ODISHA JOB ALERT • RAILWAY RECRUITMENT 2026
South Eastern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 54 Group C & Group D Posts
A railway job opportunity for eligible sportspersons. Check the sports discipline, achievement rules and educational qualification before applying.
Are you an athlete, cricketer, hockey player, kabaddi player, chess player or a sportsperson who has represented a recognised team or championship? South Eastern Railway (SER) has announced a new opportunity for eligible Indian sportspersons through its Sports Quota Open Advertisement Recruitment 2026–27. A total of 54 posts are available in different pay levels.
This recruitment is different from a regular railway recruitment drive. Candidates are not selected only on the basis of an ordinary written examination. The Railway will assess recognised sports achievements, performance in sports trials and educational qualification. Therefore, applicants must read the sports eligibility rules carefully. A participation certificate from any local event may not be sufficient; the championship and sports federation must meet the conditions mentioned in the official notification.
In this article, you will find the vacancy breakup, sports-wise posts, age limit, education qualification, sports achievement conditions, salary details, application fee, selection marks, document checklist and step-by-step online application process in simple language.
South Eastern Railway Recruitment 2026 – Overview
The recruitment is being conducted by the Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), South Eastern Railway, for the year 2026–27. The employment notice number is SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27. Applications are invited online from eligible Indian nationals.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | South Eastern Railway (SER) |
| Recruitment Cell | Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), SER |
| Advertisement Number | SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27 |
| Post Category | Group C Level-4/5, Group C Level-2/3 and Group D Level-1 |
| Total Vacancies | 54 Posts |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 31 October 2026 |
| Last Date | 30 November 2026 (23:59 hours) |
| Age Limit | 18 to 25 years as on 01 January 2027 |
| Selection Process | Sports Trials and Certificate Verification |
| Official Website | www.rrcser.co.in |
Important Dates – SER Sports Quota 2026
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification published on website | 26 October 2026 |
| Online application starts | 31 October 2026 |
| Online application closes | 30 November 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Sports trials and certificate verification | To be notified on the RRC SER website |
Important: Do not wait until the final date. The official notification advises candidates to submit applications early to avoid website or internet problems during the last days. Trial dates and venues will be announced separately for eligible candidates.
South Eastern Railway Vacancy 2026 – 54 Posts Details
The total 54 vacancies are divided into three pay-level groups. Candidates should check the exact sport, gender category and playing position before applying. The number of vacancies is not the same for every sport.
Level-4 / Level-5
Level-2 / Level-3
Level-1
Group C – Level-4 / Level-5: 5 Vacancies
- Athletics (Men): 200 metres – 1 post; High Jump – 1 post.
- Chess (Men): Individual – 1 post.
- Hockey (Women): Forward – 1 post.
- Table Tennis (Women): Individual – 1 post.
Group C – Level-2 / Level-3: 16 Vacancies
- Athletics (Men): 200 metres – 1, High Jump – 1, 20 KM Race Walking – 1 and Cross Country – 1.
- Archery: Men Compound – 2 and Women Compound – 1.
- Body Building (Men): 65 KG – 1.
- Bridge (Men): Individual – 1.
- Cycling (Men): Individual Road Race – 1, Individual Pursuit – 1 and Points Race (Track) – 1.
- Gymnastics (Women): Artistic (WAG) – 1.
- Hockey: Women Forward – 1 and Men Defender – 1.
- Rifle Shooting (Women): 3 Position – 1.
Group D – Level-1: 33 Vacancies
- Ball Badminton (Men): Back – 2 and Front – 2.
- Cricket (Men): Middle Order Batsman – 1 and Fast Bowler – 1.
- Football (Men): Side Back (Left/Right) – 2 and Stopper – 1.
- Golf (Men): Individual – 1.
- Kabaddi (Women): Right Raider, Left Cover, Left Corner and Right Corner – 1 each.
- Kabaddi (Men): Right Raider, Right Corner, Left Corner and All Rounder – 1 each.
