RRB ALP 2026 · Age limit & eligibility
RRB ALP Age Limit 2026: Relaxation, Qualification and Eligibility
Age limit, the date on which age is counted, category-wise relaxation and the educational qualification, as printed in the official notice.
RRB ALP age limit and relaxation
Age limit
18–30 years (as on 1 July 2026)
Educational qualification
- Matriculation / SSLC plus ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in a listed trade, or plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in those trades
- Or Matriculation / SSLC plus 3-year diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering (or a combination of these); a degree in these branches is accepted in lieu of the diploma
- Must be held by the closing date, 14 June 2026; candidates awaiting results are not eligible
Upper age relaxation
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC-NCL | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (over 6 months' service after attestation) | 3 years (UR/EWS), 6 years (OBC-NCL), 8 years (SC/ST) after deducting service |
| Serving Railway Group C / erstwhile Group D staff (3+ years' service) | Up to 40 years (UR/EWS), 43 (OBC-NCL), 45 (SC/ST) |
| Widowed / divorced / judicially separated women (not remarried) | Up to 35 years (UR/EWS), 38 (OBC-NCL), 40 (SC/ST) |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices | To the extent of apprentice training undergone |
Application fee
₹500 (General); ₹250 (SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Female/Transgender/Minorities/EBC). No category is exempt; ₹400 of the ₹500 fee and the full ₹250 fee are refunded, less bank charges, only to candidates who appear in CBT-1, into the Aadhaar-seeded bank account.
Source: CEN No. 01/2026 – Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) (published 21 March 2026 (indicative notice in Employment News)). Confirm in the official notice before applying.
Age limit, relaxation and qualification in detail
Age is counted on 1 July 2026: you must be 18–30 years old. Your date of birth must match your Matriculation / SSLC / 10th certificate; any difference leads to disqualification (para 5.3).
The qualification must be held by the closing date, 14 June 2026. Candidates waiting for final results of the required qualification are not eligible to apply. Certificates must show their date of issue; if it is after the closing date, you need mark sheets that show the result declaration date.
Accepted qualifications (any one route)
| Route | Qualification |
|---|---|
| ITI | Matriculation / SSLC plus ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV), Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist, or Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic |
| Apprenticeship | Matriculation / SSLC plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in the trades above |
| Diploma | Matriculation / SSLC plus 3-year diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering, or a combination of these streams, in lieu of ITI |
| Degree | Degree in the same engineering disciplines, in lieu of the diploma |
Upper age relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (over 6 months' service after attestation) | 3 years (UR/EWS), 6 (OBC-NCL), 8 (SC/ST), after deducting length of service from age |
| Serving Railway Group C / erstwhile Group D staff (3+ years' service) | Up to 40 years (UR/EWS), 43 (OBC-NCL), 45 (SC/ST) |
| Quasi-administrative Railway office staff (e.g. Railway canteens, co-operative societies) | Length of service rendered or 5 years, whichever is less |
| Widowed / divorced / judicially separated women, not remarried | Up to 35 years (UR/EWS), 38 (OBC-NCL), 40 (SC/ST) |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices | To the extent of apprentice training undergone under the Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Course Completed Act Apprentices who became apprentices before age 25 | Up to 35 years (UR/EWS), 38 (OBC-NCL), 40 (SC/ST) |
Frequently asked questions
What is the age limit for RRB ALP?
18–30 years, counted as on 1 July 2026, as per the CEN No. 01/2026 – Recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP). Category-wise upper age relaxation is given in the notice.
What qualification is needed for RRB ALP?
Matriculation / SSLC plus ITI (NCVT/SCVT) in a listed trade, or plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship in those trades. Or Matriculation / SSLC plus 3-year diploma in Mechanical / Electrical / Electronics / Automobile Engineering (or a combination of these); a degree in these branches is accepted in lieu of the diploma. Must be held by the closing date, 14 June 2026; candidates awaiting results are not eligible.
What is the age limit for RRB ALP 2026?
18–30 years as on 1 July 2026, with relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC-NCL and further relaxation for Ex-Servicemen, Railway staff and other categories in the notice.
Which ITI trades are eligible for RRB ALP?
Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV), Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Wireman, Tractor Mechanic, Armature & Coil Winder, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Turner, Machinist and Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic, with Matriculation.