RRB Assistant Loco Pilot 2026‑27: 11,127 Vacancies Approved – Zones, Pay & Updated Norms

Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has just cleared a massive 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) posting for the 2026‑27 recruitment cycle. Issued through Railway Board letter No. 2026(E/MPP)/25/13/ALP on 19 February 2026, the sanction covers all 17 Zonal Railways plus the Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW). This approval marks one of the largest technical recruitments in Indian Railways, offering 10th + ITI/Diploma‑qualified aspirants a stable government career with Level‑2 (7th CPC) pay. While the official Centralised Employment Notification (CEN 2026) is still pending, the vacancy numbers, pay scale and zone‑wise distribution are now public. Candidates should keep an eye on the upcoming notification for exact eligibility, fee structure and application dates.

Recruitment/Exam Overview

Notification.

Important Dates

Note: The above dates will be announced in the forthcoming CEN 2026. Candidates are advised to monitor the official portal regularly.

Application Fee details

Vacancy & Eligibility Criteria

• Age Limit: Details to be updated soon (standard RRB age relaxations will apply as per government rules).
• Educational Qualification: Minimum 10th pass with ITI or Diploma in the relevant trade (exact trade list to be confirmed in the CEN).

Zone‑wise Distribution of ALP Posts (2026‑27)

Selection Process (Provisional)

The RRB has outlined a multi‑stage screening for ALP candidates:

1. CBT‑1 – Objective‑type screening (General aptitude, reasoning, etc.).
2. CBT‑2 – Technical test focused on trade‑specific knowledge; higher difficulty.
3. CBAT – Computer‑Based Aptitude Test; marks will be added to the final merit.
4. Document Verification (DV) – Original certificates, experience letters, etc.
5. Medical Examination (ME) – Strict railway medical standards, including updated disability norms (as per Corrigendum 3, CEN 09/2025).

Only candidates who clear all five stages will be placed on the final merit list and offered appointment.

How to Apply Online?

The official application portal will be activated once the CEN 2026 is released. Until then, keep the steps below handy.

1. Visit the RRB official portal: rrbapply.gov.in.
2. Look for the “Recruitment” or “Latest Notifications” banner on the homepage.
3. Click the link titled “Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) – 2026‑27 (CEN 2026)” (will appear after release).
4. Register using a valid email and mobile number, then log in with the generated credentials.
5. Fill in personal details, upload scanned copies of required documents (photo, signature, qualification certificates, etc.), and select your preferred zone(s).
6. Pay the application fee (when announced) through NetBanking, Credit/Debit Card, or UPI.
7. Review the form, submit, and download the Confirmation Slip for future reference.

Tip: Keep a soft copy of the confirmation slip and a printed version handy for later stages (DV & ME).

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Conclusion

The 11,127‑post approval for Assistant Loco Pilot positions across Indian Railways signals a huge hiring wave for 2026‑27. While the detailed CEN 2026 is awaited, aspirants should begin preparation for CBT‑1, CBT‑2 and CBAT, and stay alert for the official release date. Always verify information from the authentic RRB portal before submitting any application.

FAQs.