RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) Exam Guide: Stages, Eligibility and CBAT

What the ALP exam is

The RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) examination recruits for a safety-category technical role in Indian Railways — the person who assists in operating a locomotive. Because it is a safety-critical post, ALP recruitment has a distinctive multi-stage flow that tests technical trade knowledge and, uniquely among common railway exams, psychological and cognitive suitability through a dedicated aptitude test.

This technical, aptitude-tested structure is what sets ALP apart from clerical (NTPC) or Level-1 (Group D) recruitment. It is aimed at candidates with an ITI or engineering background in relevant trades. The precise post details and department distribution appear in the official notification.

Who conducts it

ALP recruitment is conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), coordinated by the Railway Recruitment Control Board (RRCB) under the Ministry of Railways. You apply to a specific RRB region and appear in centralised computer-based tests.

Official notifications, application links, admit cards, answer keys, and results are published on the official RRB channels — the RRCB site, the unified RRB portal and the regional RRB websites. These official pages are the only authoritative source for the pattern, dates and standards described here.

Eligibility (verify specifics officially)

ALP is a technical post, so the qualification is trade-based. Broadly, candidates need a Class 10 (Matriculation) pass together with an ITI in a relevant designated trade, or a diploma/degree in a relevant engineering discipline — with the exact list of eligible trades and disciplines defined in the notification.

Age limits, category-wise relaxation, application fees and the nationality requirement are specified officially; recruitment is open to Indian citizens as per the notification. Because ALP is safety-category, the medical and vision standards are stringent and are assessed at the medical stage. Confirm the eligible trades, age, fees and medical standards against the current notification before applying.

• Class 10 + ITI in a relevant trade, or a relevant engineering diploma/degree — confirm eligible trades in the notification
• Age limit and category relaxation: stated officially only
• Application fee and any refund rules: per the notification
• Stringent (safety-category) medical and vision standards apply — verify in the notification

Stages and exam pattern

ALP selection runs through several stages. CBT-1 is a screening test — objective, covering Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Science and General Awareness — and is qualifying only, used to shortlist for CBT-2. CBT-2 has two parts: Part A (mathematics, reasoning, basic science & engineering and general awareness) and Part B, which is trade-specific and based on your ITI/diploma discipline; Part B is generally qualifying, while Part A counts toward the next stage.

Candidates who clear CBT-2 are called for the Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) — the psychometric test that checks suitability for locomotive operation, with its own minimum qualifying standards. Document Verification and a Medical Examination follow. There is negative marking in the CBTs. The exact number of questions, marks, durations, the CBT-2 Part A/Part B qualifying rules, the CBAT scoring, and the final merit weighting are all set out in the official notification and can be revised between cycles.

• CBT-1: screening/qualifying — objective, four subject areas
• CBT-2 Part A: counts toward the next stage — quantitative, reasoning, basic science & engineering, general awareness
• CBT-2 Part B: trade-specific (ITI/diploma discipline), generally qualifying
• CBAT: psychometric aptitude test with its own qualifying standards
• Document Verification and a stringent Medical Examination follow

How to prepare

ALP preparation has three fronts. For CBT-1 and CBT-2 Part A, build strong quantitative aptitude, reasoning, basic science and general awareness, and practise under time pressure to handle negative marking. For CBT-2 Part B, revise your ITI/diploma trade thoroughly — this is where your technical background pays off. For the CBAT, familiarise yourself with the format of aptitude/psychometric batteries so the test's timing and style are not a surprise.

Because ALP is a safety-category post, keep the medical and vision standards in mind from the start; being aware of them early helps you plan realistically. No book, course or coaching can guarantee selection — the merit list is competitive and finalised only by the RRBs — so focus on genuine technical mastery, timed practice and clean accuracy.

• CBT-1 / CBT-2 Part A: quantitative, reasoning, basic science, general awareness under time pressure
• CBT-2 Part B: thorough revision of your ITI/diploma trade
• CBAT: practise the format so timing and style are familiar
• Be aware of the safety-category medical/vision standards early

What to verify on the official notification

ALP specifics — eligible trades, vacancies, age, fees, the CBT and CBAT structure, the merit weighting, and the medical/vision standards — are set per recruitment cycle. The current official notification is the only reliable source.

Rules change frequently — verify the eligible trades/disciplines, vacancy count, age limit and relaxation, fees, CBT-1/CBT-2 pattern, CBAT qualifying standards, final merit weighting, and the medical and vision requirements on the official RRB channels before acting. Do not rely on unofficial PDFs or summaries for any of these.

• Eligible ITI trades and engineering disciplines
• Vacancies, age limit, category relaxation and fees
• CBT-1 / CBT-2 (Part A + Part B) pattern and negative marking
• CBAT qualifying standards and the final merit weighting
• Medical and vision (safety-category) standards, and the schedule