RRB ALP 2026: Notification, 11,127 Vacancy, Syllabus, Cut Off

RRB ALP is conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards under CEN 01/2026 for 11,127 vacancies in Indian Railways.

Posts and vacancies

RRB ALP vacancy under CEN 01/2026 is 11,127 posts, notified across all Indian Railways zones and production units. The Railways reserves the right to revise these numbers.

Post-wise vacancies

How vacancies are distributed

Vacancies are notified RRB-wise and railway zone-wise in Annexure B of the CEN. A candidate applies to one RRB only, and that choice is final once the application is submitted — it cannot be modified later, even during the correction window.

Because merit is decided within the chosen RRB, the number of vacancies in the zone you pick directly affects your chances. Zones with few vacancies and many applicants post noticeably higher cut offs than zones with larger intakes.

Reservation

Posts are reserved for SC, ST, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), EWS, PwBD and Ex-servicemen candidates as per the detailed provisions of the CEN. The vacancy table in Annexure B shows the community-wise split for every post in every zone.

RRB ALP selection process

1. First Stage CBT (CBT-1)
2. Second Stage CBT (CBT-2)
3. Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
4. Document Verification (DV)
5. Medical Examination (ME)

CBT-1 is a screening test only. It has 75 questions in 60 minutes and its marks are not counted when the final panel is prepared — it exists purely to shortlist candidates for CBT-2, and shortlisting is done within your chosen RRB only. CBT-2 and the Computer Based Aptitude Test decide selection.

The CBAT is unique to ALP among railway exams: it tests psychological suitability for driving duties, has no negative marking, and requires a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery. There is no exemption from it.

RRB ALP selection runs through the following stages, each of which must be cleared in sequence.

1. First Stage CBT (CBT-1)
2. Second Stage CBT (CBT-2)
3. Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
4. Document Verification (DV)
5. Medical Examination (ME)

CBT-1 is a screening test only. It has 75 questions in 60 minutes and its marks are not counted when the final panel is prepared — it exists purely to shortlist candidates for CBT-2, and shortlisting is done within your chosen RRB only. CBT-2 and the Computer Based Aptitude Test decide selection.

The CBAT is unique to ALP among railway exams: it tests psychological suitability for driving duties, has no negative marking, and requires a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery. There is no exemption from it.

Document Verification

Original certificates are checked against the details declared in the application — qualification, category, age and any fee concession claimed. Certificates must be in the prescribed Annexure formats, and a certificate issued after the application closing date is not accepted.

Medical Examination

ALP carries the A-1 medical standard, the most demanding in the railways — distant vision 6/6 in both eyes without glasses, with no colour blindness. This is stricter than most other railway posts and cannot be relaxed.

Empanelment

Candidates who clear every stage are placed on a panel published by their RRB, from which appointments are made against the notified vacancies.

Qualifying marks

Candidates must score at least UR and EWS 40%, OBC-NCL 30%, SC 30%, ST 25% in the CBT to be considered for the next stage. PwBD candidates may receive a 2-mark relaxation where there is a shortage of PwBD candidates against reserved vacancies.

Medical standard

ALP carries the A-1 medical standard, the most demanding in the railways — distant vision 6/6 in both eyes without glasses, with no colour blindness. This is stricter than most other railway posts and cannot be relaxed.

RRB ALP Eligibility

RRB ALP eligibility requires Class 10 pass plus ITI in a notified trade, or a three-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering. Act Apprenticeship in a notified trade is also accepted. Age limits are 18 to 30 years as on 01.07.2026.

Age limit

18 to 30 years as on 01.07.2026.

Age relaxation

Further relaxation applies to Ex-servicemen and serving railway employees as set out in the CEN.

Educational qualification

Class 10 pass plus ITI in a notified trade, or a three-year Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics or Automobile Engineering. Act Apprenticeship in a notified trade is also accepted.

Candidates awaiting final results are not eligible to apply. The qualification must be complete on or before the closing date for applications — this is stated explicitly in the CEN and is a common cause of rejection.

Posts and their eligibility

Medical fitness

ALP carries the A-1 medical standard, the most demanding in the railways — distant vision 6/6 in both eyes without glasses, with no colour blindness. This is stricter than most other railway posts and cannot be relaxed.

Nationality

Applicants must be Indian nationals, or fall within the other nationality categories set out in the CEN.

RRB ALP Application Form

RRB ALP applications under CEN 01/2026 are submitted online at rrbapply.gov.in. Only one application per candidate is accepted, and the chosen RRB cannot be changed afterwards.

Important dates

Application fee

The fee is largely refundable, but only if you actually sit the CBT. A general candidate who appears pays an effective ₹100; candidates who skip the exam forfeit the whole amount.

Payment is online only — net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI. Applications without the prescribed fee are summarily rejected.

EBC is not the same as OBC or EWS. Economically Backward Class means annual family income below ₹50,000, evidenced by an income certificate, BPL card or Izzat MST issued by the Railways, dated on or before the application closing date.

How to apply

1. Create an account on any official RRB website. Candidates who already hold an account from a previous RRB CEN must reuse the same credentials.
2. Fill the application, selecting your RRB and post preferences. Account-creation details and the chosen RRB are locked once submitted.
3. Complete live photo capture during the application.
4. Upload the mandatory scanned documents.
5. Pay the fee online and submit before the deadline.

Multiple applications lead to rejection

The CEN is explicit: submitting more than one application, whether to the same RRB or to different RRBs, causes all of them to be rejected and can lead to debarment from future RRB recruitments.

RRB ALP Salary & Job Profile

RRB ALP posts carry ₹19,900 per month (Level 2, 7th CPC Pay Matrix), plus Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance and railway benefits including the pass facility. In-hand pay is higher than basic pay and varies with the posting city.

Pay by post

Allowances

Because HRA and Transport Allowance are city-linked, two employees on identical basic pay can take home noticeably different amounts.

Career growth

Promotion comes through departmental seniority and selection, alongside Limited Departmental Competitive Examinations. The railway pass facility and pension benefits form a significant part of the total value of the job.