For sportspersons who have spent years chasing medals and selection trials, the next month could change the course of a career. South Eastern Railway has opened online applications for 54 sports quota posts for 2026-27, and the window is already live. Applications opened on 31 October 2026 and will close at 11:59 pm on 30 November 2026.
The recruitment is being run by the Railway Recruitment Cell, South Eastern Railway, from its Garden Reach office in Kolkata, under Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27. There is no written examination here. Selection rests on what an athlete has already proved on the field, backed by a trial and a careful check of certificates.
54 posts across three pay levels
The 54 vacancies are split into three groups. Five posts are at Group C Level 4/5, sixteen at Group C Level 2/3, and the largest share, 33 posts, at Group D Level 1. Pay follows the 7th Central Pay Commission structure, with grade pay of Rs. 2,400 or Rs. 2,800 at Level 4/5, Rs. 1,900 or Rs. 2,000 at Level 2/3, and Rs. 1,800 at Level 1.
At the top level, the openings are narrow and specific: men’s athletics in the 200 metres and high jump, men’s chess, a forward in women’s hockey, and women’s table tennis. The Level 2/3 list is wider, covering athletics, archery, bodybuilding, bridge, cycling, gymnastics, hockey and rifle shooting. Level 1 covers ball badminton, cricket, football, golf, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, water polo and weightlifting. Candidates must apply for the exact discipline and playing position named in the notice.
Who can apply
Only Indian nationals aged 18 to 25 years as on 1 January 2027 can apply, and the notice allows no age relaxation. Educational qualifications vary by level. Level 4/5 posts need a university degree or its equivalent. Level 2/3 posts need Class 12 or an equivalent combination such as Class 10 plus ITI or a National Apprenticeship Certificate. Level 1 posts need a Class 10 pass, ITI, or an equivalent certificate.
Academic qualifications alone are not enough. Every applicant must also meet the minimum sports norms for their level, and the sports achievement must have been earned on or after 1 April 2024. At Level 4/5, that means representing the country at the Olympics or finishing at least third in events such as the World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games at senior level, among other listed achievements. At lower levels, national championship medals, National Games positions and All India Inter University results also count, with discipline-wise conditions spelled out in the notice. Candidates who are still appearing for, or awaiting the results of, their final examinations are not eligible.
How selection works
Selection is a two-stage process: sports trials followed by verification of sports and educational certificates. The trial assessment carries 100 marks in total, with 50 marks for recognised sports achievements, 40 marks for game skills, physical fitness and the coach’s assessment, and 10 marks for educational qualifications.
The bar is high. Candidates need at least 70 marks to qualify at Level 4/5, 65 marks at Level 2/3, and 60 marks at Level 1. Trial dates and venues have not been fixed yet. They will be announced on the RRC website, and eligible candidates will also receive the details through their call letters.
Fees, merit and posting
The application fee is Rs. 500 for unreserved and OBC candidates, and Rs. 250 for SC, ST, ex-servicemen, women, minority and economically backward class candidates. One point candidates should note carefully: no post in this drive is reserved for SC, ST, OBC or EWS communities. Selection is on overall merit within each sports discipline.
Selected candidates can be posted anywhere on South Eastern Railway, in any of its units, so applicants should be ready for that before they apply.
How to apply
- Visit the official website rrcser.co.in and open the link for Online/E-Application for Sports Quota (OA) 2026-27.
- Read Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27 in full, especially the discipline-wise vacancy table and the sports norms for your level.
- Check your age as on 1 January 2027 and confirm your sports achievement date falls on or after 1 April 2024.
- Fill the form online, upload the required documents, and pay the fee before 11:59 pm on 30 November 2026.
- Do not wait for the last day. A form submitted after the deadline will not be accepted, and no change is allowed after final submission.
For athletes who meet the norms, this is a rare opening: a central government railway job earned through sporting performance, not a written test.
FAQs
How many posts are available in South Eastern Railway sports quota recruitment 2026-27?
There are 54 posts: 5 at Group C Level 4/5, 16 at Group C Level 2/3, and 33 at Group D Level 1.
What is the last date to apply?
Online applications close at 11:59 pm on 30 November 2026. Applications opened on 31 October 2026.
What is the age limit?
Candidates must be 18 to 25 years old as on 1 January 2027, with no age relaxation.
Is there a written exam?
No. Selection is through sports trials followed by certificate verification, with a 100-mark assessment.
Where do I apply?
Only online, through the Railway Recruitment Cell, South Eastern Railway website at rrcser.co.in.
Candidates should verify every detail against the official Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27 on rrcser.co.in before applying, as the notice remains the final authority.
