The Sports Authority of India (SAI), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, has notified 323 Assistant Coach posts on a regular (permanent) basis across 26 sports disciplines. Candidates holding a Diploma in Coaching from NS-NIS Patiala or equivalent, or those with international sports representation at the requisite level, are eligible to apply online through the official SAI portal. The current application window closes on 21 April 2026 at 5:00 PM.
Key Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Sports Authority of India (SAI) |
| Post Name | Assistant Coach |
| Total Vacancies | 323 (provisional) |
| Sports Disciplines | 26 |
| Post Type | Regular (Group B, Level-6) |
| Pay Scale | ₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400 (Level-6, 7th CPC) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Start | 23 March 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply | 21 April 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| Age Limit (General/UR) | Maximum 30 years (as on application opening date) |
| Application Fee (UR/OBC/EWS) | ₹2,500 |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/Women/Ex-SM) | ₹2,000 |
| Official Website | sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in |
Vacancy Details
SAI has advertised 323 Assistant Coach posts spread across 26 sports disciplines including Athletics, Swimming, Boxing, Wrestling, Hockey, Football, Badminton, Archery, and others. The exact discipline-wise breakup is available in the official notification PDF. The total figure is provisional and may be revised by SAI at any stage.
Category-wise distribution as per the official notification: UR – not individually specified in summary sources; EWS – 22 seats confirmed in secondary sources. For the full category and discipline-wise table, candidates must refer to Annexure in the notification PDF. A 33% horizontal reservation for women applies across all categories.
Eligibility
Educational Qualification
Candidates must meet any one of the following essential qualifications:
- Diploma or equivalent in Coaching from SAI NS-NIS (Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports), Patiala, or from any other recognised Indian or Foreign University (refer to Annexure-I of the notification for the list of equivalent qualifications).
- Representation of India at the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Asian Games, or World Championship, along with a Certificate Course in Coaching from a recognised institution.
- Dronacharya Awardee (with a valid coaching certificate from SAI or a recognised sports federation).
Candidates must apply only for the sport discipline in which they hold the qualifying coaching credential or have represented India at the international level.
Age Limit
The upper age limit is 30 years as on the date of opening of the online application (23 March 2026). Age relaxation is available as follows:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- SAI Contractual Employees: Relaxation equivalent to the duration of continuous contractual service in SAI, subject to a minimum of one year of such service
- Ex-Servicemen and Departmental candidates: As per Government of India/DoPT norms
Cumulative relaxation is permitted where a candidate qualifies under more than one category (e.g., SC + SAI contractual employee). Age proof must be the Matriculation/Secondary Examination Certificate only.
Nationality
Applicants must be Indian citizens. Persons of Indian origin who have migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanent settlement in India are also eligible, as specified in the official notification.
Salary and Pay
Selected candidates will be placed in Level-6 of the Pay Matrix under the 7th Central Pay Commission, carrying a basic pay range of ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400. In addition, they are entitled to Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance, Medical Benefits, Leave, and Sports Kit, all as per applicable Central Government rules. No other pay or benefit is mentioned in the official notification beyond these.
The post of Assistant Coach carries a defined promotion pathway within SAI: Coach → Senior Coach → Chief Coach → High Performance Coach, subject to applicable SAI service rules.
Selection Process
Selection is in two stages, with the final merit determined by combining both scores:
Stage 1: Computer Based Test (CBT)
100 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 2 hours. Topics covered include sports-specific knowledge, sports sciences, general awareness, reasoning, and aptitude. Weightage: 40% of final score. Negative marking of ¼ mark applies for each wrong answer; unanswered questions carry no penalty. Shortlisting for Stage 2 will be in a 3:1 ratio (three candidates per vacancy per sport per category).
Stage 2: Coaching Ability Test (CAT)
A practical coaching assessment evaluated across 40 defined parameters. Weightage: 60% of final score. No re-evaluation or review of CAT results is permitted under any circumstances, as stated in the official notification.
Following both stages, a merit list is prepared based on the combined CBT (40%) + CAT (60%) score. Document verification and medical fitness examination follow the merit list. CBT exam centres include, among others, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Imphal. The exact CBT date has not yet been notified; candidates must monitor the official SAI website.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Original Notification Released | January 2026 |
| Original Application Window | 1 February – 15 February 2026 |
| Reopened Application Window Start | 23 March 2026 (10:00 AM) |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 21 April 2026 (5:00 PM) |
| CBT Date | Not yet notified (check sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in) |
| CAT Date | Not yet notified |
Note: The application window was originally open from 1–15 February 2026. SAI subsequently released an addendum extending and reopening the application period to 23 March – 21 April 2026. Candidates who applied in the original window should verify their application status on the official portal.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS / OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | ₹2,500 |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / Women | ₹2,000 |
Payment is accepted through online modes only (NEFT/RTGS/Net Banking/UPI). The fee is non-refundable under all circumstances.
