The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced a massive recruitment drive for 2026. Under the Centralised Employment Notices (CEN) 01/2026 and 02/2026, the Indian Railways will fill over 22,000 vacancies for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Technician Grade-I & III posts. This is a golden opportunity for technical aspirants across India to secure a permanent government job in the world’s largest railway network.
With the rapid expansion of Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Bullet Train projects, the Ministry of Railways is aggressively hiring skilled manpower. Below is the complete guide on how to apply, eligibility criteria, and the new 2026 exam pattern.
RRB Recruitment 2026: Notification Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Recruitment Body | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), Ministry of Railways |
| Notification No. | CEN 01/2026 (ALP) & CEN 02/2026 (Technician) |
| Name of Posts | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP), Technician Grade I & III |
| Total Vacancies | 22,000+ (ALP: 11,127 | Technician: 6,565+) |
| Job Location | Across India (Based on Zone) |
| Official Website | rrbapply.gov.in |
Important Dates (CEN 2026 Schedule)
Missing a deadline can cost you a career. Save this table for the official 2026 recruitment timeline:
| Event | Date (Tentative/Official) |
| Indicative Notification Release | March 16, 2026 |
| Release of Detailed Notification | May 14, 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | May 15, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | June 14, 2026 |
| Application Modification Window | June 15 – June 24, 2026 |
| CBT-1 Exam Date | August / September 2026 |
| CBT-2 Exam Date | November / December 2026 |
Vacancy Breakdown (Zone-Wise Estimated)
While the detailed zone-wise list will be released in May, the following zones have reported the highest vacancies according to the recent Ministry of Railways update:
| Railway Zone / RRB | Estimated Vacancies |
| Northern Railway (New Delhi) | 1,120+ |
| Western Railway (Mumbai) | 1,050+ |
| Southern Railway (Chennai) | 980+ |
| Eastern Railway (Kolkata) | 940+ |
| North Frontier Railway (Guwahati) | 701+ |
| Central Railway (Mumbai) | 850+ |
| Total (All Zones) | 22,000+ |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount | Refund Policy |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹500 | ₹400 Refunded after CBT-1 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-SM / Female | ₹250 | Full ₹250 Refunded after CBT-1 |
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must ensure they fulfill all eligibility requirements before applying to avoid rejection.
A. Educational Qualification
- For ALP: 10th Pass (Matriculation) + ITI in recognized trades (Fitter, Electrician, etc.) OR 3-Year Engineering Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or Automobile Engineering OR B.E./B.Tech degree in these disciplines.
- For Technician Grade III: 10th Pass + ITI in relevant trade.
- For Technician Grade I (Signal): B.Sc in Physics, Electronics, CS, IT, or Instrumentation OR Engineering Diploma/Degree in the same.
B. Age Limit (As of 01 July 2026)
The Railway Board has provided a generous age limit for the 2026 cycle:
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
| Unreserved (UR) / EWS | 18 Years | 33 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 18 Years | 36 Years |
| SC / ST | 18 Years | 38 Years |
Detailed Selection Process
The selection for ALP and Technician consists of five stages. You must clear every stage to reach the final merit list.
- CBT-1 (Screening Test): Only for shortlisting. Marks are not added to the final merit.
- CBT-2 (Main Exam): Consists of Part A (Merit) and Part B (Qualifying Trade Test).
- CBAT (Psychological Test): Mandatory ONLY for ALP candidates.
- Document Verification (DV): Original documents checked at the RRB office.
- Medical Examination: Candidates must pass the A-1 Medical Standard for ALP, ensuring 6/6 vision without glasses.
Exam Pattern (2026 Updated)
Stage 1: CBT-1 Exam Pattern
- Duration: 60 Minutes
- Total Questions: 75
- Negative Marking: 1/3rd for every wrong answer.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| Mathematics | 20 | 20 |
| Mental Ability (Reasoning) | 25 | 25 |
| General Science | 20 | 20 |
| General Awareness (Current Affairs) | 10 | 10 |
Stage 2: CBT-2 Exam Pattern
CBT-2 is the most critical stage. It lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes in total.
- Part A (100 Questions): Mathematics, Reasoning, Basic Science & Engineering. This score determines your Final Merit.
- Part B (75 Questions): Trade-related questions. You must score at least 35% to pass.
Salary & Perks of RRB ALP & Technician
Railway jobs offer one of the best compensation packages in the government sector.
- Pay Level: Level 2 (7th CPC)
- Basic Pay: ₹19,900/-
- Allowances: DA (50%+), HRA (9% to 27%), Transport Allowance.
- Running Allowance (Exclusive to ALP): Extra pay based on every kilometer traveled.
- Gross Salary: Approximately ₹32,000 to ₹45,000 per month depending on the city.
How to Apply for RRB Recruitment 2026
Candidates must follow these steps to register at the official portal:
- Visit the official application portal: www.rrbapply.gov.in.
- Click on “Create an Account” and register your Mobile Number, Email ID, and Aadhaar Card.
- Fill in the Personal Details section (Name, Father’s Name, DOB).
- Upload your Educational Documents and select the RRB Zone carefully.
- Upload a Recent Passport Photo (White Background) and Signature.
- Pay the Application Fee using UPI, Net Banking, or Debit Card.
- Final Submit: Check all details and take a printout of the application form.
Important Links Table
| Link Description | Direct Link |
| Apply Online Link | Active on May 15 |
| Official Notification (PDF) | Download Here |
| Detailed Syllabus (PDF) | Download Here |
| Zone-Wise Vacancy List | Check Here |
| Official Website | indianrailways.gov.in |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I apply for both ALP and Technician?
A: Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria for both, you can apply. However, you must choose only one RRB Zone for all applications.
Q2: Is there any change in the syllabus for 2026?
A: The core syllabus remains the same, but there is a higher weightage on “Basic Science & Engineering” in CBT-2.
Q3: Is Aadhaar verification mandatory for RRB 2026?
A: Yes, Aadhaar-based biometric verification is mandatory for all candidates during the application and at the exam center.
Q4: When will the admit card be released?
A: Admit cards are generally released 4 days before the exam date. For CBT-1, expect it in late August 2026.