SAI Assistant Coach 2026: 323 Vacancies, Apply Online from 1st February

Your Application Timeline and Age Eligibility Decoded for SAI Assistant Coach 2026

Mark Your Calendar: The 15-Day Window

The Sports Authority of India has announced a crucial recruitment drive for Assistant Coaches. The online application portal will be active from 1 February 2026 to 15 February 2026. Candidates must complete their registration and submission within this 15-day period. The notification does not specify any edit or correction window after submission, emphasizing the need for accuracy during the initial application. All subsequent communications, including exam dates and admit cards, will be announced on the SAI website at a later stage.

Age Calculation and Unique Relaxations

The upper age limit for the SAI Assistant Coach post is 30 years as on the opening date of the application submission. Standard relaxations apply for SC/ST (5 years) and OBC Non-Creamy Layer (3 years) candidates. A significant and unique provision is the age relaxation for SAI contractual employees. Those with a minimum of one year of continuous service in SAI are entitled to deduct their entire period of contractual service from their actual age. This can be combined with other relaxations (e.g., SC + contractual service) cumulatively. Ex-servicemen can deduct their period of actual military service.

The Gateway to a Coaching Career with SAI

Understanding the Role of an Assistant Coach

The post of Assistant Coach is the entry-level position in Group 'B' within SAI's coaching cadre. Selected candidates will be responsible for training and developing sportspersons at various SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence, and Training Centres across India. This role serves as the foundational step in a coaching career within SAI, with a clear promotion pathway to Coach, Senior Coach, Chief Coach, and High Performance Coach as per the Recruitment Rules.

Multiple Pathways to Meet the Eligibility

The notification provides three distinct pathways to qualify. The primary route is holding a Diploma in coaching from SAI's NS-NIS, Patiala, or an equivalent recognized qualification. The document includes an annexure listing specific equivalent courses from universities like LNIPE Gwalior and National Sports University Imphal. Alternatively, elite athletes who have participated in Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, or World Championships and also possess a coaching certificate are eligible. The third and most prestigious route is for Dronacharya Awardees, who are directly eligible.

323 Coaching Opportunities Across 26 Sports

A Wide Array of Sporting Disciplines

SAI is recruiting for a total of 323 Assistant Coach positions across 26 different sports disciplines. The highest number of vacancies are in sports like Athletics (28), Shooting (28), and Swimming (26). Other major sports include Boxing (19), Badminton (16), and Field Hockey (13). The vacancies are distributed across categories (UR, OBC, SC, ST, EWS) as per government norms. Importantly, a 33% horizontal reservation for women candidates is applicable across all disciplines and categories, promoting gender diversity in coaching.

Attractive Pay and Perks of a Central Government Coach

Selected candidates will be appointed in Level 6 of the Pay Matrix (7th CPC) with a pay scale of Rs. 35,400 - 1,12,400. This includes a Grade Pay of Rs. 4200/-. In addition to the basic pay, they will be entitled to Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and Transport Allowance as per prevailing Central Government rules. Other benefits include leave, medical facilities, and a sports kit as per SAI rules. The position offers job security, a defined career progression path, and the opportunity to work with India's elite and upcoming athletes.

Fee Structure and the Mandatory Digital Dossier

A Substantive Investment in Your Application

The application fee for the SAI Assistant Coach post is significant, reflecting the seniority of the position. General, EWS, and OBC category candidates must pay ₹2500, while SC, ST, and Ex-servicemen candidates pay a reduced fee of ₹2000. The fee includes bank charges and service tax. Payment must be made exclusively through online modes like NEFT, RTGS, Net Banking, or UPI. A critical warning states that fees once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances, not even if the candidate is found ineligible later.

Preparing Your Digital Application Packet

Applicants must prepare scanned copies of several crucial documents. The age proof must strictly be the Matriculation or Secondary School Leaving Certificate; no other documents like affidavits or horoscopes are accepted. For reserved categories, the certificates must be in the latest prescribed government format (e.g., OBC non-creamy layer certificate). SAI contractual employees need a service certificate from the competent authority. Photograph and signature files must be in JPG/JPEG format with strict size limits (photo ≤80kb, signature ≤30kb) for successful upload.

A Two-Tiered Assessment of Knowledge and Coaching Prowess

The Written Test: Screening for Foundational Knowledge

The first hurdle is a Computer Based Test (CBT) comprising 100 Multiple Choice Questions to be solved in 2 hours. The syllabus is broad, covering sports-specific knowledge, sports sciences (Physiology, Medicine, Psychology, etc.), and general aptitude. Importantly, there is negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned per incorrect answer, making accuracy crucial. Only candidates who clear the CBT will be shortlisted in a ratio of 1:3 (three candidates per vacancy per sport and category) for the next stage.

