Sports Authority of India Assistant Coach Recruitment 2026 — Apply Online for 323 Posts

Sports Authority of India Assistant Coach Recruitment has launched a major recruitment drive for coaching talent across the country: 323 Assistant Coach vacancies have been notified for appointment across SAI Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence and Training Centres in multiple disciplines. This is a significant opportunity for qualified coaches, former elite athletes and recognised awardees to join India’s national coaching structure on a regular basis.

What’s on offer in Sports Authority of India Assistant Coach Recruitment

• Total vacancies: 323 Assistant Coach posts across 26 sports disciplines.
• Pay scale: The posts are placed at Level 6 of the pay matrix (₹35,400 – ₹1,12,400) — an attractive salary band for an entry to mid-level national coaching role.
• Reservation & gender quota: The recruitment includes horizontal reservation, with reports indicating around 33% of vacancies earmarked for women (as per the notification summary released).

Disciplines and distribution

SAI’s drive covers a wide range of Olympic and national sports. The disciplines listed in media reports and the notification summary include (with number of vacancies reported): Athletics (28), Archery (12), Badminton (16), Basketball (12), Boxing (19), Canoeing (7), Cycling (12), Fencing (11), Field Hockey (13), Football (12), Gymnastics (12), Handball (6), Judo (6), Kabaddi (6), Kho-Kho (2), Rowing (11), Sepak Takraw (3), Shooting (28), Swimming (26), Table Tennis (14), Taekwondo (11), Tennis (8), Volleyball (10), Weightlifting (10), Wrestling (22) and Wushu (6). These numbers are useful for aspirants to check discipline-wise competition and plan application strategy.

Important dates (apply window) for Sports Authority of India Recruitment

SAI has published the application window for the Assistant Coach posts:

• Registration opens: 1 February 2026
• Registration closes: 15 February 2026
  (These dates are cited in the public notification summaries — double-check the official SAI careers/jobs page and the official PDF before applying.)

Who can apply eligibility snapshot

SAI’s notification describes several alternative routes to eligibility so that both trained coaches and former elite performers are included:

• Essential qualification: Diploma or equivalent in coaching from SAI/NSNIS (Patiala) or a recognised Indian/foreign university;
• OR Participation in Olympics / Paralympics / Asian Games / World Championships plus a certificate course in coaching;
• OR Dronacharya Awardees in the relevant discipline.
  The upper age limit is 30 years (with statutory relaxations for SC/ST/OBC and other eligible categories as per government rules).

Application fee for Sports Authority of India Recruitment

Media summaries indicate an application fee structure (confirm amounts from the notification before payment):

• UR / EWS / OBC: ₹2,500 (non-refundable)
• SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / Women: ₹2,000 (non-refundable).

Selection process what to expect from Sports Authority of India Assistant Coach Recruitment

The selection methodology is a two-stage process:

1. Computer-based Online Written Test (CBT) — objective-type questions to test domain knowledge, general aptitude and coaching fundamentals; followed by
2. Coaching Ability Test (CAT) — a discipline-specific practical or viva/skill assessment to evaluate hands-on coaching capability and athlete management skills.

SAI has indicated that CBT centres will be spread across multiple cities (including Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Gandhinagar, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, Guwahati and Imphal), though final centres will depend on the number of candidates and logistics. Shortlisted candidates from CBT will be called for the Coaching Ability Test and document verification.

Where will the posts be located?

Selected Assistant Coaches will be posted across SAI’s network of Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) and training centres across India. Location allotment will typically depend on discipline requirement, vacancy location and administrative decisions by SAI.

How to apply step-by-step (practical checklist) for Sports Authority of India Assistant Coach Recruitment

1. Read the official notification PDF carefully (eligibility, reservation, fee, syllabus, CBT pattern, document checklist). The official SAI jobs/news page is the authoritative source.
2. Keep documents ready: coaching diploma/certificate, identity proof, proof of participation at international events (if applicable), Dronacharya certificate (if applicable), educational certificates, caste/ESM certificates, passport-size photos and signatures.
3. Register on the SAI recruitment portal (link provided in the notification). Use a personal and active e-mail and mobile number.
4. Fill the online form carefully (discipline selection is crucial — pick only those you are eligible for).
5. Pay the application fee online and keep the payment receipt/screenshot.
6. Download/print the filled application and fee receipt for future reference.
7. Prepare for CBT + CAT: Follow the syllabus and practice CBT mock tests; for CAT, prepare coaching drills, session plans and demonstrate practical coaching scenarios.

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Preparation tips for Sports Authority of India Assistant Coach Recruitment

• Study the fundamentals of coaching science (training methodologies, periodisation, sports psychology basics, anti-doping awareness) along with discipline-specific technical questions.
• For CAT, build a concise coaching session plan and be ready to demonstrate a structured training progression. If you’re an ex-international athlete, document your achievements and coaching credentials.
• Practice online CBT mock tests to build speed and accuracy under timed conditions.

Final notes & caution

• Always prioritize the official SAI notification and the SAI careers/jobs page for authoritative details, exact eligibility criteria, the final syllabus, fee payment gateway and any corrigenda.
• Reports summarized here come from the official SAI announcement and multiple national news outlets that covered the notification; small details (dates, fees, discipline-wise vacancies) should be cross-checked in the PDF notification before submitting your application.