The Indian Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially announced the recruitment of Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) under notification CEN 01/2024. This recruitment drive aims to fill 18,799 vacancies in various zones, including Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Ajmer, Kolkata, Mumbai, Secunderabad, Chennai, and others.
Interested candidates are advised to carefully review the notification to understand eligibility criteria, the selection process, important dates, salary structure, application procedures, and other vital information. This comprehensive guide provides all the necessary details to assist applicants in navigating the recruitment process.
Important Dates for RRB ALP Recruitment 2024
Here is the complete timeline for the recruitment process:
- Start Date for Online Applications: January 20, 2024
- The application window opens for candidates to submit their forms through the official RRB portals.
- Deadline to Submit Applications: February 19, 2024
- Candidates must complete and submit their applications by this date to avoid disqualification.
- Last Date to Pay Application Fees: February 19, 2024
- Ensure that payment is completed before the deadline.
- Form Correction Period: February 20–29, 2024
- Applicants can make corrections to errors in their submitted forms, such as personal details or preferences.
- Photo and Signature Re-upload: May 27–31, 2024
- Those whose photo or signature uploads were rejected earlier will be allowed to re-upload corrected files during this period.
- Revised Vacancy Details Release: July 4, 2024
- Zone-specific updated vacancy distributions will be published.
- Preference and Zone Modification Window: July 29 – August 7, 2024
- Candidates can revise their preferences for zones and positions based on the updated vacancy list.
- CBT Stage 1 Exam Dates: November 25–29, 2024
- The first stage of the Computer-Based Test (CBT) will be conducted across various zones.
- Exam City Notification: 10 days prior to the exam
- Information about the exam city and centre will be shared on the official portal.
- Admit Card Release: 4 days prior to the exam.
- Candidates can download their admit cards through the RRB portal, which will include details like the exam centre and timings.
Applicants are encouraged to track these dates closely to ensure timely submission and participation in the recruitment process.
Application Fee Details
The application fee structure is designed to accommodate various candidate categories:
- General/OBC/EWS Applicants: ₹500
- Refundable amount: ₹400 after participating in the first stage of the CBT.
- SC/ST/EBC/Female Applicants: ₹250
- Refundable amount: Full refund of ₹250 after appearing in the first stage of the CBT.
Payment Methods
Candidates can only pay the application fee through online modes such as:
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Net Banking
Offline payment methods, such as challans or demand drafts, are not accepted.
Age Limit and Relaxation
The age criteria for the Assistant Loco Pilot post are as follows:
- Minimum Age: 18 years (as of July 1, 2024)
- Maximum Age: 33 years (as of July 1, 2024)
Age Relaxation
The upper age limit is relaxed for reserved categories as per government norms. Detailed age relaxation guidelines are available in the official notification. Key relaxations include:
- SC/ST Candidates: 5 years
- OBC Candidates: 3 years
- PWD Candidates: 10 years
Applicants should refer to the official notification for additional relaxation criteria applicable to other categories.
Vacancy Distribution for RRB ALP Recruitment 2024
The total vacancies for the ALP position are distributed across various categories to ensure broad representation:
- Unreserved (UR): 8,149
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 4,538
- Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 1,798
- Scheduled Caste (SC): 2,735
- Scheduled Tribe (ST): 1,579
Applicants are encouraged to review the zone-specific vacancy breakdown available on the official RRB website to make informed choices.
Comprehensive Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfil specific educational and professional qualifications to be eligible for the ALP position.
Educational Requirements
- Matriculation (10th Standard)
- Must possess an ITI certificate from NCVT/SCVT in relevant trades, including:
- Fitter
- Electrician
- Electronics Mechanic
- Wireman
- Instrument Mechanic
- Mechanic Motor Vehicle
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Must possess an ITI certificate from NCVT/SCVT in relevant trades, including:
- Diploma Holders
- Diploma in engineering disciplines such as:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Automobile Engineering
- Diploma in engineering disciplines such as:
- Bachelor’s Degree Holders
- B.E/B.T graduates in related fields such as Mechanical, Electrical, or Electronics Engineering can also apply.
Candidates must review the official notification for any additional qualifications or certifications required for eligibility.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for RRB ALP Recruitment
Follow these steps to successfully complete the online application process:
- Visit the Official RRB Website
- Go to the recruitment portal for the RRB zone you are applying to.
- Read the Notification
- Download and review the official advertisement (CEN 01/2024) to ensure you meet all eligibility criteria.
- Register Online
- Create an account by providing basic details such as your name, email ID, and mobile number.
- Complete the Application Form
- Enter all required information, including:
- Personal details (name, address, and contact information)
- Educational qualifications
- Zone and post preferences
- Enter all required information, including:
- Upload Documents
- Prepare and upload clear, scanned copies of the following:
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Digital signature
- Identity proof (such as Aadhaar, PAN card, or voter ID)
- Prepare and upload clear, scanned copies of the following:
- Pay the Application Fee
- Use online payment methods to pay the applicable fee.
- Review and Submit
- Carefully review all entered details and uploaded documents before final submission.
- Print the Application Confirmation
- Save and print the completed application form for future reference.
Key Features of RRB ALP Recruitment 2024
- Offers an excellent career opportunity with Indian Railways for candidates holding ITI, diploma, or engineering qualifications.
- Ensures fair representation of candidates from different categories through a well-structured vacancy allocation.
- Age relaxation and fee refund policies make the recruitment process inclusive and accessible to diverse candidates.
- Clear guidelines and multiple opportunities for correcting errors in the application process ensure transparency.
Applicants are advised to frequently visit the official RRB website for updates, notifications, and further announcements.
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