How to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th: Careers, Courses, Eligibility, Skills, Benefits, Salary

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Ahana Bhaduri

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Loco Pilots are skilled professionals responsible for operating and controlling locomotives, ensuring the safe and timely movement of trains. They manage various aspects of train operation, monitor signals, adjust speed, and respond to emergencies.

To become a Loco Pilot in India, candidates need a 10+2 qualification with Science and Math or ITI Certification or engineering diploma, followed by qualifying for the RRB ALP entrance exam. Successful candidates undergo medical fitness evaluations and required training.

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After becoming a loco pilot the average starting salary usually ranges from INR 4.50 LPA. The highest salary of a loco pilot can rise to INR 12 LPA. The top recruiters for the loco pilots are Indian Railways, DMRC, Bangalore Metro, and Jaipur Metro.

Also See: Loco Pilot Salary

Table of Contents

  1. How to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th: Quick Facts
  2. Eligibility to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th
  3. Steps to Become aLoco Pilot after 12th
  4. Loco Pilot Courses
    4.1 Entrance Exams
  5. Top Loco Pilot Colleges in India
  6. Skills Required to Become a Loco Pilot
  7. Benefits of Becoming a Loco Pilot
  8. Loco Pilot Salary
  9. How to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th: FAQs

How to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th: Quick Facts

Industry Railways
Eligibility 10+2 with Physics & Maths/ ITI Certification or Diploma in Engineering/ Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering or Automobile engineering
Skills Required Programming Knowledge, mechanical systems, analytical thinking, and physical strength
Job Opportunity Assistant loco pilot, Senior ALP, and LP.
Top Recruiters Indian Railways, DMRC, Bangalore Metro, Jaipur Metro, etc.
Average Starting Salary INR 4 LPA - INR 8 LPA
Highest Salary INR 12.30 LPA

Eligibility to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th

To become a Loco Pilot, a candidate should have completed his or her secondary education and qualified in the RRB exam. The general eligibility criteria required to become a Loco Pilot are listed below.

  • Candidate should have completed 10+2 from a recognized board or ITI Certification or Diploma in Engineering/ Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering or Automobile Engineering.
  • Certificates in ITI courses from a recognized Institute are required.
  • Qualify in the RRB entrance exam for the Assistant Loco Pilot post which also includes CBAT and Medical tests.
  • Candidate must be between 18 years and 28 years of age.

Steps to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th

Candidates who aspire to become Loco Pilots need to start preparing for it right after their 10+2. There is an entry-level exam that needs to be cleared by candidates in order to become a Loco Pilot. The steps to become a Loco Pilot after 12th are given below.

  • Step 1: Candidates should complete their Class 12 with Science and Maths ITI Certification or Diploma in Engineering/ Diploma in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering or Automobile Engineering.
  • Step 2: Candidates must prepare and qualify for the RRB ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) entrance exam.
  • Step 3: Then the candidate must clear Computer Based Test (CBT) and other selection stages.
  • Step 4: Candidates need to clear medical fitness tests as per railway standards.
  • Step 5: Then they need to attend training at designated railway institutes and complete the training program.
  • Step 6: Lastly, they will be appointed as a Loco Pilot or Assistant Loco Pilot based on vacancies and merit.

Loco Pilot Courses after 12th

Loco Piloting courses after class 12 generally consist of diplomas in automobile engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and electronic engineering. The details for most ITI and diploma courses are mentioned in the following table.

Parameters ITI Diploma in Automobile Engineering Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Diploma in Electrical Engineering/ and Electronics
Duration 2 Years 3 Years 3 Years 3 Years
Eligibility 10th Pass 10 th pass with mathematics and science as compulsory subjects 10th pass with mathematics and science as mandatory subjects 10th pass with mathematics and science as mandatory subjects
Top Colleges Govt ITI Purulia, Government ITI Rae Bareli, Government ITI, etc. Lovely Professional University, Dev Bhoomi Group of Institutions, Shri RamSwaroop memorial university, etc. Jamia Millia Islamia, CV Ramana Global University, etc. JMI New Delhi, Chandigarh University, etc.
Entrance Exams Direct Admission JET, GVSAT, GLAET JEECUP, PECE, PJET Delhi CET, JEECUP, APJEE
Average course fees INR 1,600 to INR 71,000 INR 20,000 - INR 2,00,000 INR 12,500 - 1,00,000 INR 10,000- INR 1,50,000
Average Salary INR 2.65 LPA - INR 3.00 LPA INR 2.40 LPA - INR 3.80 LPA INR 2 LPA - INR 5 LPA INR 2.50 LPA - INR 5 LPA

