The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), under the Ministry of Railways, released the Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 01/2026 for the recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posts across all 21 RRBs and 17 railway zones of Indian Railways. The online application window for this recruitment has already closed, and lakhs of candidates who submitted their forms are now checking their RRB ALP Application Status and waiting for the CBT 1 exam date announcement.
Quick Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), Ministry of Railways |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| CEN Number | CEN 01/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Indicative Notification Date | 16 March 2026 |
| Detailed Notification Date | 14 May 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 15 May 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 14 June 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Fee Payment Last Date | 16 June 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | 17 – 26 June 2026 |
| Total Applications Received | Approx. 8,40,944 |
| CBT 1 Exam Date | Tentatively August 2026 (awaited) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 30 years (as on 01.07.2026) |
| Pay Level | Level 2 (₹19,900 approx. starting basic) |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in |
Also Read:- IBPS Clerk 16th Online Form 2026 — Last Date Extended to 28 August, Check Full Details
How to Check RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 Application Status
Candidates who applied for this recruitment can check their application status online through the following steps:
- Visit the official RRB application portal — www.rrbapply.gov.in
- Log in using your registration number/application number and date of birth or password
- Navigate to the “Application Status” or “My Applications” section on the candidate dashboard
- Your current application stage will be displayed — submitted, under process, exam city allotted, or admit card released
- Keep checking regularly, as RRB updates status information in phases (exam city intimation, admit card, results) rather than all at once
Candidates should also keep an eye on their registered mobile number and email ID, since RRB sends official communication regarding exam city, admit card, and further stages directly through these channels.
Important Dates for RRB ALP CEN 01/2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Indicative/short notification released | 16 March 2026 |
| Detailed notification released | 14 May 2026 |
| Online application start date | 15 May 2026 |
| Online application last date | 14 June 2026 (23:59 hrs) |
| Fee payment last date | 16 June 2026 |
| Application form correction/modification window | 17 – 26 June 2026 |
| CBT 1 exam city intimation | Expected before exam date |
| CBT 1 admit card | To be released ~4 days before exam |
| CBT 1 exam date | Tentatively August 2026 (official date awaited) |
| CBT 2 exam | To be scheduled after CBT 1 result |
| CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test) | For CBT 2 qualified candidates in relevant trades |
| Document Verification & Medical Exam | Final stage, after CBAT |
Note: CBT 1 exam date has not been officially confirmed by RRB at the time of writing. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official regional RRB websites for updates.
Vacancy Details
A total of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies have been notified under CEN 01/2026, distributed across all 21 Railway Recruitment Boards and 17 railway zones in India, covering UR, SC, ST, OBC, and EWS categories. Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) vacancies are included within this total and are not additional. RRB-wise and zone-wise vacancy numbers are provisional and may be revised as per the requirement of the respective Railway Administrations.
Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Maximum age: 30 years
- As on 1 July 2026
- Age relaxation applicable for SC/ST/OBC/PWD/Ex-servicemen candidates as per government rules
Educational Qualification
Candidates must meet any one of the following:
- Class 10th (Matriculation/SSLC) pass + ITI certificate in a relevant trade (Fitter, Electrician, Mechanic Diesel, Electronic Mechanic, Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature and Coil Winder, Machinist, Refrigeration and AC Mechanic, Heat Engine, or Millwright Maintenance Mechanic), OR
- 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering, OR
- Engineering Degree in a relevant discipline
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹500 (partially refundable after appearing in CBT 1) |
| SC / ST / Female / Ex-Servicemen / Minorities / EBC / PWD | ₹250 (partially refundable after appearing in CBT 1) |
Selection Process
The RRB ALP selection process consists of the following stages:
- CBT 1 (Computer Based Test – Stage 1) — Qualifying in nature, screens candidates for CBT 2
- CBT 2 (Computer Based Test – Stage 2) — Includes Part A (common) and Part B (trade-specific for ITI candidates)
- CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test) — Only for candidates who qualify CBT 2; final merit is based on CBT 2 Part A (70% weightage) combined with CBAT score (30% weightage)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination (ME) — Candidates must meet the prescribed medical standards for the ALP post; no alternative post is offered to those found medically unfit
Roughly 15 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted from CBT 1 (in merit order) to appear for CBT 2 — meaning close to 1.67 lakh candidates are expected to qualify for the next stage out of the 11,127 vacancies.
Role & Responsibilities of an Assistant Loco Pilot
Selected candidates will be responsible for:
- Assisting the Loco Pilot in safe and smooth train operations
- Attending to minor repairs of the locomotive
- Monitoring gauges, controls, and technical equipment during the journey
- Checking the efficiency and functioning of the locomotive regularly
- Calling out signals once sighted, for safe train operations
- Fine-tuning and monitoring locomotive performance
Q1. How can I check my RRB ALP CEN 01/2026 application status? Log in to www.rrbapply.gov.in using your registration number and date of birth/password, then check the “Application Status” section on your candidate dashboard.
Q2. How many vacancies are there under RRB ALP CEN 01/2026? A total of 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies have been notified.
Q3. When is the RRB ALP CBT 1 exam date? The CBT 1 exam is tentatively expected in August 2026, though RRB has not yet released the official exam date and city intimation slip.
Q4. What is the age limit for RRB ALP 2026? Candidates must be between 18 and 30 years of age as on 1 July 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories.
Q5. What is the educational qualification required for RRB ALP? Class 10th pass with ITI in a relevant trade, or a 3-year Diploma/Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering.
Q6. How many candidates applied for RRB ALP CEN 01/2026? Approximately 8,40,944 candidates submitted applications before the window closed on 14 June 2026.
Q7. Is the RRB ALP application fee refundable? Yes, the application fee is partially refundable to candidates who appear for the CBT 1 examination.
Q8. What is the selection process for RRB ALP? CBT 1 → CBT 2 (Part A & Part B) → CBAT → Document Verification → Medical Examination.
