Sports Authority of India (SAI) has announced the Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026 through its official notification, inviting applications for 323 posts. Eligible candidates can apply online via the SAI recruitment portal from 01 February to 15 February 2026. Candidates selected through this recruitment drive will be appointed at SAI training centres, academic institutions, and regional centres across the country. For complete details regarding eligibility, application process, and other important information, candidates are advised to go through the official notification PDF linked below.
Table of Contents
Important Dates
Application Start Date
01/02/2026
Last Date to Apply
15/02/2026
Application Fee
Category
Fee (Including bank charges & Service Tax)
Candidates belonging to Unreserved, EWS and OBC category.
2500
SC/ST/Ex-servicemen
2000
Women Candidates
2000
SAI Assistant Coach Vacancy 2026
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has announced a total of 323 vacancies for the post of Assistant Coach under the Recruitment 2026 drive. These openings are spread across different sports disciplines, including athletics, boxing, wrestling, hockey, football, badminton, and several others. You can find the detailed sport-wise vacancy distribution in the table below.
S. No.
Sports Discipline
UR
OBC
SC
ST
EWS
TOTAL
1
Swimming
13
7
3
1
2
26
2
Athletics
13
7
4
2
2
28
3
Cycling
7
3
1
0
1
12
4
Gymnastics
7
3
1
0
1
12
5
Wrestling
11
5
3
1
2
22
6
Canoeing
5
1
1
0
0
7
7
Judo
5
1
0
0
0
6
8
Rowing
7
2
1
0
1
11
9
Shooting
13
7
4
2
2
28
10
Boxing
10
5
2
1
1
19
11
Fencing
7
2
1
0
1
11
12
Weightlifting
6
2
1
0
1
10
13
Taekwondo
7
2
1
0
1
11
14
Archery
7
3
1
0
1
12
15
Table Tennis
8
3
1
1
1
14
16
Badminton
8
4
2
1
1
16
17
Tennis
5
2
1
0
0
8
18
Basketball
7
3
1
0
1
12
19
Volleyball
6
2
1
0
1
10
20
Field Hockey
8
3
1
0
1
13
21
Football
7
3
1
0
1
12
22
Handball
5
1
0
0
0
6
23
Kabaddi
5
1
0
0
0
6
24
Kho-Kho
2
0
0
0
0
2
25
Sepak Takraw
3
0
0
0
0
3
26
Wushu
5
1
0
0
0
6
TOTAL
187
73
32
9
22
323
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Route
Required Qualification
Additional Conditions
Diploma Route
Diploma in Coaching from NSNIS, Patiala or any SAI-recognised coaching institute
No additional sports achievement required
Sports Achievement Route
Diploma in Coaching from NSNIS or a recognised institute
Must have represented India in Olympics / World Championship / Asian Games / Commonwealth Games OR be a medal winner at Senior National Championships
Experience Route
Valid coaching certification from SAI or a recognised sports federation
Must be a retired outstanding sportsperson with minimum 5 years of national/international coaching experience
Age Limit
Minimum Age
21 Years
Maximum Age
45 Years
Age Relaxation
Category
Age Relaxation
Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST)
5 Years
Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer)
3 Years
Ex-Servicemen
As per Government of India norms
Departmental Candidates
As per Government of India norms
Nationality Eligibility
Nationality Eligibility
Citizen of India
Subject of Nepal
Subject of Bhutan
Tibetan refugee who came to India before 01 January 1962
Person of Indian origin who migrated from select countries with the intention of permanent settlement in India
SAI Assistant Coach Selection Process 2026
Selection Stage
Details
Stage 1
Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Stage 2
Coaching Ability Test (CAT)
Merit List Weightage
CBT – 40% CAT – 60%
Qualification Rule
Candidates must qualify both stages for final selection