Entrance Exams

Students who have completed 10th from any recognized board with science and Mathematics can apply for the entrance exams to become loco pilots. Some of the top Entrance Exams that are conducted for enrolling students for various Loco Pilot-related courses are given below:
Entrance Exams Application Deadlines Exam Dates Result Declaration
AP POLYCET 2nd week of April 2024 4th week of April 2024 2nd week of May 2024
APJEE To be Announced June 25, 2024, To be Announced
Assam PAT 2nd week of June 2024 3rd – 4th week of July 2024 1st week of August 2024
Delhi CET 3rd week of July 2024 2nd week of August 2023 3rd week of August 2024
TS Polytechnic February 2024 May 17, 2024, June 2024
JEECUP 2nd week of February 2024 3rd week of April 2024 4th week of May 2024
JEXPO Last week of June 2024 3rd week of July 2024 4th week of August 2024

Top Loco Pilot Colleges in India

In India, ITI and Diplomas are the most desirable courses for becoming loco pilots. Some of the topmost ITI and diploma colleges are tabulated below.
Name of the Colleges Location Average Fees
Dr Radhakrishnan Institute of Technology Jaipur INR 21,490
PES University Bangalore INR 40,000
Jamia Millia Islamia University Delhi INR 7,500
Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute Mumbai INR 12,679
Chandigarh University Chandigarh INR 19,400
DayalBagh Educational Institute Agra INR 8664
Lovely Professional University (LPU) Jalandhar INR 1,77,000
Aryabhatta Knowledge University Patna INR 42,000
Integral University Lucknow INR 1,35,000
Sanskriti University Mathura INR 1,26,000

Skills Required to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th

Becoming a Loco Pilot after the 12th in India demands strong technical aptitude, problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, effective communication, situational awareness, and a commitment to safety protocols. After mentioning these abilities, some of the most desirable skills that are required to become a Loco Pilot are tabulated below.
Attention to detail Innovation Emergency & safety skills
Communication Skills Interpersonal Customer service
Creativity Adaptability & flexibility Problem-solving skills
Critical Reasoning Resilience Physical fitness
Enthusiasm Technical knowledge Teamwork

Benefits of Becoming a Loco Pilot after 12th

The key benefits of becoming a Loco Pilot are listed below for your reference.

  • Job Security and Stability: As a Loco Pilot, you enjoy a stable career within the Indian Railways, a government sector known for its job security. There are financial and professional stability and post–retirement pensions in this job.
  • Good Salary Package: Loco Pilots receive competitive compensation packages, including basic salary, allowances, overtime pay, and performance-based incentives. The average salary of a Loco Pilot in Indian Railways ranges between INR 4.20 - INR 8 LPA. The other benefits are EPF, HRA, Gratuity, medical claims, etc.
  • Travel Opportunities: As a Loco Pilot, there are a lot of opportunities to travel within the country without any cost. As a Loco Pilot, they get a free travel pass for all classes in Indian Railways. This includes travel on all trains, including Shatabdi, Rajdhani, and Duronto Express trains.

Loco Pilot Salary

The average annual salary of a Loco Pilot in India ranges from INR 4.2 - INR 5 LPA. With experience, it is seen that in most of the Loco Pilots, the salaries of the candidates also get increased. The salaries of Loco Pilots in different positions are mentioned in the table below.

Designations Average Annual Salary
Assistant Loco Pilots (ALP) INR 4.50 L
Senior Assistant Loco Pilots INR 6.0 L
Loco Pilots INR 12.10 L
Loco Supervisor INR 5.30 L

How to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th: FAQs

Ques. What is the job of a loco pilot?

Ans. Loco Pilots drive loco engines, ensure the safety and security of passengers and goods, check the main route, and maximum train speed, follow safety parameters, and undertake the task of repairing and maintaining the basic engine hardware.

Ques. What are the top companies for Loco Pilots?

Ans. The top companies for Loco Pilots in India are Indian Railways, DMRC, Bangalore Metro, Hyderabad Metro, Kolkata Metro, Jaipur Metro, Lucknow Metro, etc. Almost all are government-run companies.