How to Apply
- Visit the official SAI recruitment portal at sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in or go directly to saijobs.sportsauthorityofindia.gov.in.
- Locate the active link titled “Recruitment for the post of Assistant Coaches on Regular Basis – 2026” on the jobs page.
- Click “Apply Online” or “New Registration.” Complete initial registration with a valid email ID and mobile number. Note the Provisional Registration Number and password carefully.
- Log in and fill the detailed application form: personal details, sport discipline preference, educational qualifications, and category.
- Upload scanned copies of passport-size photograph (maximum 80 KB, JPG format) and signature (maximum 30 KB, JPG format).
- Upload supporting documents: age proof, ID proof, educational/coaching certificates, caste/category certificates as applicable.
- Pay the application fee online and save the payment receipt.
- Submit the form and download/print the Registration Slip for future reference.
No hard copies or supporting documents need to be sent to SAI at the application stage. Applications through any mode other than the online portal will not be accepted.
Documents Required
- Matriculation/Secondary Certificate (for date of birth proof)
- Diploma in Coaching certificate from NS-NIS Patiala or equivalent recognised institution (as per Annexure-I of the notification)
- Proof of international representation (if applying under that eligibility route): official participation certificate from the national federation or SAI/Government records
- Dronacharya Award certificate (if applicable)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS) from a competent authority — original and attested copy required at document verification stage
- Ex-Serviceman discharge certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of SAI contractual service (if claiming age relaxation on that basis)
- Valid photo ID proof
- Recent passport-size photograph and signature in the prescribed format
Offer and Notice Verification — Scam Warning
SAI communicates all recruitment updates exclusively through its official website sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in and the recruitment portal saijobs.sportsauthorityofindia.gov.in. No appointment letter, admit card, shortlist, or result will be issued through Telegram channels, WhatsApp groups, private websites, or unofficial email IDs.
Any communication claiming SAI selection or demanding payment for interview scheduling, posting preference, or document processing — outside the officially stated fee paid through the official portal — is fraudulent. SAI does not appoint agents or intermediaries for any stage of this recruitment. Verify all notifications by checking the URL: it must be on the sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in or sportsauthorityofindia.gov.in domains only. If in doubt, contact SAI directly at their Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex office, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003.
Official Links
- SAI Official Jobs Page – sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/saijobs
- Official Notification PDF – Assistant Coach 2026 (SAI domain)
- Apply Online Portal – saijobs.sportsauthorityofindia.gov.in
- SAI Official Website – sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in
Note: The addendum extending the application window is available on the SAI jobs page under the Assistant Coach recruitment listing. Check the same page for the Addendum Extension PDF link.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. The application window was open earlier in February 2026. Is it still open?
Yes. SAI released an addendum extending and reopening the application window. The current active period is 23 March 2026 to 21 April 2026 (5:00 PM). This is confirmed by the official SAI jobs page listing, which shows the addendum extension PDF alongside the original notification.
2. Can I apply for multiple sports disciplines?
The official notification does not explicitly confirm multiple-discipline applications. Candidates should refer to the specific instructions in the notification PDF and the online application form. As a general rule, applications must correspond to the sport discipline for which the candidate holds the qualifying credential.
3. What is the negative marking scheme in the CBT?
One-fourth (¼) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. Questions left unanswered do not attract any penalty, as stated in the official notification.
4. If I am a SAI contractual employee, how much age relaxation do I get?
SAI contractual employees are entitled to age relaxation equal to the duration of their continuous contractual service in SAI, provided they have completed a minimum of one year. Cumulative relaxation applies where the candidate also belongs to a reserved category.
5. Where will selected Assistant Coaches be posted?
Selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India — at SAI Training Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), Regional Centres, or affiliated academic institutions. The official notification states that neither the initial nor any subsequent posting location vests any right against transfer, and SAI has final authority on postings.
6. When will the CBT exam date be announced?
As of 28 March 2026 (IST), the CBT date has not been notified by SAI. Candidates should check sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in regularly for updates on exam schedules, admit cards, and further instructions.
