SER Sports Quota Recruitment 2026: 54 Posts, Ends 30 Nov

South Eastern Railway (SER) released the notice for the SER sports quota on 26 October 2026 on rrcser.co.in. As per Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27 (Open Advertisement), online applications open on 31 October 2026 and close on 30 November 2026. The posts are for Indian sportspersons who meet the sports norms in the notice.

The notice lists 54 posts across Group ‘C’ Level 4/5, Group ‘C’ Level 2/3 and Group ‘D’ Level 1. A full discipline-wise table follows. Selected sportspersons under the SER sports quota can be posted to any unit of South Eastern Railway. Candidates should check all details in the article below.

Information verified from the official South Eastern Railway Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27 published on 26 October 2026. Last verified: 26 October 2026.

South Eastern Railway is recruiting 54 sportspersons under its Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) through Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27. The last date to apply online is 30 November 2026 (23.59 Hrs) on rrcser.co.in. Selection is through sports trials followed by certificate verification.

Quick Summary of SER Sports Quota Recruitment 2026

About South Eastern Railway

South Eastern Railway issued this notice from the Office of the Principal Chief Personnel Officer at Garden Reach, Kolkata-700043. The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC) of South Eastern Railway runs the online application, the trial schedule and all notices for the SER sports quota on rrcser.co.in.

The notice states that recruitment is purely merit-based. The Railway has appointed no agent or coaching centre. Candidates should never pay anyone for a government job.

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Where the Posts Are and How They Compare

Garden Reach sits in Kolkata, which has road and rail links to every district of West Bengal. Candidates from the hills and the North East will travel further. The notice names no trial venue yet. The venue and dates will come through the website.

Trials can run for 2-3 days, and the Railway gives no TA/DA or accommodation. Candidates must bring their own kit. Those from outside Kolkata should plan travel and stay at their own cost. Candidates can follow more West Bengal government jobs on the site.

The SER sports quota works differently from a written exam. Marks come from sports achievement, trial performance and education.

This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office.

Important Dates

The SER sports quota portal may slow down in the last days, as the notice warns. RRC accepts no responsibility if a candidate cannot submit on the last day.

Vacancy Details and Salary

The SER sports quota notice sets three levels. Each level has its own grade pay and its own list of disciplines. All posts fall in Pay Band PB-1.

Posts at each level can be in any unit of South Eastern Railway. Level 1 posts follow Annexure-A of RBE No 79/2026, which is available in the public domain.

Level 4/5 Vacancies (5 Posts)

Level 2/3 Vacancies (16 Posts)

Level 1 Vacancies (33 Posts)

No post under the SER sports quota is reserved for SC, ST, OBC or EWS communities. Candidates with the required achievement are chosen on overall merit, regardless of their community. Candidates may still upload their community.

SC and ST certificates must come from a competent authority not below the rank of Tehsildar. OBC candidates must also upload an OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate in the Central Government format.

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Eligibility for SER Sports Quota Posts

Candidates must be Indian nationals. The achievement must match the norms for the level and the discipline.

Age Limit

The SER sports quota age limit is 18 to 25 years as on 01 January 2027. No age relaxation, upper or lower, applies. The date of birth must fall between 02 January 2002 and 01 January 2009.

Candidates can check their age on the age calculator. The proof is a Matriculation or equivalent certificate, or a Birth Certificate.

Educational Qualification

Level 2/3 also accepts two other routes:

• Matriculation from a recognised board, plus a completed Act Apprenticeship course.
• Class 10 from a Government-recognised board, plus ITI pass or equivalent, or a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) from NCVT.

Candidates appearing for or awaiting the result of the final examination are not eligible for the SER sports quota. No relaxation in education is allowed. For Group ‘C’ posts of Technician-III, the minimum is Class 10 pass, and training follows RBE No. 92/2024.

Sports Norms for Level 4/5

A candidate for a Level 4/5 post in the SER sports quota must meet one of these norms:

• Represented the country in the Olympic Games (Senior category).
• At least 3rd position in the World Cup (Junior, Youth or Senior), World Championships (Junior or Senior), Asian Games (Senior), Commonwealth Games (Senior), Youth Olympics, Davis Cup (Tennis), Champions Trophy (Hockey) or Thomas/Uber Cup (Badminton).

