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The wait is over for the lakhs of candidates who applied for Assistant Loco Pilot posts this year — the RRB ALP Exam Date 2026 has officially been announced. The Railway Recruitment Board released the CBT 1 exam date notice on 21 September at the official website, confirming the exam will be held on 3rd, 4th and 5th November 2026. This is for the recruitment drive under CEN No. 01/2026, which aims to fill 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies across Indian Railways.
If you applied for RRB ALP 2026, here’s everything you need to know about the exam schedule, admit card, city intimation slip, and what comes next.
RRB ALP Exam Date 2026: Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Notice | CEN No. 01/2026 |
| Post | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Total Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Conducting Body | Railway Recruitment Boards (RRB) |
| CBT 1 Exam Date | 3, 4 & 5 November 2026 |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| City Intimation Slip | Expected ~10 days before exam |
| Admit Card | Expected ~4 days before respective exam date |
| Official Website | Regional RRB websites |
RRB ALP CBT 1 Exam Date 2026: Key Details
1: Between the period of 1858-1947, how many Viceroys ruled over India?
The RRB ALP CBT 1 exam will be held from 3 to 5 November 2026, and candidates must be between 18 and 30 years of age as on 1st July 2026, with age relaxation applicable for reserved categories as per government norms. Applicants who submitted their RRB ALP form should now shift focus to CBT 1 preparation while regularly checking their respective regional RRB website for city intimation and admit card updates.
It’s worth noting that RRB has described the exam schedule as tentative, so candidates should keep checking official regional websites for any updates or changes.
RRB ALP Application Timeline (CEN 01/2026)
The official notice confirms that the application process for this cycle ran from 15 May 2026 to 14 June 2026. Over 8 lakh candidates — specifically 8,40,944 applicants — applied for this recruitment drive.
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Join NowRRB ALP Admit Card & City Intimation Slip 2026
Two documents matter most in the run-up to the exam:
- City Intimation Slip — released roughly 10 days before the exam, this gives you a preliminary idea of your exam city and date, though not the exact centre.
- Admit Card / E-Call Letter — this is released separately and contains the detailed examination centre and reporting information required to appear for CBT 1, and it should only be downloaded from the official RRB website.
How to Download the RRB ALP Admit Card 2026
Visit your regional RRB website, click the RRB ALP Admit Card/E-Call Letter link, enter your login credentials, submit the details, check your exam date, shift and centre, download the e-call letter, and take a clear printout to carry to the exam.
RRB ALP Vacancy Details 2026
RRB has announced 11,127 vacancies for the Assistant Loco Pilot post under CEN 01/2026. The Assistant Loco Pilot post carries Pay Level 2 with an initial basic pay of ₹19,900, and the recruitment is conducted by all 21 regional Railway Recruitment Boards under the Ministry of Railways.
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Join NowRRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026 (CBT 1, CBT 2 & CBAT)
The ALP selection process runs across three computer-based stages, followed by Document Verification and a Medical Examination. This cycle carries a revised CBT 1 pattern and a changed final merit formula, so it’s worth reviewing closely even if you’ve prepared for RRB exams before.
Stage 1: CBT 1 (Screening Test)
CBT 1 shortlists candidates for CBT 2 based on RRB-wise merit — its marks are not counted toward the final selection.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 |
| General Intelligence & Reasoning | 25 | 25 |
| General Science | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 75 | 75 |
- Duration: 60 minutes (80 minutes for eligible PwBD candidates)
- Marking: +1 per correct answer, −1/3 per wrong answer
- Qualifying marks: UR/EWS – 40%, OBC-NCL – 30%, SC – 30%, ST – 25%
Stage 2: CBT 2 (Part A + Part B)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A – Maths, Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering, General Awareness | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes |
| Part B – Relevant Trade (qualifying, min. 35%) | 75 | 75 | 60 minutes |
| Total | 175 | 175 | 2 hrs 30 min |
Part A marks feed into the final merit; Part B is only a qualifying gate and its marks aren’t added to your score.
Stage 3: Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
The CBAT is unique to ALP among railway exams — it tests psychological suitability for driving duties, carries no negative marking, and requires a minimum T-score of 42 in each test battery, with no exemption available. For the final merit list, CBT 2 Part A and CBAT are each weighted at 50%.
RRB ALP Selection Process 2026: Full Stages
- First Stage CBT (CBT-1) — screening
- Second Stage CBT (CBT-2) — Part A (scored) + Part B (qualifying)
- Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
- Document Verification (DV)
- Medical Examination (ME)
Preparation Tips for RRB ALP CBT 1 (November 2026)
With roughly six weeks left before the exam, here’s how to structure your final prep:
- Prioritise General Science — it carries the most weight in CBT 1 (30 of 75 marks), so don’t leave it for last.
- Drill speed on Mathematics and Reasoning — with just 60 minutes for 75 questions, accuracy under time pressure matters more than raw knowledge.
- Practice previous year CBT 1 papers — the subject pattern for 2026 has changed (General Awareness dropped from CBT 1), so use recent-cycle papers rather than very old ones.
- Track your regional RRB website daily from mid-October for the city intimation slip and admit card.
- Keep Aadhaar details updated — Aadhaar-based biometric authentication is mandatory as part of this recruitment process
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Join NowFrequently Asked Questions
When is the RRB ALP CBT 1 Exam Date 2026?
The RRB ALP CBT 1 exam will be conducted on 3, 4, and 5 November 2026.
How many vacancies are there in RRB ALP 2026?
11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot vacancies have been announced under CEN 01/2026.
When will the RRB ALP Admit Card 2026 be released?
The admit card is expected a few days before the examination, generally around 4 days prior.
Is the RRB ALP exam schedule final?
RRB has stated the announced schedule is tentative, so candidates should watch their regional RRB website for any updates.
Where can I check my RRB ALP Exam Date and city?
On your regional RRB’s official website, using your registration number/enrollment number and date of birth once the city intimation slip and admit card are live.
Is Aadhaar authentication mandatory for RRB ALP 2026?
Yes, Aadhaar-based biometric authentication is mandatory for this recruitment process.
