60 minutes with 75 multiple-choice questions.
No. While questions are displayed dynamically in both English and your chosen medium, the official rule states that no change is allowed in the language option once selected during the online application stage. The 13 regional languages available include Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu.
Yes. There is a strict penalty for guessing. For every wrong answer submitted, 1/3rd of a mark will be deducted from your raw score pool. No marks are deducted for leaving a question blank.
No. You must select only one regional board (e.g., RRB Mumbai, RRB Secunderabad). Submitting multiple applications across different boards will lead to immediate rejection of all applications and temporary or permanent debarment from future railway examinations.
