SAI Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026 – Welcome to Govt Selection, your trusted source for the latest government job updates. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has released a notification for 323 Assistant Coach vacancies across 26 sports disciplines. Selected candidates will be posted at SAI centres nationwide to train athletes for major international events like the Olympics and Asian Games.
The online application starts on 1 February 2026 and ends on 15 February 2026. Selected candidates will receive a salary under Pay Level-6 along with other benefits.
SAI Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
Before diving into the complex eligibility conditions and the application process, it is highly recommended to familiarize yourself with the basic highlights of this recruitment drive. Here is a quick snapshot for your immediate reference:
| Key Features | Important Details |
| Recruiting Organization | Sports Authority of India (SAI) |
| Governing Ministry | Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), Govt. of India |
| Name of the Post | Assistant Coach |
| Nature of Job | Regular / Permanent Basis |
| Total Number of Vacancies | 323 Posts |
| Pay Scale / Salary | Pay Level 6 (₹ 35,400 – ₹ 1,12,400/-) |
| Job Location | Anywhere in India (SAI Regional / Training Centres) |
| Mode of Application | Strictly Online |
| Official Website Portal | sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in |
Important Dates and Application Timeline
The SAI recruitment process operates on a very strict timeline. Candidates must keep a close eye on these dates, as the online portal will automatically close after the deadline, and no late submissions will be entertained.
| Important Events | Official Dates & Deadlines |
| Release Date of Official Notification | 15th January 2026 |
| Starting Date of Online Application | 1st February 2026 |
| Last Date for Submission of Online Form | 15th February 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 15th February 2026 |
| Computer Based Test (CBT) Date | To be notified later on the official SAI portal |
(Pro Tip: Due to potential heavy traffic on the SAI servers during the final days, candidates are strongly advised to fill out and submit their application forms well before the 15th February deadline to avoid last-minute server crashes).
Application Fee & Processing Charges Details
To successfully complete the online application process, candidates are required to pay a non-refundable application fee via the secure online payment gateway (NEFT / RTGS / Net Banking / UPI):
| Candidate Category | Online Application Fee Amount |
| General (Unreserved) / EWS / OBC Candidates | ₹ 2500/- (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred Only) |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen Candidates | ₹ 2000/- (Rupees Two Thousand Only) |
Vacancy Details (Sports Discipline-Wise Breakdown)
SAI has announced a massive total of 323 vacancies distributed across 26 different sports disciplines. A 33% horizontal reservation for women shall be strictly applicable. Here is the complete official breakdown:
| Sr. No. | Sports Discipline | Total Vacancies | Sr. No. | Sports Discipline | Total Vacancies |
| 1. | Swimming | 26 | 14. | Archery | 12 |
| 2. | Athletics | 28 | 15. | Table Tennis | 14 |
| 3. | Cycling | 12 | 16. | Badminton | 16 |
| 4. | Gymnastics | 12 | 17. | Tennis | 8 |
| 5. | Wrestling | 22 | 18. | Basketball | 12 |
| 6. | Canoeing | 7 | 19. | Volleyball | 10 |
| 7. | Judo | 6 | 20. | Field Hockey | 13 |
| 8. | Rowing | 11 | 21. | Football | 12 |
| 9. | Shooting | 28 | 22. | Handball | 6 |
| 10. | Boxing | 19 | 23. | Kabaddi | 6 |
| 11. | Fencing | 11 | 24. | Kho-Kho | 2 |
| 12. | Weightlifting | 10 | 25. | Sepak Takraw | 3 |
| 13. | Taekwondo | 11 | 26. | Wushu | 6 |
| – | Grand Total | 323 Posts | – | – | – |
Eligibility Criteria (Educational & Professional Qualification)
To ensure high standards of coaching, SAI has established strict professional criteria. The candidate must possess ANY ONE of the following qualifications:
| Eligibility Parameter | Detailed Educational & Sports Requirement |
| Option A (Coaching Diploma) | A Diploma or equivalent in coaching from SAI NS-NIS, Patiala, OR from any other recognized Indian / Foreign University. |
| Option B (International Player) | Direct participation in the Olympics / Paralympics / Asian Games / World Championship WITH a basic Certificate Course in Coaching. |
| Option C (Dronacharya Awardee) | The candidate must be an honored recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award in the relevant sports discipline. |
Age Limit & Relaxations
To ensure a dynamic and energetic coaching staff, the authority has set specific age boundaries. The age calculation for this recruitment drive is as follows:
| Criteria | Detailed Information |
| Maximum Age Limit | The candidate must not exceed 30 Years of age. |
| Age Calculation Date | The crucial date for calculating the age limit is the opening date of the online application submission (1st February 2026). |
| SC / ST Relaxation | Standard upper age limit relaxation of 5 years. |
| OBC (NCL) Relaxation | Standard upper age limit relaxation of 3 years. |
| SAI Contractual Employees | Cumulative age relaxation equivalent to the exact total duration of their continuous contractual service in SAI. |
| Departmental Candidates | Regular SAI employees will receive age relaxation of up to 5 years. |
Selection Process & Exam Pattern
The SAI Assistant Coach recruitment features a highly transparent, two-stage selection mechanism to choose the best coaching talent:
Stage 1: Written Examination (Computer Based Test – CBT)
- Total Marks: 100 Marks (100 Multiple Choice Questions)
- Exam Duration: 2 Hours (120 Minutes)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks (1/4th) will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
- Syllabus Breakdown:
- Sports-specific knowledge: 65 Marks
- Sports Science: 25 Marks
- General Awareness, Reasoning, and Aptitude: 10 Marks
Stage 2: Coaching Ability Test (CAT)
- Candidates who clear the CBT will be shortlisted (at a 1:3 ratio of the vacancies in each sport and category) for the practical Coaching Ability Test (CAT).
