The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the detailed notification for the recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) under CEN 01/2026. This year, Indian Railways has announced a massive 11,127 vacancies across various railway zones.
The online application window opened on May 15, 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their forms until the deadline on June 14, 2026. This is a prime opportunity for ITI, Engineering Diploma, and B.Tech graduates looking for a stable career in the railway sector.
RRB ALP Recruitment 2026
Important Dates and Application Fee
Candidates must keep track of the complete registration and correction timeline to ensure their applications are submitted smoothly.
| Event / Category | Important Dates & Details |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | May 14, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | May 15, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | June 14, 2026 (up to 11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | June 16, 2026 |
| Application Correction Window | June 17, 2026 to June 26, 2026 |
| General / OBC / EWS Fee | ₹500 (₹400 refunded after appearing in CBT-1) |
| SC / ST / Female / PH Fee | ₹250 (Full ₹250 refunded after appearing in CBT-1) |
Eligibility Criteria & Age Limit
Candidates must fulfill the specified educational and age requirements as of July 1, 2026 to apply for the ALP posts.
- Age Limit: 18 to 30 years. Standard age relaxations apply (5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates).
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed any one of the following from a recognized board or institution:
- Class 10th (Matriculation) + ITI certificate in relevant engineering trades (Fitter, Electrician, Diesel Mechanic, Turner, Machinist, etc.).
- Class 10th + 3-Year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering.
- B.E. / B.Tech degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering.
Category-Wise Vacancy
The total 11,127 vacancies are distributed among different categories across all 21 participating Railway Recruitment Boards.
| Category | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR / General) | 4,860 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 2,598 |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 1,746 |
| Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) | 1,004 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 919 |
| Total Posts | 11,127 |
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
Indian Railways has introduced significant changes to the selection pattern for the 2026 recruitment cycle that candidates need to know:
- General Awareness Removed from CBT-1: There will be no questions from General Awareness or Current Affairs in the first stage. CBT-1 will now only feature 75 questions from Mathematics, Mental Ability (Reasoning), and General Science. The total duration is 60 minutes, with a negative marking of 0.25 for each wrong answer.
- Revised Merit Formula (50:50 Weightage): Previously, the final merit list gave 70% weightage to CBT-2 Part-A scores and 30% to the Aptitude Test (CBAT). From this year onwards, the final merit list will give 50% weightage to CBT-2 Part-A and 50% weightage to CBAT, making the aptitude test equally important.
- CBT-2 Structure: This stage will have two parts completed in 2.5 hours. Part-A includes 100 questions covering core subjects, while Part-B features 75 trade-related technical questions where candidates must secure at least 35% marks to qualify.
How to Apply Online
Eligible candidates can easily register by visiting the unified registration website:
- Step 1: Head over to the official application portal at rrbapply.gov.in.
- Step 2: Click on the registration link, create an account, and complete your Aadhaar verification.
- Step 3: Log in using your credentials and fill out the detailed educational, communication, and zone preferences.
- Step 4: Upload your recent scanned photograph and signature according to the official guidelines.
- Step 5: Pay the required examination fee online and print out the confirmation page for your records.
NALCO Non-Executive Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 268 Operator, Technician, and Foreman Posts