Loco Pilot Salary in Indian Railways: ALP Job and Exam

Loco pilot salary in Indian Railways starts at ₹19,900 basic pay per month for an Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) at Level 2 of the 7th CPC pay matrix. What makes this job special is the running allowance: loco pilots are paid extra for the kilometres they drive, so the actual monthly pay is usually much higher than other Level 2 posts. The loco pilot is the train driver. You join as an assistant in the engine cab and, with experience and promotions, become the one in charge of passenger and express trains. Many ITI and diploma students I have guided chose this job for exactly this mix of good pay and a clear growth path.

What is a loco pilot job

In simple words, a loco pilot drives the locomotive. The Assistant Loco Pilot sits beside the Loco Pilot and helps with:

• Checking the engine before the trip: brakes, pressure, oil, safety devices.
• Watching signals and calling them out, so two people confirm every signal.
• Handling small faults on the way and keeping logs of the run.
• Talking to the Train Manager and station staff over the radio.

An RRB ALP job is running duty. You sign on at the crew lobby, work a trip, rest at the outstation running room, and come back with another train. Hours are irregular and night runs are normal. You need good eyesight, a calm mind and the discipline to stay alert for long hours.

Railway Recruitment Board exam RRB ALP & Technician

Assistant Loco Pilots are recruited by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) through a Centralised Employment Notice. Earlier, the ALP and Technician posts came in one combined notice, which is why many people still search for the "RRB ALP & Technician" exam. Now RRBs usually publish separate notices for ALP and for railway technician posts.

You choose one RRB while applying, and you are posted in the zone of that RRB. All the RRBs publish the same notice on their official websites.

Eligibility and age limit for ALP

Listed ITI trades include Fitter, Electrician, Mechanic Diesel, Electronics Mechanic, Wireman, Turner, Machinist, Armature and Coil Winder, Instrument Mechanic, Refrigeration and AC Mechanic, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Tractor Mechanic, Heat Engine and Millwright or Maintenance Mechanic. The full list is in the notification. If you are still choosing a trade, read our guide on ITI courses and ITI jobs. Diploma holders can see diploma jobs.

The medical test is the toughest in the railways for this post. You need 6/6 distance vision in each eye without glasses, and colour, night and field vision tests must be passed. Candidates who have had LASIK or similar eye surgery are not eligible. PwBD candidates are not taken for ALP. Check your age on the cut-off date before you apply:

Loco pilot salary per month: ALP salary breakdown

The assistant loco pilot salary is the same in every zone because the RRB ALP salary follows the central pay matrix. The ALP salary per month has two big parts: regular pay and allowances like any central government job, plus running allowance for train runs.

• Basic pay: ₹19,900 at Level 2 on joining.
• DA: a share of basic that is revised twice a year. Our estimate box at the top of this page uses the current rate.
• HRA: depends on the class of the city where you are based (X, Y or Z). Not paid if you take railway quarters.
• Transport allowance: a fixed monthly amount.
• Running allowance: paid for the kilometres you work on running duty, at rates fixed by the Railway Board. This is the reason the real railway driver salary is higher than the basic suggests. It changes month to month with your trips.
• Deductions: NPS contribution on basic and DA, group insurance and income tax where due.

Use the calculator for the fixed part of the pay. Running allowance comes on top and depends on your section and roster.

ALP salary after 5 years and senior loco pilot salary

In practice most loco pilots do not stay at Level 2. The growth path runs from ALP to Senior ALP, then Loco Pilot (Shunting), Loco Pilot (Goods), Loco Pilot (Passenger) and finally Loco Pilot (Mail and Express). Each step moves you to a higher pay level, and running allowance also grows because you drive faster and longer trains. So the senior loco pilot salary is far above the starting basic, and the railway loco pilot salary at the top of the ladder is among the best for staff who joined after ITI. The ALP railway salary is only the first step. How fast you rise depends on vacancies and seniority in your division.

Metro loco pilot salary

Metro train operators are not hired by RRBs. Each metro rail corporation runs its own recruitment and has its own pay scale, so a metro loco pilot salary is different from Indian Railways pay. Check the careers page of the metro corporation in your city.

RRB ALP exam pattern and selection process

The ALP exam pattern has three computer based stages followed by document checks and a medical test.

As per the latest notice, one third of a mark is cut for each wrong answer in CBT 1 and CBT 2. CBT 1 is only for shortlisting; its marks do not count in the final merit. Part B of CBT 2 is qualifying; you need 35% to pass it, but its marks do not count for merit. In CBAT there is no negative marking, but you must get a T-score of at least 42 in every test, and this is the same for all categories. Final merit gives 70% weight to CBT 2 Part A and 30% to CBAT. After that come document verification and the medical examination.

Training after selection

Selected candidates join a zonal railway training centre for ALP training. It covers locomotive systems, braking, signals, the General and Subsidiary Rules, and simulator practice. You then do practical trips with experienced loco pilots before you are allowed to work independently. Training is paid, and you must pass the tests at the end of each module.

How to prepare for the RRB ALP exam

• Students who studied ITI or diploma usually need 6 to 10 months of preparation for CBT 1 and CBT 2 Part A.
• Revise class 9 and 10 science well. Physics and basic engineering questions come up a lot.
• Give maths and reasoning daily practice. Speed decides the cut-off.
• Do not ignore Part B. Revise your trade theory from your ITI or diploma books.
• Practise CBAT style memory and attention tests before the final stage. Many good candidates fail here.
• Get a full eye test done early, including colour vision.

Official website

Notifications, exam schedules, admit cards and results are released only on the official RRB websites. Compare this job with other railway posts in our railway jobs guide, and look at RRB NTPC and RRB Group D if you are 12th or 10th pass.