RRB ALP 2025: Your Complete Exam Guide for Success

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) exam is a highly competitive examination for individuals aspiring to work in the Indian Railways as Assistant Loco Pilots. This role is vital to ensuring the safe and efficient operation of trains across the country. With a growing demand for skilled professionals in the railway sector, the RRB ALP exam presents a significant opportunity for those interested in a stable and rewarding career. In this blog post, we’ll provide an overview of the RRB ALP exam, eligibility criteria, preparation tips, and career prospects.

Overview of RRB ALP

Importance of the Role

The Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) position is a crucial part of the Indian Railways’ operations. ALPs are responsible for operating trains and ensuring that they run smoothly, safely, and on time. The role requires technical knowledge, physical stamina, and the ability to perform under pressure. The RRB ALP exam, a prominent railway officer exam, is conducted to select candidates for this vital job role, offering a promising career path within India’s largest public sector employer.

Importance of the Role

The role of an Assistant Loco Pilot is central to the smooth functioning of the railway system. ALPs operate trains, assist in train control, and maintain communication with station controllers. They are also responsible for checking the condition of the train before and after the journey, ensuring safety, and handling emergencies. This position requires not only technical skills but also a high level of responsibility for passenger safety and the operational efficiency of the railway network. To become an ALP, candidates must clear the railway entrance exam, which assesses their technical knowledge, aptitude, and ability to handle critical situations effectively.

Latest updates from RRB ALP

• The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) released the RRB ALP 2025 CBT 2 City Allocation List on 11th March 2025.
• The CBT 2 examination is scheduled to take place on 19th and 20th March 2025.
• Candidates who qualify in CBT 1 will be invited to appear for the RRB ALP CBT 2 stage.
• Selected candidates will be appointed under Level 2 of the Pay Matrix, with an initial salary of INR 19,900, along with additional allowances.

Notification RRB ALP 2025

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RRB ALP Exam 2025 Highlights

Refer to the tabular information mentioned below to get a lot of details regarding the RRB ALP Exam:

RRB ALP 2025 Exam Summary
Organization	Railway Recruitment Board
Post Name	Assistant Loco pilots (ALP)
Vacancy	18799 (revised)
Exam Date	19th, 20th March 2025
Frequency	Annually
Application Mode	Online
Exam Mode	Online
Recruitment Process	CBT I CBT II CBAT (Only for ALP)
Language	Hindi, English, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Assamese, Tamil, Marathi, Manipuri, Telugu, Konkani, Urdu.
Age Limit	18 to 28
Salary	Rs 19,900 to Rs 35,000
Official website	https://www.rrbcdg.gov.in/

RRB ALP Important Dates

The RRB ALP notification 2025 was released on January 21, 2025, with exams scheduled from November 2024 to September 2025.

Event	Date/Timeframe
RRB ALP Notification 2025	January 21, 2025
Admit Card Release	To be announced
CBT 1 Exam	November 25 – November 29, 2024
CBT 2 Exam	March 19 – March 20, 2025
CBAT	July – September 2025
Document Verification	To be announced

RRB ALP Vacancies

The estimated number of openings for RRB ALP 2025 is 18799. Candidates are asked to check the most recent information on openings, which may be found by visiting the RRB’s official website.

RRB	UR	SC	ST	OBC	EWS	TOTAL	EXSM
AHMEDABAD	394	132	67	244	100	937	94
AJMER	314	113	56	204	74	761	77
BANGALORE	640	235	118	426	157	1576	157
BHOPAL	466	87	62	52	62	729	73
	42	15	7	27	10	101	10
BHUBANESWAR	412	141	68	254	55	930	93
BILASPUR	251	21	52	96	42	462	46
	1610	595	298	1072	398	3973	398
CHANDIGARH	170	22	13	87	32	324	32
CHENNAI	182	105	43	105	58	493	49
GORAKHPUR	58	22	11	39	13	143	15
GUWAHATI	138	52	25	92	34	341	34
JAMMU-SRINAGAR	52	20	10	35	13	130	13
KOLKATA	337	123	62	224	74	820	82
	100	35	80	64	24	303	30
MALDA	284	67	71	78	62	562	56
	86	28	13	50	10	187	19
MUMBAI	35	13	6	23	9	86	9
	137	51	25	91	34	338	34
	570	199	99	357	96	1321	132
MUZAFFARPUR	15	5	3	11	4	38	4
PATNA	15	6	3	10	4	38	4
PRAYAGRAJ	493	58	60	90	101	802	80
	21	7	3	12	2	45	5
RANCHI	189	110	34	127	51	511	51
SECUNDERABAD	248	125	74	152	66	665	67
	756	273	149	491	194	1863	187
SILIGURI	35	13	7	23	9	87	9
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM	99	62	60	2	10	233	23
GRAND TOTAL	8149	2735	1579	4538	1798	18799	1883

