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?
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-
- Candidate having Indian, Nepalese, or Bhutanese citizenship.
- Must have completed the 10th/High School/Matriculation/SSC examination or its equivalent from a recognized board.
- You must be between 18 and 28 years old.
- ITI program must be from an institution recognized by the National Council for Vocational Training or the State Council for Vocational Training.
- 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.
- Acting Apprenticeship Program.
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Qualifications for a Loco Pilot 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 |
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Loco Pilot Duties
A loco pilot's key tasks are as follows-
- To take safeguards in the event of any unusual or unforeseen situations.
- 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.
- They should control the movement of trains based on time and speed.
- They maintain the speed guidelines and the time between stations.
- When the guard is not present, loco pilots conduct their duty by inspecting the electrical couplings of the train units.
- 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.
- At stand stations, examine the engines for cleanliness and request cleaning if necessary.
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Loco Pilot Salary in India
- Loco Pilot salaries in India range from INR 19,900 to 1.04 LPA.
- ALP (Assistant Loco Pilot) and LP (Local Pilot) yearly salaries are INR 30,000 and INR 50,000, respectively.
- The starting salary for an Assistant Loco Pilot is INR 3 LPA.
- A loco pilot's annual income might reach INR 40 LPA.
- Loco Pilots are paid a monthly salary of INR 1,900, plus other benefits such as severance, dearness, home rent, transportation, and night tasks.
- 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)
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Experience Wise Salary
- Freshmen begin as APLs and advance to Senior ALPs after 6 to 8 years of experience.
- Senior ALPs with 10 years of service or more are promoted to the position of Loco-Pilots.
- 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 |
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Loco Pilot Salary and Job Profile
The following table shows the various job profiles and the annual salary 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. |
Skills Required to Become a Loco Pilot in India
The following list shows the skills required to become a loco pilot are as follows-
- Loco pilots must work for extended periods of time and therefore physical strength is essential.
- Mechanical or scientific activities in information systems necessitate technical capabilities.
- The position necessitates a high level of response.
- Making quick and precise decisions.
- They must also be strong since they must transport machines.
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.