NEW DELHI — The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the recruitment notification for 11,127 vacancies of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), stoking hopes among thousands of aspirants who have been waiting for a clear timeline. The Computer-Based Test (CBT-1) for the post is expected to be held in November 2026, the RRB confirmed in its latest advisory issued to candidates across the country.
The notification, published on the official RRB website, outlines the complete selection process for the ALP position, which includes two stages of computer-based testing, a Document Verification stage, and a Medical Examination conducted by authorized railway medical authorities. Candidates who qualify CBT-1 will then appear for CBT-2, after which the final merit list will be prepared based on combined performance in both tests.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the RRB had initially planned to conduct the CBT-1 earlier in 2026 but deferred the schedule due to the overlapping examination calendar of other major recruitment boards. The new timeline ensures that ALP candidates will receive their admit cards approximately two weeks before the exam, allowing sufficient time for verification and travel arrangements.
The ALP post is one of the most sought-after junior-level positions in Indian Railways. Asst. Loco Pilots are responsible for assisting the senior Loco Pilot in operating electric, diesel, and freight locomotives on railway routes. The minimum educational qualification required is passing the 10th standard (Matriculation) along with an ITI certificate in a relevant trade, or an equivalent engineering diploma.
Candidates have been advised to regularly check the official RRB portal for updates on hall ticket release dates, city-wise center allocations, and any further modifications to the examination schedule. The RRB has also reiterated that no separate call letter will be sent via post, and all communication will be made exclusively through the online portal.
With over 30 lakh candidates having applied for the 11,127 vacancies, competition is expected to be stiff. Experts suggest that thorough preparation for both CBT stages, focusing on mathematics, general intelligence, basic science, and general awareness, will be critical for qualifying cutoff marks across all reservation categories.