RRB ALP Eligibility

Age

The applicants must meet the board-established RRB ALP age requirements. Candidates are eligible for the position if they are between the ages of 18 and 28. The following is the RRB ALP Age Limit:

Age	Age in Years
Minimum age	18
Maximum age	28

Community	Age Relaxation in Upper Age Limit/Maximum Upper Age
SC/ST candidates	5 Years
OBC Non-Creamy Layer candidates	3 Years
Candidates who are serving Group ‘C’ and Erstwhile Group ‘D’ Railway Staff, Casual Labour, and Substitutes in Railways who have put in a minimum of 3 years’ service (continuous or in broken spells) of OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) Category	Up to the extent of service rendered in Defence plus 3 years
Persons with Disabilities (PWD) UR	10 Years
PWD OBC Non-Creamy Layer	13 Years
PWD SC/ST	15 Years
Candidates have ordinarily been domiciled in the State of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from 01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989	5 Years
Candidates who are working in Quasi-Administrative offices of the Railway organization such as Railway Canteens, Co-operative Societies, and Institutes	40 years of Age
Candidates who are serving Group ‘C’ and Erstwhile Group ‘D’ Railway Staff, Casual Labour, and Substitutes in Railways who have put in a minimum of 3 years service (continuous or in broken spells) of SC/ST Category	43 years of Age
Women candidates, who are widowed, divorced or judicially separated from their husband but not remarried of UR Category	45 years of age
Course Completed Act Apprentices applying for the posts for which the minimum qualification is ITI/Course Completed Act Apprenticeship.	Up to the length of service rendered (or) 5 Years, whichever is lower.
Women candidates, who are widowed, divorced or judicially separated from their husband but not remarried of OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) Category	35 years of age
Women candidates, who are widowed, divorced or judicially separated from their husband but not remarried of SC/ST Category	38 years of age
Course Completed Act Apprentices applying for the posts for which the minimum qualification is ITI/Course Completed Act Apprenticeship.	40 years of age
Course Completed Act Apprentices applying for the posts for which minimum qualification is ITI/Course Completed Act Apprenticeship.	Shall be relaxed to the extent of Apprentice Training undergone by them under the Apprentice Act 1961.
Candidates who are Course Completed Act Apprentice under the Apprenticeship Act before attaining the age of 25 years of UR Category	35 years of age
Candidates who are Course Completed Act Apprentice under the Apprenticeship Act before attaining the age of 25 years of OBC-NCL (Non-Creamy Layer) Category	38 years of age
Candidates who are Course Completed Act Apprentice under the Apprenticeship Act before attaining the age of 25 years of SC/ST Category	40 years of age

Qualification

The following are the educational requirements for the RRB ALP position:

Designation	Department	Qualification
Assistant Loco Pilot	Electrical	High school  with ITI from recognized institutions, OR High school with Course Completed Act Apprenticeship (OR) 3 years diploma in either Mechanical, electrical, electronics or Automobile Engineering
Assistant Loco Pilot	Mechanical	High school with ITI from recognized institutions of NCVT/SCVT (OR) High school with Course Completed Act Apprenticeship (OR) 3 years diploma in either Mechanical, electrical, electronics or Automobile Engineering

Nationality

A candidate must fit one of the following categories:

1. An Indian citizen
2. A subject of Nepal
3. A subject of Bhutan
4. An Indian citizen who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, the East African nations of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.
5.   A Tibetan refugee who crossed the border of India before January 1, 1962.

Candidates who fall under categories (2), (3), (4), and (5) above must possess a certificate of eligibility from the Indian government, which must be shown during document verification to avoid having their application denied.

RRB ALP Application Process

The three primary parts of the RRB ALP 2025 registration procedure are online registration, application form completion, document upload, and fee payment.

Documents needed for Submitting an RRB ALP 2025 Application

• A 12-digit Aadhaar Card Number is required.
• Valid email address and cellphone number.
• scanned copies of the candidate’s picture and signature.
• Caste certificate for SC/ ST category scanned.
• Information about the modified online payment system.

