Railway Loco Pilot (RRB ALP) — Step-by-Step Roadmap
Your journey, phase by phase
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Phase 1 · School years Class 10 and the medical check Any board; check the A-1 medical standard before you prepare.
- Class 10 pass from any board is the base; Maths and Science basics help in the exam.
- The A-1 medical standard includes vision standards without glasses that rule out many candidates.
- Get tested early — candidates who fail A-1 cannot be appointed even after clearing every exam.
- Tip: Read the medical section of the current RRB ALP notification and get your eyes tested before you start preparing.
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Phase 2 · After Class 10 ITI or engineering diploma A trade or branch named in the RRB ALP notification.
- An ITI from NCVT/SCVT in a listed trade (for example Electrician, Fitter, Mechanic Diesel), or a Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in those trades.
- Or a diploma/degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering, or another branch the notification lists.
- Age limits and category relaxations are fixed in each RRB ALP notification.
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Phase 3 · When RRB notifies RRB ALP CBT-1 and CBT-2 A qualifying screening test, then Part A for merit and a qualifying trade Part B.
- CBT-1: maths, reasoning, general science and general awareness — qualifying only, marks do not count in final merit.
- CBT-2 Part A (maths, reasoning, science, awareness) counts for merit.
- CBT-2 Part B is a qualifying trade test for your ITI/diploma field.
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Phase 4 · After CBT-2 CBAT, documents and medical Psychometric aptitude tests, document verification and the A-1 medical.
- The Computer Based Aptitude Test checks memory, concentration, perception and reaction for train driving.
- You must clear the minimum score in each test battery.
- Document verification and the A-1 medical follow.
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Phase 5 · After appointment Training and promotions Initial training, then ALP; promotion to goods, passenger and Mail/Express.
- Assistant Loco Pilot pay: Level 2 of the 7th CPC matrix (₹19,900 entry basic), plus DA, HRA and running allowance.
- Growth path: ALP → Sr ALP → Loco Pilot (Shunter/Goods) → Passenger → Mail/Express → Loco Inspector; promotion is seniority-based and takes many years.
- Metro rail corporations hire train operators separately.
- Entry pay
- Level 2 (₹19,900 basic)
- Employer
- Indian Railways zonal railways
Verify on the official source
Exam dates, fees, paper patterns and eligibility rules are revised by the regulator from time to time. Treat this roadmap as your map, and confirm the current rules on the official site before you register or pay any fee.