Daily Quizzes
Mock Tests
No tests attempted yet.
Select Category
RRB ALP Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026: CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT, Subjects, Marks
Get the complete RRB ALP Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 with detailed information on CBT 1, CBT 2 Part A, CBT 2 Part B, and CBAT. Understand subject-wise topics, number of questions, maximum marks, exam duration, negative marking, qualifying marks, trade-wise eligibility, and final merit weightage. This guide also covers Mathematics, Reasoning, General Science, General Awareness, Basic Science and Engineering, and trade-specific subjects to help candidates plan their RRB ALP preparation effectively.
Get in Touch with Class24 for All Your Needs!
Cracking the Assistant Loco Pilot exam starts with one thing: knowing what's actually on the paper. The RRB ALP syllabus and exam pattern 2026 map out every stage of this recruitment in detail, from question counts to marking rules, so your preparation goes toward what the exam really tests instead of guesswork.
The RRB ALP Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026 is the first thing you need to get your head around before you even open a book. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) runs this recruitment across three major stages CBT 1, CBT 2, and CBAT each one tests a different side of you: your academic fundamentals, your reasoning speed, and finally, your psychological fitness for the job. Knowing exactly what to expect at every stage means you stop guessing and start preparing with purpose. Here's the complete breakdown.
RRB ALP Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Posts | Assistant Loco Pilots (ALPs) |
| Vacancies | 11,127 |
| Selection Process | CBT 1, CBT 2, CBAT, Document Verification, Medical Exam |
| Mode of Exam | Online (Computer-Based Test) |
| No. of Questions | CBT 1 – 75, CBT 2 – 175 (Part A – 100, Part B – 75) |
| Negative Marking | ⅓ mark deducted per wrong answer (not applicable in CBAT) |
| Syllabus Coverage | Mathematics, Reasoning, General Science, General Awareness, Basic Science & Engineering, Trade Subjects |
| Question Level | Class 10th standard, plus ITI/Diploma-level technical subjects |
| Exam Language | English, Hindi, and several regional languages |
RRB ALP CBT 1 Syllabus 2026 (Subject-wise Breakdown)
CBT 1 is essentially filter a screening round designed to narrow down the massive applicant pool before the real competition begins in CBT 2. Its marks don't carry forward into your final merit, but that doesn't mean you can afford to take it lightly; you still have to clear the qualifying cutoff to move ahead. It covers four subjects across 75 questions in 60 minutes. Here's what each one actually demands from you.
Mathematics
This section is where speed meets accuracy. It's built around Class 10th-level concepts, so nothing here should feel unfamiliar the challenge is solving it fast and without silly mistakes.
- Number System, BODMAS, Decimals, and Fractions
- LCM and HCF
- Ratio and Proportion, Percentages
- Mensuration (Area & Volume)
- Time and Work, Time and Distance
- Simple Interest and Compound Interest
- Profit and Loss
- Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry
- Elementary Statistics, Square Roots
- Age-based Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cisterns
General Intelligence and Reasoning
Reasoning tends to carry the heaviest weight across RRB ALP papers, and candidates who train specifically for this section usually see the biggest jump in their overall score. It's less about memorization and more about pattern recognition under time pressure.
- Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series
- Coding and Decoding
- Mathematical Operations
- Relationships and Syllogism
- Jumbled Sentences/Figures, Venn Diagrams
- Data Interpretation and Sufficiency
- Conclusions and Decision Making
- Similarities and Differences
- Analytical Reasoning, Classification
- Direction Sense
- Statements, Arguments, and Assumptions
General Science
General Science pulls together Physics, Chemistry, and Life Science all pegged at roughly a Class 9–10 NCERT level, so your old school textbooks are genuinely useful here.
- Physics: Motion, Force, Work-Power-Energy, Light, Sound, Heat, Electricity & Magnetism, Units & Measurement
- Chemistry: States of Matter, Elements-Compounds-Mixtures, Acids-Bases-Salts, the Periodic Table, Chemical Reactions
- Life Science: Human Body Systems, Cell Structure, Diseases & Nutrition, Plant and Animal Kingdom
General Awareness and Current Affairs
This is the section that rewards consistency over cramming a little daily reading builds up far more than a last-minute revision binge ever will.
- Science & Technology
- Sports and Notable Personalities
- Culture and History
- Economics and Politics
- Indian Geography
- Static GK and general current events
RRB ALP CBT 2 Syllabus 2026 (Part A & Part B Breakdown)
CBT 2 is where the real selection happens it's longer, tougher, and directly decides your merit rank. Part A revisits the CBT 1 subjects at a noticeably higher difficulty level and adds an entirely new, technically demanding section: Basic Science and Engineering. Part B, on the other hand, is purely about your specific trade and only needs to be qualified, not ranked.
Part A Mathematics
The topic list mirrors CBT 1, but expect the questions to be sharper, longer, and less forgiving of shortcuts done carelessly.
