🗓️Last Updated: June 2026

RRB ALP 2026: Assistant Loco Pilot — Eligibility, ITI, Psycho Test & Complete Guide

RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) and Technician recruitment is conducted by Railway Recruitment Boards for safety-critical train operation roles. This guide covers the mandatory ITI trade requirements, the unique three-stage exam pattern (CBT 1, CBT 2 Part A+B, Psychometric/Aptitude Test), Class A1 medical standard, and step-by-step application process.

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Verified by NagrikIQ Research Team
Sources: Official .gov.in portals only · Updated June 2026
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📋 Overview

RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) is a distinctive and prestigious railway recruitment — ALPs are the co-drivers of trains, assisting Loco Pilots (train drivers) in safe train operation. This is a safety-critical role, which is why it has the most rigorous eligibility requirements of all railway recruitment exams, including a unique trade-specific CBT component, a psychometric/aptitude test, and Class A1 medical standard. Two types of posts are filled under this notification: Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP): Pay Level 2, ₹19,900–₹63,200. ALPs work in locomotive cabs, assist the Loco Pilot, monitor instruments, and handle emergency procedures. After a few years of service, eligible ALPs are promoted to Loco Pilot (Goods) and eventually Loco Pilot (Mail/Express). It is one of the most coveted operational posts in Indian Railways for technical candidates. Technician (Various Grades): Pay Level 2, ₹19,900–₹63,200. Technicians are posted in mechanical, electrical, signal & telecommunication, and engineering departments for equipment maintenance. Post types include Technician Grade III (Fitter, Electrician, Welder, Machinist, Wireman, Electronic Mechanic, etc.). Education Requirement: The critical differentiator for ALP is the trade requirement. Candidates must have passed 10th standard PLUS hold an ITI certificate in one of the trades listed in the notification (e.g., Electrician, Fitter, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Mechanic Diesel, Electronic Mechanic, Wireman, Instrument Mechanic, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Armature and Coil Winder). Alternatively, candidates with a Diploma in Engineering in a relevant stream (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Automobile, etc.) are also eligible for ALP. For Technician posts, the ITI trade must match the specific Technician post applied for. Unique Exam Pattern (3 Stages): Stage 1 — CBT 1: 75 questions, 60 minutes. Subjects: Mathematics (20 questions), General Intelligence & Reasoning (25 questions), General Science (20 questions), General Awareness on Current Affairs (10 questions). Negative marking: 1/3 per wrong answer. This is a screening test — marks not counted in final merit. Stage 2 — CBT 2 (Part A + Part B): - Part A: 100 questions, 90 minutes — Mathematics (25), General Intelligence & Reasoning (25), Basic Science & Engineering (40), General Awareness on Current Affairs (10). 1/3 negative marking. Part A marks determine ALP merit. - Part B: 75 questions, 60 minutes — Trade syllabus based on the ITI/diploma subject chosen by the candidate. This part is qualifying in nature for ALP (pass/fail); for Technician posts, Part B marks determine merit. Stage 3 — Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT): Only shortlisted ALP candidates (not Technician) appear for CBAT. This tests: spatial scanning, depth perception, concentration, memory for shape/signal, and other loco-pilot-specific cognitive abilities. The CBAT is designed to test suitability for train driving. It is qualifying in nature — candidates who fail CBAT cannot be posted as ALP but may be considered for Technician posts if vacancies exist. Medical Examination: Class A1 — the most stringent railway medical standard. - Distant vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other WITHOUT glasses or contact lenses - Near vision: Sn.0.6/Sn.0.6 in both eyes - No colour blindness — Ishihara test mandatory - Perfect hearing in both ears - No defect in limbs, mental faculties, or speech - No squint, night blindness, or field defect This medical standard is strict because ALP and Loco Pilots are responsible for hundreds of passengers' lives. Candidates with spectacles, even mild prescriptions, are generally disqualified for ALP at Class A1. Check the notification for exact A1 standards before applying. Check indianrailways.gov.in or rrbcdg.gov.in for current ALP notification and vacancy details.

