Sports Authority of India has released an official notification for the recruitment of 323 Assistant Coach Posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply Online through the official Sports Authority of India website. The last date to submit the application form is 15-02-2026. In this article, you’ll find the Sports Authority of India Assistant Coach Posts recruitment details, including eligibility criteria, age limit, salary structure, selection process, application steps, and direct links to the official notification and Online application form.
SAI Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026 Overview
SAI Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026 Vacancy Details
Category-wise breakup:
Eligibility Criteria
- Qualifications: Diploma or equivalent in coaching from SAI NS-NIS, Patiala or from any other recognized Indian / Foreign University OR Participation in Olympics/Paralympics/Asian Games/World Championship with Certificate Course in Coaching OR Dronacharya Awardee
Salary/Stipend
- Level 6 -Rs.35400-112400/- Pay Band-II (Rs. 9300-34800/--Grade Pay Rs.4200/-)
Age Limit (as on 01-02-2026)
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Age Relaxations: Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST): 5 years. Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years. Ex-Servicemen and Departmental Candidates: As per prevailing Government of India norms. Contractual Employees of SAI: equivalent to the duration of service in SAI. Cumulative Relaxation with Cap.
Application Fee
Important Dates
Selection Process
- The recruitment methodology is structured into a two-stage process: a Computer based online written test, called Computer Based Test (CBT) and a Coaching Ability Test (CAT).
- The final composite weightage in the recruitment methodology shall be 60% for the Coaching Ability Test and 40% for the Computer based online written test.
- The candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria shall be called for an online written examination called the Computer Based Test (CBT).
- The candidates appearing in the written examination i.e CBT shall be shortlisted for the Coaching Ability Test (CAT) in the ratio of 1:3 i.e. the number of candidates to be shortlisted for the coaching ability test will be 3 times the number of vacancies in each sport and in each category.
- The selection will be made on the basis of merit list prepared by the Selection Committee based on the written Computer Based Test (CBT) and Coaching Ability Test (CAT).
- Written Examination (CBT): The Computer Based Test (CBT) is designed to assess the candidate’s sports-specific knowledge, understanding of sports sciences and familiarity with general awareness, reasoning and aptitude, which are essential competencies for the post of Assistant Coach.
- The written test (CBT) shall be for two (02) hours with a total of 100 multiple choice questions (MCQs). There shall be negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for each incorrect answer.
- The written test shall include the following broad topics: Sports-specific knowledge 65 marks, Sports Science 25 marks, General Awareness, Reasoning, Aptitude 10 marks.
- Coaching Ability Test: The Coaching Ability Test shall have 60 % weightage in the final merit list. The Coaching Ability Test is designed to measure a candidate’s capacity to apply foundational coaching knowledge in a way that builds a positive, effective, and transformative coaching relationship.
- The candidates appearing in the Computer Based Test (CBT) will be shortlisted for the coaching ability test in the ratio of 1:3 i.e. the number of candidates to be shortlisted for the coaching ability test should be 3 times the number of vacancies in each sport and in each category.
- The Coaching Ability Test shall have 40 assessment parameters.
- Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks/standards, if any, as prescribed by SAI in the Coaching Ability Test. Failure to do so shall result in disqualification, irrespective of performance in the CBT.
General Information/Instructions
- Only Indian Nationals can apply for the above posts.
- The online test will be held at the Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Gandhinagar, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati and Imphal. The number of centres can be reduced or increased, depending upon the number of candidates.
- Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC will have to produce the original caste certificate from the competent authority, along with attested copy of the same, at the time of physical verification of documents failing which his candidature shall be cancelled and he will not be admitted for further selection process.
- OBC Candidates availing reservation will have to produce latest OBC CERTIFICATE with “NON-CREAMY LAYER STATUS” in the prescribed format by the Government of India for Government services at the time of physical verification of the documents.
- A candidate will be eligible to get the benefit of community reservation only in case the particular caste to which the candidate belongs is included in the list of reserved communities issued by the Central Government.
- A candidate will be eligible to get the benefit of the Economically Weaker Section reservation only in case the candidate meets the criteria issued by the Central Government and is in possession of the certificate issued anytime during this Financial Year of recruitment shall be treated as valid, but not later than the closing date of the Online Application Form for this recruitment.
- Candidates seeking reservation/relaxation benefits available for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/Ex-servicemen must ensure that they are entitled to such reservation/relaxation as per eligibility. They should also be in possession of all the requisite certificates in the prescribed format in support of their claim for such benefits by the closing date of the online application.