Ques. Where do loco pilots get jobs?

Ans. Loco pilots get central government jobs in different organizations like Indian Railways, Metro, Passenger trains, Goods train, and railway coach factories.

Ques. What is the average annual salary of a Loco Pilot in India?

Ans. The average annual salary of a Loco Pilot in India ranges from INR 4.20 LPA - 5 LPA. It all depends on experience, skills, and the college from which the course has been done.

Ques. How can anyone become a loco pilot in Indian Railways?

Ans. To become a Loco Pilot in India, one must be a citizen of India, age must be a minimum of 18 and a maximum of 28 years, and qualify for the RRB entrance exam, medical fitness certificate, and the CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test).

Ques. What is loco pilot group A or B?

Ans. Group A includes the highest level of Posts in Indian Railways for which appointments are made through Civil Services, Engineering Services, and Combined Medical Service Examinations conducted by UPSC. Group B includes loco pilots.

Ques. Can the 12th pass become a loco pilot?

Ans. Candidates from science and mathematics streams can become loco pilots after the completion of their 12th or equivalent examination. ITIs or diploma in engineering are compulsory.

Ques. Which engineering branch is best for the loco pilot?

Ans. ITI or a diploma in automobile, mechanical, and electrical engineering are preferred courses that make candidates more eligible for becoming a Loco Pilot in India. Apart from completing the 10th board, candidates must clear the RRB ALC competitive examination, CBT, and medical test.

Ques. Is loco pilot an easy job?

Ans. Physical fitness and stamina are compulsory in the loco pilots who work for extended periods at a stretch, and occasionally move heavy machinery and work with equipment.

Ques. How long is the loco pilot training period?

Ans. Both single-traction and dual-traction RRB ALP training programs are held for a total of 151 days. This is given after the RRB entrance exam, CBT, and medical fitness certification.

Bachelor of Technology [B.Tech] (Mechanical Engineering) : 209 answered questions

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Ques. I got CSE in VIT Vellore and will get mechanical engineering in NIT Calicut. Which one should I choose?

● Top Answer By Suchit Raghuwanshi on 27 Aug 21

Ans. NIT Calicut stands among the top NITs where you will get a lot of exposure to extracurricular activities. As it’s a government college, the fees will be relatively low as compared to private universities like VIT Vellore.  On the other hand, VIT Vellore isn’t that great institute plus being a private institute the fees is quite high for most middle-class students. If you choose Mechanical here then you can go for two different paths.  The first path is to go for mechanical core, in which you will get ample research opportunities every now and then. However, the placement scenario will not be that great and you might get some PSUs as campus recruiters for mechanical jobs. The second path is to go for IT Jobs regardless of your mechanical branch.  For this, you need to start doing regular coding and relevant skills to compete during the placement rounds. Most of the students are placed by mass recruiters, Although many reputed companies hire but very few students get placed by them. Categories Mechanical at NIT Calicut CSE at VIT Vellore Course Fee 5.48 lakhs 7.83 lakhs Highest CTC 20 LPA 20 LPA Average CTC 9 LPA 6-8 LPA Recruiting Companies L&T, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, Tata Motors, etc. Flipkart, Oracle, HP, Dell, etc. At last, it all depends on your interest and caliber to do well on various career paths. However, if you are inclined towards CSE only then VIT is quite a good option because placements are pretty good there for CSE. Some of the major recruiters include PayPal, Microsoft, Amazon, Morgan Stanley, etc.Read more
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Ques. Should I opt for DTU mechanical or IIIT Delhi CSE?

● Top Answer By Sanjana Kapoor on 27 Sept 23

Ans. The choice depends on what matters the most to you.  If placements, faculty and research opportunities are your top most priority, choose IIIT Delhi CSE. In this respect, IIITD CSE beats DTU Mechanical by a large margin. But if you want the best of campus, college environment, cultural fests and brand name, DTU Mechanical is a much better choice.  I would personally recommend IIIT Delhi, as it offers top notch placements. But if you’re truly passionate about Mechanical, choose that branch. Do not take your interest for granted while choosing your branch/degree.Read more
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Ques. What is the average package and placement for mechanical at BIT Sindri?

