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RRB ALP 2026: exam pattern, marks, negative marking, age limit

Every figure on this page is copied from an official document linked next to it, with the date we last checked it. Pattern, age limit and dates are from the CEN 01/2026 notification. Last verified: 15 October 2026.

At a glance

Selection stages
First Stage CBT (CBT-1) → Second Stage CBT (CBT-2) → Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
First stage: Questions / Marks / Time
75 / 75 / 60 min
Negative marking
One-third (1/3) of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer.
First stage dates
3 November 2026 to 5 November 2026
Tentative vacancies
11,127 (as on 14 May 2026)

Weekly live mock: Sunday, 8 November 2026, 10:00–12:00 IST · 50 questions in 60 minutes, one paper for everyone · Sit it in the Android app →

Exam pattern

First Stage CBT (CBT-1)

Applies to: Assistant Loco Pilot

CBT-1

SectionQuestionsMarks eachMarksTime (min)
Mathematics, Mental Ability and General Science (combined paper)75175—
Total757560

Time allowed: 60 minutes. Negative marking: One-third (1/3) of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer. This part is qualifying only: it does not add to the merit score.

  • Objective multiple-choice questions. The notice lists the three subjects but does not give the number of questions for each. General Science is of 10th standard level.
  • A screening test only: CBT-1 marks are not counted in the final panel. Candidates are shortlisted for CBT-2 RRB-wise on normalised CBT-1 marks, at 15 times the vacancies of that RRB (the Railways may raise or lower this limit).
  • When a CBT is held in several shifts, marks are normalised before shortlisting.

Second Stage CBT (CBT-2)

Applies to: Assistant Loco Pilot

CBT-2, Part-A

Time allowed: 90 minutes. Part-A and Part-B together: 2 hours 30 minutes, 175 questions. Negative marking: One-third (1/3) of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer.

  • 100 questions on Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, and Basic Science and Engineering. The notice gives the number of questions but not the marks per question for CBT-2.
  • Only Part-A marks are counted for the next stage, and only if the candidate also scores at least 35% in Part-B. Candidates are shortlisted for the CBAT from Part-A marks, at 8 times the vacancies in each community (UR, OBC-NCL, SC, ST, EWS including ex-servicemen), RRB-wise.
  • When a CBT is held in several shifts, marks are normalised.

CBT-2, Part-B (trade test)

Time allowed: 60 minutes. Negative marking: One-third (1/3) of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer. This part is qualifying only: it does not add to the merit score.

  • 75 questions from the trade syllabi prescribed by the Directorate General of Training (DGT). Candidates with ITI or apprenticeship answer questions from their own trade; Degree and Diploma holders choose one trade from the list the notice gives for their engineering discipline.
  • Qualifying only: at least 35% for all candidates, whatever their category.

Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)

Applies to: Assistant Loco Pilot

CBAT

  • No negative marking. The test is in English and Hindi only. Every test battery must be cleared separately: all candidates need a T-score of at least 42 in each battery.
  • Shortlisted candidates must bring their signed Self Screening Medical Declaration Report (Annexures VIII A and VIII B) in original on the CBAT day, or they are not allowed to appear.
  • The merit list is made RRB-wise from candidates who clear the CBAT, giving Part-A of CBT-2 and the CBAT score 50% weightage each. Candidates equal to the vacancies are then called for document verification and the medical examination.

Source: Detailed Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026: Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 (If it shows “Request Rejected”, open rrb.indianrailways.gov.in first, then the link again.) · Report an error

Free RRB ALP mock tests in this official pattern →

Syllabus: subjects tested

The subjects in short, as the official syllabus lists them. The exam body's own notification is final.

Mathematics
Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM and HCF, ratio and proportion, percentages, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, algebra, geometry and trigonometry, elementary statistics, square root, age calculations, calendar and clock, and pipes and cistern.
Mental Ability / General Intelligence and Reasoning
Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, jumbling, Venn diagram, data interpretation and sufficiency, conclusions and decision making, similarities and differences, analytical reasoning, classification, directions, and statement-arguments and assumptions.
General Science (CBT-1)
Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences at 10th standard level.
Basic Science and Engineering (CBT-2 Part-A)
Engineering drawing (projections, views, drawing instruments, lines, geometric figures, symbolic representation), units, measurements, mass, weight and density, work, power and energy, speed and velocity, heat and temperature, basic electricity, levers and simple machines, occupational safety and health, environment education, and IT literacy.
Trade syllabus (CBT-2 Part-B)
Set by trade. The notification groups trades by engineering discipline: Electrical (Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman, Armature and Coil Winder, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic); Electronics (Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic Radio and TV); Mechanical (Fitter, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic Diesel, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic); Automobile (Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic Diesel, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic). Syllabi for the trades are on the DGT website.

Full syllabus, stage by stage → · Official website ↗

Age limit and qualification

18 to 30 years as on 1 July 2026. The upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST and by 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer); relaxations for ex-servicemen, serving railway staff, Course Completed Act Apprentices and others are listed in para 5.1 of the notice. PwBD candidates are not eligible to apply for this post. Age is counted as on 1 July 2026.