- Kho-Kho (Men): All Rounder – 3 and Defender – 3.
- Volleyball: Women Centre Blocker – 1, Women Counter Attacker – 1, Men Setter – 1 and Men Opposite Player – 1.
- Water Polo (Men): Winger – 2 and Centre Forward – 1.
- Weightlifting (Men): 65 KG – 1 and 71 KG – 1.
Eligibility Criteria for SER Sports Quota Recruitment
1. Nationality
The notification invites applications from eligible sportspersons who are Indian nationals. Applicants must meet the sports, age and educational conditions for the relevant pay level.
2. Age Limit
The candidate must be at least 18 years old and not more than 25 years old on 01 January 2027. The notification clearly states that no upper-age or lower-age relaxation is permissible for this recruitment.
- Minimum date of birth: 02 January 2002.
- Maximum date of birth: 01 January 2009.
- Age proof: Matriculation/10th certificate or birth certificate as specified in the notice.
Do not calculate age only on the date you fill the form. The cut-off date is 01 January 2027, so compare your date of birth with the official range above.
3. Educational Qualification
| Pay Level | Minimum Education |
|---|---|
| Level-4 / Level-5 | University Degree or equivalent from a recognised university. |
| Level-2 / Level-3 | 12th pass or equivalent; or the specified 10th + ITI / Act Apprenticeship / NCVT NAC route, as applicable to the post. |
| Level-1 | 10th pass, ITI or equivalent, or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT. |
Educational qualifications must be from a recognised institution and must be held on the date of application. Candidates appearing in final examinations or waiting for final results are not eligible. The notice also mentions a specific exception for Group C Technician-III appointments, where the minimum qualification is 10th pass; candidates must check the applicable post conditions in the notification.
4. Sports Achievement Eligibility – Read This Carefully
Sports achievement is the central condition of this recruitment. The candidate must satisfy the minimum sports norms for the pay level and discipline applied for. The relevant sports achievement must have been earned on or after 01 April 2024. The concluding day of the championship/event is considered for this date condition.
For Level-4/5, the general sports norms include representing India at the Senior Olympic Games or obtaining at least third position in specified major international competitions such as the World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and other listed events. For Level-2/3, the notification recognises specified international representation or podium finishes in listed championships, National Championships, National Games, All India Inter-University Championships and a first position in the Senior Federation Cup, subject to the exact rule.
For Level-1, the notification provides a separate set of standards, including participation in specified Commonwealth/Asian/Asia Cup/SAF/USIC/World University events, a third position in Senior Federation Cup, or specified state-equivalent and national-level achievements. There are additional discipline-specific conditions for Cricket, Golf, Volleyball and Body Building. These special conditions matter, so candidates should read the full sports-norm section rather than relying only on a short summary.
Events must be conducted under the authority of the International or National Sports Federation/Association recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at the time of the event, or under the other recognised bodies expressly allowed in the notification. A certificate from an unrecognised federation may not be accepted. For some sports, the notification names specific recognised Junior National Championships.
Salary and Pay Scale
The vacancies are placed in the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix. The notification refers to the following levels and corresponding grade-pay references from the earlier pay structure:
- Level-4 / Level-5: Grade Pay reference ₹2,400 / ₹2,800.
- Level-2 / Level-3: Grade Pay reference ₹1,900 / ₹2,000.
- Level-1: Grade Pay reference ₹1,800.
The exact post, pay level and admissible allowances will depend on the appointment offered by the Railway. The final in-hand salary can differ because of applicable allowances, deductions, posting location and service rules. Candidates should not treat an estimated salary shown on a third-party website as a guaranteed in-hand amount.
Application Fee and Refund Rules
| Candidate Category | Fee | Refund on attending trial |
|---|---|---|
| UR / OBC | ₹500 | ₹400 |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / Persons with Disabilities / Women / Minorities / EBC | ₹250 | ₹250 |
The fee is payable online through internet banking, debit card or credit card. Applicable bank/service charges are borne by the candidate. The refundable portion is linked to actually appearing in the sports trial and is subject to the conditions in the notification. Candidates should enter accurate bank details for refund, if required. Cash, cheque, money order and demand draft are not accepted.