Application fees

 Application fee for various categories is shown below in tabular form:

Category	Application Fee
General (Male)	INR 500
OBC, ST, SC/ Ex-Serviceman/PWD (Male)	INR 250
OBC, ST, General, SC/Ex-Serviceman/PWD (Female/Transgender)	INR 250

Application Steps

Step-by-step instructions for filling out the application for the 2025 Loco Pilot Recruitment are given below:

Step 1: Registration

• To start the online registration procedure, go to the official regional webpage and click the ‘Apply Now’ option.
• Candidates will need to submit their name, birthdate, cell phone number, email address, and category information. ‘Submit’ should be clicked.
• For the RRB Online Registration to be activated, the candidates’ provided Email Addresses and Mobile Numbers will be verified.
• Each applicant will receive an RRB Registration Number upon successful validation; this number has to be properly recorded.

Step 2: Filling Application Form

• Participants must then complete the application form.
• They need to complete the personal information, qualification information, position preferences, and scribe information forms. Additionally, candidates must choose their preferred exam language.
• Following that, participants should upload scanned copies of their most recent passport-sized picture, signature, and caste certificate according to the requirements listed below.

Image	Dimensions	File Format	File Size (Max)
Photograph	3.5 cm x 3.5 cm	.jpg / .jpeg	20 – 50 KB
Signature	3.5 cm x 3.5 cm	.jpg / .jpeg	20 – 50 KB
Caste Certificate	—	.jpg / .jpeg	50 – 100 KB

Step 3: Fees Payment

• Each candidate is required to pay the RRB ALP 2025 non-refundable application costs.
• They can use a debit/credit card, net banking, or other online payment method to pay the costs.
• SBI e-Challan and Post Office Challan are two methods for offline fee payment.
• On the bank page, candidates must input the required payment information and preserve a copy of the transaction receipt.
• Participants must carefully review the application form and correct any errors made when filling it out after completing the aforementioned stages.
• The RRB ALP applications will create a confirmation page, which you should print off for contact in the future.

RRB ALP Admit Card

The admit cards have not yet been released. On the regional RRB website, you may find the RRB ALP 2025 examination admission card. The admission card cannot be mailed to candidates, they must download it from their website.

Here’s how to get the admit card download page.

• Step 1: Visit the RRB’s regional website.
• Step 2: Locate the “Admit Card” section on the webpage and click on it.
• Step 3: Enter the username and password precisely as prompted.
• Step 4: Download the displayed admission card.
• Step 5: Create a soft copy on your computer and print a hard copy for the exam.

Exam Centre Details

Below are details on RRB ALP examination locations, applications may choose any of the locations mentioned:

List of Exam Centers
Andaman & Nicobar	Haryana	Mizoram
Andhra Pradesh	Himachal Pradesh	Nagaland
Arunachal Pradesh	Jammu and Kashmir	Odisha
Assam	Jharkhand	Punjab
Bihar	Karnataka	Rajasthan
Chandigarh	Kerala	Sikkim
Chhattisgarh	Madhya Pradesh	Tamil Nadu
Delhi/NCR	Maharashtra	Telangana
Goa	Manipur	Tripura
Gujarat	Meghalaya	Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal	—	—

RRB ALP Exam Pattern

Three phases and four processes constitute the RRB ALP selection procedure. The three stages are as follows:

Stage 1 Exam Pattern

Below is a summary of all the key points from the ALP Exam Pattern for candidates taking the RRB ALP 2025 examination:

Exam	Highlights
Exam mode	Online mode
Number of papers	Once a year
Number of questions	120
Number of sections	6
Question paper type	Objective type
Total marks in CBT Stage 1	75
Total marks in CBT Stage 2	175
Exam language	English
Marking scheme	1 mark per question
Negative marking	1/3 marks in every wrong answer

There are four selection methods included in the most recent RRB ALP Exam Pattern, including:

• RRB ALP CBT Stage 1
• RRB ALP CBT Stage 1
• Computer-Based Aptitude Test (AT) for RRB ALP.
• Verification of Documents and appointment of Candidates

Exam Pattern for CBT 1

The RRB ALP CBT Stage 1 exam will be administered online to select applicants for CBT Stage 2. This test is just for screening purposes. The table below elaborates on Loco Pilot Pattern 2025:

Divisions	Number of Questions	Number of Marks
Arithmetic	20	20
Reasoning	25	25
General Awareness	10	10
General Science	20	20
Total	75	75

The exam lasts one hour, and for each incorrect answer, the one-third mark will be deducted from the total score.