● Top Answer By Ankur Mishra on 26 Sept 23

Ans. The placement rate at BIT Sindri for mechanical engineering is high, on average, all students receive offers each year that range from 7 to 8 lakhs in annual compensation. The 2023 BIT Sindri placements received visits from more than 51 firms. The most recent report is presented in tabular form below. Particulars BIT Sindri Statistics 2023 Highest package INR 50 LPA Average package INR 7 LPA Top recruiters Adani Group, Air India, KPMG, DE Shaw Group, TCS - Digital, etc. Finally, when it comes to placements, BIT Sindri has a remarkable history. The institute has continuously helped its students find employment throughout the years in a variety of reputable businesses and organizations. The success of BIT Sindri alumni in gaining employment possibilities has been largely attributed to the strong emphasis on technical education and practical skills, as well as a specialized placement cell.Read more
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Ques. How is mechanical engineering at IIT (BHU)?

● Top Answer By Udit Ghose on 17 Nov 22

Ans. My cousin was a student at IIT BHU in Varanasi. She shared her experience as to why she thinks it’s not a good branch for Mechanical Engineering. The professors are under qualified here. They have little knowledge about their own subjects and teach only bookish concepts. The classes are boring. Students attend classes merely for attendance. This is because even if you score good marks, you might fail if your attendance is less than 75% in that particular subject. The numerical answers are not checked through the stepwise method. That is your method to solve has no value if your answer is wrong. Professors here are not well versed with the relative grading system. This affects the CGPA of many students. Placements are mediocre here. Only non core sectors like coding and analytics get placement opportunities. The salaries offered are also very low. Labs are not equipped with modern tools. The students get no practical exposure. The conclusion from her experience was that the professors in Mechanical Engineering at Varanasi IIT are bringing down the results of students terribly.Read more
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Ques. Which one is better: taking mechanical engineering at IIT BHU or civil engineering in IIT Roorkee?

● Top Answer By Harsh on 03 Jul 24

Ans. I am a B.Tech Civil student at IIT Roorkee. Here’s a comparison between the two options- Parameters IIT Roorkee Civil IIT BHU Mechanical Average Package INR 18 LPA INR 21.95 LPA (around 80% students get placed) Top Recruiters on campus Larsen, Turbo, Tata, Sprinklr, Jio, L&T, Godrej, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Zepto, Google, Jaguar Land Rover. Amazon, American Express, Deloitte, Goldman Sachs, Google, ITC Ltd., Microsoft, Oracle, Paytm, etc. Research Facilities One of the best research facilities at the Civil Engineering Department of IIT Roorkee. Ample research opportunities and well-equipped laboratories. One important thing that my friends told me is that the Mechanical Engineering Department at IIT BHU is one of the strictest departments in India. It makes the students question their own potential. The department professors are very strict and the coursework is extremely rigorous. The students are given assignments and projects which they have to complete within a day. I would suggest you choose IIT Roorkee Civil as it offers the same facilities and placements as IIT BHU Mechanical. Moreover, the Civil department at IITR is not as strict as the Mechanical department at IIT BHU.Read more
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Ques. CSE (with AI & ML) in Manipal University Jaipur or Mechatronics / Mechanical in Thapar University? Which to choose?

● Top Answer By Aditi Banerjee on 22 Mar 23

Ans. Honestly speaking, both Thapar University and Manipal University are reputable institutions for a B.Tech in computer science. So the decision on which one is better for you ultimately depends on your personal preferences and priorities. is  Thapar University is a highly esteemed, private engineering and technology university located in Patiala, India. Known for its strong academic programs and rich research culture in computer science, this university has it all. Additionally, it offers a range of student services, including career counseling and internships. Manipal University, on the other hand, is a private university located in Manipal, India. It is one of the oldest and most established universities in the country and is known for its iRobot programs in CSE. The university has a number of student-driven bodies that promote extracurricular activities. Some factors to consider while choosing between the two include  Proximity to hometown campus life Fees and other expenses  CSE Program offered Both the colleges are almost similar in all aspects. So what actually matters is that if you live in the North, choose Thapar but if you are from the south choose Manipal. Both universities have the same fee and both are equally reputed private colleges after BITS. So I would suggest that whichever college is near your hometown go for it. Ultimately, both universities are highly esteemed institutions and either one would be a decent choice for a B.Tech in computer science.Read more
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Ques. Which is a better choice at NIT Silchar, Mechanical or CSE?

