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Nikita Parmar

Updated on 25th January, 2024 , 9 min read

Loco Pilot Salary (Railway Driver) 2024 in India: In-Hand Salary, 7th Pay Commission, Base Pay Scale, Post Wise and Allowances

Loco Pilot Salary in India Overview

Loco Pilots are in charge of engines, passenger trains, and commuter trains. They depict railway instructions, markers, and rules guiding locomotive operation. Direct recruitment is for the position of Assistant Loco Pilot, which is subsequently advanced to Senior Assistant Loco Pilot and then to Loco Pilot. A Loco Pilot's initial monthly wage in India starts at INR 19,900. However, with experience and updated abilities, a Loco Pilot's monthly income might reach INR 1.09 lakhs. So far, the highest Loco Pilot pay is INR 15 LPA.

Most firms hire loco pilot assistants as Group C personnel. To become an Assistant Loco Pilot, a candidate must be between 18 and 28 years old. RBB conducts an admission exam for qualified individuals. After many years of service, the Loco Pilot is promoted to Power Controller, Crew Controller, and Loco Supervisor.

Who are the Loco Pilots (Railway Driver)?

A loco pilot is in charge of running trains and ensuring that they are maintained efficiently and effectively throughout transportation. It is a senior job in the Indian Railways. The eligibility criteria for recruitment as an Assistant Loco Pilot are detailed further below (ALP).

Eligibility Criteria for Loco Pilots

The fundamental eligibility requirements for becoming a Loco Pilot are outlined below-

  1. Candidate having Indian, Nepalese, or Bhutanese citizenship.
  2. Must have completed the 10th/High School/Matriculation/SSC examination or its equivalent from a recognized board.
  3. You must be between 18 and 28 years old.
  4. ITI program must be from an institution recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training or the State Council for Vocational Training.
  5. Engineering credentials from an All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) a recognized institute in any of the electrical, electronic, mechanical, or automotive engineering disciplines.
  6. Acting Apprenticeship Program.

You can also read more about How to Become a Pilot in India.

Loco Pilot (Railway Driver) In-Hand Salary 2024

The standard salary scale of Rs. 19,900/-is provided to candidates. The Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance, and other allowances are among the many to which they are entitled. Combing the other allowances, it constitutes their monthly in-hand salary. In 2024, the monthly Loco Pilot salary ranges from around Rs. 35,000/-. Candidates are guaranteed competitive and fulfilling compensation with this all-inclusive package.

Qualifications for a Loco Pilot (Railway Driver) in India

The fundamental qualities required to become a Loco Pilot are listed below-

Course Name 

Provided By 

Average Fees (INR)

Average Annual Salary (INR)

Engineering Diplomas

Department of Automobile Engineering, A.P.C. Ray Polytechnic Kolkata, Aligarh Muslim University, etc.

10k - 5 LPA

7 lakh 

Apprenticeship Course

NSDC ( National Skill Development Corporation )

15k - 1.50 LPA

1.5 lakh 

ITI Program 

ACMT ITI College in Delhi, Government Industrial Training Institute, etc.

1k - 9k

1.8 lakh 

Also Read: Aviation Courses after 12th and Loco Pilot Qualification.

Loco Pilot (Railway Driver) Duties

A loco pilot's key tasks are as follows-

  1. To take safeguards in the event of any unusual or unforeseen situations.
  2. Unless one speedometer, in the case of the electric locomotive, or two, in the case of the other locomotives is malfunctioning, loco pilots must observe the train's sanctioned speed.
  3. They should control the movement of trains based on time and speed.
  4. They maintain the speed guidelines and the time between stations.
  5. When the guard is not present, loco pilots conduct their duty by inspecting the electrical couplings of the train units.
  6. They calculate where to cut the power when stopping the train, taking into account the grade, weather, rail condition, train length, weight, and drag power.
  7. At stand stations, examine the engines for cleanliness and request cleaning if necessary.

Also Read: AME Course.

Loco Pilot Salary Structure 2024

The salary structure of a Loco Pilot consists of base pay, allowances, and extra benefits. The table below shows the Loco Pilot salary structure:

RRB ALP salary

Pay in INR

Pay scale

20,500

Dearness Allowances

1,066

House rent allowances

2,132

Transport allowances

936

Night duty allowances

2,012

AR-T/ AL-C

36

KMA

13,707

Net deductions

3,032

Net Salary

37,714

Loco Pilot Salary Compensation 2024

There are monthly allowances and other benefits provided by the Ministry of Indian Railway to Loco Pilot. The table below shows the Loco Pilot Salary Compensation:

Allowances title

Monthly Allowances (INR)

Dearness allowance

1,066

House rent allowances

2,132

Transport allowances

936

Night duty allowances

2,012

Loco Pilot Salary (Railway Driver) 2024: Post Wise

The table below shows the Loco pilot salary 2024 post wise: 

Posts

Salary Range

Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP)

Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 35,000/-

Loco Pilot (Goods)

Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 56,000/-

Loco Pilot (Mail)

Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 78,000/-

Shunting Loco Pilot

Rs. 28,000 to Rs. 38,000/-

Loco Pilot Passenger (Passenger)

Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 66,000/-

Loco Pilot (High Speed)

Rs. 77,000 to Rs. 88,000/-

Senior Section Engineer

Rs. 17,140/-

Traffic Apprentice

Rs. 13,500/-

Technician Grade 3

Rs. 7,730/-

Technician Grade 2

Rs. 9,910/-

 

Loco Pilot Salary 2024 After 7th Pay Commission

Candidates intending to join the railway sector in 2024 must apply for the RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) position after the implementation of the 7th Pay Commission. The table below shows a detailed analysis of the main components of the ALP salary, including allowances and deductions:

Allowances

Amount

Recoveries

Amount

Pay

Rs. 5,830/-

NPS

Rs. 1,848/-

Grade Pay

Rs. 1,900/-

Income Tax

Rs. 0

HRA

Rs. 1,005/-

–

–

DA

Rs. 10,752/-

–

–

TPA

Rs. 828/-

–

–

NDA

Rs. 387/-

–

–

Running Allowance

Rs. 6,050/-

–

–

Gross Pay

Rs. 26,752/-

Deductions

Rs. 1,848/-

Total Deduction

Rs. 1,848/-

–

–

Net Pay

Rs. 24,904/-

–

–

Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Organization Wise

The table below shows the average Loco Pilot Salary 2024 based on the company: 

Name of the Company

Average Annual Salary (in ₹)

Unirail

₹0.20-5,00,000

Hyderabad Metro Rail

₹2,00,000-3,90,000

Indian Railways

₹2,40,000-22,00,000

Adani Ports and SEZ

₹7,30,000-30,10,000

South Central Railway

₹4,80,000-12,00,000

TATA Steel

₹2,00,000-3,10,000

Western Railway

₹3,20,000-15,00,000

Coromandel International

₹3,00,000-4,70,000

Indian Airforce

₹0.10-11,50,000

Ministry of Railways

₹4,00,000-6,00,000

Railway Recruitment Board, Guwahati

₹2,20,000-17,30,000

Loco Pilot Salary 2024: City Wise

The table below shows the Loco Pilot Salary 2024 based on the city: 

Name of the City

Average Annual Salary (in ₹)

Kolkata

₹3,60,000

Visakhapatnam

₹3,30,000

Rourkela

₹2,80,000

Bhubaneswar

₹3,10,000

Hyderabad

₹5,00,000

Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Experience Wise 

  1. Freshmen begin as APLs and advance to Senior ALPs after 6 to 8 years of experience.
  2. Senior ALPs with 10 years of service or more are promoted to the position of Loco-Pilots.
  3. An LP with 10 to 15 years of railway experience is suitable for advancement into the Indian Railways' managerial and administrative sectors.

The following table shows the years of experience with the average annual salary-

Years of Experience

Average Annual Salary (INR)

0-2 years

2.40 lakh

2-5 years 

7.60 lakh

5-10 years

6 lakh

10-15 years

9 lakh

15 years and above 

12 lakh and above

Also read more about the Pilot Salary in India and the Salary of a Police Officer 2023.

Loco Pilot Salary (Railway Driver) in India 2024

  1. Loco Pilot salaries in India range from INR 19,900 to 1.04 LPA.
  2. ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) and LP (Local Pilot) yearly salaries are INR 30,000 and INR 50,000, respectively.
  3. The starting salary for an Assistant Loco Pilot is INR 3 LPA.
  4. A loco pilot's annual income might reach INR 40 LPA.
  5. Loco Pilots are paid a monthly salary of INR 1,900, plus other benefits such as severance, dearness, home rent, transportation, and night tasks.
  6. Other advantages and privileges for loco pilots include-
  • Allowance for House Rent (HRA)
  • Allowance for Night Duty
  • Allowance for Running
  • Transportation Allowance
  • Allowance for Dearness (DA)

How to Become a Loco Pilot in India’s Railway Sector

Step 1: Completion of 10+2 from a recognised board

Aspiring applicants should have completed their Class XI or equivalent course from a recognized board. They must obtain at least 50% marks in english, physics, mathematics, mechanics, electronics, and computers. Before becoming locomotive pilots, they will first work as assistants.

To qualify for the locomotive pilot post, candidates must first pass the diploma engineering entrance test after clearing 10+2. The entrance covers streams such as electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, automobile engineering, and electrical engineering.

Step 2: Getting a Diploma Degree

The aspiring candidates can apply for a diploma degree in railway engineering or any relevant stream. This will help the candidate understand the duties, responsibilities, rules, and regulations. 

Step 3: Applying for Associate Degree

A candidate must also meet various eligibility requirements, depending on the college to which he or she is applying for a bachelor's degree. Let us remind you that the application processes and selection criteria differ depending on the educational institution.

The RRB ALP (Railway Recruitment Board Assistant Locomotive Pilot) exam is held to recruit candidates for the Indian Railways. To be considered for the ALP post, candidates must complete the computer-based tests (CBT 1 and CBT 2 Exam) as well as the computer-based aptitude exam (CBAT).