Exam Pattern for CBT 2

The CBT Stage 2 is divided into two sections, Part A and Part B, which are both held on the same day. Part B, on the other hand, is simply qualifying in nature. The following information relates to the RRB ALP Examination Pattern for CBT Stage 2:

Part A/Sections	Total Questions
Basic Science and Engineering	40
Mathematics	25
General Intelligence and Reasoning	25
General Knowledge and Current Affairs	10
Part B/Sections
Test of Relevant Trade	75
Total	175

Candidates will receive one point for each right answer, but 0.33 points will be deducted for each wrong attempt.

RRB ALP Syllabus

The RRB ALP 2025 test syllabus is divided into six divisions, and applicants must have finished ITI authorized by NCVT / SCVT OR B.Tech (except for CSE & Civil streams) or Diploma. The syllabus is divided into distinct portions, which are stated below:

RRB ALP CBT 1 Syllabus

The detailed syllabus for CBT 1 is mentioned below:

RRB ALP syllabus	Topics
Math’s	Age Calculations, Elementary Statistics, BODMAS, Time and Distance, Decimals, Algebra, Mensuration, Square Root, Ratio and Proportion, Simple and Compound Interest, Fractions, Geometry and Trigonometry, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Number system, LCM, HCF, Percentages, Calendar & Clock, etc.
Reasoning and General Intelligence	Conclusions and Decision Making, Analogies, Math’s operations, Relationships, Analytical reasoning, Similarities and Differences, Classification, Alphabetical and Number Series, Assumptions, Coding and Decoding etc.
General Science	Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences till 10th standard.
General awareness & current affairs	Culture, Personalities, Science & Technology, Sports, and Economics, Politics.

RRB ALP CBT 2 Syllabus

The detailed syllabus for CBT 2 is mentioned below:

RRB ALP Syllabus	Topics
Maths	Mensuration, Fractions, Percentages, BODMAS, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Number system, Time and Work, Decimals, Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, etc.
Reasoning and General Intelligence	Conclusions and Decision Making Mathematical operations, Alphabetical and Number Series, Analogies, Coding and Decoding, Directions, Similarities and Differences, Analytical reasoning, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions etc.
Basic Science & Engineering	Mass Weight and Density, Speed and Velocity, Units, Basic Electricity, Work Power and Energy, Heat and Temperature, Measurements, Occupational Safety and Health, Engineering Drawing, Levers and Simple Machines, Environment Education, IT Literacy etc.
Current Affairs and General Awareness	Economics, Sports, Culture, Science & Technology, Personalities, and Politics.

RRB ALP Result and Cutoffs

The RRB ALP result will be made accessible when the test is complete. RRB results for various tests are announced on the Railway Recruitment Boards’ (RRBs’) official website. The RRB ALP 2025 test applicants will be contacted for an interview round as well as a document verification procedure.

After three to four months from the exam, a date will be set for the RRB ALP document verification. The results of the ALP Loco Pilot will be released shortly after the deadline. For candidates to advance to the next phase, they must receive the minimum score marks.

Steps to check the result:

Candidates may check the RRB ALP exam results by following these steps:

• Visit RRB’s website for further information.
• Select the News & Recruitment tab from the website’s navigation bar.
• Additionally, choose the Railway Recruitment Board.
• Select the desired RRB official website.
• Click on the Result tab.
• A new page will be shown to the students.
• Search and choose the ALP Result link.
• The outcome will be presented to you in PDF format on the screen when you click the link. Students can download the results and print them out for later use.

RRB ALP Scorecard Details

The scorecard includes details about the grades pupils receive on an admission exam. At the moment of admission, it plays a crucial role. Students must safeguard it until the admissions process is complete. Before downloading the scorecard, students must carefully review all the information on it.

The scorecard contains the following details:

• Candidates Name
• Registration Number
• Application Number
• Category
• Overall Rank
• Total Percentile

RRB ALP Cutoffs 2025

The only way to get the RRB ALP merit list online is to go to the official website. Soon after the results are announced, they will be made public. Students whose names appear on the merit list will get a counselling call.

RRB ALP 2022 cut-off CBT 1

Candidates are chosen for CBT II based on their CBT I score. For the applicants in each category, the required minimum percentage for the RRB ALP CBT I is:

Categories	Cut Off Percentage
General	40%
OBC	30%
SC	30%
ST	25%

RRB ALP 2022 cut-off CBT 2

The applicants’ exam scores are used to determine who will be shortlisted for the CBT II RRB ALP exam.  The RRB ALP CBT II minimum qualifying score is:

Categories	Cut-off Percentage
General	40%
OBC/SC	30%
ST	25%

How to check cut-off marks?

To find the RRB ALP Cut Off 2025, candidates taking the RRB ALP 2025 examination must follow the instructions below.

• Visit the RRB’s official website or one of its regional counterparts.
• Find the link to the RRB ALP scorecard on the front page.
• After being sent to the login page, provide the requested information.
• The screen will display the RRB ALP cut-off scores.

For more information, see the ALP cut-off scores and download the RRB ALP Cut-Off Zone Wise PDF.

RRB ALP Selection Process 2025

Here’s a full description of the selection procedure for RRB ALP (Railway Recruitment Board – Assistant Loco Pilot) reflected in 2025, based on prior patterns and recent trends:

• CBT 1
• CBT 2
• Document Verification
• Aptitude Test
• Medical Examination
• Final Merit List and Panel Formation
• Document Verification
• Joining and Training

Preparation Tips for RRB ALP 2025

The RRB ALP exam measures your technical knowledge, general awareness, and problem-solving abilities. Here are some tips for taking the RRB ALP exam-

• Understand the Exam Pattern: Understand the structure of the RRB ALP exam and its sections, marking system, and duration.
• Master the Syllabus: Cover all subjects outlined in the syllabus, focusing on mathematics, reasoning, general science, and technical ability.
• Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve past year question papers to understand exam trends and enhance time management skills.
• Take Mock Tests: Regularly engage in mock tests to replicate exam conditions and improve speed and accuracy.
• Manage Your Time: Develop a study timetable for comprehensive preparation.
• Revise Regularly: Solidify understanding and effectively recall information during the exam.
• Prioritize Health and Well-being: Maintain a healthy lifestyle, get sufficient sleep, and take regular breaks.
• Foster a Positive Mindset: Cultivate a positive outlook, confidence, and belief in your preparation.

Career Growth and Promotions

There are prospects for advancement and progress within the RRB ALP profession. These are based on experience, performance, and qualifications. This is the standard progression path for RRB ALPs:

• Assistant Loco Pilot: Operates and assists in train control under experienced Loco Pilots.
• Senior Assistant Loco Pilot: Provides crucial role in smooth train operations with experience and performance.
• Loco Pilot: Independently operates and controls trains, ensuring safety and timely movement.
• Loco Supervisors: Oversees and manages a team of Loco Pilots, ensuring efficient and safe train operations.

Career after RRB ALP

After passing the RRB ALP exam 2025, you will have a variety of job choices. Here are some possible job routes and choices:

• Loco Pilot: Responsible for operating and controlling trains, ensuring safe and efficient movement.
• Technician: The clearing Technician exam allows maintenance and repair of locomotives, signaling systems, and other railway infrastructure.
• Railway Recruitment Boards: Assisting in the recruitment process for other railway positions.
• Promotions and Advancements: With experience and qualifications, career progression to higher positions like Senior Loco Pilot or Chief Technician.
• Specialized Roles: Specialization in areas like Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Signaling, Telecommunications, or Track Maintenance.

RRB ARP Salary Structure

RRB ALP Salary Structure

Assistant Loco Pilot Salaries range from Rs 19,900 (before HRA, DA, etc.) to Rs 35,000. The table below includes the following salary information for RRB Assistant Loco Pilot:

Components	RRB ALP Salary
Grade Pay	1900
Pay scale	Rs 19,900
Assistant Loco Pilot Salary (allowances included)	Rs 35,000 (average)

Allowances:

The Indian Railways offers a variety of perks to all personnel chosen for various positions in addition to the lucrative Loco Pilot Pay Scale. A lengthy list of allowances is provided. Here, some significant benefits that make up a sizeable portion of the compensation are listed below:

• HRA 
• Dearness Compensation
• Transport Compensation
• Running Allowance (based on distance traveled)
• Employees and their relatives are given free medical treatment at designated railroads and hospitals.
• Free train tickets are available to family members on specific lines, and many more.
  

Conclusion

In conclusion, the RRB ALP exam offers a fantastic career opportunity for candidates interested in working with the Indian Railways. By understanding the eligibility criteria, and exam structure, and following the right preparation strategies, you can increase your chances of success. Remember, consistent practice, time management, and understanding of the core responsibilities of the ALP role will help you excel in this competitive exam.

So, gear up, stay focused, and give your best in the upcoming RRB ALP examination. Your journey towards becoming an Assistant Loco Pilot begins with effective preparation and determination. Best of luck!

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