New Delhi, January 17: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has invited applications from eligible Indian citizens for recruitment to 323 Assistant Coach positions across 26 sporting disciplines. SAI functions as an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) and is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
This large-scale recruitment drive aims to strengthen India's grassroots and elite sports ecosystem by inducting qualified and experienced coaches at SAI's Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and Training Centres located across the country.
Pay Scale and Posting
Selected candidates will be appointed at Level 6 of the Pay Matrix, drawing a salary of Rs. 35,400-1,12,400, along with applicable allowances
as per Government of India norms. The positions are transferable in nature, and candidates must be willing to serve anywhere in India, with all-India seniority maintained.
Discipline-Wise Vacancy Break-up
| Discipline | No. of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Athletics | 28 |
| Archery | 12 |
| Badminton | 16 |
| Basketball | 12 |
| Boxing | 19 |
| Canoeing | 7 |
| Cycling | 12 |
| Fencing | 11 |
| Field Hockey | 13 |
| Football | 12 |
| Gymnastics | 12 |
| Handball | 6 |
| Judo | 6 |
| Kabaddi | 6 |
| Kho Kho | 2 |
| Rowing | 11 |
| Sepak Takraw | 3 |
| Shooting | 28 |
| Swimming | 26 |
| Table Tennis | 14 |
| Taekwondo | 11 |
| Tennis | 8 |
| Volleyball | 10 |
| Weightlifting | 10 |
| Wrestling | 22 |
| Wushu | 6 |
| Total | 323 |
Reservation and Eligibility Criteria
The recruitment will follow Government of India reservation norms, including 33% horizontal reservation for women in each discipline.
The upper age limit for applicants is 30 years.
Essential qualifications include:
- Diploma or equivalent in coaching from SAI NSNIS, Patiala, or any other recognised Indian/foreign university, or
- Participation in Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games or World Championships along with a certificate course in coaching, or
- Dronacharya Awardees in the relevant discipline.
Selection Process
- Candidates will be selected through a two-stage recruitment process:
- Computer-Based Online Written Test
- Coaching Ability Test (CAT)
Career Progression
The Assistant Coach post is an entry-level Group 'B' position in the SAI coaching cadre. Selected candidates are eligible for promotion to Group 'A' posts, progressing through the ranks of Coach, Senior Coach, Chief Coach, and eventually High Performance Coach, subject to Recruitment Rules and performance.
How to Apply for SAI Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official website: https://sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/sai_new/
- Navigate to the Recruitment / Vacancies section.
- Open the notification for Assistant Coach Recruitment.
- Register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in the online application form with personal, educational and sports-related details.
- Upload required documents, certificates and photographs as specified.
- Submit the application before the deadline and retain a copy for future reference.
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