Reservation clarification: The notification states that no vacancy is reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS communities; selection is based on overall merit and required performance in the particular sports discipline, irrespective of community. Category/community documents may still be required for the purposes stated in the notification, including fee-related claims and prescribed uploads. Do not assume that a community category changes the sports eligibility or age limit.
Selection Process – How Will Candidates Be Selected?
South Eastern Railway will assess candidates through Sports Trials followed by sports and educational certificate verification. The notification does not prescribe a separate conventional written examination for this open-advertisement sports quota selection. Candidates should prepare for the actual trial in the discipline and playing position for which they apply.
| Assessment Component | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Recognised sports achievement | 50 |
| Games skill, physical fitness and coach’s observation during trial | 40 |
| Educational qualification | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
The minimum qualifying marks in the notification are:
- Level-4/5: 70 marks out of 100.
- Level-2/3: 65 marks out of 100.
- Level-1: 60 marks out of 100.
For the sports trial component, the minimum qualifying score is 25 out of 40. Final selection is based on merit, vacancies and the particular discipline. If candidates in a discipline obtain equal marks, the younger candidate receives preference as stated in the notification. Selected candidates must also pass the required medical fitness standards and complete certificate verification and other appointment formalities.
The notice states that selected candidates will have to submit a service bond requiring them to serve the Railway for five years. Candidates should also note that no TA/DA or accommodation is provided for attending the selection trials; they must arrange their own travel, kit and stay. SC/ST candidates are eligible for free second-class rail travel for attending trials, subject to the notification conditions.
Documents Required for Online Application
Keep clear scanned copies ready before starting the online form. The notification gives specific image and file requirements, so check the size and format instead of uploading random photographs.
- Recent colour passport-size photograph with white or light background, 3.5 cm × 3.5 cm, not older than three months, JPG/JPEG, up to 70 KB and scanned at 100 DPI.
- Candidate’s signature and Left Thumb Impression (LTI) on white paper in black ink; JPG/JPEG format, 100 DPI and file size between 10 KB and 40 KB. Follow the box/pixel dimensions in the official notice.
- Valid government photo identity proof such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence or Voter ID.
- 10th/Matriculation certificate or birth certificate for date-of-birth proof.
- Educational qualification certificate, as applicable to the level/post.
- Recognised sports achievement certificates for eligible events concluded on or after 01 April 2024.
- Applicable SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EBC/EWS, minority or Ex-Servicemen documents/declarations, if claiming the relevant status or fee benefit.
- Attested English or Hindi translation for certificates issued in another language.
Keep originals safe. The original date-of-birth, education, sports achievement and identity documents must be produced during the trial/document verification stage. The same photograph and signature should be used consistently throughout the recruitment process.
How to Apply Online for South Eastern Railway Sports Quota 2026
Eligible candidates can apply through the online application link available from the official RRC SER notice page. Follow these steps carefully:
- Visit the official RRC South Eastern Railway website: https://www.rrcser.co.in/notice.html.
- Open the notice titled “Notification for recruitment against Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) 2026-27 in SER” and download the complete PDF.
- Return to the notice page and click the online application link for Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) 2026-27.
- Choose New Registration and enter your name, father’s name, date of birth, community details, active mobile number and valid email ID.
- Check the registration number and password received through SMS/email. Keep these details safe.
- Log in and complete the application form. Select the correct sports discipline, category and playing position as per your certificates.
- Upload the photograph, signature, LTI, identity proof, educational documents, sports certificates and any applicable category documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online and provide the required bank/refund information where applicable.
- Review every field before final submission. The notification says changes will not be entertained after final submission.
- Save the unique registration number and download/print two copies of the completed application form for your records.
Use only the official RRC SER notice and application portal. Avoid agents or unofficial payment links.