- The absolute final merit list will be prepared based on the aggregate performance in both the CBT and the CAT stages.
How to Apply Online for SAI Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026?
The application procedure is strictly online. Follow this simple, step-by-step guide to submit your application flawlessly:
Step 1: Open a secure web browser and visit the official website of the Sports Authority of India at sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in. Step 2: On the homepage, navigate to the “Latest Updates”, “Careers”, or “Job Opportunities” segment. Step 3: Look for the link titled “Apply Online for the Post of Assistant Coaches on Regular Basis 2026” and click on it. Step 4: Click on “New Registration”. Enter your basic personal details (Name, Email ID, Mobile Number) to generate a unique Registration Number and Password. Step 5: Log in using the generated credentials. Carefully fill out the digital application form with your personal details, academic qualifications, and sports achievements. Step 6: Upload your recent passport-size color photograph (max 80kb, JPG/JPEG format) and scanned signature (max 30kb) in the prescribed dimensions. Step 7: Use the ‘Preview’ button to thoroughly cross-check all the entered information. Once satisfied, proceed to pay the mandatory application fee via the secure payment gateway. Step 8: After a successful transaction, immediately download the final application receipt and take a printout for your future reference.
Important Links Section
| Important | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Notification PDF | Click Here |
| Official Link | Click Here |
| Join WhatsApp Channel | Click Here |
| View Results | Click Here |
| Join Telegram Channel | Click Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What exactly is the SAI Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026?
Ans: The Sports Authority of India (SAI), an apex autonomous organization operating under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (Government of India), has released an official recruitment notification to hire 323 qualified Assistant Coaches on a regular basis. These coaches will be strategically appointed across various SAI Regional Centres and National Centres of Excellence to train the nation’s top athletes.
Q2: What is the total number of vacancies available, and in which sports?
Ans: There is a total of 323 permanent vacancies available across 26 different sports disciplines. The highest number of vacancies are allocated to Athletics (28), Shooting (28), Swimming (26), and Wrestling (22). Additionally, a 33% horizontal reservation is strictly applicable for women candidates across all sporting disciplines.
Q3: What are the important dates for the online application process?
Ans: The online application window will officially open on 1st February 2026. The normal, penalty-free deadline to successfully submit the application form and pay the required processing fee is 15th February 2026.
Q4: What is the exact educational and professional qualification required for the Assistant Coach post?
Ans: To be eligible for this highly specialized role, a candidate must possess any ONE of the following qualifications:
- A Diploma or equivalent in coaching from SAI NS-NIS, Patiala, or any other recognized Indian/Foreign University.
- Direct participation in the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, or World Championship along with a basic Certificate Course in Coaching.
- The candidate must be an honored recipient of the prestigious Dronacharya Award.
Q5: What is the age limit prescribed for the SAI Assistant Coach vacancy?
Ans: The candidate must not exceed the maximum age limit of 30 Years as on the opening date of the online application submission (which is designated as 1st February 2026).
Q6: Is there any age relaxation available for reserved categories and existing SAI employees?
Ans: Yes, age relaxations are systematically provided strictly as per the Government of India norms. SC/ST candidates receive a 5-year relaxation, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates receive a 3-year relaxation. Existing contractual employees of SAI who have served continuously for a minimum of one year are entitled to a cumulative age relaxation equivalent to the total duration of their service in SAI.
Q7: What is the salary structure for the appointed Assistant Coaches?
Ans: Selected candidates will be appointed on a regular basis and will receive a highly lucrative salary falling under Pay Level-6 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC). The basic pay scale ranges from ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400 per month (under Pay Band-II: ₹9300-34800 + Grade Pay ₹4200), along with other central government perks and allowances.
Q8: What is the application fee for the SAI Assistant Coach recruitment?
Ans: Candidates belonging to the General (Unreserved), EWS, and OBC categories are required to pay an online application fee of ₹2500/-. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and Ex-Servicemen categories are required to pay a reduced fee of ₹2000/-. The fee is strictly non-refundable and must be paid through online modes like NEFT, RTGS, Net Banking, or UPI.
Q9: What is the exact selection process for the Assistant Coach post?
Ans: The selection process is highly transparent and consists of two primary stages. Stage 1 is a Computer Based Test (CBT) of 100 marks consisting of multiple-choice questions focusing on sports-specific knowledge (65 marks), sports science (25 marks), and general awareness/reasoning (10 marks). Candidates who successfully clear the CBT will be shortlisted (at a 1:3 ratio of the vacancies) for Stage 2, which is the practical Coaching Ability Test (CAT).
Q10: Is there any negative marking in the Computer Based Test (CBT)?
Ans: Yes, the Computer Based Test features a strict negative marking scheme to discourage arbitrary guesswork. For every incorrect answer marked by the candidate, 0.25 marks (one-fourth of the marks assigned to that specific question) will be deducted from their total score.
Q11: Can I apply for more than one sports discipline if I am qualified?
Ans: Candidates are generally advised to apply for the specific sports discipline in which they hold their major coaching diploma or international participation certificate. If a candidate wishes to apply for multiple disciplines, separate applications and application fees will be required, subject to the detailed specific guidelines provided within the final application portal.
Q12: Where will my primary job location be if I am successfully selected?
Ans: The appointed Assistant Coaches are liable to be posted anywhere in India. The initial place of posting will be at any of the various Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence, or Training Centres of the Sports Authority of India spread across the country. Transfers are governed solely by SAI’s administrative requirements, so candidates willing to work anywhere in India should only apply.