India has the 4th largest railway system in the world giving wider career opportunities to Loco Pilots. Loco Pilots are the professionals who undertake the task of maintaining and operating train engines. Since the railway comes under the purview of public sector governance, Loco Pilots have good job prospects and earning potential. A 12th-pass candidate with science and mathematics as major subjects is preferred for the position of Loco Pilots after completion of a proper industrial training certification course.
To become a Loco Pilot, candidates must after competition of class 10th have an ITI degree from an institute approved by the National Council for Vocational Training or the State Council of Vocational Training. They can also pursue courses in Electrical or Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Automobile Engineering or Diploma from a recognized university by AICTE.
Apart from academic degrees, those aspiring to become a Loco Pilot must qualify the RRB ALP examination conducted by the RRB. The average course fee for pursuing the desired course to become a Loco Pilot ranges between INR 10,000 - 1.50 lakhs per year. The average annual salary for a Loco Pilot in India is INR 7.50 LPA. The starting salary that a Loco Pilot gets in India is INR 3.70 LPA. With gradual experience and expertise in the field, the maximum salary of a Loco Pilot is INR 15 LPA. Read More: Loco Pilot Salary
Loco Pilot Eligibility
To become a Loco Pilot, a candidate must fulfil the following eligibility criteria as listed below.
- Candidates must clear their 10th board or equivalent examination from a recognised board.
- ITI or diploma in engineering are preferred courses which make them more eligible for becoming a Loco Pilot in India.
- Apart from completing the 10th board, candidates must clear the RRB ALC competitive examination for becoming a Loco Pilot in Indian Railways which is conducted by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB). Check: How to Become a Loco Pilot after 12th
Age Limit
The age limitation to become a Loco Pilot in India is also prescribed by the board. Though the minimum age for becoming a Loco Pilot is the same for candidates belonging to any category, the maximum age is different for different category candidates depending upon the age relaxation granted by the recruitment board.
- The minimum age for becoming a Loco Pilot is 18 years.
- The maximum age for becoming a Loco Pilot is 28 years
Age Relaxation
- The candidates who belong to SC/ST/OBC/PWD/Ex-Servicemen. Categories can avail of age relaxation.
- For OBC candidates there is an age relaxation of 3 years.
- For SC/ST candidates maximum age for becoming a Loco Pilot is relaxed for 5 years with unlimited attempts in RRB ALC.
- For PwD candidates, the maximum age relaxation for becoming a Loco Pilot is 38 years with unlimited attempts as there is an age relaxation of 10 years for them.
Loco Pilot Qualifications
The minimum educational qualification required for becoming a Loco Pilot is qualifying 10th board examination from a recognised board. Apart from this diploma in engineering, ITI and other related vocational courses and training programmes add an extra badge in the professional efficiency for becoming a Loco Pilot.
Educational Qualifications
After completion of the 10th board there are the following courses which can be opted to become a Loco Pilot:-
- 10+2 Board
- ?To become a Loco Pilot, a candidate must become an assistant Loco Pilot first.
- To become that, a candidate needs a matriculation certificate. It would be beneficial if the candidate opts science and mathematics as core subjects and qualify the +2 board examination too.
- Diploma Degree
- ?A diploma in railway engineering or a diploma in any related stream will help candidates understand the rules, regulations, and core of the job role
- ITI Course
- ?Candidates aspiring to become a Loco Pilot can either pursue a diploma in engineering or an ITI (Industrial training institute) programme which is approved by NCVT or SCVT
- Training
- ?Various institutions like Industrial Training Institutes established by the government of India provide proper training to aspiring candidates for Loco Pilots.
- A candidate is expected to get that training in order to understand the practical approach of maintaining and operating the train engines for the safety and security of the passengers.
- Engineering courses
- ?Though a 10th board passing certificate is the minimum requirement for becoming a Loco Pilot, yet an engineering degree with a specialization in mechanical engineering is the desired qualification for this job.
