Railway RRB ALP 2024 CBT-1 Solved Question Paper with Official Answer Key PDF

Railway RRB ALP 2024 CBT-1: Fully Solved Paper & Comprehensive Analysis

1. Executive Summary & Difficulty Analysis

The Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Assistant Loco Pilot (ALP) 2024 Computer Based Test-1 (CBT-1) was administered to screen candidates for technical apprenticeship and loco-pilot training roles across various zonal railways. Overall, the exam pattern strictly adhered to the official syllabus published by the Railway Recruitment Boards, maintaining a Moderate overall difficulty level. The test tested both conceptual application in General Science and speed-accuracy balance in Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning.

In terms of subject weightage, General Science (NCERT Class 9 and 10 level) remained the decisive section, heavily featuring conceptual and numerical questions from Physics (Electricity, Optics, Work-Power-Energy) and Chemistry (Chemical Reactions, Acids & Bases, Periodic Classification). Mathematics focused on fundamental arithmetic, time-speed-distance, time & work, and basic algebra. General Intelligence & Reasoning emerged as the highest-scoring section for well-prepared candidates, though analytical reasoning and statement-conclusion questions added a minor layer of complexity.

Key shifts observed in the 2024 session include a reduction in memory-based static GK questions in favor of real-world application questions in General Science and recent Indian Railways initiatives in Current Affairs. Time management was vital, as candidates had to solve 75 questions in a strict 60-minute timeframe.

2. Official Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

3. High-Yield Solved Questions (with Detailed Step-by-Step Solutions)

Question 1

Two resistors of resistance 6 Ω and 12 Ω are connected in parallel. This parallel combination is then connected in series with a 4 Ω resistor and a 12 V ideal battery. What is the total electric current drawn from the battery?

• A1.5 A
• B2.0 A
• C3.0 A
• D0.8 A

Correct Option: (A)

1. Find equivalent resistance of the parallel combination (Rₚ):

1 / Rₚ = 1 / 6 + 1 / 12

1 / Rₚ = (2 + 1) / 12 = 3 / 12 = 1 / 4

Rₚ = 4 Ω

1. Find total equivalent resistance of the circuit (Rₑᲇ):

Since the 4 Ω resistor is in series with Rₚ:

Rₑᲇ = Rₚ + 4 = 4 + 4 = 8 Ω

1. Calculate total current (I) using Ohm's Law (V = I × R):

I = V / Rₑᲇ = 12 V / 8 Ω = 1.5 A

Question 2

What is the chemical formula and systematic IUPAC name of Baking Soda used in daily kitchen applications and fire extinguishers?

• ANaHCO₃, Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate
• BNa₂CO₃·10H₂O, Sodium Carbonate Decahydrate
• CCaOCl₂, Calcium Oxychloride
• DNaOH, Sodium Hydroxide

Correct Option: (A)

• •Baking Soda is chemically known as Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate or Sodium Bicarbonate with the chemical formula NaHCO₃. It is produced on an industrial scale using the Solvay process:

NaCl + H₂O + CO₂ + NH₃ → NH₄Cl + NaHCO₃

• •Option (B) Na₂CO₃·10H₂O is Washing Soda.
• •Option (C) CaOCl₂ is Bleaching Powder.
• •Option (D) NaOH is Caustic Soda.

Question 3

Pipe A can fill a water tank in 12 hours and Pipe B can fill it in 18 hours. Pipe C is an outlet pipe that can empty the full tank in 36 hours. If all three pipes are opened simultaneously in an empty tank, how long will it take to fill the tank completely?

• A6 hours
• B8 hours
• C9 hours
• D10.5 hours

Correct Option: (C)

1. Determine total work unit (LCM method):

LCM of 12, 18, and 36 = 36 units (Total Capacity of Tank).

1. Calculate efficiency per hour for each pipe:

• •Efficiency of Pipe A = +36 / 12 = +3 units/hour
• •Efficiency of Pipe B = +36 / 18 = +2 units/hour
• •Efficiency of Pipe C = -36 / 36 = -1 unit/hour (outlet/emptying)

1. Combined efficiency when all 3 pipes operate together:

Net Efficiency = (+3) + (+2) + (-1) = +4 units/hour

1. Time required to fill the tank:

Time = Total Capacity / Net Efficiency = 36 / 4 = 9 hours.

