ALP eligibility is stricter than almost any other Group C railway examination — and the strictness is not limited to educational qualification. The A1 medical standard creates an eligibility gate that operates independently of exam performance, eliminating candidates who have invested years of preparation but carry undetected colour vision deficiencies.
Educational Qualification
| Qualification | Eligible For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Class 10 Pass + ITI in approved engineering trade (NCVT/SCVT) | ALP + Technician Grade III (trade-specific posts) | Trade must appear in RRB's approved list for that cycle |
| 3-year Diploma in Engineering (relevant branch) | ALP + Technician Grade III | Applies in lieu of ITI; branch must be relevant |
| BE/BTech in relevant engineering branch | ALP + Technician Grade III | Overqualified but not disqualified; applies in lieu of ITI |
| BSc (Physics/Chemistry/Biology/Maths) | Not eligible | Pure science degrees not accepted |
| BA/BCom/MBA/BCA | Not eligible | Non-technical qualifications not accepted |
Eligible ITI Trades for ALP (Common Trades)
The approved trade list is published in the official notification. Common eligible trades include: Electrician, Electronics Mechanic, Wireman, Fitter, Turner, Machinist, Diesel Mechanic, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Refrigeration and AC Mechanic, Instrument Mechanic, Mechanic Radio and TV, Armature and Coil Winder, Heat Engine Mechanic, Tractor Mechanic. Non-engineering trades (Welder, Carpenter, Draughtsman Civil, Plumber, Cutting and Sewing) are not typically eligible for ALP posts. Always verify against the official notification before applying.
Age Limits
| Category | ALP Age Limit | Technician Grade III |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 18–28 years | 18–30 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 18–31 years (+3 relaxation) | 18–33 years (+3 relaxation) |
| SC / ST | 18–33 years (+5 relaxation) | 18–35 years (+5 relaxation) |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | 18–38 years (+10 relaxation) | 18–40 years (+10 relaxation) |
| PwBD (OBC) | 18–41 years (+13 relaxation) | 18–43 years (+13 relaxation) |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 18–43 years (+15 relaxation) | 18–45 years (+15 relaxation) |
Medical Standard A1 – ALP Requirement
ALP requires the strictest railway medical standard: A1. Requirements include: distant vision 6/6 in both eyes (without spectacle correction in most assessments), complete absence of colour vision deficiency, near vision Sn 0.6 per eye, no squint or diplopia, normal hearing, and overall physical fitness within blood pressure and blood glucose norms. Technician Grade III typically falls under B1 standard, which is substantially less restrictive — spectacle correction is permitted, colour vision is not universally required, and vision standards are relaxed.
Colour blindness is the most common A1 medical disqualifier for ALP. Even mild red-green deficiency fails the Ishihara plate test at the railway medical examination. There is no conditional pass, no repeat attempt, and no relaxation. Candidates should get this tested at a government hospital ophthalmology department before investing in ALP preparation.