RRB Exam Center Allocation 2025: The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) dropped the city intimation slip for the Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) CBT 2 on March 11, 2025. Candidates expected clarity. Instead, they encountered chaos. Exam centers assigned hundreds of kilometers away—like Bihar applicants sent to Dehradun—have sparked outrage. This article breaks down the RRB exam center allocation 2025 mess, why it’s happening, and what it means for aspirants. So read till the end.
RRB ALP CBT 2 Center Allocation Issue: Key Points
- Event: RRB Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) CBT 2 Exam.
- Issue: Candidates were allotted exam centers extremely far (hundreds/over 1000 km) from their home regions/applied RRB zones.
- City Intimation Slip Release: March 11, 2025.
- Exam Dates: March 19-20, 2025.
- Impact: increased travel time, high costs (travel, lodging), added stress, and reduced preparation time for candidates.
- RRB Stance: Centers based on preference/availability; requests for change generally not allowed.
- Historical Context: Similar issues were reported in previous large-scale RRB recruitments (e.g., 2018 ALP).
Could you please explain why the RRB exam centers are located at such distant locations? The Allocation Controversy
The RRB exam center allocation 2025 process has left candidates stunned. The city intimation slip, released on March 11, 2025, via regional RRB websites, shows exam locations for the upcoming ALP CBT 2, set for March 19-20, 2025. Many assumed centers would stay reasonably close to their home regions or at least within the state/neighboring state. That didn’t happen for a significant number of applicants. For instance, a candidate from Bihar, who applied through RRB Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), now faces a daunting 1,200-kilometer trip to Dehradun (Uttarakhand). Posts on X (formerly Twitter) reveal widespread frustration: “I applied in Bilaspur, but the exam is in Dehradun.” How is this logical for RRB ALP CBT 2?” The RRB generally states that centers depend on candidate preferences (if asked during application) and, crucially, the availability of secure Computer-Based Test (CBT) centers capable of handling the required infrastructure. Yet, with fewer test-takers in CBT 2—shortlisted candidates are typically 15 times the number of vacancies (18,799 for the ALP 2024-25 cycle)—distant assignments seem counterintuitive to many. Possible reasons could be that there aren’t many large CBT centers in some areas, complicated systems are used to assign test locations to avoid cheating, or there might be mistakes in booking. The RRB hasn’t provided specific reasons for these distant allocations, leaving aspirants to scramble for travel arrangements just days before the exam.
Understanding the Process: City Intimation vs. Admit Card
The City Intimation Slip released on March 11th only informs candidates about the *city* where their exam center is located, allowing them to make preliminary travel plans. The actual Admit Card (e-Call Letter) containing the specific exam center name, address, shift timing, and instructions is released later (typically 4 days before the exam date, so around March 15th for a March 19th exam). Candidates must download the admit card from their respective RRB regional website.
Key Dates and Details for RRB ALP CBT 2 (2025)
Check this table for the must-know info. It pulls data straight from the CSBC (should be RRB) and recent updates.
| Event | Date/Details | Source/Link (Example) |
|---|---|---|
| ALP Notification (CEN 01/2024) Release | January 19, 2024 | Official RRB Websites |
| Application Window | Likely late 2024/early 2025 | Official RRB Websites |
| Vacancies (ALP) | 18,799 (Increased from initial 5,696) | RRBApply.gov.in / Corrigendum |
| CBT 1 Exam Dates | Likely held in mid-late 2024 (e.g., August/September 2024 – verify actual dates) | Jagran Josh (Indicative) |
| CBT 1 Result | March 15, 2025, onwards (4 days prior) | Regional RRB Websites |
| CBT 2 City Intimation Slip Release | March 11, 2025 | Regional RRB Websites |
| CBT 2 Exam Dates | March 19-20, 2025 | Shiksha.com / Official Notice |
| CBT 2 Admit Card Release | March 15, 2025 onwards (4 days prior) | Regional RRB Websites |
| Candidates Shortlisted for CBT 2 | 15x Vacancies (Approx. 2.8 Lakh) | Official RRB Notification |
| CBT 2 Exam Duration (Part A + Part B) | 2 hours 30 minutes total | Official RRB Notification |
| Free Travel Pass (SC/ST) | Available for download with City Slip/Admit Card | RRB Official Guidelines |
| Center Change Requests | Generally Not Allowed or Entertained | Standard RRB Policy |
Miss a deadline or upload the wrong file size? Your form’s out. (This sentence seems misplaced from an application context, keeping it as is.)