The Decisive Stage: The Coaching Ability Test (CAT)

The Coaching Ability Test (CAT) carries a heavier 60% weightage in the final selection. This practical assessment is designed to evaluate a candidate's real-world coaching skills, application of knowledge, and ability to build effective coaching relationships. It will be judged on 40 detailed assessment parameters (detailed in Annexure). Candidates must also secure minimum qualifying marks in the CAT, if prescribed. Failure to appear for the CAT on the scheduled date will lead to disqualification, and no request for re-evaluation of CAT marks will be entertained.

Navigating the Online Gateway to Your Coaching Career

A Methodical Approach to Application Submission

Begin by gathering all necessary documents in their digital format, adhering to the specified size and type (JPG/JPEG). The most critical step is ensuring you have a valid and active personal email ID, as all future communications will be sent there. Between 1st and 15th February 2026, visit the SAI website, complete the registration, fill in all details accurately, and upload the documents. Proceed to pay the application fee online. Upon successful submission, download and save the system-generated registration slip containing your unique registration number and password for all future reference.

Staying Connected Through Official Channels

The sole authentic source for all information is the SAI website (sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in). All updates, corrigenda, exam dates, admit cards, and results will be published there and communicated via the registered email. Candidates are advised to check the website regularly. The exam is tentatively planned across 13 major cities, but SAI reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of centres. There is no mention of a dedicated helpline, so candidates must rely on the information published on the official portal.

• All-India Transfer Liability: Selected candidates are liable to be posted anywhere in India. The initial or subsequent posting does not confer any right against transfer. Only those willing to serve anywhere in India should apply.
• No Re-evaluation or Re-checking: There is no provision for re-evaluation/re-checking of answer sheets (CBT) or re-assessment of the Coaching Ability Test (CAT). The decision of the selection committee is final.
• Provisional Vacancies & SAI's Absolute Rights: The number of vacancies (323) is provisional and may change. SAI reserves the right to cancel, modify, or discontinue the recruitment process without assigning any reason. No appeal lies against such a decision.
• Strict Certificate Validity Rules: OBC candidates must produce a latest Non-Creamy Layer certificate. EWS certificates must be issued during the financial year of recruitment and not later than the application closing date.
• Consequences of False Information: Furnishing wrong/false information will lead to disqualification and cancellation of candidature at any stage, even after appointment. SAI will not be responsible for any consequences.
• NOC Mandatory for Employed Candidates: Candidates employed in Govt./PSU/Autonomous bodies must produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer during document verification. Failure will lead to disqualification.
• No Interim Correspondence: Mere fulfilment of minimum eligibility does not guarantee a call for the exam. No interim correspondence regarding eligibility, shortlisting, etc., will be entertained.
• Medical Fitness is Mandatory: Final appointment is subject to the candidate being found medically fit as per standards prescribed by SAI.

A Glimpse into the Comprehensive Evaluation Blueprint

The Extensive Three-Part Syllabus

The recruitment test syllabus is exceptionally comprehensive, divided into three parts. Part A is specific to each of the 26 sporting disciplines (like Archery, Athletics, etc.), covering everything from history and rules to advanced techniques, talent ID, and periodization. Part B covers the core of Sports Sciences - Physiology, Psychology, Nutrition, Biomechanics - which are essential for a modern coach. Part C assesses general cognitive abilities. Notably, each sport's syllabus includes a dedicated module on coaching Para-athletes, reflecting SAI's inclusive approach.

Leveraging the Official Annexures

Candidates must carefully review the official annexures. Annexure I is crucial for eligibility as it lists specific courses from institutions like LNIPE Gwalior or National Sports University Imphal that are considered equivalent to the NIS diploma. Annexure II contains the exact blueprint for both stages of selection - the detailed topics for the 100-mark CBT and the 40 assessment parameters for the decisive Coaching Ability Test (CAT). Understanding these annexures is key to targeted and effective preparation.

Analyzing India's Largest Centralized Coaching Recruitment Drive

A Comprehensive Breakdown of 323 Positions

This table presents the complete distribution of all 323 Assistant Coach vacancies across 26 distinct sporting disciplines offered by the Sports Authority of India. The recruitment represents one of the largest centralized coaching drives in recent years, covering Olympic sports, traditional games, and indigenous sports alike. Athletics and Shooting lead with the highest vacancies (28 each), followed by Swimming (26) and Wrestling (22), indicating SAI's focus on medal prospects and popular sports. The distribution shows a thoughtful allocation, with even niche sports like Sepak Takraw (3) and Kho-Kho (2) receiving dedicated coaching positions.

Understanding the Category-wise Allocation Strategy

The vacancies are meticulously distributed according to government reservation policies. The Unreserved (UR) category accounts for 187 positions (approximately 58% of total vacancies). The OBC category has 73 positions (22.6%), SC has 32 (9.9%), ST has 9 (2.8%), and the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) has 22 positions (6.8%). Additionally, 33% horizontal reservation for women applies across all these categories and disciplines. This structured distribution ensures equitable opportunity while maintaining the primary focus on merit and coaching competence required for each specific sport.