
Government Job through Sports Quota: Know Eligibility, Selection Procedure Etc.
We always think Road to success or Road to Earn a Livelihood can only be achieved if we are good in education or excelled in academics. While growing, young ones are generally blamed for spending too much time on sports rather than focusing on studies.
Since most of the sports require physical endurance one can possess till age of 35-40 years, it becomes difficult to look beyond age of 40years for making a living out of something after retiring from sports.
But that’s not the case, Govt of India has given lot of hope and opportunity to aspiring sports person to pursue their aspirations in sports and simultaneously having a respectable job.

Many of us can acquired the talent in the field of sports and made a mark in the National and International events in South Asia Federation Games, Asian Games, Federation Cup, World Cup, District, State, Olympics and Commonwealth Games, USIC Championship and several other sports activities. In order to promote this enthusiasm among players and for sports, Indian Government has implemented sports quotas in education and government jobs.
Most of the government institutions, including Indian Railways, Indian Army, Police, Government Banks/Universities, PSUs recruit meritorious sports players time to time. These departments of Government of India are always looking forward to encourage the players and providing the job security to players and intensifies their desire to achieve glory through sports for the country.
Government of India appoints meritorious sportspersons to any post in Group ‘C’ or erstwhile Group ‘D’ through Direct Recruitment.
List of sports which qualify for appointment of meritorious sportspersons:

Eligibility Criteria for Sports Quota Jobs:
The minimum eligibility criteria for the recruitment through sports quota is 10th and Intermediate. All the departments have different selection criteria for sports quota jobs, which is compulsory for the players to meet them. Apart from this, there is also a provision for different merit criteria according to the different grade pay for the job in the sports quota. Appointments under these orders can be made of sportspersons considered meritorious with reference to the following criteria:
- Candidate who has represented a State or the country in the National or International competition
- Candidate who has represented their University in the Inter-University Tournaments conducted by the Inter-University Sports Boards
- Candidate who has represented the State School Teams in the National Sports/games for schools conducted by the All India School Games Federation
- Sportsman who has been awarded National Awards in Physical Efficiency under the National Physical Efficiency Drive
The candidates are selected on the basis of Written Test/Sports Trial/Medical Test followed by Interview.
CATEGORISATION OF INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
For recruitment and incentives purpose, international meets shall be categorized as under:-
Category-A | Olympic Games |
Category-B | World Cup World Championship Asian Games Commonwealth Games |
Category-C | Union Sportive Internationale des Cheminots (USIC) Championship Asian Games Commonwealth Games |
MINIMUM NORMS FOR RECRUITMENT OF SPORTS PERSONS
The minimum norms for recruitment of sportspersons against sports quota, both through Talent Scouting and Open Advertisement, shall be as under:
Minimum Norms for Recruitment in Group-C:
(i). Represented the country in the International Championship as mentioned in Category-A & B as above.
OR
(ii). Represented State or equivalent Unit, in Junior/Senior National Championship and obtained atleast 3rd Position.
OR
(iii). Represented a University, in All India Inter-University Championship, organised under the aegis of Association of Indian Universities and obtained at least 2nd Position.
OR
(iv). Represented State or equivalent Unit in the Federation Cup Championship and obtained 1st Position.
Minimum Norms for Recruitment in Group-D:
(i). Represented State or equivalent Unit, except in Marathon and Cross Country, in Junior/Senior National Championship.
OR
(ii). Represented a University in All India Inter-University Championship, organised under the aegis of Association of Indian Universities and obtained at least 3rd Position.
OR
(iii). Represented District or equivalent Unit, in Junior/Senior State Championship and obtained at least 3rd Position.
Recruitment Notification for Sports Quota Jobs:
The application for the recruitment of sportspersons is invited through advertisement in the employment newspaper or through circular on the official website. The application received by the appointing authority or a higher authority from a sportsman taken into consideration by the Ministries/Department or the Head of the Department for the further recruitment process.