South Eastern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026

Introduction

South Eastern Railway has announced a recruitment drive for Sports Persons against Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) for the year 2026-27. This notification offers opportunities for talented sportspersons to join the railway organisation in Group 'C' and Group 'D' categories. A total of 54 vacancies are available across various levels, including Level-4/5, Level-2/3, and Level-1. The application process is entirely online, commencing on October 31, 2026, and concluding on November 30, 2026. Candidates are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria, particularly the age limits and educational qualifications, which vary depending on the post level. The selection will be based on performance in sports trials and verification of certificates. Detailed information regarding the application procedure, fees, and selection process is provided in the official notification. All eligible and interested sportspersons should ensure they submit their applications well before the closing date to avoid any last-minute technical issues. The official notification and application link are available on the South Eastern Railway website. Please refer to the official notification for the most accurate and complete details.

Recruitment Overview

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

South Eastern Railway is recruiting for 54 vacancies under the Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) for the year 2026-27. The vacancies are distributed across different pay levels as follows:

• Group 'C' Level-4/Level-5: 05 Posts
• Group 'C' Level-2/Level-3: 16 Posts
• Group 'D' Level-1: 33 Posts

It is important to note that no posts are reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS communities. Candidates will be selected based on overall merit in their respective sports disciplines, irrespective of their community. However, candidates are required to upload community certificates if they belong to any community.

Specific sports disciplines and playing positions for which vacancies are available include Athletics, Chess, Hockey, Table Tennis, Archery, Body Building, Bridge, Cycling, Gymnastics, Rifle Shooting, Ball Badminton, Cricket, Football, Golf, Kabaddi, Kho Kho, Volleyball, Water Polo, and Weight Lifting.

Educational Qualifications and Eligibility

To be eligible for the South Eastern Railway Sports Quota recruitment, candidates must meet the following educational and sports norms:

• For Group 'C' Level-4/Level-5 Posts: A University Degree or its equivalent from a recognised University.
• For Group 'C' Level-2/Level-3 Posts: Not specified in the supplied notification.
• For Group 'D' Level-1 Posts: 10th pass or ITI or equivalent examination or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.

No relaxation in minimum educational qualification will be permitted.

Candidates must have achieved specific sports performances as detailed in the official notification. These achievements must have been earned on or after 01.04.2024. The norms vary based on the level of the post, ranging from representing the country in major international events to achieving top positions in National Championships, All India Inter University Championships, or Federation Cup Championships.

Specific norms are provided for various sports disciplines like Athletics, Chess, Table Tennis, Hockey, and Cricket, which candidates must refer to in the official notification.

Age Limit and Relaxation

The age limit for candidates applying for this recruitment is as follows:

• Minimum Age: 18 years
• Maximum Age: 25 years

The crucial date for calculating the age is 01.01.2027. Candidates should have been born not earlier than 02.01.2002 and not later than 01.01.2009.

Important Note: No age relaxation (upper or lower) is permissible for any category of candidates.

Application Fee

The examination fee for the South Eastern Railway Sports Quota recruitment is as follows:

• For candidates belonging to UR/OBC: Rs. 500/- (Rupees Five hundred only)
• For candidates belonging to SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Minority Communities: Rs. 250/- (Rupees Two hundred fifty only)

The examination fee must be paid online through Internet Banking or Debit or Credit Cards. Candidates should note that service charges for payment of fees will be borne by the candidates themselves. Fees paid in any other mode, such as Cash, Cheque, Money Order, or Demand Draft, will not be accepted and will lead to the rejection of the application.

Candidates who are eligible for a refund of the examination fee (Rs. 400/- for UR/OBC and Rs. 200/- for SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Minority) should confirm their bank details for the refund. The refundable portion will be refunded after deducting applicable bank charges.

Salary and Pay Scale

The recruitment is for Group 'C' and Group 'D' posts in South Eastern Railway, with salaries determined by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) Pay Matrix. The pay scales are as follows:

• Group 'C' Level-4/Level-5: Posts in Level-4/5 with Grade Pay (GP) of Rs. 2400/- or Rs. 2800/-.
• Group 'C' Level-2/Level-3: Posts in Level-2/3 with Grade Pay (GP) of Rs. 1900/- or Rs. 2000/-.
• Group 'D' Level-1: Posts in Level-1 with Grade Pay (GP) of Rs. 1800/-.