- Only those candidates who are fulfilling the eligibility criteria will be allowed to appear in the online test. The candidates shall appear for the Computer Based Test (CBT)/Coaching Ability Test for the above posts at their own expenses.
- The qualification must be obtained from Govt. Recognized institutions/Universities.
- Canvassing in any manner and bringing outside influence shall make the candidature liable for rejection.
- The authority reserves the right to restrict the number of candidates to be called for test and change of exam centre on the basis of any other norms decided by the Authority at a later date.
- The decision of the selection committee is not liable for challenge and same shall stand final and binding on each candidate.
- Before applying for the post, the candidate should ensure that he fulfills the eligibility and other norms mentioned in the Advertisement. Furnishing of wrong/false information shall result in disqualification and SAI will not be responsible for any consequence of furnishing of such wrong/false information.
- The eligibility of new applicants with respect to age, experience etc. will be determined as on the date of advertisement. For Educational qualification, candidates whose result for final year examination is awaited are also allowed to appear in the written examination subject to the condition that they will have to produce the final results before appearing in the further selection process.
- Candidates employed in Govt. Departments/PSUs/Autonomous bodies must produce No Objection Certificate (NOC) at the time of verification of documents from their employer. In case, the candidate fails to produce the NOC, his candidature will not be considered.
- Mere fulfilling of the minimum qualifications and experience will not vest any right on candidates for being called for online exam. No interim correspondence will be entertained.
- Selected candidates are liable to be posted anywhere in India.
- Candidature is liable to be cancelled at any stage of recruitment process or after recruitment or joining if any information provided by the candidates is found false or is not found in conformity with eligibility criteria mentioned in the advertisement.
- Decision of SAI in all matters regarding eligibility of the candidate, the stages at which such scrutiny of eligibility is to be undertaken, the documents is to be produced for the purpose of the conduct of selection and any other matter relating to recruitment will be final and binding on the candidate. SAI reserves the right to fix the standard and specifications for screening and calling the number of candidates for online exam and/or CAT, etc.
- SAI reserves the right to modify, alter, restrict, enlarge, cancel, or discontinue the recruitment process, without assigning any reason or issuing further notice. No appeal shall lie against such decision.
- Appointment shall be subject to the candidate being found medically fit as per the standards prescribed by SAI.
- Inclusion of a candidate’s name in the merit list does not confer any right to appointment unless a formal offer of appointment is issued by SAI.
- Candidates from Government organisations applying for the post are required to intimate their parent department/office immediately upon submission of the online application, in accordance with the consolidated instructions issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT).
- Further notifications/corrigendum in this regard, if any, shall be published on SAI website only. You are advised to visit the SAI website regularly for further updates.
- All communications, including call letters, examination intimation and selection-related information, shall be made through the registered e-mail ID and/or SAI website only. SAI shall not be responsible for non-receipt of information due to incorrect or inactive e-mail ID.
- In case of any ambiguity or dispute regarding interpretation of any provision of this notification, the decision of SAI shall be final and binding.
- Any dispute arising out of or relating to this recruitment shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of courts at Delhi.
- In case of any dispute, English version of the Employment notice shall prevail and be treated as final.
How to Apply
- Eligible applicants/candidate are required to apply through ‘online application Format’ to be available on SAI’s website on www.sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in. No application through other mode will be accepted. Candidates are not required to send any hard copy or supporting documents to SAI at the application stage.
- Before registering/submitting applications on the website the candidates should possess the following: a) Valid E-mail ID: The e-mail ID entered in the online application form should remain active until the recruitment process is completed. No request for change in the e-mail ID shall be entertained once it has been registered. b) While applying online candidate should keep the scanned copy of their passport size color photograph and their signature in digital format for uploading with the online application. The files must be in jpg or jpeg file/format only, with photograph not exceeding 80kb and signature not exceeding 30kb .
- The candidate can access the online application form at our website. The registration would be open from 1st February, 2026 to 15th February, 2026.
- After applying online, candidate is required to download the registration slip generated by the System with unique registration number and password, which may be retained for future reference.
- Following documents are compulsory to be uploaded with the application:- (a) Certificate for the proof of age (b) Any valid ID proof issued by the Government of India (c) Certificates to support the essential qualification (d) Certificates of SC/ST/OBC/Ex-serviceman/EWS/meritorious sports person, etc. issued by Competent Authority for availing relaxation. (e) Certificates showing the period of contract with SAI issued by the Competent Authority.
Sports Authority of India Assistant Coach Important Links
