RRB ALP Vs SSC CGL, Which is the Better Job?

RRB ALP Vs SSC CGL

Railway Recruitment Board Assistant Loco Pilot and Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level are the two most prominent government examinations. Both are graduate-level examinations but RRB ALP recruits candidates from engineering backgrounds and while in SSC CGL any discipline graduate can appear for the examination. Through RRB ALP, candidates are posted in the Indian Railways while through SSC CGL candidates are posted in government departments/ministries on various posts. This blog will provide you with a detailed analysis of the RRB ALP Vs SSC CGL.

RRB ALP

The Railway Recruitment Board annually conducts the recruitment for the post of Assistant Loco Pilots in the Indian Railways. Aspiring candidates must be keen to know the job description, requirements, and salary of the ALPs. So, we have mentioned below the important details regarding the recruitment like eligibility criteria, exam pattern, job profile, and salary which will provide them with a broader aspect.

Attempt RRB ALP Mock Test for free

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for RRB ALP is based on three factors

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Age
Educational Qualification
Nationality

The three points are discussed in detail below

Age Limit

Minimum: 18 years
Maximum: 33 years

The age limit criteria will be considered as of 01/07/2024.

We have mentioned below the category-wise upper limit of date of birth for the candidates.

Categories	Upper Limit of Date of Birth
UR & EWS	02.07.1991
OBC (NCL)	02.07.1988
SC & ST	02.07.1986

Educational Qualification

Post	Educational Qualification
RRB Assistant Loco Pilot	Matriculation / SSLC Plus ITI/ Course Completed Act Apprentices or Diploma/ Degree in Engineering.

Exam Pattern

The RRB ALP exam pattern consists of the following phases

CBT Stage- 1
CBT Stage- 2 ( Part A and Part B)
CBAT (Computer Based Aptitude Test)
Document Verification

CBT Stage -1

Subjects	No. of Qs
Maths	20
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25
General Science	20
General Awareness on Current Affairs	10

The candidates will have a duration of 60 minutes to complete the test.

CBT Stage -2

Parts	Subjects	No. of Questions	Duration
Part A	Maths General Intelligence & Reasoning Basic Science & Engineering General Awareness of Current Affairs	100	90 Mins
Part B	Relevant Trade	75	60 Mins
	Total	175	2 Hours 30 Mins

Job Description

Candidates who have applied for the RRB ALP must know about the job profile. Following are the duties of the RRB ALP

Help the Loco Driver in tuning the Locomotive.
Maintaining the productivity of the Locomotive by increasing sectional average speed, punctuality, safety & security.
Keep an eye on the signal & indicate it further.
Repairing the Locomotive (if required).
Noticing track defect through jerk or lurch.
Checking the efficiency of the locomotive

Salary

The Railway Recruitment Board provides a good amount of salary along with various allowances and benefits to their employees. Assistant Loco Pilots also enjoy various perks along with their salary. We have mentioned below the salary structure for the RRB ALP.

Particulars	Details
Grade Pay	1900/-
Pay Scale	19,900/-
Assistant Loco Pilot Salary	Gross 35,000/-

Attempt RRB ALP Mock Test for free

SSC CGL

The Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (SSC CGL) examination is a highly competitive test in India, attracting graduates for various government positions. With a four-tier structure, including Tier I and Tier II exams, followed by a descriptive paper and a computer proficiency test, SSC CGL aims to select competent individuals for Group B and C posts in government departments and ministries. Candidates must have a proper understanding of recruitment to choose a better job in RRB ALP Vs SSC CGL.

Eligibility Criteria

Though there are different criteria for each of the posts filled by the SSC CGL exam, the essential eligibility criteria for this exam are as follows.

Nationality/citizenship

The candidate must be an Indian citizen or of Indian origin or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee.

Age limit

Minimum Age Limit:18 and Maximum Age Limit: 32 years.