The exact salary will be as per the rules and regulations of the South Eastern Railway and the Government of India.

Selection Process

The selection of candidates for the South Eastern Railway Sports Quota recruitment will be based on a merit list prepared after a rigorous selection process. The process involves:

1. Sports Trials: Candidates will be assessed on their games skill, physical fitness, and performance observed by coaches during the trials.
2. Certificate Verification: Verification of sports achievements as per norms and educational qualifications will be conducted.

The total marks for the selection process are 100, distributed as follows:

• Recognized sports achievement as per norms: 50 Marks
• Games skill, physical fitness, and coach's observation during Trial: 40 Marks (Minimum qualifying marks: 25)
• Educational Qualification: 10 Marks

Minimum qualifying marks out of 100 for each pay band are specified in the notification. In case of a tie in marks, preference will be given to the younger candidate.

Application Procedure

Interested and eligible sportspersons can apply online through the official South Eastern Railway recruitment portal. The application process is as follows:

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the official South Eastern Railway recruitment website or the direct application link provided.
2. Read the Notification: Carefully read the detailed recruitment notification to understand all eligibility criteria, post details, and instructions.
3. Online Registration: Click on the "Apply Online" link and complete the registration process by providing basic details.
4. Fill the Application Form: Fill in the online application form with accurate personal, educational, and sports-related information.
5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of all required documents, including photographs, signatures, educational certificates, and sports achievement certificates, in the specified format and size.
6. Pay Application Fee: Pay the application fee online using Internet Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
7. Submit Application: Review the filled application form and submit it before the closing date and time.
8. Print Application: Take a printout of the submitted application form and fee payment receipt for future reference.

Candidates are strongly advised to apply well in advance of the closing date to avoid any last-minute rush or technical issues.

Required Documents

Candidates are required to upload the following documents during the online application process. Ensure all documents are clear, self-attested, and in the specified format:

• Copy of Matriculation or its equivalent certificate from a recognized Board, OR the Birth Certificate for proof of Date of Birth.
• Sports achievements certificates for championships concluded on or after 01.04.2024 from recognized Sports Association of Indian University.
• Educational Qualification certificates.
• Community certificates (if applicable).
• OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate in the Central Govt. format (if applicable), issued not before than 01 year by the competent authority.
• A declaration for waiver of Examination fees (for Minority Candidates claiming waiver).
• Passport-sized photograph and signature in the prescribed format.
• Original documents of Date of Birth, Educational Qualification, Sports Achievements, and Identification proof must be brought on the day of the Trial.

Important Instructions and Common Mistakes

Candidates should adhere to the following instructions to ensure a smooth application process:

• Ensure that all details provided in the online application form are correct and match with your original documents. Any discrepancy may lead to disqualification.
• Upload scanned copies of documents in the prescribed format and size. Incorrectly uploaded documents can lead to rejection.
• Pay the application fee through the prescribed online methods only. Offline payments will not be accepted.
• Candidates are advised to apply well before the closing date to avoid the possibility of inability to log on to the website due to heavy traffic.
• Do not wait until the last day to submit your application.
• Keep a printout of the submitted application form and fee payment receipt for your records.
• Candidates must bring original documents for verification on the day of the trial. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.
• No TA/DA or accommodation will be provided for appearing in the selection trial.

Official Notification and Application Links

FAQs

Q1: What is the last date to apply for the South Eastern Railway Sports Quota recruitment?
A1: The last date to apply online is November 30, 2026, up to 23:59 Hrs.

Q2: Is there any age relaxation for candidates?
A2: No, there is no age relaxation (upper or lower) permissible for any category of candidates.

Q3: What is the application fee for UR/OBC candidates?
A3: The application fee for UR/OBC candidates is Rs. 500/-.

Q4: What is the selection process for these posts?
A4: The selection process includes sports trials and certificate verification, with marks awarded for sports achievements, games skill/fitness, and educational qualification.

Q5: Are there any reserved vacancies for SC/ST/OBC/EWS?
A5: No, no posts are reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS communities. Selection is based on merit in the sports discipline.