How Far Must Candidates Travel? The Financial & Mental Burden
Distance is the big issue with the RRB exam center allocation 2025. A trip from Patna, Bihar, to Dehradun, Uttarakhand, typically takes 24-30 hours one way by train, covering roughly 1,200 kilometers. Air travel is faster but significantly more expensive, with round-trip flights potentially costing ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 or more, especially with last-minute booking. For an assistant loco pilot job aspirant, whose target post often starts with a basic pay around ₹19,900 per month (Level 2 of 7th CPC), such travel expenditure represents a huge financial burden. One X user expressed the sentiment, “Travel costs for the RRB exam center are more than my entire month’s budget for prep books.” While SC/ST candidates are eligible for free sleeper class railway passes for travel, obtaining confirmed reservations on short notice can be extremely difficult, especially on long routes. Furthermore, all candidates facing long journeys incur additional costs for lodging (at least one night’s stay) and food. This unexpected travel planning, just days before the crucial CBT 2 exam, cuts heavily into vital last-minute study and revision time.
Regional Exam Center Allocation Examples (Illustrative Distances)
| Candidate Home Region (Example) | Assigned CBT 2 Center City (Example) | Approx. Distance | Typical Travel Time (Train – One Way) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patna, Bihar | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | ~1,200 km | ~24-30 hours |
| Raipur, Chhattisgarh | Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh | ~550 km | ~10-12 hours |
| Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Kolkata, West Bengal | ~450 km | ~7-9 hours |
| Ranchi, Jharkhand | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | ~600 km | ~12-14 hours |
| Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh | Nagpur, Maharashtra | ~400 km | ~7-9 hours |
| Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh | Jaipur, Rajasthan | ~500 km | ~9-11 hours |
| Guwahati, Assam | Siliguri, West Bengal | ~450 km | ~8-10 hours |
| Ahmedabad, Gujarat | Mumbai, Maharashtra | ~525 km | ~8-10 hours |
| Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Bengaluru, Karnataka | ~350 km | ~6-7 hours |
| Hyderabad, Telangana | Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh | ~275 km | ~5-6 hours |
What’s the Impact on Candidates Beyond Costs?
The challenging RRB exam center allocation 2025 affects more than just finances. The mental stress and anxiety levels among candidates are significantly heightened. An aspirant might spend two full days just traveling, arriving exhausted right before a demanding technical exam like the ALP CBT 2, instead of focusing on last-minute revision and rest. Missing the exam due to travel issues (like train delays or inability to afford tickets) is simply not an option for most, as years of preparation are at stake. One aspirant voiced this: X: “I feel completely drained, broke, and tired before I even sit for the actual RRB exam.” Performance in the exam could undoubtedly suffer due to travel fatigue, lack of proper sleep, and the mental strain of managing logistics. This financial and mental strain often hits candidates from rural or economically weaker backgrounds the hardest. The lack of a clear explanation or recourse from the RRB adds to the overall tension and frustration.
Is this distant center issue new for RRB exams?
Unfortunately, the problem highlighted by the RRB exam center allocation 2025 isn’t entirely new. During the previous large-scale RRB ALP and Group D recruitments in 2018-19, candidates faced similar widespread issues with exam centers located hundreds, sometimes over a thousand, kilometers away. Numerous complaints were filed then too, leading to media attention and demands for better planning. The Railway Recruitment Boards had acknowledged the issue and sometimes cited the massive scale of applicants and limited secure CBT centers as reasons, promising better logistical planning in the future. However, seven years later, with the ALP CBT 2 having significantly fewer candidates than CBT 1, the recurrence of the problem raises serious questions about the allocation methodology and infrastructure availability. The pattern—distant centers, lack of prior choice (often), and minimal official explanation—seems persistent. Aspirants understandably wonder if the system prioritizes administrative convenience over candidate welfare.
Possible Allocation Factors
While not officially stated, RRB center allocation likely uses algorithms considering factors like the number of applicants from a region, available capacity at secure CBT centers (with specific technical requirements), randomization to prevent malpractice, and potentially the preferences indicated by candidates (if collected). However, the extreme distances reported suggest potential flaws or overriding constraints in the current allocation process.
