Sportspersons dreaming of a uniformed career have just two days left. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will close online applications for its Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 on 11 November 2026 at 11:59 pm, and the window will not reopen. The drive offers 521 posts of Head Constable (General Duty) and Constable (General Duty) for meritorious sportspersons.
Advertised as R.II-21/2026-Sports on 17 September 2026, it is one of the biggest sports quota drives by a central paramilitary force this year. Applications opened on 12 October and run online through the CRPF recruitment portal, rect.crpf.gov.in. No offline form will be accepted.
521 vacancies across 22 sports
The total of 521 posts is split into 182 Head Constable (GD) posts and 339 Constable (GD) posts, with 408 for men and 113 for women. The posts are spread across 22 sports disciplines, each with its own event-wise and weight-wise break-up in the official notification.
Athletics leads the list with 101 posts, followed by aquatics with 60 and shooting with 53. Kabaddi has 27, wrestling 26 and football 22, while boxing, volleyball, water sports and wushu have 20 each. The rest cover archery, badminton, basketball, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, taekwondo, weightlifting, body building, handball and yoga, and CRPF says the numbers are tentative.
Important dates to remember
- Online applications opened: 12 October 2026, 9:00 am
- Last date to apply and pay the fee: 11 November 2026, 11:59 pm
- Correction window: 12 to 14 November 2026
- Sports achievement window: 30 September 2024 to 30 September 2026
Who can apply
Both posts are open to Indian citizens, men and women, who are 18 to 23 years old as on 1 August 2026, so the date of birth should fall between 2 August 2003 and 1 August 2008. Meritorious sportspersons get extra age relaxation: five years for unreserved candidates, eight years for OBC and ten years for SC and ST candidates.
On education, Head Constable applicants need a Class 12 pass, while Constable applicants need a Class 10 pass from a recognised board. The qualification must be in hand by 11 November 2026, and candidates awaiting results cannot apply.
The sports qualification is the heart of this recruitment. For Head Constable, a candidate must have represented the country in a recognised international competition, or a state in the National Games or a national championship with a medal or a top-three finish. For Constable, representing a state at senior or junior national level, a state school team at the national school games, or a university in inter-university tournaments is enough. In every case, the medal or participation must fall between 30 September 2024 and 30 September 2026.
Pay scale and service conditions
Head Constables will be placed in Pay Level 4, at Rs. 25,500 to Rs. 81,100 per month, while Constables will be in Pay Level 3, at Rs. 21,700 to Rs. 69,100 per month, plus dearness and house rent allowances. The posts carry all-India service liability.
How selection works
Selection begins with an identity check and document verification, where candidates must produce original certificates for age, education, sports achievement, domicile and category. Those who clear this stage face the Physical Standard Test: minimum height 170 cm for men and 157 cm for women, and a chest measurement of 80 cm unexpanded with at least 5 cm expansion for men. Relaxations apply for several categories, including candidates from the north-eastern states, hill regions and Scheduled Tribes.
Next comes the sports trial, conducted by a board of officers. The trial is purely qualifying, so it carries no marks. The merit list is drawn only from the marks awarded for the candidate’s single highest sports achievement in the eligible window, with an Olympic gold worth the maximum 100 marks. The process ends with a detailed medical examination.
Application fee and how to apply
The application fee is Rs. 100, payable online, for male candidates from the unreserved, OBC and EWS categories. All women candidates, along with SC, ST and ex-servicemen candidates, are exempt, and the fee is non-refundable.
To apply, candidates should first visit rect.crpf.gov.in and read the instructions carefully. They must create a profile and upload the certificate for their sports discipline, showing their highest medal or level of participation. Applications without this upload are rejected during scrutiny. The form must be submitted before 11:59 pm on 11 November 2026.
FAQs
Q: What is the last date to apply for CRPF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
A: The online application closes on 11 November 2026 at 11:59 pm. A correction window will be open from 12 to 14 November.
Q: How many posts are there in CRPF Sports Quota 2026?
A: There are 521 posts in total, 182 for Head Constable (GD) and 339 for Constable (GD), across 22 sports disciplines.
Q: What is the age limit for CRPF sports quota posts?
A: Candidates must be 18 to 23 years old as on 1 August 2026, with relaxation of up to 5 years for UR, 8 for OBC and 10 for SC and ST sportspersons.
Q: Where do I apply for CRPF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
A: Apply online only at rect.crpf.gov.in. Offline applications are not accepted.
Q: What is the application fee?
A: The fee is Rs. 100 for male UR, OBC and EWS candidates. Women candidates and SC, ST and ex-servicemen candidates are exempt.
For the full discipline-wise vacancy list, check rect.crpf.gov.in before applying.
