RRB ALP 2026: exam date, pattern, syllabus and how to apply
RRB ALP is the recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilots for Indian Railways, run by the Railway Recruitment Boards. The current notice is CEN 01/2026. As of 20 October 2026, the RRBs have set the first-stage computer-based test (CBT-1) for 3 to 5 November 2026, so if you applied, you have about two weeks left.
RRB ALP at a glance
| Conducting body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways |
| What it is for | Assistant Loco Pilot, pay Level 2, initial pay ₹19,900, medical standard A-1 |
| Current notice | CEN 01/2026, 11,127 provisional vacancies |
| Stages | CBT-1, CBT-2 (Part A and Part B), Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), document verification, medical |
| CBT-1 | 75 questions in 60 minutes, 1 mark each |
| Negative marking | One-third of a mark per wrong answer in the CBTs; none in the CBAT |
| Languages | English, Hindi or one of 13 other languages, shown with English |
| How often | Each cycle is a new CEN; the previous one was CEN 01/2025 |
| Official website | rrb.indianrailways.gov.in |
RRB ALP 2026 exam date
| Step | CEN 01/2026 |
|---|---|
| Indicative notice in Employment News | 21 March 2026 |
| Online applications | 15 May to 14 June 2026 (closed) |
| CBT-1 | 3 to 5 November 2026 |
| CBT-2, CBAT | Not announced yet |
The CBT-1 dates are from the RRBs' notice of 21 September 2026, checked 20 October 2026. That notice says the link to see your exam city and date (and the travel authority for SC and ST candidates) goes live 10 days before the exam, and e-call letters about 4 days before. Bring your original Aadhaar card or a printout of the e-verified Aadhaar: identity is checked by Aadhaar-linked biometrics at the centre.
The previous cycle, CEN 01/2025, is at the CBAT stage; its city intimation link was announced on 20 October 2026. Our RRB ALP exam dates page follows the notices.
How to apply for RRB ALP
Applications for CEN 01/2026 closed on 14 June 2026. For the next cycle, the steps are the same as for other RRB notices:
- Watch the RRB website for the indicative notice, then read the detailed CEN, especially the eligibility and Annexure A (trades and qualifications).
- Apply on rrbapply.gov.in: create an account, choose one RRB, fill the form and upload your photograph and signature.
- Pay the fee given in the notice and keep a copy of the submitted form.
Keep ready: your Class 10 certificate, your ITI, Act Apprenticeship, diploma or degree certificate, a caste or EWS certificate if you claim one, and your Aadhaar.
Eligibility in CEN 01/2026. Age 18 to 30 years on 1 July 2026, with relaxations (3 years for OBC-NCL, 5 for SC and ST). Matriculation or SSLC plus an ITI (NCVT/SCVT) or course-completed Act Apprenticeship in a listed trade; or a three-year diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering in place of the ITI, and a degree in those disciplines is also accepted. The post is not open to persons with benchmark disabilities, and candidates who have had LASIK or another refractive surgery are not eligible.
RRB ALP exam pattern
| Stage | Questions | Time | What counts |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBT-1 | 75 (Mathematics, Mental Ability, General Science) | 60 minutes | Screening only; marks not in the final panel |
| CBT-2 Part A | 100 (Mathematics, Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering) | 90 minutes | Used for merit |
| CBT-2 Part B | 75 (trade test, DGT syllabi) | 60 minutes | Qualifying: 35% needed |
| CBAT | Aptitude test batteries | Not stated in the notice | T-score of 42 in each battery; no negative marking |
The final panel weighs CBT-2 Part A and the CBAT equally. CEN 01/2026 does not say how many CBT-1 questions come from each subject, and unlike CEN 01/2025 it has no General Awareness part in CBT-1. To be eligible after CBT-1 you need 40% (UR and EWS), 30% (OBC-NCL and SC) or 25% (ST). Candidates go to CBT-2 at 15 times each RRB's vacancies, on normalised CBT-1 marks.
RRB ALP syllabus
- Mathematics: number system, BODMAS, fractions, LCM and HCF, square roots, ratio, percentages, profit and loss, interest, time and work, pipes and cisterns, time and distance, mensuration, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, ages, calendar and clock.
- Mental Ability: analogies, classification, series, coding-decoding, relationships, directions, syllogism, statement and assumptions, Venn diagrams, data sufficiency and analytical reasoning.
- General Science: physics, chemistry and life sciences of Class 10 standard.
The full topic list is on our RRB ALP syllabus page.
A plan for the two weeks left
| Days | What to do |
|---|---|
| Days 1 to 2 | One full RRB ALP CBT-1 mock test in 60 minutes. Note which subject cost you the most marks. |
| Days 3 to 9 | Mornings: your weakest subject, by topic. Evenings: a timed mock on alternate days. Science: revise Class 10 physics formulas and chemistry reactions you got wrong. |
| Days 10 to 12 | Download your city slip when it opens; plan the journey. Two more mocks; revise only your mistake notes. |
| Last 2 days | Light revision, sleep, and the e-call letter, your Aadhaar and the photo ID named in your application in one folder. |
At 75 questions in 60 minutes you have 48 seconds a question. Do not get stuck on one calculation; mark it and come back. With one-third negative marking, guess only when you can rule out at least one option; our article on negative marking explains why.
Useful links
- CEN 01/2026 CBT-1 schedule notice (RRB)
- Detailed CEN 01/2026, Assistant Loco Pilot (RRB Kolkata copy)
- RRB online application portal
- Free RRB ALP mock tests
- RRB ALP syllabus
- RRB ALP exam dates
- RRB JE 2026: exam date, pattern and how to apply
- RRB Group D 2026: exam date, pattern and how to apply
Frequently asked questions
What is the RRB ALP 2026 exam date?
CBT-1 for CEN 01/2026 is scheduled for 3 to 5 November 2026, in the RRBs' notice of 21 September 2026. Your own date and city appear in the intimation link about 10 days before.
Is there negative marking in RRB ALP?
Yes. One-third of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer in CBT-1 and CBT-2. The CBAT has no negative marking.
What is the RRB ALP CBT-1 pass mark?
The minimum to stay eligible is 40% for UR and EWS, 30% for OBC-NCL and SC, and 25% for ST. CBT-1 only shortlists for CBT-2 and its marks are not used in the final panel.
Can I still apply for RRB ALP 2026?
No. Applications for CEN 01/2026 closed on 14 June 2026. The next chance is the next ALP notice, which will appear on the RRB websites.
Can a diploma holder apply for RRB ALP?
Yes, under CEN 01/2026 a three-year diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering is accepted in place of the ITI, and so is a degree in those disciplines.
Are your RRB ALP mock tests official?
No. They are our own practice tests built to the CEN 01/2026 pattern, with an even split of 25 questions per subject because the notice does not print one. The RRBs post their own mock test link before the exam.