Railway RRB ALP Syllabus 2026: CBT 1 & CBT 2 Exam Pattern, Trade Syllabus & CBAT Aptitude

1. Executive Overview & Four-Stage Railway Selection Framework

The Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) conduct centralized direct recruitment for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Technicians (Pay Level-2: ₹19,900 plus running allowances) across 21 railway zones of the Indian Railways.

The selection procedure operates on a strict multi-tier computerized testing framework:

Stage-I: First Stage CBT (Screening Test): Common 60-minute examination consisting of 75 MCQs. Marks are normalized to shortlist candidates for CBT-2 at a ratio of 15 times the category-wise advertised vacancies.
Stage-II: Second Stage CBT (Two Parts):
• Part-A (100 Qs / 90 Mins): Merit-deciding paper covering Maths, Reasoning, and Basic Science & Engineering.
• Part-B (75 Qs / 60 Mins): Technical Trade Test based on DGET/NCVT ITI trade syllabi (mandatory 35% qualifying threshold for all categories).
Stage-III: Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT / Psychometric): Administered exclusively to ALP candidates. Features 5 distinct psychological test batteries, requiring a minimum T-score of 42 in each battery to qualify.
Stage-IV: Document Verification & Medical Examination: Strict compliance with Medical Category A-1 (6/6 distant vision without glasses, no laser surgery allowed).

Final Merit Calculation Formula for ALP: The final merit list and zonal railway allocation are formulated by combining 70% weightage of CBT-2 Part-A marks + 30% weightage of CBAT marks, subject to qualifying CBT-2 Part-B and clearing the A-1 medical standard.

2. First Stage CBT (CBT-1) Examination Scheme & Marks Distribution

CBT-1 is an objective computer-based screening test consisting of 75 Multiple Choice Questions carrying 75 marks for a duration of 60 Minutes (1 Hour):

Subject / Domain	Questions	Marks	Key Curriculum Focus & Standards
1. Mathematics	20 MCQs	20 Marks	Number system, BODMAS, decimals, fractions, LCM/HCF, ratio, percentage, mensuration, time & work, speed-distance.
2. Mental Ability (Reasoning)	25 MCQs	25 Marks	Analogies, alphabetical & number series, coding-decoding, mathematical operations, relationships, syllogisms, Venn diagrams.
3. General Science	20 MCQs	20 Marks	Physics, Chemistry, and Life Sciences up to Class 10th CBSE/NCERT standard.
4. General Awareness on Current Affairs	10 MCQs	10 Marks	Science & Technology, sports, culture, personalities, economics, politics, railway milestones.
Total Combined CBT-1	75 Questions	75 Marks	Duration: 60 Minutes \| Negative: 1/3rd (0.33) Marks

CBT-1 Qualifying Passing Benchmarks:

To be eligible for shortlisting to CBT-2, candidates must secure minimum qualifying percentages: UR: 40%, EWS: 40%, OBC-NCL: 30%, SC: 30%, ST: 25%. Candidates up to 15 times the number of category-wise vacancies are shortlisted based on normalized marks.

3. Second Stage CBT (CBT-2) Comprehensive Scheme (Part-A & Part-B)

CBT-2 is conducted in a single uninterrupted examination session of 2 Hours 30 Minutes (150 Minutes) consisting of two distinct parts:

Section	No. of Questions	Time Allocated	Evaluation Nature & Role
CBT-2: Part-A Rank & Merit Determining	100 Questions • Maths: 25 Qs • Reasoning: 25 Qs • Basic Science & Engg: 40 Qs • Current Affairs: 10 Qs	90 Minutes	Merit Score: 70% weightage calculated from Part-A score for final ALP rank. Negative marking: 1/3rd per wrong MCQ.
CBT-2: Part-B Technical Trade Qualifying	75 Questions ITI / Trade syllabus as prescribed by DGET / NCVT	60 Minutes	Qualifying Only: Minimum 35% marks (26.25/75) mandatory for all categories. If a candidate fails Part-B, Part-A marks will not be considered!

4. Basic Science & Engineering Micro-Topic Syllabus (40 Marks in Part-A)

Basic Science & Engineering is the single highest-scoring differentiator in CBT-2 Part-A. Questions are formulated on foundational engineering concepts:

Engineering Drawing & Geometric Foundations

Projections & Views: Orthographic projection, isometric projection, first angle vs third angle projection systems.
Drawing Instruments: T-square, set-squares, drafting machine, scales, protractor, compass, French curves.
Lines & Geometric Figures: Types of engineering lines (visible outlines, hidden lines, centre lines, dimension lines, extension lines), lettering standards, dimensioning rules.
Symbolic Representation: Fasteners, welds, electrical symbols, piping components.

Applied Mechanics & Physics Modules

Units & Measurements: SI units, derived units, conversion of units, dimensions of physical quantities.
Mass, Weight & Density: Calculation of mass, weight, volume, specific gravity, relative density.
Work, Power & Energy: Mechanical work done, kinetic energy ($E_k = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$), potential energy ($E_p = mgh$), mechanical power in Watts and Horsepower ($1\text{ HP} = 746\text{ Watts}$), law of conservation of energy.
Speed & Velocity: Rest and motion, scalar vs vector quantities, uniform and non-uniform velocity, acceleration, Newton's three equations of motion ($v=u+at$, $s=ut+\frac{1}{2}at^2$, $v^2=u^2+2as$).
Heat & Temperature: Temperature scales (Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin; conversion formula: $\frac{C}{5} = \frac{F-32}{9} = \frac{K-273}{5}$), specific heat capacity, latent heat (fusion and vaporization), transmission of heat (conduction, convection, radiation), thermal expansion.
Basic Electricity: Electric charge, potential difference, Ohm's law ($V=IR$), series and parallel circuits, electrical resistance, factors affecting resistance, electric power and energy ($E = P \times t$, kWh calculations), magnetic effect of electric current.
Levers & Simple Machines: Mechanical Advantage (MA), Velocity Ratio (VR), Efficiency ($\eta = \frac{\text{MA}}{\text{VR}} \times 100\%$), Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 levers with daily life examples.