Medical Prerequisites
To become a Loco Pilot, a candidate needs to fulfil the following medical prerequisites.
- As the position of Loco Pilot involves great care and safety of passengers travelling in the train, the Loco Pilots are expected to be extremely fit and healthy
- To make sure that the candidate meets the medical requirements to become a Loco Pilot, vision tests and hearing tests are done
- Once the recruitment board gets satisfied with the medical condition of the candidate, the further recruitment process is done.
Nationality
To become a Loco Pilot, the candidate must be an Indian.
- The nationality of the candidate is to be Indian which implies that s/he should be a citizen of India
- The candidate must have a permanent residential address of any state or UT under the territory of India.
Number of Attempts
The number of attempts for the RRB ALP examination is unlimited though there is a limitation of maximum age.
- A general candidate can give unlimited attempts at the RRB ALP competitive examination till 28 years of age
- An OBC candidate gets 3 years of age relaxation. Thus, can appear for the said competitive examinations giving unlimited attempts till 31 years of age.
- A SC/ST candidate gets a relaxation of 5 years and can give unlimited attempts in RRB ALP till 33 years of age.
- A PwD candidate gets 10 years of relaxation which means he can give unlimited attempts till 38 years of age.
Things to Remember
The candidates aspiring to become a Loco Pilot, need to remember a few things for example.
- As documents are verified, the candidate must have all the required documents.
- A valid Identification card issued by the government of India like an Adhar, Passport etc.
- Documents verifying the residential address of the candidate.
- Self-attested document with full date of birth.
- Identical signature on every document presented to the board at the time of document verification.
Loco Pilot Qualifications: FAQs
Ques. What are RRB ALP Age limit eligibility criteria to appear for the Loco Pilot examination?
Ans. The minimum RRB ALP age limit is 18 years while the upper age limit to appear for the Assistant Loco Pilot exam is 28 years. For OBC, SC/ST and PwD candidates, there is an upper age relaxation of 3, 5 and 10 years respectively.
Ques. What is the requirement of educational qualification for the Railway Assistant Loco Pilot examination?
Ans. The minimum eligibility in terms of educational qualification for Loco Pilot in Railway is Class 10th qualification and ITI certification to fill ALP application form.
Ques. Do candidates with Civil Engineering degrees fulfil Assistant Loco Pilot Qualification?
Ans. Primarily candidates from the Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, and Automobile Engineering are most suited for the available positions in Railway Loco Pilot Jobs.
Yet a candidate with civil engineering can apply for the position.
Ques. Does one fulfil the RRB ALP eligibility conditions if he is having a degree in Bachelor of Science?
Ans. Yes, a candidate with a bachelor's in science is eligible to apply for the Loco Pilot exam. There is no specific stream required to join the Indian Railways.
Ques. Are there any medical standards that candidates are required to meet to qualify for the Railway Loco Pilot exam?
Ans. Yes, a candidate must be physically fit and healthy to become a Loco Pilot. Also to ensure the same, the board takes vision and hearing tests for the shortlisted candidates before their joining.
Ques. How many attempts are allowed in the RRB ALP examination?
Ans. There are unlimited attempts for appearing in the RRB ALP examination till the candidate attains category-wise maximum age.
Ques. Can a candidate get his RRB ALP examination centre changed?
Ans. No, a candidate cannot change his RRB ALP examination centre as the decision of the recruitment board is presumed to be final and binding on the candidates.
Ques. How many years of experience are needed for an RRB ALP post?
Ans. A candidate doesn’t need any specific experience for becoming a Loco Pilot. Yet an industrial training course is a minimum requirement.
Ques. Is there any age relaxation for PWD candidates in the RRB ALP examination?
Ans. Yes, there is an age relaxation of 10 years for PwD candidates to appear in the RRB ALP examination. A PwD candidate can appear for the RRB ALP examination giving unlimited attempts till 38 years of age.
Ques. What is the required nationality for becoming a Loco Pilot in India?
Ans. For becoming a Loco Pilot, the candidate must be an Indian national.
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