RRB ALP Syllabus 2026 at a Glance
The RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) recruitment under CEN 01/2025 has five stages: CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT (computer-based aptitude test), document verification and medical examination. CBT 1 is a 60-minute screening test of 75 questions from Mathematics, Mental Ability, General Science and General Awareness, with 1/3 mark deducted for each wrong answer. Only CBT 2 Part A and the CBAT count for the final merit.
Key takeaway: CBT 1 marks are used only to shortlist for CBT 2. The final ALP merit is 70% CBT 2 Part A + 30% CBAT, and you must also clear CBT 2 Part B (trade test, 35%) and every CBAT test battery (T-score 42) separately. Source: Para 12 of CEN 01/2025 (ALP), Railway Recruitment Boards.
| Item | CEN 01/2025 (ALP) |
|---|---|
| Post | Assistant Loco Pilot, Level 2 (initial pay ₹19,900) |
| Vacancies | 9,970 notified; revised to 10,970 by Corrigendum No. 2 dated 21-05-2026 |
| Age | 18-30 years as on 01-07-2025 (relaxation: SC/ST 5 years, OBC-NCL 3 years) |
| Medical standard | A-1 (distant vision 6/6, 6/6 without glasses; LASIK not allowed) |
| Stages | CBT 1 → CBT 2 → CBAT → DV → ME |
RRB ALP Exam Pattern: CBT 1
| Feature | Rule in the CEN |
|---|---|
| Questions | 75 (1 mark each) |
| Time | 60 minutes |
| Negative marking | 1/3 mark per wrong answer |
| Subjects | Mathematics, Mental Ability, General Science, General Awareness |
| Purpose | Screening only; CBT 1 marks are not counted in the final panel |
| Shortlisting | RRB-wise, up to 15 times the vacancies of that RRB, for CBT 2 |
The CEN does not print a fixed section-wise split for CBT 1, so plan for all four subjects. Marks are normalised when the exam runs in several shifts.
RRB ALP Maths Syllabus (CBT 1 and CBT 2 Part A)
The official topic list is the same for CBT 1 and CBT 2 Part A:
| Area | Topics named in CEN 01/2025 |
|---|---|
| Number basics | Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM, HCF, square root |
| Arithmetic | Ratio and proportion, percentages, profit and loss, simple and compound interest |
| Time based | Time and work, time and distance, pipes and cistern |
| Geometry | Mensuration, algebra, geometry and trigonometry |
| Others | Elementary statistics, age calculations, calendar and clock |
The CEN says questions follow the standard of the post's minimum qualification (Matriculation plus ITI, or a Diploma). Practise without a calculator, because calculators and other gadgets are banned at the centre.
RRB ALP Reasoning (Mental Ability) Syllabus
| Family | Official topics |
|---|---|
| Verbal | Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding and decoding, jumbling, classification, similarities and differences |
| Logical | Syllogism, Venn diagram, conclusions and decision making, statement-arguments and assumptions |
| Analytical | Relationships, directions, analytical reasoning |
| Maths-based | Mathematical operations, data interpretation and sufficiency |
In CBT 1 this section is called Mental Ability; in CBT 2 Part A the same list appears as General Intelligence and Reasoning.
RRB ALP General Science and General Awareness Syllabus
| Subject | What the CEN says |
|---|---|
| General Science (CBT 1) | Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences of 10th standard level |
| General Awareness (CBT 1) | Current affairs, science and technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics and other subjects of importance |
Science numericals (Ohm's law, power and energy bills, motion, work and power, lenses, moles) are fully calculable and are the safest marks in this section.
RRB ALP Exam Pattern: CBT 2 (Part A and Part B)
| Part | Questions | Time | Subjects | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | 100 | 90 minutes | Mathematics, General Intelligence and Reasoning, Basic Science and Engineering | Counted for merit |
| Part B | 75 | 60 minutes | Trade syllabus prescribed by DGT | Qualifying only (35% for all) |
| Total | 175 | 2 hours 30 minutes | 1/3 negative marking in both parts |
Basic Science and Engineering (Part A) covers engineering drawing (projections, views, drawing instruments, lines, geometric figures, symbolic representation), units, measurements, mass weight and density, work power and energy, speed and velocity, heat and temperature, basic electricity, levers and simple machines, occupational safety and health, environment education and IT literacy.
