The Railway Recruitment Boards have announced the tentative CBT 1 examination schedule for Assistant Loco Pilot recruitment under CEN 01/2026. According to the official notice dated 21 September 2026, the RRB ALP CBT 1 examination is scheduled to be conducted from 3 November to 5 November 2026.
Candidates will be able to check their allotted exam city and examination date 10 days before their respective exam date. The same link will also provide the Travel Authority facility for eligible SC/ST candidates.
RRBs have further confirmed that e-call letters will become available four days before the examination date shown in each candidate’s Exam City and Date intimation.
Table of Contents
RRB ALP Exam Date 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment Board | Railway Recruitment Boards |
| Recruitment | RRB Assistant Loco Pilot |
| CEN | 01/2026 |
| Post | Assistant Loco Pilot |
| Examination Stage | CBT 1 |
| CBT 1 Exam Dates | 3 to 5 November 2026 |
| Exam City Intimation | 10 days before the individual exam date |
| SC/ST Travel Authority | Along with the Exam City and Date link |
| E-Call Letter | 4 days before individual exam date |
| Aadhaar Biometric Authentication | Mandatory at the exam center |
| Notice Date | 21 September 2026 |
| Schedule Status | Tentative |
The examination will be held over three days, but an individual candidate’s exact examination date, city, and shift will be known only after the Exam City and Date link is activated.
Candidates should therefore not assume that their examination will necessarily be held on 3 November. Depending on the allocation made by the RRB, the CBT 1 may fall on 3, 4, or 5 November 2026.
Exam Dates
The tentative CBT 1 schedule announced by the Railway Recruitment Boards is:
| CEN | Post | Exam Dates |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 01/2026 | Assistant Loco Pilot | 3 November to 5 November 2026 |
RRB has specifically described this as a tentative examination schedule. Candidates should continue checking their respective regional RRB websites in case the schedule is revised.
The notice also advises candidates to rely only on official RRB websites for developments concerning the recruitment process.
Exam City Intimation
The Exam City and Date intimation link will be activated 10 days before a candidate’s examination date.
This means the availability date will not necessarily be the same for every candidate. Applicants allotted different exam dates may receive access to their city intimation on different dates.
The city information is expected to show the candidate’s examination city and scheduled date. It should not be confused with the RRB ALP e-call letter, which will be released separately closer to the exam.
Eligible SC/ST candidates will also be able to download their Travel Authority through the same facility once the link becomes active.
Admit Card Release Date
RRB has confirmed that the download of e-call letters will begin 4 days before the examination date mentioned in the candidate’s Exam City and Date intimation.
Therefore, there is no single nationwide admit card release date mentioned in the notice.
For example, candidates should calculate their call-letter availability based on the exact examination date allotted to them, rather than simply counting 4 days from the start of the overall 3 to 5 November examination window.
Candidates should download the e-call letter as soon as it becomes available and carefully verify the examination center, reporting time, shift, and candidate details.
Aadhaar Biometric Authentication at Exam Center
One of the important instructions in the notice concerns Aadhaar authentication.
RRB has stated that Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication will be carried out at the examination center before candidates are allowed to enter the examination hall.
Candidates must carry either:
- Original Aadhaar card, or
- Printout of e-verified Aadhaar
Candidates who have not yet completed Aadhaar verification through their recruitment account have been advised to log in through rrbapply.gov.in and authenticate their identification before the examination.
Keep Aadhaar in Unlocked Condition
RRB has issued an additional instruction even for candidates who had already verified Aadhaar while submitting their application.
Candidates should ensure that their Aadhaar remains unlocked in the UIDAI system before reaching the examination center.
According to the notice, this is intended to prevent inconvenience during candidate registration and other examination-day processes.
This instruction applies to all candidates undergoing Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication, including those whose Aadhaar has previously been verified.
Candidates Should Update Aadhaar Details
The Railway Recruitment Boards have also advised candidates to ensure that the information on their Aadhaar is accurate and up to date.
The notice specifically refers to:
- Correct name
- Date of birth matching the Class 10 certificate
- Latest photograph
- Correct address
- Father’s name
Candidates should resolve any major discrepancies well before the examination rather than waiting until the admit card is released.
Important Instructions From RRB
The Railway Recruitment Boards have cautioned applicants against relying on unauthenticated information regarding the recruitment.
Candidates have also been warned about touts or individuals promising Railway appointments in return for money.
RRB has reiterated that selections are based on the Computer-Based Test and recruitment is determined through the prescribed merit-based process.
Candidates should therefore use only official RRB websites for exam-date notices, city information, e-call letters, and subsequent recruitment updates.
