Loco Pilot Pilot or a driver in easily understood terms; it is the driver of a locomotive train who is like an eye of the train. He is the one who assists in smooth running of a train thus playing a pivotal role to ensure that people reach their destinations safely.
Indian Railways are one of the biggest in world and this is the safest and fastest way to reach the destinations in India. Almost all major towns are being connected by network of trains and Railways need efficient loco pilots to maintain and sustain the reliability it gained from the people across the country.
Railway Recruitment Board which recruits all the personnel required for Indian Railways conducts the recruitment of Asst Loco Pilots for various regions every year. It conducts tests to identify the talented aspirant and gives them the opportunity to serve the biggest fleet of trains under prestigious Indian Railways.
Contents
- Eligibility Conditions
- Age limits
- Educational qualification
- How to apply?
- Recruitment Process
- Salary
Some of the positions available in the Loco running staff category are:
- Loco Pilot (M/EXP) In charge of passenger trains in the categories of mail and express train of long distance. The loco Pilot has shift till a destination and then return shift back to base station.
- Loco Pilot (PASSENGER) In charge of passenger trains only of short distance. The loco Pilot has shift till a destination and then return shift back to base station.
- Loco Pilot (GOODS) In charge of goods trains of long distance. The loco Pilot has shift till a destination and then return shift back to base station.
- Shunting Loco Pilot is in charge of trains shunting in the station or repair workshop. The shunting loco Pilot has shift in the base station or repair work shop.
- Assistant Loco Pilot helps the loco pilot in discharging his duty in the journey.
Eligibility Conditions
According to the Railway recruitment board, all men who are a citizen of Indian, a subject of our neighboring countries such as Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who came cross to India before 1st January,1962 with the main purpose of permanently setting in India or a person of
Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the main purpose of permanently setting in India and on those person(subject), the Government of India has issued a certificate of eligibility.
An Aspirant, in whose special case a original certificate of eligibility is must, may be admitted to the examination but the appointment letter will be given only after the proper verification and necessary eligibility certificates has been issued to him/ her by the Government of India.
Please do check the latest notification for any change or modification in the eligibility criteria updated by the Railway recruitment board from time to time through the Government gazette.
Age limits
An Aspirant while applying for the post must have reached the age of 18 years and the upper age must not have crossed the age of 30 years on the date of issue of his notification. Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, it is up to a maximum of five years. Other Backward Classes who under the Government policy are eligible to avail of reservation, it is up to a maximum of three years. An Aspirant had ordinarily been domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir during the crucial period starting from the 1st January, 1980 to the end of 31st day of December, 1989; it is up to a maximum of five years. In the special case of Defense Services Personnel due to certain situation became disabled in operations in a disturbed area or during hostilities with any neighboring or foreign country or and released mainly due to consequence thereof, it is up to a maximum of three years.
Educational qualification
RRB has prescribed the following qualifications for obtaining eligibility to attend the exam for the post of Asst Loco Pilots which will be conducted across the country.
The aspirant should possess a Matriculation or its equivalent under the 10 + 2 system and Course Completed Act. Apprentice or I.T.I. in any of the following specific trades recognized by SCVT/ NCVT: Fitter/Electrician/Instrument Mechanic/Mill Wright/ Maintenance Mechanic/ Mechanic
Radio & T.V./Electronics Mechanic/Mechanic Motor Vehicle/Wireman/ Tractor Mechanic /Armature & Coil Winder/Mechanic Diesel/Heat Engine/Turner/ Machinist/Refrigeration & A.C. Mechanic or a Diploma in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics /Automobile Engineering recognized by AICTE in lieu of I.T.I.
The aspirant must hold at the time of applying the certificate from any one of the Universities or institution incorporated by an Indian Act of the Central or State Legislature or other educational institutions which was established by Parliament Act or declared to be in the status of deemed as University under special section-3 of the 1956, Act of University Grants Commission or possesses an equivalent qualification.
How to apply?
All the Railway recruitment board issues a notification about the vacancies for the post of goods guard in all the leading news paper and the Employment news. The application format given in them can be used for applying. The same format can be typed in an A4 size paper and used for applying. All necessary documents should be got attested by the gazetted officer and attached with the application. The required number of passport size photograph should be enclosed with the application. The duly filled in application should reach the concerned Railway recruitment board on or before the closing date. The application can be personally dropped at the reception of the Railway recruitment board office or send it through ordinary postal.
Note: medical certificate from the government authorized doctor for ENT and eye have to obtain and it should be attached with the application form. The doctor’s certificate should be of latest that is after the date of notification of this recruitment. Only those aspirants who are declared fit by the doctor can apply for the post of Asst Loco Pilots. Those aspirants who has some or the other medical problems mainly related to the eyes and ears are requested no to apply for the post. A proper eye sight and hearing ability is mandatory for this post.
The envelope containing the application with necessary attachments should be clearly super scribed on top “Application for the Post of ASSISTANT LOCO PILOT” Category No., Employment Notice No, Community (SC/ST/OBC/Ex-SM).
If the post and category no is not indicated on the top of the envelope containing application, the same will not be entertained.
Loco-Pilot Stages of Exam
- Written Examination
- Aptitude Test
- Document & Candidature Verification
Recruitment Process
The selection process is made strictly as per all India merit list. The recruitment process is based on three stages that are written examination, Aptitude Test and document and candidature verification. The first stage of written examination will consist of written examination covering the area of general knowledge, reasoning, English and mathematics. Those aspirants who successfully pass the first stage are called for the second stage of Aptitude Test. Those aspirants who successfully pass the second stage of the examination are called for final verification of original certificates by the concerned railway recruitment board. Before offering the appointment letter, the aspirant is made to undergo a medical test to be eligible for the post.
Salary
The salary package for an Asst Loco Pilot will be in the scale of Rs.5200-20,200/-GP -1900, with good opportunity for promotions as per the policies of Indian Railways. The DA is provided based on Basic and running allowance, decided and notified by Govt. from time to time. Education assistance is provided at the rate of 30% of basic for children to cover the costs of fee, books etc. Medical treatment and the Railway passes are provided for self and family members. The post retirement benefits are 55% of the basic pay. Staff quarters are provided. Besides, so many other facilities are provided, i.e. allowance related to outstation stay, accident, overtime etc.
This is a golden opportunity for all the candidates who have done ITI or diploma as a job in Indian Railways has its own charm with lots of benefits like insurance, free travel etc. It not only gives the satisfaction monetarily but it gives a lot of pride being a part of largest fleet of trains thereby helping lakhs of people reach their destinations safely in time which is more than anything else. A career in Indian Railways means a secured and satisfied future in all ways!