Part B has questions from your ITI trade. Diploma and degree holders pick one trade linked to their branch: Electrical (Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman, Armature and Coil Winder, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Mechanic), Electronics (Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic Radio and TV), Mechanical (Fitter, Motor Vehicle, Tractor, Diesel, Turner, Machinist, Refrigeration and AC, Heat Engine, Millwright) or Automobile (Motor Vehicle, Tractor, Diesel, Heat Engine, Refrigeration and AC).
RRB ALP CBAT Rules
- Candidates equal to 8 times the vacancies (community-wise) are called for the CBAT on the basis of CBT 2 Part A marks, provided they qualify in Part B.
- Bring the vision certificate (Annexure VI-A) in original to the CBAT, or you will not be allowed to appear.
- The CBAT is held only in English and Hindi and has no negative marking.
- You need a T-score of at least 42 in each test battery separately.
- Merit for document verification: 70% weightage to CBT 2 Part A + 30% to the CBAT. If marks tie, the older candidate ranks higher.
RRB ALP Qualifying Marks
| Category | CBT 1 and CBT 2 Part A minimum |
|---|---|
| UR and EWS | 40% |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 30% |
| SC | 30% |
| ST | 25% |
| CBT 2 Part B (all categories) | 35% |
Ex-Servicemen follow the percentage of their own community. Qualifying marks are a floor, not a cut-off: selection is on merit within your chosen RRB.
How to Prepare Using the RRB ALP Syllabus
- Treat CBT 1 as a gate, CBT 2 Part A as the real exam. The maths and reasoning lists are identical, so every CBT 1 hour also builds Part A.
- Score science by calculation. Class 10 physics numericals and mole-concept sums need only formulas, not memory.
- Guess only after eliminating. With four options and −1/3, a blind guess has an expected score of 0 (1/4 × 1 − 3/4 × 1/3 = 0).
- Revise your trade early. Part B is only qualifying, but a fail there removes you even with a top Part A score.
- Get the vision certificate early. You must bring an eye specialist's certificate (Annexure VI-A) confirming A-1 vision to the CBAT, or you cannot sit it.
RRB ALP Syllabus Practice Questions (with Answers)
Q1. How many questions and how much time does RRB ALP CBT 1 have? Answer: 75 questions in 60 minutes.
Q2. A candidate attempts 66 questions in CBT 1 and 57 are correct. What is the score? Answer: 54. Wrong = 9; score = 57 − 9 × 1/3 = 57 − 3 = 54.
Q3 (Maths). Find the HCF and LCM of 18, 24 and 36. Answer: HCF = 6, LCM = 72.
Q4 (Maths). A pipe fills a tank in 12 hours and another empties it in 18 hours. If both are opened together, in how many hours is the empty tank filled? Answer: 36 hours. Net rate = 1/12 − 1/18 = 1/36 of the tank per hour.
Q5 (Science). A current of 2 A flows through a 15 Ω resistor. What is the potential difference across it? Answer: 30 V (V = IR = 2 × 15).
Q6 (Science). What is the power of a convex lens of focal length 25 cm? Answer: +4 D (P = 100/f in cm = 100/25).
Q7 (Reasoning). Find the next term: C, G, K, O, ? Answer: S (each letter moves 4 places forward).
Q8. What weightage does the CBAT carry in the final ALP merit? Answer: 30%. CBT 2 Part A carries 70%.
RRB ALP Syllabus FAQs
Is there negative marking in RRB ALP?
Yes. One-third of a mark is deducted for each wrong answer in CBT 1 and CBT 2. The CBAT has no negative marking.
Are RRB ALP CBT 1 marks counted in the final merit?
No. CBT 1 is a screening test. The final panel uses CBT 2 Part A (70%) and CBAT (30%) only.
What is the qualifying mark for RRB ALP CBT 2 Part B?
35% for every candidate, whatever the category. Part B marks are not added to the merit.
What is the minimum CBAT score for RRB ALP?
A T-score of 42 in each test battery separately. Missing it in any one battery means disqualification.
What is the age limit for RRB ALP CEN 01/2025?
18 to 30 years as on 01-07-2025, with an upper age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer).
In which languages is the RRB ALP exam held?
CBT 1 and CBT 2 are available in English, Hindi and 13 regional languages, shown alongside English. The CBAT is only in English and Hindi.
Practice Next
- Maths: RRB ALP Maths Mock Test 01, RRB ALP Maths Mock Test 03.
- Reasoning: RRB ALP Reasoning Mock Test 01, RRB ALP Reasoning Mock Test 03.
- Science: RRB ALP Science Numericals Test 01.
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