RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) & Technician 2026 Recruitment
Looking for the official RRB ALP eligibility criteria, strict A-1 medical vision standards, and exact railway document upload rules? Covering over 18,799 vacancies across Indian Railways, this guide breaks down trade qualifications, Computer Based Tests, and psycho batteries on rrbcdg.gov.in.
Assistant Loco Pilots drive Indian Railways electric and diesel locomotives, commanding high running allowances. Explore other technical government jobs in our Live Government Jobs Directory.
CBT-1, CBT-2 & CBAT Psycho Test Structure
CBT-1 has 75 questions in 60 minutes (screening test). CBT-2 has Part A (100 questions / 90 min, decides merit) and Part B (75 questions / 60 min, technical trade test requiring 35% pass mark). Negative marking is 1/3rd mark.
⚠️ Critical Application Rejection Traps to Avoid
Over 15% of online recruitment applications are rejected during preliminary scrutiny due to non-compliant digital uploads. Avoid these common mistakes:
Block Letter Signature: Signing in ALL CAPITAL letters causes immediate disqualification.
Blurred Thumb / Details: Smudged ink or low DPI leads to automated portal rejection.
Exceeding File Size Bounds: Uploading files outside the strict KB range fails verification.
RRB ALP Document Upload Specifications
Upload a color photo (35×45 mm, 20–50 KB) on white background and scanned signature (140×60 px, 10–20 KB) in black ink. Capital signatures are rejected.
Use the official sources referenced in this article to confirm current requirements.
Q1 What is the educational qualification for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)?
Candidates must have passed 10th Class (Matriculation) PLUS hold an ITI Certificate in recognized trades (Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright, Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Turner, Machinist, RAC) OR hold a 3-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering from a recognized institution. Degree holders (B.E./B.Tech) in these engineering disciplines are also eligible.
Q2 What is the Medical Standard A-1 required for Assistant Loco Pilot?
Medical Standard A-1 is strictly enforced: Distant Vision must be 6/6, 6/6 without glasses (no glasses or spectacles permitted). Near Vision must be Sn: 0.6, 0.6 without glasses. Candidates must pass tests for Color Vision, Binocular Vision, Field of Vision, and Night Vision. Candidates who have undergone LASIK, PRK, or any refractive eye surgery are permanently disqualified.
Q3 What is the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) for ALP candidates?
CBAT (Psycho Test) is mandatory only for candidates who qualify CBT-2 for the post of ALP. Candidates equal to 8 times the vacancy are shortlisted. The test comprises 5 battery tests (Memory Test, Following Directions, Depth Perception, Concentration, and Perceptual Speed). Candidates must score a minimum T-score of 42 marks in EACH test battery separately to qualify. CBAT carries 30% weightage in final merit.
Q4 What is the passing criteria for CBT-2 Part B (Trade Test)?
CBT-2 Part B is a qualifying technical test consisting of 75 questions based on DGET curriculum for the candidate's chosen trade. Candidates must score a mandatory minimum of 35% marks (26.25 marks out of 75) regardless of their category (UR, OBC, SC, ST). Part B marks are not added to final merit, but failing Part B disqualifies the candidate even if they scored 100/100 in Part A.
Q5 What is the negative marking penalty in RRB ALP CBT-1 and CBT-2?
A negative marking penalty of 1/3rd (0.33 marks) is deducted for each incorrect answer in CBT-1 and CBT-2 (Part A and Part B). However, there is NO negative marking in the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT Psycho Test).
Q6 Can a candidate apply for multiple RRB zones in ALP 2026?
No. Candidates can apply to ONLY ONE regional Railway Recruitment Board (RRB). Applying to more than one RRB is considered a duplicate registration, resulting in immediate rejection of all submitted applications.
Q7 What are the photo and signature upload requirements for RRB ALP?
The candidate's photograph must be a clear color portrait (35 × 45 mm, 20.0 KB to 50.0 KB in JPG/JPEG) taken against a plain light background within 3 months. The signature must measure 140 × 60 pixels, strictly between 10.0 KB and 20.0 KB in JPG/JPEG, penned in black ballpoint ink on clean white unruled paper in running cursive handwriting.
Q8 What is the age limit and relaxation for RRB ALP candidates?
The general age limit is 18 to 33 years (inclusive of 3-year COVID relaxation). Reserved categories receive standard statutory relaxations: OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) gets +3 years (up to 36 years), SC/ST gets +5 years (up to 38 years), and Ex-Servicemen get service years deduction + 3 years.
Q9 What is the difference between ALP and Technician posts in RRB recruitment?
ALP is a train-running cadre responsible for piloting electric and diesel trains, requiring strict A-1 medical vision and the CBAT psycho test. Technician Grade 3 posts are workshop and depot-based technical roles (Carriage & Wagon, Diesel Electrical, Track Machine, Signal & Telecommunication) requiring B-1 or C-1 medical standards, without requiring the CBAT psycho test.
Q10 What is the starting in-hand salary and running allowance for an Assistant Loco Pilot?
ALP starts at 7th CPC Pay Level 2 with Basic Pay of ₹19,900. In addition to DA (~50%), HRA, and Transport Allowance, ALPs earn generous Running Allowance (Kilometre Allowance for train running duties at approx. ₹4.50 to ₹5.50 per km), allowing monthly gross earnings to routinely reach ₹52,000–₹65,000, with net in-hand salary ~₹45,000–₹58,000.
Q11 Can an ITI or Diploma candidate clear RRB ALP & Technician 2026?
Yes. The majority of successful ALP and Technician candidates are ITI and Diploma holders. The key to clearing is: (1) Score 75+ in CBT-1 by mastering Basic Science & Engineering, Maths, and Reasoning. (2) In CBT-2 Part B, secure at least 35% qualifying marks in your trade theory. (3) For ALP aspirants, practice memory and observation tests for the CBAT aptitude stage.
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Official Specs: 140×60 px (4×2 cm), file size strictly 10 to 20 KB (Black Ink Only).