The wait is finally over for lakhs of railway job aspirants across India. The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) has officially released the RRB ALP Answer Key 2026 for the Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) examination conducted under CEN 01/2025. Candidates who appeared in the Computer Based Test (CBT) can now view and download their provisional answer key and response sheet starting March 20, 2026 from 5:00 PM onwards.
This is one of the most critical steps in the ALP recruitment journey — your response sheet lets you calculate your expected score before the official result, and the objection window gives you a direct opportunity to challenge any answer you believe is incorrect. Both windows are time-limited, so understanding the process clearly and acting fast is essential.
RRB ALP Answer Key 2026 – Complete Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) |
| Post Name | Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) |
| Notification Number | CEN 01/2025 |
| Total Vacancies | 9,970 |
| CBT Exam Dates | 13, 16, 17, 18 February 2026 |
| Re-Exam Date | 11 March 2026 |
| Answer Key Release Date | 20 March 2026 (5:00 PM onwards) |
| Objection Window Opens | 20 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Raise Objection | 26 March 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Answer Key Status | Released |
| Official Websites | rrbcdg.gov.in / indianrailways.gov.in |
RRB ALP CBT Exam 2026 – Exam Dates at a Glance
The CBT for RRB ALP CEN 01/2025 was conducted across multiple dates to accommodate 9,970 vacancies worth of candidates:
| Exam Event | Date |
|---|---|
| CBT Exam – Day 1 | 13 February 2026 |
| CBT Exam – Day 2 | 16 February 2026 |
| CBT Exam – Day 3 | 17 February 2026 |
| CBT Exam – Day 4 | 18 February 2026 |
| Re-Examination | 11 March 2026 |
Candidates who appeared on any of these dates can access their respective question paper, response sheet, and the corresponding answer key after logging in on March 20, 2026.
RRB ALP Answer Key 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Answer Key & Response Sheet Available | 20 March 2026 (5:00 PM onwards) |
| Objection Window Opens | 20 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Raise Objections | 26 March 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Final Answer Key Release | After objection review (date TBA) |
| RRB ALP CBT-1 Result | Expected after final key release |
Critical Reminder: The objection window closes on March 26, 2026 at exactly 5:00 PM. No objections will be accepted after this deadline under any circumstance. Do not wait until the last day — server load tends to spike near deadlines on high-traffic government portals.
How to Download RRB ALP Answer Key 2026 – Step-by-Step
Accessing your answer key and response sheet requires a login through your regional RRB website. Here is the complete process:
Step 1: Open your browser and go to your regional RRB official website. The primary portal is rrbcdg.gov.in — but candidates should access the specific RRB portal through which they originally applied (e.g., rrbmumbai.gov.in, rrbbhopal.gov.in, rrbchennai.gov.in, etc.)
Step 2: On the homepage, locate the section for “CEN 01/2025 (ALP)” or look under “Notifications / Important Links”
Step 3: Click on the link for “Provisional Answer Key / Response Sheet”
Step 4: Log in using your credentials:
- Registration Number
- Password or Date of Birth
Step 5: Once logged in, you will be able to view your complete question paper, your selected responses for each question, and the official answer for each question
Step 6: Download the PDF of your response sheet and answer key and save it securely on your device
Step 7: If you wish to raise an objection, note down the specific question numbers you want to challenge before proceeding to the objection portal
What Does the RRB ALP Response Sheet Contain?
Your personal response sheet is more than just a score estimator — it is a transparent record of your exam performance. Here is what it includes:
Questions Asked: The exact questions presented to you during your CBT session, in the order you received them
Your Selected Answers: The option you chose for each question — including any questions you may have left unanswered
Official Correct Answers: The provisional answer for each question as per the RRB’s official key
Exam Metadata: Your exam date, shift, exam centre details, and registration information
Using this data, you can calculate your raw expected score before the result is officially announced — giving you clarity on whether to prepare for CBT-2 or to focus your energy on an objection challenge.