Post	Department	Age Limit
Assistant Audit Officer	Under C&AG	Not exceeding 30 years.
Assistant Accounts Officer	Under C&AG	Not exceeding 30 years.
Assistant Section Officer	Central Secretariat Service	20-30 years
Assistant Section Officer	Intelligence Bureau	Not exceeding 30 years.
Assistant Section Officer	Ministry of Railway	20-30 years
Assistant Section Officer	Ministry of External Affairs	20-30 years
Assistant Section Officer	AFHQ	20-30 years
Assistant Section Officer	Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology	Not exceeding 30 years.
Assistant / Assistant Section Officer	Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations	Not exceeding 30 years.
Inspector of Income Tax	CBDT	Not exceeding 30 years
Inspector, (Central Excise)	CBIC	Not exceeding 30 years
Inspector (Preventive Officer)	CBIC	Not exceeding 30 years
Inspector (Examiner)	CBIC	Not exceeding 30 years
Assistant Enforcement Officer	Directorate of Enforcement, Department of Revenue	Up to 30 years
Sub Inspector	Central Bureau of Investigation	20-30 years
Inspector Posts	Department of Post, Ministry of Communication	Not exceeding 30 years
Inspector	Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance	Not exceeding 30 years
Assistant	Other Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations	Not exceeding 30 years
Divisional Accountant	Offices under C&AG	Not exceeding 30 years
Sub Inspector	NIA)	Up to 30 years
Sub-Inspector/ Junior Intelligence Officer	(MHA)	Not exceeding 30 years
Junior Statistical Officer	Ministry of Statistics&Programme Implementation.	Up to 32 years
Auditor	Offices under C&AG	18-27 years
Auditor	Offices under CGDA	18-27 years
Auditor	Other Ministry/Departments	18-27 years
Accountant	Offices under C&AG	18-27 years
Accountant	Controller General of Accounts	18-27 years
Accountant/ Junior Accountant	Other Ministry/ Departments	18-27 years
Postal Assistant/ Sorting Assistant	Department of Post, Ministry of Communication	18-27 years
Senior Secretariat Assistant/ Upper Division Clerks	Central Govt. Offices/ Ministries are other than CSCS cadres.	18-27 years
Senior Administrative Assistant	Military Engineering Services, Ministry of Defence	18-27 years
Tax Assistant	CBDT	18-27 years
Tax Assistant	CBIC	18-27 years
Sub-Inspector	Central Bureau of Narcotics, Ministry of Finance	18-27 years
Upper Division Clerks	Dte.Gen Border Road Organisation (MoD) (Only for male Candidates)	18-27 years

Educational Qualification

Essential Educational Qualifications for various posts include :

All other Posts except Assistant Audit Officer/Assistant Accounts Officer and JSO

Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized University or equivalent.

The candidates who have appeared in the final year of their graduation can also apply, however, they must possess Essential qualifications on or before the cut-off date.

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SSC CGL Exam Pattern

SSC CGL has 2 phases: Tier- 1, and Tier- 2 according to the new exam pattern.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern

Subject	Questions	Maximum Marks
General Intelligence & Reasoning	25	50
Quantitative Aptitude	25	50
General English	25	50
General Awareness	25	50

Note: Total Duration of Tier 1 Exam is 60 minutes

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern

In this phase, two exams are conducted on the same day, the details of the Tier-II exams are listed below. The merit list will be prepared based on the overall performance of candidates in the Tier-II Examination only. Total time duration is 2 hours 15 minutes for Paper – 1 and 2 hours for Paper – 2 and 3 each.

Paper	Session	Section	Subject	Questions	Marks
I	I (2 hours and 15 minutes)	I (1 hour )	Module I – Mathematical abilities Module II – Reasoning and General Intelligence	3030Total – 60	60 x 3= 180
		II (1 hour )	Module I – English Language ComprehensionModule II – General Awareness	4525 Total = 70	70 x 3 =210
		III (15 minutes)	Module – I – Computer Knowledge module	20	20 x 3 = 60
	II (15 minutes)	III	Module – II : Data Entry Speed Test	One data entry task
II	2 hours		Statistics (Paper I & II as above)	100	100 x 2= 200
III	2 hours		General Studies (Paper I & II as above) (Finance & Economics)	100	100 x 2= 200
			Total	500	850

Salary

The salary structure of SSC CGL varies from 25,500 to 1,51,000. In addition to the basic pay, the SSC CGL post also offers allowances in the form of a dearness allowance, HRA, travel allowance, etc.