Question 4

In a certain code language, if 'TRAIN' is coded as 'WUDLQ' and 'BUS' is coded as 'EXV', how will 'MOTOR' be coded in that same language?

• APRWRU
• BNPUPS
• COQVQT
• DPRVTU

Correct Option: (A)

1. Analyze the positional pattern in the alphabet:

• •T (+3) → W
• •R (+3) → U
• •A (+3) → D
• •I (+3) → L
• •N (+3) → Q

The underlying logic is a uniform shift of +3 positions forward for every letter.

1. Apply the same rule to 'MOTOR':

• •M (+3) → P
• •O (+3) → R
• •T (+3) → W
• •O (+3) → R
• •R (+3) → U

1. Hence, 'MOTOR' becomes PRWRU.

Question 5

Which plant hormone is synthesized at the shoot tip and plays a central role in cell elongation and phototropism (growth movement towards light)?

• AAuxin
• BGibberellin
• CCytokinin
• DAbscisic Acid

Correct Option: (A)

• •Auxins (such as Indole-3-acetic acid or IAA) are plant growth regulators synthesized at shoot tips. When directional light shines on a plant, auxin diffuses toward the shaded side of the stem, stimulating cell elongation on that side and causing the stem to bend toward the light source (Phototropism).
• •Gibberellins promote stem elongation and seed germination.
• •Cytokinins promote cell division.
• •Abscisic Acid (ABA) acts as a growth inhibitor and stress hormone that triggers stomatal closure.

Question 6

A dealer marks up an article by 40% above its cost price and then offers a discount of 20% on the marked price. If the total profit earned by the dealer is ₹ 96, what was the original cost price of the article?

• A₹ 750
• B₹ 800
• C₹ 850
• D₹ 900

Correct Option: (B)

1. Let the Cost Price (CP) = 100x.
2. Marked Price (MP):

MP = CP + 40% of CP = 100x + 40x = 140x.

1. Selling Price (SP):

SP = MP - 20% of MP = 140x - (0.20 × 140x) = 140x - 28x = 112x.

1. Profit:

Profit = SP - CP = 112x - 100x = 12x.

1. Given Profit = ₹ 96:

12x = 96 ⇒ x = 8.

1. Cost Price:

CP = 100x = 100 × 8 = ₹ 800.

Question 7

Consider the given statements and decide which of the given conclusions logically follow(s).

Statements:

1. All engines are motors.
2. Some motors are pumps.
3. No pump is a valve.

Conclusions:

I. Some motors are not valves.

II. Some engines are pumps.

• AOnly Conclusion I follows
• BOnly Conclusion II follows
• CBoth Conclusion I and II follow
• DNeither Conclusion I nor II follows

Correct Option: (A)

1. Analyze Conclusion I:

• •From Statement 2, "Some motors are pumps".
• •From Statement 3, "No pump is a valve".
• •Therefore, those specific motors which are pumps can never be valves. Hence, "Some motors are not valves" is definitely TRUE.

1. Analyze Conclusion II:

• •Statement 1 links engines to motors, and Statement 2 links motors to pumps.
• •No direct relation or overlapping boundary is guaranteed between engines and pumps. Hence, "Some engines are pumps" is uncertain/does not necessarily follow.

1. Therefore, Only Conclusion I follows.

Question 8

What is the primary function of the indigenous automatic train protection system 'Kavach', developed by Indian Railways (RDSO)?

• AHigh-speed automated track laying
• BAutomatic Train Protection (ATP) to prevent collisions caused by signal passing at danger (SPAD)
• CSolar panel monitoring on express coach rooftops
• DFully automated unmanned level crossing barriers

Correct Option: (B)

• •Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system designed by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) in collaboration with Indian industry.
• •It automatically applies brakes if the driver fails to control the speed as per signal restrictions (Signal Passing At Danger - SPAD) and prevents head-on/rear-end collisions between trains using radio frequency identity (RFID) technology and continuous update mechanisms.

Question 9

Two trains of lengths 140 meters and 160 meters are running in opposite directions on parallel tracks at speeds of 60 km/h and 48 km/h respectively. How many seconds will they take to completely pass each other?

• A8 seconds
• B10 seconds
• C12 seconds
• D15 seconds

Correct Option: (B)

1. Total Distance to cover during crossing:

Distance = Length of Train 1 + Length of Train 2 = 140 m + 160 m = 300 meters.

1. Relative Speed (since moving in opposite directions):

Relative Speed = Speed₁ + Speed₂ = 60 + 48 = 108 km/h.

