Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026: 67 Vacancies for Sportspersons, Apply Online

The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway, Chennai has released Employment Notice No. RRC-02/Sports/2026-27 for the recruitment of talented sportspersons against Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) for the year 2026-27. This recruitment drive aims to fill 67 vacancies across various sports disciplines and pay levels. Eligible Indian citizens who are active sportspersons with recognised achievements are invited to apply online. This is an excellent opportunity for athletes, cricketers, footballers, and other sportspersons to secure a prestigious government job in the Indian Railways while continuing their sporting career.

Important Dates

Online applications will be accepted from 26 September 2026. The last date for submission is 25 October 2026 up to 23:59 hours. The date of sports trials will be notified later on the official RRC portal. Admit cards will be available before the trials. Candidates are advised to complete their applications well before the deadline to avoid any technical issues.

Application Fee with Refund

General and OBC candidates must pay Rs. 500/-, while SC, ST, Women, ExSM, PwD, Minorities, and EBC candidates need to pay Rs. 250/-. The fee can be paid online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. A significant feature of this recruitment is the refund policy. Rs. 400/- is refunded to General/OBC candidates, and the full fee of Rs. 250/- is refunded to SC/ST/Women/Minority/EBC candidates after deducting bank charges, provided they attend the trials. This refund mechanism encourages genuine sportspersons to participate.

Age Limit

As on 01 January 2027, the minimum age is 18 years and the maximum age is 25 years. Candidates must be born between 02 January 2002 and 01 January 2009 (both dates inclusive). Importantly, no age relaxation is permissible for any category, including SC, ST, or OBC. Candidates must strictly adhere to the age criteria.

Vacancy and Educational Qualification Details

The 67 vacancies are distributed across three pay levels. For Level 4 and Level 5, there are 05 posts requiring a Graduation or Bachelor's Degree in any discipline. For Level 2 and Level 3, there are 16 posts requiring a pass in 12th (+2 stage) or equivalent examination, or Matriculation plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship / ITI approved by NCVT/SCVT for technical categories. For Level 1, there are 46 posts requiring a Class 10th Pass (Matriculation) or ITI from NCVT/SCVT or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.

Discipline-Wise and Level-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

The vacancies are spread across various sports disciplines. Athletics (Men) has 08 posts, Athletics (Women) has 07 posts, Basketball (Men) has 03 posts, Boxing (Men) has 05 posts, Boxing (Women) has 04 posts, Cricket (Men) has 06 posts, Cricket (Women) has 07 posts, Cue Sports (Men) has 01 post, Football (Men) has 08 posts, Hockey (Men) has 07 posts, Volleyball (Men) has 05 posts, Volleyball (Women) has 04 posts, Weightlifting (Men) has 02 posts, and Weightlifting (Women) has 02 posts. Candidates must select their discipline and level carefully during the application process.

Selection Process and Marks Distribution

The selection process consists of five stages: Sports Selection Trials, Assessment of Recognized Sports Achievements, Evaluation of Educational Qualifications, Document Verification, and Medical Examination. The total marks are 100. Sports Performance Trials carry 40 marks, assessing game skill, physical fitness, and coach's observation. A minimum of 25 marks is required to be declared FIT. Candidates securing less than 25 marks will be declared NOT FIT and will not be considered further. Assessment of Sports Achievements carries 50 marks, evaluating valid sports certificates achieved in recognized championships on or after 01 April 2024. Educational Qualifications carry 10 marks, evaluated based on academic credentials. The minimum qualifying aggregate marks are 70 for Level 5/4, 65 for Level 3/2, and 60 for Level 1. Recruited sportspersons must execute a 5-Year Service Bond and undergo probation for 2 years.

How to Apply

Visit the official website of Railway Recruitment Cell, Chennai at rrcmas.in. Click on the link for Recruitment of Sportspersons against Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) 2026-27. Register using an active email ID and valid mobile number to receive your login credentials. Select the specific Sports Discipline, Event, Position, and desired Pay Level carefully. Fill in personal, educational, and sports performance details achieved between 01 April 2024 and the notification date. Upload self-attested scanned copies of 10th certificate (DOB proof), academic certificates, sports merit certificates, community certificate, recent colour photograph (3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, 50-100 KB), and signature (10-40 KB). Pay the application fee online through the integrated payment gateway. Submit the application before 25 October 2026 and retain a printed copy of the submitted application and payment receipt for Document Verification on trial day.

Why This Recruitment Matters

This recruitment offers a unique dual opportunity for sportspersons to serve the nation through Indian Railways while pursuing their sporting passion. The fee refund policy makes it accessible to candidates from all backgrounds. The structured selection process ensures that merit and genuine sports achievements are rewarded. Candidates should focus on maintaining their fitness and preparing their sports certificates, as achievements on or after 01 April 2024 are considered. Being an active player is a prerequisite. Apply early and stay updated through the official portal for trial dates and other announcements.