Railway ALP Recruitment 2026: Over 11,000 Assistant Loco Pilot Posts Approved by RRB

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially approved a new recruitment drive for over 11,000 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) positions across India. The Ministry of Railways has cleared the way, and the recruitment process is expected to begin soon. Aspirants can now check eligibility criteria and prepare for this highly anticipated government job opportunity.

Total Vacancies and Zone-Wise Distribution

The new recruitment will fill 11,127 posts across various railway zones. The highest number of vacancies is in East Coast Railway (1,625), followed by South Eastern Railway (1,531) and Central Railway (1,400). Other zones also have significant openings as per the official RRB notification:

Zonal Railway	Approved Vacancies
Central Railway	1,400
East Central Railway	700
East Coast Railway	1,625
Eastern Railway	608
North Central Railway	457
North Eastern Railway	105
North East Frontier Railway	1,276
Northern Railway	740
North Western Railway	600
South Central Railway	674
South East Central Railway	200
South Eastern Railway	1,531
Southern Railway	250
South Western Railway	200
West Central Railway	541
Western Railway	214
Chittaranjan Locomotive Works (CLW)	6
Total	11,127

Eligibility Criteria for RRB ALP 2026

Educational Qualification: Candidates must have completed Matriculation (10th/SSLC) and hold an ITI certificate in recognized trades such as Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Motor Vehicle Mechanic, Electronics Mechanic, Wireman, Diesel Mechanic, Turner, Machine Operator, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic, or equivalent.

Age Limit: Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved category candidates as per railway rules, with valid certificates required at the time of application.

Salary and Benefits

Assistant Loco Pilots will start with a monthly basic salary of ₹19,900 under Level 2 of the 7th Pay Commission, along with other allowances and benefits, making the total remuneration attractive.

Selection Process

The recruitment process will include:

• Computer-Based Test (CBT-1 & CBT-2) with negative marking
• Computer-Based Aptitude Test
• Document Verification
• Medical Examination

The exams will be conducted in multiple shifts, and normalization procedures will be applied to ensure fair results across all candidates.

This recruitment drive offers one of the largest opportunities for aspirants seeking a career in Indian Railways, making it a crucial update for candidates across the country.