1. Convert speed from km/h to m/s:

108 × (5 / 18) = 6 × 5 = 30 m/s.

1. Time taken to cross each other:

Time = Total Distance / Relative Speed = 300 / 30 = 10 seconds.

Question 10

An object of mass 20 kg is dropped freely from a height of 10 meters above the ground. Neglecting air resistance, what will be its kinetic energy immediately before touching the ground? (Take g = 9.8 m/s²)

• A980 J
• B1960 J
• C490 J
• D3920 J

Correct Option: (B)

1. According to the Law of Conservation of Mechanical Energy:

Initial Mechanical Energy at top = Final Kinetic Energy at ground level.

1. At height h = 10 m, Kinetic Energy is 0, and Potential Energy (PE) is maximum:

PE = m × g × h

1. PE = 20 kg × 9.8 m/s² × 10 m = 1960 Joules.
2. Just before hitting the ground, all potential energy is completely converted into kinetic energy.

Kinetic Energy = 1960 J.

Question 11

Pointing to a photograph of a man, Sunita said, "His mother is the only daughter-in-law of my father's mother." How is Sunita related to the man in the photograph?

• AMother
• BSister
• CAunt
• DCousin

Correct Option: (B)

1. Break down the relations from Sunita's perspective:

• •"My father's mother" = Sunita's Paternal Grandmother.
• •"The only daughter-in-law of Sunita's paternal grandmother" = Sunita's Mother (since there is only one daughter-in-law).

1. Now reconnect with the man:

• •"His mother" = Sunita's Mother.

1. If the man's mother is also Sunita's mother, Sunita is the man's Sister.

Question 12

If x + 1/x = 5, what is the numerical value of x³ + 1/x³?

• A110
• B125
• C140
• D115

Correct Option: (A)

1. Algebraic Identity:

(x + 1/x)³ = x³ + 1/x³ + 3 × x × (1/x) × (x + 1/x)

(x + 1/x)³ = x³ + 1/x³ + 3(x + 1/x)

1. Substitute x + 1/x = 5 into the formula:

5³ = x³ + 1/x³ + 3(5)

125 = x³ + 1/x³ + 15

1. Solve for x³ + 1/x³:

x³ + 1/x³ = 125 - 15 = 110.

Question 13

Which Article of the Constitution of India provides for the independent office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India?

• AArticle 148
• BArticle 280
• CArticle 324
• DArticle 110

Correct Option: (A)

• •Article 148 of the Indian Constitution provides for the appointment, oath, and conditions of service of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, who acts as the guardian of the public purse.
• •Article 280 deals with the Finance Commission.
• •Article 324 provides for the Election Commission of India.
• •Article 110 defines a Money Bill.

Question 14

Select the missing number that completes the given logical series:

6, 14, 30, 62, 126, ?

• A250
• B252
• C254
• D256

Correct Option: (C)

1. Analyze the pattern between consecutive terms:

• •6 × 2 + 2 = 14
• •14 × 2 + 2 = 30
• •30 × 2 + 2 = 62
• •62 × 2 + 2 = 126

1. Apply the rule (Multiply by 2, then add 2) to find the missing term:

• •126 × 2 + 2 = 252 + 2 = 254.

4. Quick Official Answer Key (At a Glance)

5. Category-Wise Expected Cut-Off Marks

The qualifying marks and normalized cut-offs for shortlisting candidates for RRB ALP CBT-2 depend on the total vacancy count per Zonal Railway, difficulty level of specific shifts, and candidate performance.

Note: Shortlisting for CBT-2 is conducted at 15 times the number of community-wise vacancies notified for each RRB.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• •Q: What is the negative marking policy in Railway RRB ALP 2024?

A: There is a strict negative marking penalty in RRB ALP CBT-1. 1/3rd (0.33) of the total marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect response. Unattempted questions incur no penalty.

• •Q: Where can I check the official response sheet and answer key?

A: Candidates can log in to their respective Zonal RRB official portals (e.g., rrbcdg.gov.in) using their Registration Number and Date of Birth once the official candidate response sheet and objection tracker link are activated.

• •Q: How will normalization be calculated across multiple shifts?

A: Railway Recruitment Boards use the Percentile-based Normalization method across multi-shift examinations to calculate normalized scores and raw mark conversions, ensuring fair evaluation regardless of slight variances in shift difficulty.