Occupational Safety, Environment & IT Literacy

Occupational Safety & Health: Industrial safety rules, personal protective equipment (PPE), classification of fires (Class A, B, C, D) and suitable fire extinguishers, first aid basics.
Environment Education: Ecosystem, air and water pollution, ozone layer depletion, global warming, renewable vs non-renewable energy resources.
IT Literacy: Hardware, CPU, memory (RAM, ROM), operating systems, MS Office basics, web browsers, networking concepts, cyber threats.

5. Technical Trade Test Syllabus for CBT-2 Part-B (DGET / NCVT Standard)

Candidates must appear in the trade test corresponding to their engineering discipline / ITI trade qualification:

Engineering Discipline	Qualifying Trade Options for Part-B
Electrical Engineering / ITI	Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Wireman, Winder (Armature), Refrigeration & Air Conditioning (RAC) Mechanic.
Mechanical Engineering / ITI	Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Millwright Maintenance Mechanic, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Tractor Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic.
Electronics Engineering / ITI	Electronics Mechanic, Mechanic Radio & Television.
Automobile Engineering / ITI	Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Tractor Mechanic, Diesel Mechanic, Heat Engine.
10+2 with Physics & Maths (Technician Only)	Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, or Wireman.

6. CBAT Aptitude Test Batteries & A-1 Medical Vision Standards

The Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT) evaluates mental alertness, spatial orientation, and reaction time across 5 psychometric test batteries:

1. Memory Test: Track Memory, Building Memory, House Memory (recalling locations after memorization period).
2. Direction Test: Following Directions / Table Test (following compass directions on numbered grid).
3. Depth Perception Test: Bricks Test, Hidden Cubes Test (calculating total bricks touching a designated block).
4. Concentration Test: Yes/No Test, Digit Find Test (comparing identical pairs under rapid time pressure).
5. Perceptual Speed Test: Hexagonal Test, Similarity Test (matching geometric patterns instantly).

T-Score Benchmark: Candidates must score a minimum T-Score of 42 in each of the 5 test batteries. Scoring 41 in even one battery results in disqualification, regardless of high scores in other batteries.

Medical Category A-1 Vision Standards (Mandatory for ALP):

Vision Parameter	Permissible Medical Threshold
Distant Vision	6/6, 6/6 without glasses with fogging test (must not accept +2D sphere).
Near Vision	Sn: 0.6, 0.6 without glasses.
Color Vision	Must pass Ishihara Color Plates Test (Zero color blindness).
Special Vision Tests	Must pass Binocular Vision, Field of Vision (Perimetry), Night Vision, and Mesopic Vision tests.
Refractive Surgery (LASIK)	Strictly Prohibited. Candidates with LASIK / PRK are permanently rejected.

7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) — Railway RRB ALP 2026

Q1. What is the examination pattern and marking scheme for RRB ALP CBT-1?

Ans. RRB ALP CBT-1 consists of 75 multiple choice questions carrying 75 marks with a duration of 60 minutes. The paper covers Mathematics (20 Qs), Mental Ability (25 Qs), General Science (20 Qs), and General Awareness (10 Qs). There is a negative marking of 1/3rd (0.33) marks for every incorrect answer. CBT-1 is purely a qualifying screening stage.

Q2. What is the qualifying pass mark for CBT-2 Part-B Trade Test?

Ans. In CBT-2 Part-B (75 questions, 60 minutes), candidates must secure a minimum qualifying score of 35% marks (26.25 marks out of 75). This qualifying standard applies uniformly to all candidates across General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories without any relaxation.

Q3. How is the final merit list calculated for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)?

Ans. For the post of ALP, the final all-India merit list is formulated by combining 70% weightage of marks scored in CBT-2 Part-A and 30% weightage of marks scored in the Computer Based Aptitude Test (CBAT), provided the candidate has qualified CBT-2 Part-B and passed all 5 CBAT test batteries with a minimum T-score of 42.

Q4. What are the strict medical vision standards for Railway ALP?

Ans. ALP candidates must satisfy the stringent Medical Category A-1: Distant vision 6/6, 6/6 without glasses with fogging test (+2D not accepted); Near vision Sn 0.6, 0.6 without glasses; and normal color vision, binocular vision, field of vision, and night vision. Candidates who have undergone LASIK or refractive eye surgery are permanently unfit for Loco Pilot.

Q5. What topics are included under Basic Science & Engineering in CBT-2 Part-A?

Ans. Basic Science & Engineering carries 40 marks and encompasses: 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.

Official Railway Portals & Verified Resources

Official Examination Portal	Direct Portal Action
RRB Online Application Portal	rrbapply.gov.in (Official Portal)
Ministry of Railways Portal	indianrailways.gov.in
Railway RRB NTPC Detailed Syllabus 2026	View RRB NTPC Syllabus
SSC CGL Detailed Syllabus 2026	View SSC CGL Master Syllabus

Editorial Integrity & Verification Notice: This syllabus guide has been compiled and cross-verified against official Centralized Employment Notifications (CEN) published by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs), Ministry of Railways, Government of India. SarakariHub.com is an independent educational portal and is not affiliated with the Indian Railways. For official notifications, candidates should refer to rrbapply.gov.in.

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