✅ Eligibility

  • ✓Education: 10th pass from a recognised board PLUS ITI in a trade specified in the notification (e.g., Electrician, Fitter, Electronic Mechanic, Mechanic Diesel, Wireman, Instrument Mechanic, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic, Welder, etc.) from an NCVT/SCVT-recognised institute. Alternatively, a Diploma in Engineering in a relevant stream (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Automobile) is also accepted
  • ✓Age: 18–28 years for both ALP and Technician posts. SC/ST +5 years (18–33), OBC (NCL) +3 years (18–31), PwD +10 years additional, Ex-Servicemen as per central government norms. The upper age limit is lower than Group D and NTPC — apply early in your career
  • ✓Medical standard Class A1 for ALP: Distant vision 6/6 (one eye) and 6/9 (other eye) WITHOUT glasses or contact lenses; near vision Sn.0.6 in both eyes; no colour blindness (Ishihara test); perfect hearing. Candidates with any prescription glasses should carefully check the A1 standard — even mild myopia may disqualify for ALP
  • ✓CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test): ALP candidates must clear this psychometric/aptitude test. It tests spatial reasoning, concentration, memory, and signal-reading abilities. This test cannot be retaken within the same recruitment cycle — a single failure eliminates the ALP candidature for that cycle
  • ✓For Technician posts: ITI trade must specifically match the technician post category (e.g., ITI Electrician for Technician Electrician post). Medical standard for Technician posts is less strict than ALP — typically Class B2
  • ✓Nationality: Indian citizens (or eligible persons as per central government norms). Physical fitness for general body standards — no permanent disability affecting job functions for most ALP/Technician posts

📁 Documents Required

▸10th pass certificate and marksheet from a recognised board — serves as date-of-birth proof
▸ITI certificate specifying trade name and duration (NCVT or SCVT recognised) — the exact trade must match the notification's eligible trade list for the post
▸OR Diploma in Engineering certificate and marksheets (for candidates with diploma instead of ITI)
▸Community/Caste certificate from Tehsildar/SDM in central government format (for OBC/SC/ST candidates)
▸Aadhaar card — primary identity proof for registration and document verification
▸EWS income and asset certificate from Tehsildar/SDM (for EWS candidates)
▸Recent passport-size photograph and signature scan within specified file size as per RRB notification
▸PWD certificate from government medical board (for PwD candidates)
▸Ex-Servicemen discharge certificate or service book with trade qualification record (for ex-SM candidates — military ITI/trade training is recognised as equivalent to civilian ITI)
▸Active mobile number and email ID — for admit card download and all official communications

💰Fees & Processing Time

Fee
General/OBC/EWS candidates: ₹500 (refundable on appearing in CBT Stage 1). SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Women/Transgender/PwD/Minorities/EBC candidates: ₹250 (refundable on appearing in CBT Stage 1). Payment via net banking, UPI, debit/credit card, or at designated counters as specified in the notification.
Processing Time
Typically 12–18 months from notification to final appointment for ALP. The multi-stage process — CBT 1 → CBT 2 (Part A + Part B) → CBAT (ALP only) → Document Verification → Medical Examination — takes considerable time due to logistics of psychometric testing and Class A1 medical. Check your RRB's official website for stage-wise schedule.

🖥️ How to Apply Online

  1. 1Visit the official RRB website for your preferred zone — e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in — and locate the active ALP & Technician CEN notification
  2. 2Click 'New Registration' and enter your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email. Save your Registration Number and Password
  3. 3Log in and fill the application form: select ALP or Technician (or both if allowed), enter ITI/Diploma trade details, personal details, community category, and exam language
  4. 4Crucially — select your ITI trade from the dropdown matching what appears in your ITI certificate. This determines your CBT 2 Part B paper. Mismatched trade selection can cause document verification rejection
  5. 5Select up to 3 preferred exam cities within the RRB zone
  6. 6Upload your passport-size photograph and signature scan in the specified format
  7. 7Pay the application fee online and save the transaction confirmation
  8. 8Submit and download/print the final application form for your records
  9. 9Download CBT Stage 1 Admit Card from the RRB portal — typically released 10–15 days before exam
  10. 10After CBT 1 → CBT 2 (Part A + Part B) → CBAT (for ALP shortlisted candidates) → Document Verification → Medical Examination (Class A1 for ALP, B2 for Technician) → Appointment

🏢 How to Apply Offline

  1. 1No offline application mode. All ALP applications are submitted online through the respective RRB website. Candidates can take help from CSC centres or cyber cafes. All CBT stages and CBAT are conducted at computer-based exam centres. Medical examination is conducted in-person at designated Railway hospitals.