Official Notification / Website Online Application Download Official PDFCommon Mistakes That Can Lead to Rejection
Even a talented player can lose an opportunity if the application contains errors. The official notice lists several reasons for rejecting applications. Avoid these common mistakes:
- Applying for a sport or playing position that does not match the candidate’s recognised sports certificate.
- Uploading achievements earned before 01 April 2024, or certificates from an event/federation that does not satisfy the notification.
- Not meeting the minimum sports achievement, age or educational qualification at the time of application.
- Entering a date of birth, name or spelling that differs from the Matriculation certificate.
- Uploading a black-and-white photo, an unclear photo, a photo with a cap/sunglasses or an image that does not meet the prescribed size.
- Leaving mandatory columns blank, using an incorrect signature or failing to upload the required identity and supporting certificates.
- Submitting multiple applications, paying an incorrect fee or applying after the closing time.
Before final submission, ask a trusted person to review your details and compare them with your original documents. Do not submit more than one application. Keep your registered mobile number and email active because RRC communications will be sent through these channels.
A Practical Preparation Example for Sportspersons
Imagine a young kabaddi player from a small town in Odisha who wants to apply for the Level-1 Kabaddi position. The first step should not be to fill the form immediately. The player should check whether the certificate shows the correct recognised championship, date, result and playing position. Next, the player should compare the achievement with the Level-1 sports norms, confirm the age range and 10th/ITI/NAC qualification, and prepare the original documents.
After submitting the form, the player can continue practising raiding, defence, match fitness and position-specific skills. The trial carries 40 marks, so sports performance on the trial day matters. This is an illustrative preparation example only; it does not represent a real candidate or guarantee selection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many vacancies are available in South Eastern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
There are 54 vacancies: 5 in Group C Level-4/5, 16 in Group C Level-2/3 and 33 in Group D Level-1.
2. What is the last date to apply online?
The last date is 30 November 2026 up to 23:59 hours (11:59 PM), as stated in the notification.
3. What is the age limit for SER Sports Quota 2026?
Candidates must be 18 to 25 years old as on 01 January 2027. The notification says no age relaxation is permissible.
4. Is there a written examination?
The published selection procedure is based on sports trials followed by sports and educational certificate verification. The notification does not list a separate written examination for this open-advertisement sports quota recruitment.
5. Which sports achievements are accepted?
The accepted achievement depends on the pay level and sports discipline. The achievement must meet the prescribed norms, be earned on or after 01 April 2024 and come from an event/federation recognised as required by the notification.
6. What is the application fee?
UR/OBC candidates pay ₹500. SC/ST, Ex-Servicemen, Persons with Disabilities, women, minorities and EBC candidates pay ₹250, subject to the notification’s conditions.
7. Are SC/ST/OBC/EWS vacancies reserved?
The notification states that no posts are reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS communities. Selection is based on overall merit in the relevant sports discipline, irrespective of community.
8. Where can candidates download the notification?
Candidates can visit the official RRC SER notice page at rrcser.co.in/notice.html and open the Sports Quota Open Advertisement 2026–27 notification.
Final Words – Apply Only After Checking Your Sports Eligibility
South Eastern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026–27 offers 54 opportunities for eligible sportspersons across Group C and Group D pay levels. The application window is open from 31 October to 30 November 2026. However, the most important part of this recruitment is not just the educational qualification: applicants must meet the specific sports achievement norms for their discipline and level.
Read the official notification, verify the event and certificate rules, check the age cut-off, prepare the documents and submit the online form well before the last date. Keep checking the RRC SER website for trial schedules, eligible/ineligible candidate lists, call letters and other recruitment updates. Selection is merit-based, and the Railway has warned candidates not to trust agents or persons promising selection in exchange for money.
Share This Update With a Sportsperson
Know someone who has a recognised sports achievement? Share this recruitment update and help them check the official eligibility rules before applying.
Visit Official RRC SER WebsiteReader action: Comment below with your sports discipline and the pay level you are checking. Please do not post personal certificates, Aadhaar numbers, phone numbers or other sensitive information in the comments.
