RRB Exam Center Allocation 2025, 1200km Exam Center! – Is This the End of Fair Testing?

Sukanya Nandy
By
Sukanya Nandy
Senior Education & Careers Journalist
Sukanya Gupta is a seasoned journalist and Sub-Editor at Buzz24Times, specializing in education, careers, and lifestyle reporting. With a keen eye for academic trends, career insights,...
- Senior Education & Careers Journalist
7 Min Read

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. They got chaos instead. 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 End.

RRB Exam Center Allocation 2025, 1200km Exam Center! – Is This the End of Fair Testing?  #rrbalp
RRB Exam Center Allocation 2025

Why Are RRB Exam Centers So Far Away?

The RRB exam center allocation 2025 process has left candidates stunned. The city slip, released on March 11, 2025, shows exam locations for the CBT 2, set for March 19-20, 2025. Many assumed centers would stay close to their home regions. That didn’t happen. A candidate from Bihar, who applied through RRB Bilaspur, now faces a 1,200-kilometer trip to Dehradun. X posts reveal the frustration: “Applied in Bilaspur, exam in Dehradun. Why?” The RRB says centers depend on candidate preferences and availability. Yet, with fewer test-takers in CBT 2—shortlisted at 15 times the 18,799 vacancies—distant assignments make little sense. Limited centers or booking errors might explain it. The RRB isn’t saying much, leaving aspirants to scramble.

Key Dates and Details for RRB ALP CBT 2

EventDate/DetailsSource/Link
City Slip ReleaseMarch 11, 2025Jagran Josh
CBT 2 Exam DatesMarch 19-20, 2025Shiksha.com
Admit Card ReleaseMarch 15, 2025RRBApply.com
Application WindowJanuary 20 – February 19, 2024Official RRB Websites
CBT 1 Exam DatesNovember 25-29, 2024Jagran Josh
Vacancies18,799RRBApply.com
Candidates per RRB (CBT 2)15x VacanciesOfficial RRB Notification
Exam Duration90 minutesShiksha.com
Free Travel PassAvailable for SC/ST candidatesRRB Official Guidelines
Center Change RequestsNot AllowedRRB Official Statement

This table lists critical dates and facts about the RRB ALP CBT 2 process. Check these sources for updates.

How Far Must Candidates Travel?

Distance is the big issue with RRB exam center allocation 2025. A trip from Patna, Bihar, to Dehradun takes 24-30 hours by train. Flights cost more—₹5,000 to ₹10,000 round-trip. For an ALP job paying ₹19,900 monthly, that’s a huge hit. One X user wrote, “Travel costs more than my prep books.” SC/ST candidates get free train passes, but booking last-minute seats is tough. Others face lodging and food expenses. The exam is days away. Travel planning cuts into study time. Candidates ask: Why didn’t RRB keep centers closer?

Regional Exam Center Examples

Candidate RegionAssigned CenterDistance (Approx.)Travel Time (Train)
Patna, BiharDehradun, Uttarakhand1,200 km24-30 hours
Raipur, ChhattisgarhBhopal, Madhya Pradesh550 km10-12 hours
Bhubaneswar, OdishaKolkata, West Bengal450 km8-10 hours
Ranchi, JharkhandLucknow, Uttar Pradesh600 km12-14 hours
Bilaspur, ChhattisgarhNagpur, Maharashtra400 km7-9 hours
Kanpur, Uttar PradeshJaipur, Rajasthan500 km9-11 hours
Guwahati, AssamSiliguri, West Bengal400 km8-10 hours
Ahmedabad, GujaratSurat, Gujarat260 km4-6 hours
Chennai, Tamil NaduCoimbatore, Tamil Nadu500 km8-10 hours
DelhiChandigarh250 km4-5 hours

What’s the Impact on Candidates?

The RRB exam center allocation 2025 affects more than wallets. Stress levels are up. A candidate might spend two days traveling instead of revising. Missing the exam isn’t an option—years of prep are at stake. One aspirant on X said, “I’m broke and tired before I even start.” Performance could suffer. Fatigue from travel isn’t ideal for a 90-minute test. Financial strain hits harder for rural applicants. The RRB’s silence adds to the tension. Candidates want answers, not excuses.

Did This Happen Before?

The RRB exam center allocation 2025 isn’t new. In 2018, ALP candidates faced similar issues. Some traveled 1,000 kilometers for CBT stages. Complaints piled up then too. The RRB promised better planning. Seven years later, little has changed. Fewer candidates in CBT 2 should mean easier logistics. It doesn’t. The same pattern—distant centers, no explanation—repeats. Aspirants wonder if the system will ever improve.

What Can Candidates Do?

Options are slim with RRB exam center allocation 2025. The RRB won’t change centers. Travel is the only choice. Book trains early if possible. SC/ST candidates should claim their passes now. Budget for extras like food and a night’s stay. Study on the go—use apps or notes. X users suggest group travel to split costs. It’s not ideal. The RRB could fix this with closer centers or subsidies. They haven’t. Candidates must adapt fast—the exam is March 19-20.

Conclusion

The RRB exam center allocation 2025 has turned a job opportunity into a logistical ordeal. From Bihar to Dehradun, candidates face long trips, high costs, and lost prep time. The RRB stays quiet while aspirants struggle. This repeats past mistakes, showing a gap between planning and reality. The CBT 2 looms. Candidates need solutions, not silence. The railway dream shouldn’t come with this price.

When was the RRB ALP CBT 2 city slip released?

The city intimation slip came out on March 11, 2025. Check your RRB portal to download it.

Can I change my RRB exam center for CBT 2?

No. The RRB doesn’t allow center changes. You’re stuck with the assigned location.

How far are some RRB exam centers in 2025?

Some are over 1,200 km apart—like Patna to Dehradun. Others range from 250-600 km, depending on your region.

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Sukanya Gupta is a seasoned journalist and Sub-Editor at Buzz24Times, specializing in education, careers, and lifestyle reporting. With a keen eye for academic trends, career insights, and student-centric developments, she delivers well-researched and impactful stories that guide readers through the evolving landscape of education and professional growth.
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