⚠️Common Problems & Solutions

✗ITI trade does not match eligible trades listed in ALP notification
→Each ALP notification specifies a list of eligible ITI trades for each post (ALP vs specific Technician grade). If your ITI trade is not in the ALP-eligible list, check if it qualifies for Technician posts in the same notification. If neither, you are not eligible for that cycle's ALP. You can still appear for Group D if your ITI qualifies you there. Future ALP notifications may have a different (or expanded) trade list — check each new CEN notification.
✗Failed the CBAT (Psychometric/Aptitude Test) — cannot become ALP this cycle
→The CBAT is a one-attempt test within each recruitment cycle — there is no retest. Failure in CBAT means you cannot be posted as ALP in that cycle, but you may be considered for Technician posts if your CBT 2 Part B merit qualifies you and Technician vacancies exist at your rank. For future cycles, you can practice spatial reasoning, concentration exercises, and pattern recognition tasks — these are the cognitive abilities CBAT measures. Some coaching institutes offer CBAT mock tests.
✗Rejected at Class A1 medical examination for ALP — spectacles/colour vision
→Class A1 is very strict — even mild myopia without glasses correction exceeding the standard causes rejection. If rejected for ALP, you can appeal to a higher Railway Medical Authority within 15 days of rejection. However, if your vision genuinely does not meet A1 (e.g., you wear prescription glasses), the appeal is unlikely to succeed. Consider applying for NTPC or Group D posts where medical standard is Class C/B2, which is much more permissive. Alternatively, Technician posts under the same ALP notification have Class B2 medical standard.
✗Which ITI trades are eligible? How to match my certificate to the notification
→The ALP notification PDF (CEN) contains a detailed annexure listing all eligible ITI trades per post type — download this from rrbcdg.gov.in or your RRB's website. Match the exact trade name on your ITI certificate to the notification list (e.g., 'Electrician' must appear as-is). If your certificate says 'Electrical' instead of 'Electrician', contact the RRB helpdesk before applying to confirm whether it is accepted. ITI trades done in armed forces (military service) are also recognised — carry your military trade certificate.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q.What is the CBT 2 Part B in RRB ALP and why is it different from other exams?

CBT 2 Part B is a trade-specific paper — you answer questions from the syllabus of your ITI trade or engineering diploma subject. For example, if your ITI is in Electrician, Part B tests you on electrical theory, wiring, circuits, and related topics at ITI level. For ALP, Part B is qualifying (you must pass it to proceed to CBAT, but Part B marks don't decide ALP merit — Part A marks do). For Technician posts, Part B marks determine merit. This differentiates ALP from NTPC and Group D which have no trade-specific component.

Q.What is the CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test) for ALP?

CBAT is a psychometric and aptitude test specifically designed for the Assistant Loco Pilot role. It tests cognitive abilities required for safe train driving: spatial scanning (identifying signals and objects in a visual field), depth perception, concentration and vigilance, memory for patterns and shapes, and ability to handle multiple simultaneous tasks. The test is conducted on a computer at designated centres. It is qualifying in nature — you must pass to be eligible for ALP posting. Candidates who fail CBAT are considered for Technician vacancies if eligible.

Q.Is Class A1 medical standard required for Technician posts too?

No. Class A1 is the medical standard only for ALP (and Loco Pilot) posts — it applies because ALP is directly responsible for train driving. Technician posts generally fall under Class B2 (for most) or Class A2 depending on the specific department and post. Class B2 allows vision correctable with glasses to 6/9 and has less strict colour vision requirements. Always check the post-wise medical category table in the notification.

Q.Can I apply for both ALP and Technician in the same application?

Yes, most ALP notifications allow candidates to apply for both ALP and Technician posts in a single application. You appear for CBT 1 and CBT 2 together. Based on your performance, you are shortlisted separately for ALP (which requires CBAT and Class A1 medical) and for Technician (which requires Part B merit and Class B2 medical). Applying for both maximises your selection chances with a single fee payment.

Q.How is an ALP promoted to Loco Pilot in Indian Railways?

ALP (Pay Level 2) is promoted to Loco Pilot (Goods) — Pay Level 5 (₹29,200) — after a minimum qualifying service period (typically 2–3 years) and upon passing the Loco Pilot driving test and medical re-examination. After further service, Loco Pilot (Goods) is promoted to Loco Pilot (Passenger) and then Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) — Pay Level 6 (₹35,400). Senior Loco Pilots with seniority may become Loco Pilot (Special) Grade — Level 7 (₹44,900). The ALP role is a well-defined career entry point for train operations.

📞Helpline & Support

  • ▸RRB Regional Helplines: Visit indianrailways.gov.in for the complete list of 21 RRBs and their helpline numbers
  • ▸Railway Enquiry: 139 (toll-free, 24x7)
  • ▸Indian Railways Official Portal: indianrailways.gov.in
  • ▸Grievances: pgportal.gov.in — select Ministry of Railways
  • ▸ALP/Technician exam queries: Email helpdesk listed on the specific RRB's official website
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