● Top Answer By Lipika Chakraborty on 25 Aug 23

Ans. Most students, freshly out of school, try to choose an Engineering branch for themselves. You might be someone who has a deep passion for either Mechanical or CSE. In that case, I would advise you to follow your heart.  But if you think not opting for CSE is a bad decision, just ask yourself why you would consider CSE. Is it because you did some coding in your school days and wish to enter into that field, or simply because CSE is popular. Don’t be in the illusion of liking a branch just because everyone is recommending it. Also, don’t go for any branch solely because it has better placements than the other. As long as you enjoy a particular field, you will get good offers. Mechanical is a good branch at NIT Silchar. Moreover, as research has become increasingly interdisciplinary in nature, various departments collaborate with one another these days. Even Mechanical has a good involvement of CSE- Robotics, CFD, etc. all involve high level coding and the knowledge of Data Structures. Because today most campuses witness IT placements more than core profiles, I would highly recommend you consult the alumni of Mechanical to figure out what placements are like in ground reality. These are the 2022 placement stats for both the branches at NIT Silchar- Also, NIT Silchar offers a branch change after the 2nd semester. This is based on your performance in the first two semesters. In case you feel dissatisfied with your choice, you can opt for branch change as well.  For your first year (whichever branch you choose) maintain good grades, talk to your seniors and explore your stream. Read more
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Ques. Which one's better between IIT Bhubaneswar and IIT Patna for electrical or mechanical engineering?

● Top Answer By Rashmi Sahoo on 05 Jul 24

Ans. IIt Bhubaneswar is a better option than IIT Patna for electrical or mechanical engineering. IIT Bhubaneswar is famous for its course structure, which helps the students get exposure theoretically and practically, which helps them in their career. The placement record for IIT Bhubaneswar for the year 2023 was excellent. Below is the table for the same: Branch Placement Percentage  Highest CTC Lowest CTC Average CTC Median CTC EE 92.86% INR 44.62 LPA INR 6.5 LPA INR 19.05 LPA INR 15 LPA Mech 87% INR 21.28 LPA INR 8 LPA INR 12.57 LPA INR 12 LPARead more
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Ques. How are mechanical placements at thapar university?

● Top Answer By Drishanu Roy on 11 Aug 21

Ans. Thapar University of Engineering and Technology is an old and reputed institute. Since it is an older and renowned institute, its students definitely benefit from it. The core courses have a tremendous placement record for years. Placements opportunities for the mechanical branch are no exception. Many reputed companies visit the campus for placements among other colleges in this league. Companies such as Tata Motors, Royal Enfield, Maruti Suzuki, etc. visit the campus for placements. The average package for the branch varies from 10-12 LPA. The college even has team Fateh, the finest formula racing team in the country. You can get the detailed placement records on the official website.Read more
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Ques. Which would be better for a B.Tech in mechanical engineering: IIT Hyderabad or IIT Guwahati? Why?

● Top Answer By Bidita Ghose on 03 May 23

Ans. Although both IIT Hyderabad and IIT Guwahati are excellent engineering institutes, my knowledge is limited to the BTech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Hyderabad as my sister is a recent pass out of the same. Research: IIT Hyderabad in general and its Mechanical branch specifically focuses on invention and innovation. You will be astonished to know that currently there are more than 100 ongoing research and consultancy projects under the faculty and students. The research culture at IIT Hyderabad is stronger than many older IITs even. IIT Hyderabad is known globally for MS and Ph. Ds placements. The new IIT tag: Being one of the new IITs, it lacks the credibility of the IIT tag. However, it’s the contrary. Being new, it guarantees better facilities and well-equipped labs. The mechanical department has been upgraded with equipment worth 70 crores over the last few years. The Institute has one of the best research environments in the country. Culture: At IIT Hyderabad you have to learn to master balancing your extracurriculars alongside your academics. You cannot afford to lose on any kind of experience that IIT Hyderabad has to offer. Exploring everything will help you hone your talents to the fullest and identify your passions. Placements : Here’s an amazing fact, Mechanical Engineering is the first department to have its own Training and Placement Cell at IIT Hyderabad. Moreover, the extensive contacts of the professors (under which you work or study) with industry experts, help you secure off-campus placements easily.Read more
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