Best Books for Indian Railway Assistant Loco Pilot & Technician Exam Preparation

Railways Recruitment Boards (RRB), one of the largest employer of India every year recruits at a large scale for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Technician Categories. Common written examination for Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Technician Categories is held on the same day by all participating RRBs. In addition to English, Hindi and urdu are choice of languages for each RRB is given.

Eligibility Required to apply for this post are as below:

Age Limit: Candidates must be between the age of 18 to 28 years at the time of applying.
Education Qualifications: Candidates must have qualified Matriculation exam along with course completed Act Apprenticeship/ ITI approved by NCVT/ SCVT in the trades of Fitter/ Electrician/ Instrument Mechanic/ Millwright Maintenance Mechanic/ Mechanic Radio & TV/ Electronics Mechanic/ Mechanic Motor Vehicle etc, 10+2 with Maths/ Physics, Diploma in Engineering for ALP Post and Matriculation plus course completed Act Apprenticeship/ ITI approved by NCVT/ SCVT in the trades of Electrician/ Electrical Fitter/ Wire man/ Electronics/ Information Technology/ TV & Radio/ Instrumentation/Computer/ Computer Networking etc, 10+2 with Maths/ Physics, Diploma in Engineering in Electrical/ Electronics/ Microprocessor/ etc for Technician posts.

Railways Recruitment Boards (RRB) Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Technician Exam Pattern: There will be two stages of examination (First stage CBT and Second Stage CBT) common for ALP and Technician. In addition , candidates who have opted for ALP and qualified in Second Stage CBT have to undergo Computer Based Aptitude Test (AT). Marks will be normalized in all the stages of exam.

RRB ALP and Technician First Stage CBT Exam Pattern: The Questions will be of objective type with multiple choices and are likely to include questions of following sections:

Syllabus of RRB ALP and Technician First Stage CBT Exam: Syllabus of First Stage RRB ALP CBT Exam is as follows:
1. Mathematics: Number system, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time and Work; Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern etc.
2. General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and Decision Making, Similarities and Differences, Analytical reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions etc.
3. General Science: The syllabus under this will cover Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences of 10th standard level.
4. General awareness on current affairs: in Science & Technology, Sports, Culture, Personalities, Economics, Politics and other subjects of importance.

RRB ALP and Technician Second Stage CBT Exam Pattern: Candidates will be shortlisted for Second Stage CBT exam on the bases of their performance in the First Stage CBT Exam.
The Second Stage CBT will be conducted in two parts- Part A and Part B. Total Duration of second stage CBT exam will be 2 hours and 30 Minutes (for Part A and Part B together).

– Part A of Second Stage CBT Exam: The marks scored in Part A alone shall be used for short listing of candidates for further stages of recruitment process subject to the condition that the candidate is securing qualifying mark in Part B.
The Questions will be of objective type with multiple choices and are likely to include questions of following sections:

Syllabus for Part A:
a. Mathematics Number: system, BODMAS, Decimals, Fractions, LCM, HCF, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Mensuration, Time and Work; Time and Distance, Simple and Compound Interest, Profit and Loss, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, Elementary Statistics, Square Root, Age Calculations, Calendar & Clock, Pipes & Cistern etc.
b. General Intelligence and Reasoning: Analogies, Alphabetical and Number Series, Coding and Decoding, Mathematical operations, Relationships, Syllogism, Jumbling, Venn Diagram, Data Interpretation and Sufficiency, Conclusions and decision making, Similarities and differences, Analytical reasoning, Classification, Directions, Statement – Arguments and Assumptions etc.
c. Basic Science and Engineering: The broad topics that are covered under this shall be Engineering Drawing (Projections, Views, Drawing Instruments, Lines, Geometric figures, Symbolic Representation), Units, Measurements, Mass Weight and Density, Work Power
and Energy, Speed and Velocity, Heat and Temperature, Basic Electricity, Levers and Simple Machines, Occupational
Safety and Health, Environment Education, IT Literacy etc.
d. General Awareness on Current Affairs:in Science & Technology, Sports, Culture, Personalities, Economics, Politics and any other subjects of importance.

– Part B of Second Stage CBT Exam: This part have questions from the trade syllabus prescribed by Director General of Employment & Training (DGET). Candidates with ITI/Trade Apprenticeship qualification will be required to appear in the section having questions from the relevant trade. Candidates holding Degree, Diploma and HSC (10+2) having eligibility for the posts of ALP have to select relevant trade from the list of trades listed against their engineering discipline/HSC(10+2).

NOTE:– Negative Marking: There will be negative marking for incorrect answers in First and Second Stage CBT. 1/3rd of the marks allotted for each question shall be deducted for each wrong answer. There shall be no negative marking for Computer Based Aptitude Test.
– Choice of Exam Language for First and Second stage CBT: English is the default language. In case the candidate wishes to choose any other language, then the same can be selected in addition from the drop down list of languages in the application.
– Shortlisted candidates will be called for Aptitude test. After qualifying aptitude test candidates will be called for document verification.
Some of the books which can help candidates to prepare for Railways Recruitment Boards (RRB) Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) and Technician Exam or RRB ALP and Technician Exam are suggested as below.

Books For Indian Railway Assistant Loco Pilot Exam (In English):

Books For Indian Railway Assistant Loco Pilot Exam (In Hindi):

We wish our candidates All The Best for the Upcoming Exams and wish them great future ahead!!

Leave a comment below if you can suggest some other good books for this course. Also, if you have used the above books, please do provide a feedback.