RRB ALP Turner Trade Syllabus

The RRB ALP CBT 2 Part B -- Turner trade syllabus covers the core technical knowledge tested in the 75-question, 60-minute trade-specific section of the RRB ALP 2027 examination. Part B is qualifying in nature only: candidates must score a minimum of 35% (26.25 marks out of 75) to clear Part B. The marks scored in Part B are NOT added to the final merit list. Merit is determined entirely by CBT 2 Part A scores. The syllabus for Part B is based on the NCVT (National Council for Vocational Training) ITI curriculum for the Turner trade at the ITI certificate level.

Quick Facts: ALP Turner Trade

Important Note on Part B

CBT 2 Part B is qualifying only. A candidate who scores below 35% in Part B is eliminated regardless of their Part A score. However, a candidate who clears the 35% threshold in Part B is ranked exclusively on their CBT 2 Part A score. This makes Part B preparation essential for elimination prevention, while Part A preparation determines the final rank. Candidates should ensure they are thoroughly familiar with the Turner trade theory and practical knowledge at the ITI level before the examination.

Detailed Turner Trade Syllabus (Part B)

The Turner trade syllabus for RRB ALP CBT 2 Part B is drawn from the NCVT ITI curriculum and tests trade theory, applied knowledge, and practical understanding across the following topic areas:

1. Engineering Drawing and Measurement

•        Drawing: orthographic projection; sectional views; dimensioning; tolerances; surface finish symbols; limits and fits; assembly drawing reading

•        Precision Measurement: vernier caliper; outside, inside, and depth micrometer; vernier height gauge; dial test indicator; bore gauge; telescoping gauge; slip gauges

•        Gauges: plug, ring, snap gauges; taper gauges; thread gauges; feeler gauges; surface roughness measurement (Ra, Rz)

•        Angular Measurement: bevel protractor; sine bar; angle gauge blocks; profile projector

2. Lathe Machine Construction and Operation

•        Lathe Construction: headstock; bed; carriage (saddle, cross-slide, compound rest); tailstock; lead screw; feed rod; quick change gearbox; spindle bearings

•        Lathe Specifications: swing; distance between centres; bed length; spindle bore; spindle speed range; lead screw pitch

•        Work Holding: three-jaw self-centring chuck; four-jaw independent chuck; collets; face plate; driving plate; lathe centres (live and dead); steady rest and follower rest; mandrels

•        Tool Holding: tool post (single, four-way turret); boring bar; tool overhang; shims

3. Lathe Operations and Cutting Theory

•        Turning Operations: plain turning; taper turning (compound rest, tailstock offset, taper turning attachment, form tool); step turning; grooving; parting; knurling; chamfering; facing

•        Boring Operations: boring with boring bar; internal turning; reaming on lathe

•        Drilling and Tapping on Lathe: centre drilling; drilling; reaming; counter-boring; countersinking; internal thread cutting with tap

•        Thread Cutting on Lathe: setting up for thread cutting; gear ratio calculation; selecting lead screw gears for different pitches; cutting metric, BSW, UNC, UNF threads; multi-start threads

•        Cutting Theory: types of chips (continuous, discontinuous, built-up edge); Merchant's circle; cutting forces; tool geometry angles (rake, clearance, cutting edge, nose radius)

•        Cutting Speed, Feed and Depth of Cut: cutting speed formula (N = 1000V/piD); feed per revolution; depth of cut; MRR; selection based on material and tool

•        Tool Life: Taylor's tool life equation; crater wear; flank wear; tool life criteria; effect of cutting parameters on tool life

•        Cutting Fluids: purpose; types (neat cutting oil, soluble oil, synthetic, semi-synthetic, dry machining); selection; application methods

4. Cutting Tools for Turning

•        HSS Tools: composition; heat treatment; angles (rake, relief, cutting edge); grinding of HSS tools on bench grinder

•        Carbide Tools: tungsten carbide; coating types (TiN, TiC, Al2O3, CVD, PVD); insert shapes (CNMG, TNMG, DNMG) -- ISO designation; tool holders (ISO system)

•        Ceramic, CBN, and Diamond Tools: properties; applications; cutting conditions

•        Form Tools: straight and circular form tools; profile grinding; verification