Step 4: ITI Programs

Candidates must also complete an ITI (Industrial Training Institute) program at a recognized educational institution approved by the National Council for Vocational Training or a state council for vocational training.

They may also pursue engineering degrees from an AICTE-accredited college specializing in electronic, electrical, automotive, or mechanical engineering. In India, the average salary for an ITI ranges from ₹1.2 lakhs to ₹4.8 lakh.

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Loco Pilot Salary (Railway Driver) 2024 and Job Profile 

The following table shows the various job profiles and the annual salary of Loco Pilot- 


Type of Loco Pilot 

Salary (INR)

 

Job Description 

 

Salary Description 

Average Salary  

Junior Salary

Senior Salary

 

Senior Loco Pilot

 

 

50000


 

40000


 

70000

They are responsible for a variety of activities relating to signaling, maintaining appropriate loco operation, and aiding seniors with minor repairs while the loco is in operation.

They may earn up to Rs. 40 LPA on average. The starting salary of a Senior loco pilot is more than Rs. 5 LPA, rising to more than Rs. 8 LPA.

 

 

Assistant Loco Pilot

 

 

30000

 

 

20000

 

 

50000

They are in charge of giving out the signal, perfecting the loco, and doing routine maintenance on the loco. They are also responsible for providing information, ensuring the correct running of the loco, and aiding seniors with basic maintenance as needed while working.

 

Depending on experience, the entry-level income might be as high as 3 LPA, rising to more than 6 LPA.

Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Allowances & Benefits

The Loco Pilots under the purview of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) enjoy a comprehensive set of allowances and perks, contributing to an appealing overall compensation package. Here, we detail the primary allowances and benefits available to Loco Pilots in the year 2024:

House Rent Allowance (HRA): Loco pilots are entitled to House Rent Allowance, which aids in covering accommodation costs based on their posting location.

  • Dearness Allowance (DA): To offset the increasing cost of living, DA is provided and regularly adjusted to account for inflation.
  • Transport Allowance: Loco pilotsreceive a transport allowance to facilitate their daily commute to and from their workplace.
  • Home City and All India Travel Allowances: These allowances are crafted to support travel requirements, both within their home city and across India.
  • Running Allowance (based on kilometers traveled): Loco pilots receive running allowances, determined by the distance covered during their duties.
  • Free Medical Facilities: Loco pilots and their dependents are entitled to complimentary medical services at Railway and Empanelled Hospitals, ensuring their healthcare needs are met.
  • Free Railway Tickets for Family Members: Family members of Loco pilots can avail themselves of complimentary railway tickets on specified routes, promoting convenient travel.
  • Gratuity: A gratuity payment serves as a token of appreciation for the long and dedicated service of Loco pilots.
  • Leave Entitlements: Loco pilots enjoy generous leave entitlements, including 30 days of earned leave, 12 days of casual leave, and 30 days of half-pay leave or medical leave.
  • New Pension Scheme (NPS): A 10% deduction from the salary is allocated towards the New Pension Scheme, securing the financial future of Loco pilots.

Skills Required to Become a Loco Pilot in India 

The following list shows the skills required to become a loco pilot are as follows- 

  1. Loco pilots must work for extended periods of time and therefore physical strength is essential.
  2. Mechanical or scientific activities in information systems necessitate technical capabilities.
  3. The position necessitates a high level of response.
  4. Making quick and precise decisions.
  5. They must also be strong since they must transport machines.

Loco Pilot Salary 2024: Top Colleges in India

The table below shows the top colleges in India with their NIRF ranking for 2024. Candidates can study engineering courses in these colleges:

Name of the University

Name of the City

NIRF Ranking 2024

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

Mumbai

4

Indian Institute of Science Bangalore

Bengaluru

2

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

New Delhi

3

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Chennai

1

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Kharagpur

6

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

Kanpur

5

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Guwahati

7

Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

Roorkee

8

University of Hyderabad

Hyderabad

10

University of Delhi

New Delhi

22

Working Surroundings for a Loco Pilot

Typically, a loco pilot operates aboard the train. They labor ten to twelve hours every day. A loco pilot must notify the company two hours before leaving work so that another loco pilot may join the train on time at the designated spot. Loco pilots also fly night shifts, making it difficult for them to maintain a work-life balance.

Also Read: Airport Manager Salary and Air Hostess Salary in India.

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Ans. After finishing 10th or 12th grade or any matriculation degree, loco pilots can pursue ITI trades in mechanist, fitter, electronics, mechanic, radio & tv/refrigeration, air conditioning mechanic, wireman, etc.

Ans. An ALP’s compensation might increase to 50,000 rupees per month after 5 years of experience.

Ans. No, one must have a 12th grade diploma in areas such as physics, chemistry, and math, or an engineering diploma.

Ans. In normal Indian railways, locomotive pilot pay might range from 25k to 90k per month.

Ans. ALP RBB applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 28.

Ans. A loco pilot’s typical working hours are 8-10 hours.

Ans. Candidates were required to take a physical fitness assessment in all parts of the medical examination.

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