PostsRequirement
Assistant Loco Pilot (Level 2)Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI from a recognised NCVT/SCVT institution in one of these trades: Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio and TV), Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature and Coil Winder, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Mechanic; or Matriculation/SSLC plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in those trades; or Matriculation/SSLC plus a three-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering (or a combination of these streams) in lieu of ITI. A Degree in these engineering disciplines is also accepted in lieu of the Diploma.
Medical standardMedical standard A-1 (vision standards are in para 3.0 of the notice). Candidates who have had Lasik or other surgery to correct a refractive error are not eligible.

Minimum percentage in CBT-1 and in Part-A of CBT-2: UR and EWS 40%, OBC (non-creamy layer) 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%, and the same for ex-servicemen as per their community. Part-B of CBT-2 needs 35% for all candidates, and the CBAT needs a T-score of at least 42 in each test battery.

Source: Detailed Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026: Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 (If it shows “Request Rejected”, open rrb.indianrailways.gov.in first, then the link again.) · Report an error

Important dates

EventDateSource
Indicative notice in Employment News21 March 2026official notice ↗
Online applications15 May 2026 to 14 June 2026official notice ↗
Last date for application fee payment16 June 2026official notice ↗
Application modification window17 June 2026 to 26 June 2026official notice ↗
CBT-1 (tentative schedule notified on 21 September 2026)3 November 2026 to 5 November 2026official notice ↗
CBT-2, CBAT, document verification and medical examinationDates not announced yet. The notice says they will be given later on the official RRB websites.official notice ↗

Source: Detailed Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026: Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 (If it shows “Request Rejected”, open rrb.indianrailways.gov.in first, then the link again.) · Report an error

Source: Tentative vacancies ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 (If it shows “Request Rejected”, open rrb.indianrailways.gov.in first, then the link again.) · Report an error

Practice questions by section

Free questions, each with its answer, in the subjects this exam tests. Every topic opens a list of question pages.

Quantitative Aptitude

Reasoning

General Studies

All practice questions by topic →

Free notes (PDF)

Notes for every topic in this exam’s syllabus, one PDF per subject: each lesson ends with a quick-revision box, and each PDF ends with a revision sheet. Written by an AI assistant and not reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

Notes for every subject →

Latest notices

All exam notices →

RRB ALP admit card, result and answer key: every notice →

Recent current affairs for this exam

All current affairs →

Prepare

Frequently asked questions

What are the selection stages of RRB ALP?

First Stage CBT (CBT-1) → Second Stage CBT (CBT-2) → Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), as per the CEN 01/2026 notification.

How many questions are in the RRB ALP first stage?

First Stage CBT (CBT-1): 75 questions for 75 marks in 60 minutes, as per the CEN 01/2026 notification.

Is there negative marking in RRB ALP?

First Stage CBT (CBT-1), as per the CEN 01/2026 notification: One-third (1/3) of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer.

Is there negative marking in RRB ALP Second Stage CBT?

Second Stage CBT (CBT-2), as per the CEN 01/2026 notification: One-third (1/3) of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer.

Which parts of the RRB ALP exam are qualifying?

As per the CEN 01/2026 notification, these are qualifying: First Stage CBT (CBT-1): CBT-1; Second Stage CBT (CBT-2): CBT-2, Part-B (trade test).

What is the age limit for RRB ALP?

18 to 30 years as on 1 July 2026. The upper limit is relaxed by 5 years for SC and ST and by 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer); relaxations for ex-servicemen, serving railway staff, Course Completed Act Apprentices and others are listed in para 5.1 of the notice. PwBD candidates are not eligible to apply for this post. Age is counted as on 1 July 2026.

What are the minimum qualifying marks in RRB ALP?

Minimum percentage in CBT-1 and in Part-A of CBT-2: UR and EWS 40%, OBC (non-creamy layer) 30%, SC 30%, ST 25%, and the same for ex-servicemen as per their community. Part-B of CBT-2 needs 35% for all candidates, and the CBAT needs a T-score of at least 42 in each test battery.

How many vacancies are there in RRB ALP?

11,127 tentative vacancies for CEN 01/2026, as officially published on 14 May 2026.

When is the last date to apply for RRB ALP?

Online applications: 15 May 2026 to 14 June 2026 (now closed). As per the CEN 01/2026 notification.

What are the RRB ALP first-stage exam dates?

First Stage CBT (CBT-1): 3 November 2026 to 5 November 2026, as per the CEN 01/2026 notification.

Which subjects does the RRB ALP exam test?

The official syllabus lists: Mathematics; Mental Ability / General Intelligence and Reasoning; General Science (CBT-1); Basic Science and Engineering (CBT-2 Part-A); Trade syllabus (CBT-2 Part-B).

Source: Detailed Centralised Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2026: Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) ↗ · Last verified: 15 October 2026 (If it shows “Request Rejected”, open rrb.indianrailways.gov.in first, then the link again.) · Report an error

How this page is made

These facts are transcribed from the official documents linked above and checked against them on the date shown. If anything here differs from the official notification, the official notification is right. Please tell us through the Contact page. See also our editorial standards. Contact · Editorial standards