The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has announced one of the biggest recruitment drives of the year with the release of the RRB ALP Recruitment 2025 Notification. A total of 9,970 vacancies have been announced for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) across various railway zones in India.
This recruitment presents a golden opportunity for candidates seeking a government job in the Indian Railways. In this blog, we cover all the important aspects of the notification including eligibility criteria, selection process, important dates, and how to apply.
Contents
- 1 Overview of RRB ALP Recruitment 2025
- 2 Important Dates
- 3 Zone-wise Vacancy Distribution (Expected)
- 4 Eligibility Criteria
- 5 Selection Process for RRB ALP 2025
- 6 Exam Pattern
- 7 Application Fee
- 8 How to Apply for RRB ALP 2025?
- 9 Documents Required
- 10 Salary and Allowances
- 11 Career Growth and Promotions
- 12 Preparation Tips for RRB ALP Exam
- 13 Conclusion
Overview of RRB ALP Recruitment 2025
- Organization: Railway Recruitment Board (RRB)
- Post Name: Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)
- Total Vacancies: 9,970
- Job Type: Central Government Job
- Pay Scale: Level-2 of 7th CPC (Initial pay of Rs. 19,900/- + Allowances)
- Application Mode: Online
- Official Website: Indian Railways Recruitment Portal (zone-wise portals)
Important Dates
- Notification Release Date: April 2025
- Online Application Start Date: April 2025 (exact date TBA)
- Last Date to Apply Online: May 2025
- Exam Date (CBT 1): Expected in July/August 2025
- Admit Card Release: 10 days before exam
Zone-wise Vacancy Distribution (Expected)
While the exact zone-wise breakup is awaited, here’s an estimated distribution:
- RRB Ahmedabad: 660
- RRB Bangalore: 745
- RRB Bhopal: 865
- RRB Chennai: 750
- RRB Gorakhpur: 980
- RRB Guwahati: 525
- RRB Kolkata: 875
- RRB Mumbai: 920
- RRB Patna: 950
- RRB Secunderabad: 1,050
(Note: These numbers are subject to final confirmation in the official notification.)
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualification:
Candidates must have passed:
- Matriculation / SSLC +
- ITI from recognized institutions of NCVT/SCVT in relevant trade OR
- 3-year Diploma in Engineering (in specified disciplines)
2. Age Limit (As on 1st July 2025):
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
Age Relaxation:
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PwD: 10 years (varies by category)
Selection Process for RRB ALP 2025
The selection will be done through the following stages:
- First Stage CBT (Computer-Based Test):
- Objective Type
- Subjects: Mathematics, General Intelligence & Reasoning, General Science, General Awareness
- Second Stage CBT:
- Part A (same as above subjects)
- Part B (Trade-related questions)
- Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT):
- Only for ALP candidates who qualify in CBT 2
- Document Verification & Medical Exam
Exam Pattern
CBT 1 (Stage 1)
- Total Questions: 75
- Time: 60 minutes
- Marking Scheme: 1 mark per correct answer, -0.33 for each wrong answer
CBT 2 (Stage 2)
- Part A: 100 Questions (90 mins)
- Part B: 75 Questions (60 mins)
- Part B is qualifying in nature
Application Fee
- General/OBC: Rs. 500/-
- SC/ST/Female/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD: Rs. 250/-
(Partial refund applicable after appearing in CBT 1)
How to Apply for RRB ALP 2025?
- Visit the respective RRB zone’s official website.
- Click on the “Apply Online” link under ALP Recruitment 2025.
- Complete the registration with personal and contact details.
- Upload documents and scanned photo/signature.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit the application and take a printout for future reference.
Documents Required
- Matriculation and ITI/Diploma certificates
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- Scanned passport-size photograph
- Signature (in digital format)
- Aadhaar or other ID proof
Salary and Allowances
The ALP post is under Level 2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix:
- Basic Pay: Rs. 19,900/-
- Allowances: DA, HRA, TA, Night Duty, Running Allowance, etc.
- Gross Salary: Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 45,000/month (approx.)
Career Growth and Promotions
Assistant Loco Pilots have a clear path of growth:
- Assistant Loco Pilot
- Senior ALP
- Loco Pilot (Goods)
- Loco Pilot (Passenger)
- Loco Pilot (Mail Express)
- Loco Supervisor
Preparation Tips for RRB ALP Exam
- Practice previous year question papers.
- Focus on speed and accuracy.
- Use standard books for reasoning and technical subjects.
- Regularly revise ITI/Diploma trade syllabus.
- Attempt mock tests to improve time management.
Conclusion
The RRB ALP Recruitment 2025 offers an excellent opportunity for aspirants seeking a stable government job in the Indian Railways. With nearly 10,000 vacancies, eligible candidates should start preparing early to ensure success.
Stay updated with announcements and begin your application process as soon as it begins.
Good luck to all aspirants!