Indian Railways Recruitment 2025, through the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), is hiring for 9,970 Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) positions across various railway Divisons in India. This is a big opportunity if you’re dreaming of a stable government job In Indian Railways which is the one of the largest employers in the country. The recruitment is happening under Centralized Employment Notice (CEN) No. 01/2025, and it’s a national-level exam that draws lakhs of applicants every year.
RRB ALP Recruitment 2025 Details
- Notification Released: April 11, 2025
- Online Application Started: April 12, 2025
- Last Date to Apply: May 19, 2025 (extended from May 11)
- Application Correction Window: May 22 to May 31, 2025
- Last Date to Pay Application Fee: May 21, 2025
- Exam Dates: Not announced yet, but CBT 1 is expected soon. Stay tuned to official RRB websites for updates!
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, you need to meet these criteria:
- Age Limit: 18 to 30 years as of July 1, 2025. This means you should be born between July 2, 1995, and July 1, 2007. There’s age relaxation for reserved categories (e.g., SC/ST, OBC) as per government norms.
- Educational Qualification: You need a Matriculation/SSLC (10th pass) certificate plus either:
- An ITI (Industrial Training Institute) certificate in relevant trades, OR
- A Diploma in Engineering (relevant fields).
- Nationality: You must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee settled in India before January 1, 1962, or a person of Indian origin migrated from certain countries with the intent to settle permanently in India.
- Medical Fitness: You need to meet the A-1 medical standard, including specific vision requirements, as this is a safety-critical role.
How to Apply
The application process is entirely online, and you can only apply through the official RRB websites or rrbapply.gov.in. Here’s how to do it:
- Visit indianrailways.gov.in or the regional RRB website for your zone.
- Find the link for CEN 01/2025 – Assistant Loco Pilot Recruitment.
- If you applied for an RRB exam in 2024 (before April 2025), use your existing login credentials. Otherwise, create a new account.
- Fill in your details (name, date of birth, educational qualifications, etc.).
- Upload required documents (photo, signature, certificates).
- Pay the application fee:
- General/OBC: ₹500
- SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Female/Transgender/Minorities/Economically Backward Class: ₹250
- Note: ₹400 is refunded for General/OBC candidates who appear for the exam, and the full ₹250 is refunded for reserved categories.
- Submit the form and take a printout for your records.
Pro Tip: Double-check your details before submitting, but if you mess up, you can edit your application during the correction window (May 22–31, 2025).
Selection Process
The journey to becoming an ALP involves multiple stages:
- CBT 1 (Computer-Based Test 1): This is a screening test with multiple-choice questions covering:
- Mathematics
- General Intelligence and Reasoning
- General Science
- General Awareness on Current Affairs
- It’s qualifying in nature, and marks are normalized. About 15 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted for CBT 2.
- CBT 2 (Computer-Based Test 2): More technical and job-specific, focusing on:
- Part A: Technical subjects, Mathematics, Reasoning, etc.
- Part B: Trade-specific questions (qualifying in nature).
- Negative marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for each wrong answer in both CBTs.
- CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test): Only for ALP candidates who clear CBT 2. This tests your aptitude for the safety-critical role of a loco pilot.
- Document Verification (DV): If you clear CBAT, you’ll need to show your original documents.
- Medical Examination (ME): You must pass the A-1 medical fitness test, including vision standards.
The final selection is based on your performance in CBT 2 and CBAT, followed by document verification and medical fitness.
Salary and Benefits
- Pay Level: Level-2 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) matrix.
- Initial Pay: ₹19,900 per month.
- Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance, and other railway-specific perks.
- Training: Selected candidates undergo training, during which you’ll receive a stipend.
Vacancy Breakdown
The 9,970 vacancies are spread across various railway zones, with some of the largest allocations in:
- East Coast Railway
- Eastern Railway
- South Eastern Railway You can choose only one RRB when applying and indicate your preferred railway zones. Check the official notification for the detailed zone-wise vacancy list.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus
- CBT 1: 75 questions, 60 minutes, covering basic Maths, Reasoning, Science, and Current Affairs.
- CBT 2:
- Part A: 100 questions, 90 minutes, focusing on technical subjects and general topics.
- Part B: 75 questions, 60 minutes, trade-specific (qualifying).
- CBAT: Tests psychomotor and cognitive skills relevant to loco pilot duties.
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd mark deducted for wrong answers in CBT 1 and CBT 2.
Results and Answer Keys
- After each exam stage, RRB releases a provisional answer key (e.g., CBT 2 answer key for CEN 01/2024 was out on May 8, 2025). You can raise objections (₹50 per objection) if you spot errors.
- Results are announced online on RRB websites, showing your qualifying status for the next stage. Final results (based on CBT 2 and CBAT) include your score and rank.
- Admit cards are issued about 4 days before the exam, and city intimation is shared 10 days prior via SMS/email.
Tips and Warnings
- Official Sources Only: Stick to official RRB websites (e.g., rrbbhopal.gov.in, rrbsecunderabad.gov.in, rrbchennai.gov.in) for updates. Ignore social media rumors or fake websites, as scams are common.
- Prepare Smart: Start with the official syllabus and previous years’ question papers. Mock tests for CBT 1, CBT 2, and CBAT can help you get a feel for the exam.
- Stay Fit: The A-1 medical standard is strict, especially for vision, so ensure you’re physically and medically prepared.
Where to Check for Updates
- Official RRB websites (e.g., indianrailways.gov.in, rrbapply.gov.in, or regional RRB sites like rrbsiliguri.gov.in, rrbbnc.gov.in).
- Download the RRB ALP 2025 Notification PDF from these sites for full details.
- Keep an eye on regional RRB portals for zone-specific updates, like exam dates or admit cards.
This recruitment is a golden chance to join Indian Railways, but it’s competitive, so start prepping early! If you’ve got more questions or need specific details (like zone-wise vacancies or syllabus breakdown), let me know, and I’ll dig deeper for you. Good luck
