RRB ALP 2026 Syllabus – Stage 1 & 2 Exam Pattern

RRB ALP 2026 Syllabus – Stage 1 and Stage 2 exam pattern

The RRB ALP 2026 syllabus is part of the official CEN 01/2026 notification for 11,127 Assistant Loco Pilot posts. The exam runs in three stages. Stage 1 is a screening test, Stage 2 is where your merit rank gets decided, and Stage 3 (CBAT) is only for ALP candidates. Read the official notification PDF for the complete details. Last updated: 20.05.2026.

Stage 1 CBT pattern

Duration: 60 minutes. Negative marking: 1/3 per wrong answer. Only the top candidates move to Stage 2 — this is purely a screening round.

Stage 1 syllabus – subject wise

Mathematics (20 questions)

Number system, fractions and decimals, LCM and HCF, ratio and proportion, percentage, mensuration, time and work, time and distance, simple and compound interest, profit and loss, elementary algebra, geometry, trigonometry, elementary statistics.

General Intelligence and Reasoning (25 questions)

Analogies, alphabetical and number series, coding and decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogism, Venn diagrams, data interpretation, conclusions and decision making, directions, classification, jumbling.

General Science (30 questions)

Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences up to Class 10 NCERT. The most tested chapters are: motion and force, work energy and power, light, sound, electricity, chemical reactions, acids bases and salts, metals and non-metals, carbon compounds, life processes, reproduction, heredity and evolution. NCERT Class 9 and 10 textbooks cover 90% of this section.

Stage 2 Part A pattern

Duration: 90 minutes. Negative marking: 1/3. Your merit rank for final selection comes from this stage.

Basic Science and Engineering (40 questions)

Engineering drawing, units and measurements, mass weight density, work power energy, speed velocity acceleration, heat and temperature, basic electricity, levers and simple machines, occupational safety and health, environment education, IT literacy.

Basic Electricity and Engineering Drawing together account for roughly 15 to 18 marks here. These two topics are worth your serious attention.

Stage 2 Part B – trade test

75 questions in 60 minutes. Questions come entirely from your ITI trade or diploma specialization. You need at least 35% to qualify. No negative marking here. Part B marks are not counted in your merit — they just gate you to the next stage. Study from your NCVT trade theory textbooks, not from generic guides.

Stage 3 – CBAT (ALP posts only)

The Computer Based Aptitude Test has five batteries: Memory, Following Directions, Spatial Ability, Concentration, Perceptual Speed and Accuracy. You need a minimum T-Score of 42 in each battery separately. If you are applying only for Technician posts, you do not appear in this stage.

Preparation tips

• Stage 1 General Science: NCERT Class 9 and 10 is sufficient. Do not buy separate books for this section.
• Stage 2 Basic Electricity and Engineering Drawing: spend extra time here. These are the highest-weightage topics in Part A and most candidates underestimate them.
• Stage 2 Part B: 35% looks easy, but scoring 50%+ gives you an edge if tie-breaking happens during document verification. Do not ignore it.
• Stage 1 timing: 75 questions in 60 minutes means you have under 50 seconds per question. Practice with a timer from day one.
• Previous year papers: solve at least 15 before the exam. RRB ALP 2018 papers are your best reference since the pattern is nearly identical.

Important links

Apply at the RRB ALP 2026 vacancy page before 14 June 2026. The RRB ALP 2026 admit card page will be updated once the hall ticket is released.

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