RRB ASSISTANT LOCO PILOT RECRUITMENT INDIAN RAILWAYS
Introduction
The Government of India, through its Ministry of Railways, has announced an all-encompassing recruitment drive for the position of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) under the Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2025. This notification, aimed at recruiting nearly 10,000 candidates, lays down a rigorous procedure covering eligibility, an online application process, several competitive computer-based tests, document verification, and a stringent medical examination. In the spirit of transparency and merit, every detail—from important dates and fee structures to reservation policies and requisite documents—is explained thoroughly in this guide. Whether you are a seasoned applicant or a first-timer aspiring to join the railways, this article will act as your complete manual for the recruitment process.
Overview of the Recruitment Notification
This recruitment drive for Assistant Loco Pilot positions is designed to identify candidates who satisfy a high standard of technical, educational, and medical fitness. The positions are advertised across different Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) in various zones, with unique vacancy distributions based on community and region. The process is strictly online, with no tolerance for multiple applications, underscoring the importance of accuracy and adherence to the identified guidelines.
A careful reading of this document is essential. Applicants must note that only one online application is permitted—with the selection of a single RRB being final. Specific details regarding the format of the online application (including account creation, Aadhaar authentication, and mandatory document uploads) are covered extensively. In addition, there are in-depth instructions regarding the examination process, which comprises multiple phases (CBT-1, CBT-2, a Computer Based Aptitude Test, followed by Document and Medical Verification) with clearly defined marking schemes and negative marking rules.
Key Notification Details
Below is a table summarizing the most critical dates and position-specific information:
Important Dates & Position Details
| Event/Detail | Date / Information |
|---|---|
| Indicative Notice Publication | 29-03-2025 |
| Online Application Commencement | 12-04-2025 |
| Application Submission Deadline | 11-05-2025 (Online submissions close at 23:59 hrs) |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 13-05-2025 (23:59 hrs) |
| Modification Window for Corrections | 14-05-2025 to 23-05-2025 |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Level / Pay Scale (7th CPC) | Level-2 / Rs. 19,900 (Initial Pay) |
| Medical Standard | Standard A-1 |
| Age Requirement (as on 01-07-2025) | 18 to 30 years |
| Total Vacancies | 9,970 |
Eligibility & Application Guidelines
Educational and Technical Qualifications
Candidates must possess one of the following:
- A Matriculation or SSLC certificate accompanied by an ITI certification in trades such as Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV), Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, or Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic.
- Alternatively, a Matriculation/SSLC certificate with a Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in a relevant trade or a three-year diploma (or degree, in some cases) in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering may be accepted.
Note: For any candidate awaiting final results, the online application should not be submitted until the qualifying certificate is duly issued. All supporting certificates must mention their date of issue clearly.
Age & Medical Fitness
- Age Criteria: Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years of age (as on 01-07-2025). Relaxations are available for reserved categories as per the official guidelines, but for UR candidates, strict adherence to the specified age bracket applies.
- Medical Standards: The candidate’s physical and ocular health is paramount. Key vision criteria include:
- Distant Vision: 6/6 in each eye without glasses (with an approved fogging test ensuring no acceptance of +2D correction).
- Near Vision: A standard value of Sn 0.6 in each eye.
- Additional tests for colour vision, binocular vision, field of vision, night vision, and mesopic vision are conducted.
Candidates who have undergone LASIK or similar corrective surgeries are not eligible. A declaration regarding non-participation in such procedures must be furnished at the time of document verification.
Examination Process & Pattern
The selection process is divided into several stages, designed to test both the academic aptitude and job-specific skills of the candidates.
Detailed Examination Stages
| Stage | Duration | No. of Questions / Description | Marks / Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| CBT-1 | 60 minutes | 75 objective-type questions covering Mathematics, Mental Ability, General Science, and General Awareness. | Each question carries 1 mark and attracts negative marking of 1/3rd mark per wrong answer. The raw scores are normalized across shifts. Minimum qualifying percentage: UR & EWS – 40%, OBC (NCL) – 30%, SC & ST – 30% & 25% respectively. |
| CBT-2 (Part-A) | 90 minutes | 100 objective questions testing advanced mathematics, reasoning, and basic science & engineering concepts (including fundamentals of Engineering Drawing, measurements, and occupational safety). | Negative marking applies as in CBT-1. Qualifying percentages are similar to CBT-1. |
| CBT-2 (Part-B) | 60 minutes | 75 questions designed as a qualifying test from trade-specific syllabi prescribed by the Directorate General of Training (DGT). | Minimum qualifying percentage of 35% (irrespective of category) — marks not considered in merit calculation, but candidates must pass. |
| Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) | As scheduled (details provided separately on the official websites) | Battery of tests designed to assess cognitive abilities with separate sections — conducted only in English and Hindi, and with no negative marking. | Minimum T-score of 42 in each section is required. Overall merit is calculated with a 70:30 weightage from CBT-2 Part-A and CBAT scores respectively. |
Important: Only candidates who clear each section of the examinations will be shortlisted for the subsequent stages (Document Verification and Medical Examination).
Application Procedure and Modification Guidelines
Online Application Process
- Single Application Requirement: Applicants must create an account using the online portal specified on the official RRB websites. Any candidate attempting more than one application, or applying to multiple RRBs, will have their applications summarily rejected.
- Mandatory Aadhaar Verification: While creating an account, it is advisable to verify identity through Aadhaar. Unverified details can lead to stricter scrutiny later in the process.
- Document Uploads: The applicant must ensure that scanned photographs (passport size, recent, and compliant with the specified dimension and format), signatures (in proper handwritten style on white paper with black ink), and all other required documents (caste certificates, educational certificates, etc.) are uploaded as per the prescribed guidelines.
- Modification Window: After final submission, corrections (other than unmodifiable details such as mobile number and email) may be made between 14-05-2025 and 23-05-2025 by paying a non-refundable modification fee of Rs. 250 per instance.
A meticulous approach to entering your information will save you from complications during document verification and later stages of recruitment.
Fee Structure & Reservation Policies
Application Fee Details
| Candidate Category | Fee Amount (Rs.) | Refund (upon appearing in CBT-1; subject to deduction of bank charges) |
|---|---|---|
| General (UR, and those not eligible under reserved categories) | 500 | Refund of Rs. 400 |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Female, Transgender, Minorities, EWS | 250 | Refund of Rs. 250 |
Note: Fee payment is strictly online via internet banking, debit/credit cards, or UPI. No alternate payment mode is accepted.
Reservation & Age Relaxation Guidelines
Vertical reservation is provided for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), and EWS categories. Horizontal reservations apply for ex-servicemen irrespective of community. A candidate eligible for multiple reserved relaxations shall be granted the maximum applicable benefit (non-cumulative).
The certificate for claiming reserved status should be valid as on the application closing date, and any changes after submission will not be considered.
Detailed RRB Vacancy Distribution
The vacancies for the ALP post are spread among the participating RRBs across various zones. The table below shows the distribution per RRB along with the allotted vacancies for each community category and ex-servicemen:
RRB-Wise Vacancy Details
| RRB | Zone | UR | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | Total Vacancies | Ex-Servicemen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahmedabad | WR | 223 | 74 | 37 | 130 | 33 | 497 | 50 |
| Ajmer | WCR | 109 | 4 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 141 | 14 |
| Prayagraj | NCR | 218 | 72 | 50 | 110 | 58 | 508 | 51 |
| Bhopal | WCR | 221 | 103 | 53 | 130 | 111 | 618 | 62 |
| Bhubaneswar | ECoR | 454 | 205 | 119 | 121 | 29 | 928 | 93 |
| Bilaspur | SECR | 228 | 86 | 43 | 155 | 56 | 568 | 57 |
| Chandigarh | NR | 188 | 56 | 28 | 117 | 44 | 433 | 44 |
| Chennai | SR | 155 | 56 | 37 | 73 | 41 | 362 | 37 |
| Gorakhpur | NER | 32 | 12 | 28 | 21 | 7 | 100 | 10 |
| Guwahati | NFR | 13 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 30 | 3 |
| Jammu-Srinagar | NR | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Kolkata | ER | 194 | 71 | 39 | 103 | 51 | 458 | 46 |
| Malda | SER | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 24 | 2 |
| Mumbai | CR | 152 | 56 | 28 | 102 | 38 | 376 | 38 |
| Muzaffarpur | ECR | 36 | 13 | 7 | 24 | 9 | 89 | 9 |
| Patna | ECR | 14 | 5 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 33 | 3 |
| Ranchi | SER | 255 | 105 | 45 | 164 | 66 | 635 | 63 |
| Secunderabad | ECoR | 216 | 80 | 40 | 144 | 53 | 533 | 53 |
| Siliguri | NFR | 39 | 14 | 6 | 26 | 10 | 95 | 10 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | SR | 55 | 25 | 15 | 32 | 21 | 148 | 15 |
| Grand Total | – | 4,116 | 1,716 | 858 | 2,289 | 991 | 9,970 | 1,004 |
Note: Additional aggregated data by zones (ER, ECR, SCR, NWR) is also provided in the annexures, ensuring that every nuance of vacancy allocation is available for scrutiny.