How to Raise Objections Against RRB ALP Answer Key 2026
If you identify a question where you believe the official answer is incorrect — or where the question itself is ambiguous, factually wrong, or outside the prescribed syllabus — you have the right to raise a formal objection. Here is how to do it correctly:
Step 1: After downloading your response sheet, carefully compare your answers with the official key for every question
Step 2: For any question you wish to challenge, gather supporting proof — this could be an extract from an NCERT textbook, a standard reference book, a Railway Board circular, or any credible published source
Step 3: Return to the regional RRB portal and navigate to the objection submission section under CEN 01/2025
Step 4: Select the specific question number you are challenging and enter your objection with the supporting reference
Step 5: Pay the objection fee per question if applicable (fee amount will be specified on the portal — in most RRB recruitments, a nominal fee is charged per challenged question, typically refunded if the objection is upheld)
Step 6: Submit your objection and download the acknowledgement receipt
Rules to Remember:
- Objections must be submitted online only — no offline or email submissions are accepted
- Supporting documents or references must be attached — objections without proof are typically rejected
- The deadline of March 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM is absolute — no extensions are granted
- Each question must be challenged separately with its own supporting document
How to Calculate Your Expected Score from the Answer Key
Once you have your response sheet and the provisional answer key open side by side, use the standard RRB ALP marking scheme to estimate your score:
- +1 mark for every correct answer
- −1/3 mark (negative marking) for every wrong answer
- 0 marks for unattempted questions
Add up your correct answers, subtract one-third of your wrong answers, and you have your raw expected score. This gives you a realistic picture of your performance and helps you understand your position relative to the expected cut-off.
Note: If any answer key corrections are made following the objection review, your score will be recalculated accordingly in the final answer key before the result is declared.
What Happens After the Objection Window Closes?
Here is the full sequence of events that follows the objection deadline:
Review of Objections: The RRB’s subject expert panel reviews all submitted objections along with the supporting documents provided. This process takes a few weeks.
Final Answer Key Release: After reviewing all objections, the RRB releases the final answer key with any corrections applied. This key is used for official score calculation.
RRB ALP CBT-1 Result 2026: The result is declared based on the final answer key. Candidates who qualify CBT-1 are shortlisted for the next stage.
CBT-2 (Second Stage): Qualified candidates proceed to the more advanced CBT-2, which includes trade-specific technical questions and carries higher difficulty.
CBAT (Computer-Based Aptitude Test): All ALP candidates must appear for CBAT — and critically, CBAT marks are counted in the final merit list. This stage is often underestimated by candidates who focus exclusively on CBT preparation.
Document Verification and Medical Examination: Final stages before appointment.
Regional RRB Websites – Find Your Portal
Candidates must access their specific regional RRB portal to view the answer key. Here are some of the major RRB websites:
| RRB Zone | Website |
|---|---|
| RRB Chandigarh | rrbcdg.gov.in |
| RRB Mumbai | rrbmumbai.gov.in |
| RRB Chennai | rrbchennai.gov.in |
| RRB Allahabad | rrbald.gov.in |
| RRB Bhopal | rrbbhopal.gov.in |
| RRB Kolkata | rrbkolkata.gov.in |
| RRB Secunderabad | rrbsecunderabad.nic.in |
| RRB Ahmedabad | rrbahmedabad.gov.in |
All regional portals follow the same login and answer key download process described above.
Red Also –
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. When has the RRB ALP Answer Key 2026 been released?
The provisional answer key is available from 20 March 2026 at 5:00 PM onwards on regional RRB portals.
Q2. How can I download the RRB ALP Answer Key 2026?
Visit your regional RRB website, navigate to the CEN 01/2025 section, and log in using your Registration Number and Password/Date of Birth to view and download your response sheet and answer key.
Q3. What is the last date to raise objections against the answer key?
The objection window closes on 26 March 2026 at 5:00 PM. No objections will be entertained after this deadline.
Q4. Is login mandatory to check the RRB ALP Answer Key? Y
es. The answer key and response sheet are candidate-specific and can only be accessed after logging in with your registered credentials.
Q5. What documents are needed to raise an objection?
You must submit your objection online with supporting proof — such as a reference from a standard textbook, official publication, or credible academic source — for each question you challenge.