Assistant Loco Pilot salary in 2026 has two parts. The first is fixed: a basic pay of ₹19,900 at Level 2, plus DA, HRA, and transport allowance. The second depends on distance: ₹430 for every 100 km you run. That second part often decides how much you take home.
An ALP running about 4,500 km in a month takes home roughly ₹53,400. That’s more than a Level 3 or Level 4 desk employee on a higher basic pay, and far more than a Level 2 railway clerk. A light month pays less, and a busy one pays more.
| ALP Pay 2026 | Details |
| Pay Level | Level 2: basic ₹19,900 |
| Dearness Allowance | 60% from January 2026 |
| Kilometreage Allowance (KMA) | ₹430 per 100 km |
| Allowance in Lieu of Kilometreage (ALK) | ₹688 per 160 km |
| In-hand at 4,500 km/month (Y city) | ~₹53,400 |
| Recruitment | CEN 01/2026: 11,127 posts; CBT-1 tentatively 3–5 November 2026 |
Fixed Pay Plus Kilometres
Fixed part:
- Basic pay of ₹19,900, rising about 3% each year
- DA at 60% (₹11,940)
- HRA at 30%, 20%, or 10% of basic, or nil if you live in railway quarters
- Transport allowance of ₹1,350 plus DA in higher-rate cities, or ₹900 plus DA elsewhere
Kilometre-based part:
- KMA: ₹430 for every 100 km of running duty
- ALK: ₹688 for each 160-km notional day, paid on eligible non-running duties such as training, route learning, some spare duties, and medical examinations
A Railway Board order dated 20 March 2026 set these rates, with effect from 1 January 2024, after DA crossed 50%. Because the order was backdated, running staff received arrears for the period in between.
Take-Home Pay at Different Mileages
This example assumes a Y-class city, private housing, 60% DA, the lower transport allowance rate, and a 10% NPS deduction.
| Monthly Running | KMA (₹) | Gross (₹) | Approx. In-Hand (₹) |
| 3,000 km | 12,900 | ~50,160 | ~46,980 |
| 4,500 km | 19,350 | ~56,610 | ~53,430 |
| 6,000 km | 25,800 | ~63,060 | ~59,880 |
Here’s how the 4,500 km row adds up:
- Basic pay: ₹19,900
- DA: ₹11,940
- HRA at 20%: ₹3,980
- Transport allowance: ₹1,440
- KMA: ₹19,350
- Less NPS: about ₹3,180
Every extra 1,000 km of running adds ₹4,300 to your pay. How many kilometres you run depends mostly on your roster and depot, not on you. Two ALPs who joined in the same batch can have noticeably different payslips.
Income tax at these amounts is zero under the new regime.
ALP vs Other Level 2 Railway Jobs
| Post | Level | Basic (₹) | Approx. In-Hand (₹) |
| Assistant Loco Pilot (4,500 km) | 2 | 19,900 | ~53,400 |
| Junior Clerk cum Typist / Trains Clerk | 2 | 19,900 | ~34,100 |
The basic pay is identical, but the ALP takes home about ₹19,000 a month more, all from running allowance. The trade-off is the work itself: irregular shifts, night running, time away from home, and the responsibility that comes with operating trains.
What Running Duty Involves
- Rosters change constantly. You may work day and night shifts, and spend nights away at other stations in running rooms before your return trip.
- Medical standards are strict. ALPs must meet the A-1 medical category, including full vision standards, and are re-examined periodically throughout their career.
- Route learning is required. New ALPs learn sections before they’re allowed to work them alone.
- The job carries safety responsibility. You assist the Loco Pilot with signal calling, monitoring the locomotive, and handling faults.
Because it’s demanding, running staff pay has special features. For example, 30% of basic pay is treated as a “pay element” when certain benefits are calculated.
Promotion Increases Both Basic Pay and KMA
Each step up raises both basic pay and the kilometre rate.
| Grade | Pay Level | KMA (per 100 km) |
| Assistant Loco Pilot | 2 | ₹430 |
| Senior Assistant Loco Pilot | 4 | ₹447 |
| Loco Pilot (Goods) | 6 | ₹594 |
| Loco Pilot (Passenger) | 6 | ₹600 |
| Loco Pilot (Mail/Express) | 6 | ₹606 |
Going from ALP to Loco Pilot (Goods) increases basic pay from Level 2 to Level 6. It also raises the kilometre rate by about 38%. At 4,500 km a month, KMA alone goes from ₹19,350 to about ₹26,700.
Promotion depends on seniority, vacancies, and passing the required training and competency checks.
CEN 01/2026: Current Recruitment
- Notification: released in May 2026 for 11,127 ALP posts
- CBT-1: tentatively scheduled for 3–5 November 2026
- Next stages: CBT-2, a computer-based aptitude test (CBAT), document verification, and the A-1 medical examination
- Eligibility: Class 10 plus ITI in a relevant trade, or a diploma or degree in specified engineering disciplines, as set out in the notification
The CBAT is a qualifying test, and ALP candidates must pass it. Many candidates prepare for the written exams but leave the aptitude test late. Practising the CBAT early can make the difference in a competitive cycle.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Assistant Loco Pilot salary per month in 2026?
A. About ₹47,000–60,000 in hand, depending on how many kilometres you run. At 4,500 km a month, it’s roughly ₹53,400 in a Y-class city.
Q2. What is the ALP running allowance rate?
A. ₹430 per 100 km of running duty, and ₹688 per 160 km in lieu of kilometreage for eligible non-running days. These rates come from the Railway Board order of 20 March 2026, effective from 1 January 2024.
Q3. Why does an ALP earn more than a railway clerk at the same level?
A. Both start at ₹19,900 basic pay, but ALPs also earn kilometreage allowance. At typical mileage, that adds ₹13,000–26,000 a month.
Q4. When is the RRB ALP 2026 exam?
A. CBT-1 for CEN 01/2026 is tentatively scheduled for 3–5 November 2026. It’s followed by CBT-2, the aptitude test, document verification, and the medical exam.