Document Verification, Photo & Signature Specifications, and Annexures
Candidates who are shortlisted in the CBTs are required to present original documents along with duplicate sets at the Document Verification (DV) stage. The documents include:
- Photograph: A recent (not older than two months) colored, passport-size (35 mm × 45 mm), with a plain white background. The image must be in JPG/JPEG format with a minimum of 150 DPI and a file size between 50–150 KB.
- Signature: A scanned image that should be handwritten in running style (not block letters), on a plain white background with black ink. The file size should be between 30–49 KB, with a resolution of at least 140 × 60 pixels.
- Certificates/Supporting Documents: This includes educational certificates, caste certificates (for SC/ST/OBC-NCL, etc.), income and asset certificates for EWS/EBC, and the prescribed forms for ex‑servicemen and minority declarations.
List of Annexures Overview
- Annexure-A: Post-wise parameters including educational and technical qualifications.
- Annexure-B: Detailed RRB & zone-wise vacancy structure.
- Annexure-I: Format for caste certificate for SC/ST candidates.
- Annexure-II & II-A: Templates for OBC (NCL) certificates and self-declarations.
- Annexure-III: Model for the Income & Asset Certificate for EWS candidates.
- Annexure-IV & V: Proformas for waiver of examination fees for EBC and minority candidates.
- Annexure-VIA: Proforma for the medical certificate (vision test) by an eye specialist.
- Annexure-VIB: Self-declaration for candidates regarding not having undergone LASIK or corrective eye surgery.
- Annexure-VIIA & VII-B: Format and self-declaration for ex-servicemen regarding their current employment and the utilization of ex-servicemen quotas.
Each annexure is critical in ensuring that the candidate’s claim to various reservations and fee concessions is validated.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Who is eligible to apply for the ALP post?
A1. Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old as of 01-07-2025, possess the required educational qualifications (Matriculation/SSLC plus ITI or equivalent apprenticeship/diploma), and meet the stringent medical standards (especially in vision). Reserved category relaxations are applicable as per government norms.
Q2. What is the process for the application submission?
A2. Applications must be submitted online via the official RRB websites. Only one application per candidate is permitted, and making multiple submissions will result in disqualification.
Q3. How does the examination process work?
A3. The recruitment process is divided into CBT-1, CBT-2 (which itself has two parts), and a CBAT. Following these tests, candidates who qualify will be called for document verification and a final medical examination.
Q4. What are the key dates I should be aware of?
A4. The online application window opens on 12-04-2025 and closes on 11-05-2025 at 23:59 hrs. The fee payment deadline is 13-05-2025, and any modifications to applications can be made between 14-05-2025 and 23-05-2025.
Q5. What is the fee structure?
A5. The examination fee is Rs. 500 for general candidates and Rs. 250 for SC/ST/Ex‑Servicemen, Female, Transgender, Minority, and EWS candidates. The fee is refundable upon appearing in CBT‑1 (subject to bank charges).
Q6. Are there any restrictions on document uploads?
A6. Yes, uploaded photographs and signatures must be as per prescribed format and size. Any mismatch during document verification may lead to disqualification.
Q7. Can I apply to more than one RRB or submit multiple applications?
A7. No, each candidate is permitted only one application and must select only one RRB. Any attempt to apply multiple times will lead to rejection and could result in future disqualification.
Q8. What reservations are available?
A8. Vertical reservations are provided for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) and EWS categories. Horizontal reservation is also provided for ex‑servicemen. Proper certificates must be submitted at the time of document verification.
Q9. How is the merit list determined?
A9. The merit list is prepared based on the normalized marks scored in CBT‑2 (and CBAT, with a weightage of 70:30). In case of marks tie, age is considered, with the older candidate being given higher merit.
Q10. What happens if I attempt to modify the application after its submission?
A10. Modifications (except for the unchangeable details like mobile number and email) can be made during the designated window from 14-05-2025 to 23-05-2025 by paying a modification fee of Rs. 250 per occurrence.