- Number System, BODMAS, Decimals-Fractions
- LCM-HCF, Ratio-Proportion, Percentage
- Mensuration, Time & Work, Time & Distance
- Simple & Compound Interest, Profit-Loss
- Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry
- Elementary Statistics, Square Roots
- Age Calculations, Calendar-Clock, Pipes & Cisterns
Part A General Intelligence and Reasoning
- Analogies, Number & Alphabet Series
- Coding-Decoding, Mathematical Operations
- Syllogism, Venn Diagrams
- Data Interpretation, Classification
- Direction Sense
- Statement-Argument-Assumption, Analytical Reasoning
Part A Basic Science and Engineering
This is arguably the most technical and most important section in the whole exam it's where your ITI or Diploma background genuinely starts to pay off.
- Engineering Drawing (Projections, Views, Drawing Instruments, Lines, Geometric Figures, Symbolic Representation)
- Units and Measurements
- Mass, Weight, and Density
- Work, Power, and Energy
- Speed and Velocity
- Heat and Temperature
- Basic Electricity (Voltage, Current, Resistance, Ohm's Law)
- Levers and Simple Machines
- Occupational Safety and Health
- Environmental Education
- IT Literacy
Part B Trade-Specific Knowledge
Part B pulls its syllabus directly from your registered trade, following the framework laid out by the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Trades like Electrician, Fitter, Mechanic (Diesel/Motor Vehicle), Turner, Machinist, Wireman, Electronics Mechanic, and Instrument Mechanic all fall under this. Remember this section is purely qualifying, so once you clear the cutoff, the marks stop mattering.
RRB ALP Exam Pattern 2026: Stage-wise Marking Scheme
| Stage | Subjects | Questions | Max. Marks | Duration | Negative Marking | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBT 1 | Mathematics, GI&R, General Science, GA & Current Affairs | 75 | 75 | 60 minutes | ⅓ mark | UR/EWS – 40%, OBC(NCL) – 30%, SC – 30%, ST – 25% |
| CBT 2 Part A | Mathematics, GI&R, Basic Science & Engineering | 100 | 100 | 90 minutes | ⅓ mark | UR/EWS – 40%, OBC(NCL) – 30%, SC – 30%, ST – 25% |
| CBT 2 Part B (Trade) | Trade-Specific Knowledge | 75 | 75 | 60 minutes | ⅓ mark | 35% (uniform across all categories) |
RRB ALP Exam Pattern: Computer-Based Aptitude Test (CBAT)
Only candidates who've cleared both CBT 1 and CBT 2 Part A get invited to the CBAT and it's unlike anything else in the process. Instead of testing knowledge, it evaluates whether you have the psychological reflexes and temperament the job actually demands.
- Minimum Qualifying Marks: A T-score of at least 42 in every single test battery, regardless of category.
- Shortlisting: Based on CBT 2 performance, roughly 8 times the number of vacancies per category get called for CBAT.
- Test Batteries: You need to clear every battery in one sitting there's only one attempt, no retakes.
- Language: Available in both English and Hindi.
- Negative Marking: None. You can attempt every question without penalty.
- Final Weightage: Your final merit rank combines 70% from CBT 2 Part A and 30% from CBAT.
Qualification-Wise Trade Grouping for CBT-2 Part B
Not every trade is open to every candidate your eligibility for Part B depends entirely on your engineering qualification. Here's how it breaks down:
| Sl. No. | Qualification | Eligible Trade/Subject |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman, Armature & Coil Winder, Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic |
| 2 | Electronics Engineering | Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic (Radio & TV) |
| 3 | Mechanical Engineering | Fitter, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Turner, Machinist, Heat Engine, Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic |
| 4 | Automobile Engineering | Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Mechanic (Diesel), Heat Engine, Refrigeration & AC Mechanic |
Subject-wise Preparation Tips for RRB ALP Syllabus 2026
- Mathematics: Practice daily to build both speed and accuracy, shortcuts only help once the basics are rock-solid.
- Reasoning: Give this extra attention since it typically carries the most weight in the overall score.
- General Science: Go back to NCERT Class 9–10 books for a clean, structured revision of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
- General Awareness: Read current affairs daily and keep short, revisable notes on static GK.
- Basic Science & Engineering: Stay sharp on engineering drawing and basic electricity concepts they show up often.
- Trade Subject: Revisit your ITI trade theory thoroughly, since it forms the entire base of CBT 2 Part B.
Conclusion
Understanding the RRB ALP Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026 isn't optional groundwork, it's the foundation your whole preparation should be built on. The selection journey runs through three distinct stages: CBT 1 filters the field, CBT 2 decides your merit, and CBAT checks whether you're genuinely cut out for the responsibilities of the job. Once you know exactly what each stage tests and how it's scored, your preparation stops being scattered and starts being strategic and that's what actually moves the needle for RRB ALP Recruitment 2026.
FAQs
Recent Quizzes
Recent Articles
Our Courses
Post a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *