RRB ALP: 7 Key Tips for Success in Your Upcoming Exam

Introduction

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

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 is held to select candidates for this important 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 emergency situations. This role is not just about technical skills but also demands a high level of responsibility for passenger safety and the operational efficiency of the railway network.

Latest updates from RRB ALP

• The RRB ALP recruitment board released the tentative timeline for the exam on its website. The CBT 1 Exam is to be conducted in June/ August 2024. The CBT 2 Exam is to be conducted in September 2024. The aptitude test (CBAT) will be conducted in November 2024.
• A brief notice about the educational requirements for the ALP recruitment has been released by the RRB. Applicants must possess a diploma or ITI after passing the tenth grade. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) administers the RRB ALP Exam to candidates seeking to fill the roles of Technicians and Assistant Loco Pilots.
• On January 19, 2024, RRB announced its ALP notification for 2024. The online application period for qualified individuals will be open from 20th January – 19th February 2024. The goal of this recruiting drive is to fill 5696 Assistant Loco Pilots posts.

Notification RRB ALP 2024

Detailed_CEN_01-2024_English_final

RRB ALP Exam 2024 Highlights

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

RRB ALP 2023 Exam Summary
Organization	Railway Recruitment Board
Post Name	Assistant Loco pilots(ALP)
Vacancy	5696
Exam Date	To be announces
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

Important events	Date
RRB ALP Notification 2024	19th January 2024
Registration Start	20th January 2024
Registration Ends	19th February 2024
Admit Card release	To be notified
Exam Date	CBT 1- June /August 2024 (Tentative dates) CBT 2- September 2024 (Tentative dates) CBAT – November 2024
Document verification	November/ December 2024

RRB ALP Vacancies

The estimated number of openings for RRB ALP 2024 is 5696. Candidates are asked to check the most recent information on openings may be found by visiting the RRB’s official website.

RRB	Zone	UR	SC	ST	OBC	EWS	Total	EXSM
Ahmedabad	WR	95	37	17	65	24	238	24
Ajmer	NWR	86	32	13	72	25	228	22
Bangalore	SWR	186	72	35	127	53	473	47
Bhopal	WCR	145	25	19	21	9	219	22
	WR	35	5	0	18	7	65	7
Bhubaneshwar	ECoR	104	42	51	65	18	280	28
Bilaspur	CR	57	0	13	44	10	124	12
	SECR	483	179	89	322	119	1192	119
Chandigarh	NR	42	2	4	12	6	66	6
Chennai	SR	57	33	15	29	14	148	15
Gorakhpur	NER	18	7	3	11	4	43	4
Guwahati	NFR	26	9	4	17	6	62	6
Jammu-Srinagar	NR	15	6	3	11	4	39	4
Kolkata	ER	155	37	19	23	20	254	26
	SER	30	11	23	20	7	91	9
Malda	ER	67	19	20	25	30	161	16
	SER	23	8	4	15	6	56	6
Mumbai	SCR	10	4	2	7	3	26	3
	WR	41	16	8	30	15	110	11
	CR	179	58	37	95	42	411	41
Muzaffarpur	ECR	15	5	3	11	4	38	4
Patna	ECR	15	6	3	10	4	38	4
Prayagraj	NCR	163	13	10	27	28	241	25
	NR	21	7	3	12	2	45	5
Ranchi	SER	163	13	10	38	16	1153	16
Secunderabad	ECoR	80	30	15	54	20	199	20
	SCR	228	85	40	151	55	559	56
Siliguri	NFR	27	10	5	18	7	67	7
Thiruvananthapuram	SR	39	14	14	1	2	70	7
Total		2499	804	482	1351	560	5696	572

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 UR 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 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	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
Candidates who are working in Quasi-Administrative offices of the Railway organization such as Railway Canteens, Co-operative Societies and Institutes	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 2024 registration procedure are online registration, application form completion, document upload, and fee payment.

Documents needed for Submitting an RRB ALP 2024 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 2024 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	Size of file (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 2024 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 2024 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 Centres
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 2024 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 2024:

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 2024 test syllabus is divided into six divisions, and applicants must have finished ITI authorised 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
Maths	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, Maths 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 2024 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 2024

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 2024, candidates taking the RRB ALP 2024 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 2024

Here’s a full description of the selection procedure for RRB ALP (Railway Recruitment Board – Assistant Loco Pilot) reflected in 2024, 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 2024

The RRB ALP exam measures your technical knowledge, general awareness, and problem-solving abilities. Here are some tips for acing 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 2024, 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: Clearing Technician exam allows maintenance and repair of locomotives, signalling systems, and other railway infrastructure.
• Railway Recruitment Boards: Assisting in 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, Signalling, 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 travelled)
• 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, exam structure, and following the right preparation strategies, you can increase your chances of success. Remember, consistent practice, time management, and understanding 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!

Check Out Other Exams :

RPF Constable Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification

RRB JE Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification

RPF SI Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification

RITES Exam Dates, Fees, Eligibility & Notification

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)