What Can Candidates Do Now? (Limited Options)
Options are unfortunately slim regarding the problematic RRB exam center allocation 2025. The RRB explicitly states in most notifications that requests for a change of exam center/city/shift will **not** be entertained under any circumstances. Therefore, travel is often the only practical choice for candidates wishing to appear for the exam. Here’s what affected candidates can try:
- Book Travel Immediately: Check train (IRCTC) and bus availability urgently. Book refundable tickets if possible.
- Utilize Free Travel Pass (SC/ST): Eligible SC/ST candidates should download their travel authority along with the city slip/admit card and attempt to book train tickets immediately.
- Budget for Expenses: Plan for travel costs, accommodation for at least one night near the center, and food expenses.
- Coordinate Group Travel: As suggested on X, connect with other candidates traveling to the same city to potentially share travel or accommodation costs.
- Study On-the-Go: Use travel time effectively for revision using mobile apps, notes, or flashcards.
- Download Admit Card Promptly: As soon as admit cards are released (around March 15th), download yours to know the exact center address and shift timing.
- Raise Concerns (Limited Impact): While center change is unlikely, candidates can voice concerns through official RRB grievance channels (if available) or social media to highlight the issue for future recruitments.
It’s not ideal, but adapting quickly is necessary as the exam dates (March 19-20) are very close.
Official RRB Websites & Contact
Candidates must refer ONLY to the official website of the RRB zone they applied to for downloading city slips and admit cards and checking official updates. A central portal is www.rrbcdg.gov.in (links to all regional RRBs).
- RRB Chandigarh (Central Link): www.rrbcdg.gov.in
- *(Find links to your specific RRB zone like RRB Mumbai, RRB Kolkata, RRB Bilaspur, etc., from the central site.)*
- Helplines: Check the official notification or regional RRB website for specific helpline numbers or email addresses, though responses regarding center changes are unlikely.
Conclusion: A Recurring Challenge for RRB Aspirants
The RRB exam center allocation 2025 for ALP CBT 2 has unfortunately turned a crucial career opportunity into a significant logistical and financial ordeal for many aspirants. Candidates assigned centers hundreds or over a thousand kilometers away, like from Bihar to Dehradun, face immense challenges related to travel time, cost, and pre-exam stress, impacting their preparation and potentially their performance. The Railway Recruitment Board remains largely silent on the specific reasons, while aspirants struggle to make arrangements. This recurrence of distant center allocation, despite past complaints, highlights a persistent gap between RRB’s planning and the practical difficulties faced by candidates. With the CBT 2 just days away, candidates need practical solutions and support, not silence. The dream of joining the Indian Railways shouldn’t come at such a heavy, unexpected price.
Disclaimer: Information regarding RRB ALP CBT 2 dates, vacancies, candidate numbers, and center allocation issues is based on official RRB notifications (CEN 01/2024), media reports (Times of India, Hindustan Times, etc.), and candidate posts on social media around March 11-15, 2025. Distances and travel times are approximate. Always refer to the official website of your respective RRB for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding exam schedules, admit cards, and guidelines. RRB policies state that exam center changes are generally not permitted.
- NVS Teacher Recruitment 2025 Official Notice Out: नौकरी का मौका, जाने सब कुछ कौन, कैसे, कितना सैलरी, Official Notification, Apply LInk! सब कुछ मतलब सब कुछ!
- Bihar MTS Vacancy 2025: बिना परीक्षा 10वीं पास के लिए नौकरी, MTS और दूसरे पदों पर भर्ती, देखें आवेदन तरीका और सैलरी
- Dairy Farming Loan Yojana 2025: डेयरी फार्म खोलने के लिए सरकार देगी ₹10 लाख तक का लोन, ऐसे करें आवेदन
- MP Board 12th Result 2025: यहाँ से तुरंत रिजल्ट चेक करें – पूरी प्रक्रिया और लेटेस्ट अपडेट
- PPU Part 3 Admit Card 2025 जल्द होगा जारी: BA, BSc, BCom का हॉल टिकट डाउनलोड करें, परीक्षा डेट देखें @ppup.ac.in
FAQ Related To RRB Exam Center Allocation 2025
The city intimation slip came out on March 11, 2025. Check your RRB portal to download it.
No. The RRB doesn’t allow center changes. You’re stuck with the assigned location.
Some are over 1,200 km apart—like Patna to Dehradun. Others range from 250 to 600 km, depending on your region.
Join WhatsApp
Join Telegram