•        Tool Reconditioning: tool grinding; wheel selection for HSS grinding; carbide insert replacement

5. Taper Turning

•        Taper Definition: taper per unit length; taper per foot; included angle; standard tapers (Morse, Metric, Jacobs, Brown and Sharpe)

•        Methods of Taper Turning: swivelling compound rest (short steep tapers); tailstock offset (long gradual tapers); taper turning attachment (any length); form tool (short tapers); four-jaw chuck offsetting

•        Calculations: tailstock offset = (D-d)L/2l; compound rest angle; checking taper with ring/plug gauge or sine bar

6. Grinding Operations

•        Bench Grinder: wheel marking (abrasive, grit, grade, structure, bond); dressing and truing; tool grinding angles; safety

•        Cylindrical Grinding: external; internal; centreless; grinding wheel selection; wheel balancing; grinding parameters; grinding defects (burning, chatter, glazing)

•        Surface Grinding: reciprocating table; rotary table; plunge and traverse grinding

•        Thread Grinding: principle; application for precision threads

•        Lapping and Honing: principle; abrasives; applications in precision finishing; superfinishing

7. Advanced Turning Operations

•        Eccentric Turning: setting up; four-jaw chuck; special fixtures; verification

•        Crankshaft Turning: setting up between centres; turning journals; verification

•        Special Profiles: turning convex and concave radii; ball turning attachment; tracing attachment

•        Jigs and Fixtures for Turning: purpose; locating and clamping devices; 3-2-1 principle; types of fixtures for turning

8. Quality Control and Inspection

•        Dimensional Inspection: all precision measuring instruments as listed above; GO/NOGO gauging

•        Surface Finish: Ra values; measurement with profilometer; surface roughness symbols; achieving specified Ra by selecting feed, tool nose radius, and cutting speed

•        Geometrical Tolerances: straightness; roundness; cylindricity; parallelism; perpendicularity; concentricity; runout; measurement methods

•        Material Science for Turner: tool materials; workpiece materials (mild steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, cast iron, plastics); machinability index

•        Safety: lathe safety rules; guards; chuck key removal; PPE; fire safety in machining

Weightage Analysis and Preparation Strategy

The 75 Part B questions are drawn proportionally from across all major topic areas of the Turner trade curriculum. Questions test both theoretical knowledge (principles, formulae, definitions, standards, safety rules) and applied understanding (fault diagnosis, calculations, material selection, tool usage, quality checks). The following approach maximises Part B preparation efficiency:

•        Revise systematically from NCVT ITI Turner trade theory textbooks for Semester 1 and Semester 2

•        Focus on definitions, formulae, standards (BIS/IS codes), safety regulations, and technical specifications -- these are directly testable as MCQs

•        Practise numerical calculations relevant to the trade (e.g., circuit calculations for Electrician, speed/feed calculations for Fitter/Turner/Machinist)

•        Study common faults, their causes, symptoms, and remedies for all major equipment in the trade

•        Revise tools, instruments, and equipment used in the trade: their names, specifications, uses, and maintenance

•        Solve previous years' RRB ALP Part B question banks for your specific trade

•        Allocate 60 minutes of daily trade-specific study alongside Part A preparation throughout the preparation period

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is CBT 2 Part B merit-based or qualifying?

CBT 2 Part B is qualifying only. A minimum score of 35% is required to pass Part B. The marks scored in Part B are not added to the merit list. Only Part A marks determine the final ranking.

Q2. What happens if a candidate fails Part B?

Candidates who score below 35% in Part B are disqualified regardless of their Part A performance. They will not be considered for Document Verification or further selection stages.

Q3. How should I divide study time between Part A and Part B?

Since Part A determines the final merit and Part B is qualifying, prioritise Part A in your preparation. However, allocate at least 30 to 40% of study time to Part B to ensure you comfortably clear the 35% qualifying threshold. Aiming for 50 to 55 marks (about 70%) in Part B provides a safe buffer.

Q4. Is the Part B syllabus the same as the ITI exam syllabus?

Yes. The RRB ALP Part B syllabus is directly based on the NCVT ITI curriculum for the relevant trade. Candidates who have completed their ITI in the relevant trade and revised their course material systematically are well positioned for Part B.