Pay Levels of SSC CGL

Pay Levels	Pay Scale
4	25,500-81,100
5	29,200-92,300
6	35400-1,12,400
7	44,900-1,42,400
8	47,600-1,51,100

What is the SSC CGL Increment Per Year?

The following is the increment in the SSC CGL posts every year

Twice DA hikes at the rate of 1% or 2% at the end of every 6 months. 1% means 500 and 2% means 1000.

SSC CGL Perks and Allowances

Apart from the basic salary, the candidates also receive certain benefits and allowances. The list of such allowances is as follows:

Dearness Allowance ( 31% as per the latest update)
HRA ( 8-24% depends on the location of posting)
Transport Allowance
LTC

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RRB ALP Vs SSC CGL 2024

Comparing RRB ALP and SSC CGL jobs is challenging as they serve different purposes and have distinct responsibilities.

RRB ALP: Primarily involves assisting in the operation and maintenance of trains, ensuring their safety and efficiency. It’s more operation-oriented and hands-on.
SSC CGL: Offers a wide range of administrative and managerial roles in various government departments. It includes jobs like income tax inspector, auditor, and assistant in ministries, providing diverse career paths.

The “better” job depends on your interests, career goals, and the type of work you find fulfilling. Consider the nature of the work, your skills, and the long-term career prospects in making your decision. Both roles have their unique advantages and may appeal to different preferences.

We hope this blog gave you a better understanding of the RRB ALP Vs SSC CGL. To read more such blogs, visit the Oliveboard website!

Related Links	Related Links	Related Links
RRB ALP Notification 2024	RRB ALP Application Form 2024	RRB ALP Eligibility Criteria
RRB ALP Syllabus & Exam Pattern	RRB ALP Exam Date 2024	RRB ALP Salary
RRB ALP Cut Off 2024	RRB ALP Previous Year Papers	RRB ALP Answer Key 2024

RRB ALP Vs SSC CGL – FAQs

RRB ALP Vs SSC CGL, which is the better?

Comparing RRB ALP and SSC CGL jobs is tough because they have different roles. RRB ALP involves hands-on work with trains for safety, while SSC CGL offers administrative and managerial roles in government departments, providing diverse career paths.

What is the educational qualification required for the SSC CGL?

Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a government-recognized university.

What is the full form of SSC CGL?

The full form of SSC CGL is Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level.

What is the salary of the SSC CGL?

The salary of SSC CGL varies depending on the post and city of posting, but it typically ranges from approximately Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 1,00,000 monthly.

Which exam offers better job security and perks?

Both exams offer government jobs with good job security and benefits. However, the specific perks and allowances may differ based on the post and department.

Which exam is more suitable for candidates from rural backgrounds?

Both exams are open to candidates from all backgrounds. However, RRB ALP might be more appealing to those interested in railway-related jobs.

Can I appear for both RRB ALP and SSC CGL exams?

Yes, you can appear for both exams if you meet the eligibility criteria for each. However, ensure that your preparation strategy covers the specific requirements of both exams.

Which exam is more time-consuming to prepare for?

The preparation time for both exams depends on your individual aptitude and the time you can dedicate to studying.

Vaishnavi Kumari

Hey everyone, I’m Vaishnavi Kumari, an edtech writer and a dedicated aspirant for government exams, including banking and SSC exams. Having worked with several edtech platforms, I am committed to providing you with essential and accurate information to ace these exams. With my experience as both a writer and an aspirant, I understand your needs and challenges, and my aim is to make your preparation journey smoother. I’ll focus on specific sections of the exams, compiling comprehensive and helpful content that covers the crucial topics, tips, and strategies you need to succeed. Let’s conquer these exams together!

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