Sports Norms for Level 2/3

Level 2/3 posts in the SER sports quota accept any one of these norms:

• Represented the country in the World Cup (Junior or Senior), World Championships (Junior or Senior), Asian Games (Senior) or Commonwealth Games (Senior).
• At least 3rd position in the Commonwealth Championships (Junior or Senior), Asian Championships or Asia Cup (Junior or Senior), SAF Games (Senior), USIC (World Railways) Championships (Senior) or World University Games.
• At least 3rd position in Senior, Youth or Junior National Championships.
• At least 3rd position in the National Games organised under the Indian Olympic Association.
• At least 3rd position in the All India Inter University Championship organised under the Association of Indian Universities.
• 1st position in the Federation Cup Championships (Senior).

Discipline-wise Norms for Level 4/5 and Level 2/3

• Athletics (Men), Level 4/5: Gold medal in the Open National Championship (Senior), Inter-State Athletics Championships (Senior) or Asian Championships (Senior).
• Athletics (Men), Level 2: Medal in the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship.
• Chess (Men), Level 4/5: Grandmaster title in Chess.
• Table Tennis (Women), Level 4/5: Current annual All India Ranking up to 8th position in Seniors Singles.
• Hockey (Women), Level 2/3: At least 2nd position in international tournaments of four or more nations.
• Hockey (Men), Level 2/3: Participation in international tournaments (Senior or Junior) of four or more nations.
• Hockey (Men and Women), Level 2/3: Semifinalist in Senior National Championships also counts. Events recognised by Hockey India are considered.
• Archery (Men and Women): At least 3rd position in the All India Inter University Championship, or an achievement in international events under the Level 2/3 norms. Participation and medals in events of the Archery Association of India count.
• Rifle Shooting (Women): National Shooting Championship Competition for all age groups. Only individual performance counts.
• Body Building (Men): Events of the Indian Body Builders Federation or its affiliated units do not count, as per RBE No. 75/2024 dated 08 August 2024. Certificates from the Association of Indian Universities and the International Federations are valid.

Recognised Junior National Championships

The Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) recognises these junior championships for the Level 4/5 and Level 2/3 norms.

Sports Norms for Level 1

The candidate must meet one of these norms:

• Represented the country in the Commonwealth Championship (Junior or Senior), Asian Championship or Asia Cup (Junior or Senior), SAF Games (Senior), USIC (World Railways) Championship (Senior) or World University Games.
• At least 3rd position in the Federation Cup Championships (Senior).
• Represented a State or equivalent unit, with at least 8th position in the Senior National Championship only. Marathon and Cross Country are excepted.

Discipline-wise norms for Level 1:

• Cricket (Men): Achievements at national level in 4-day, one-day limited overs and Twenty-20 championships organised under the aegis of BCCI count, except the Vizzy Trophy.
• Cricket, national teams: Representation in the main Indian Senior team in 2 Test, ODI or T20 matches. Representation of India-A or India U-19 in 2 Test, 2 ODI or 2 T20 matches.
• Cricket, All India championships: Quarter finalist in the Senior, U-23 or U-19 All India Inter State Group Championships (except plate group). Participation in the Senior, U-23 or U-19 All India Inter-zonal Championship or Challenger Trophy. Pre-quarter finalist in the Senior, U-23 or U-19 All India Inter-State Championships (except plate group).
• Volleyball (Men and Women): Certificates of events by the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) or its units up to 28 October 2025 and after 21 April 2026 do not count. National Championship certificates from 29 October 2025 to 21 April 2026 are valid. Certificates from the Association of Indian Universities and the International Federations are valid.
• Golf (Men): IGU ranking up to 100 with a single handicap, below 10, in the Merit or Amateur Merit list. Only the current annual All India ranking counts.

Rules for All Sports Achievements

These rules apply to every achievement claimed for the SER sports quota.

• The achievement must be earned on or after 01 April 2024.
• The concluding day of the championship or event is the date that counts.
• The event must be under a national or international sports federation recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) at that time.
• No recruitment is made on National Championship certificates from a federation that MoYAS did not recognise at the time of the championship.

A serving employee who applies for the SER sports quota must attach a No-Objection Certificate from the employer. Candidates debarred from any RRB or RRC exam can apply only if the debarment ends by 30 November 2026.

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Selection Process

Selection for the SER sports quota rests on sports trials followed by certificate verification (sports and educational) by a Recruitment Committee of the Railway. The venue and date for both will be intimated to eligible candidates in due course.

1. Online application on rrcser.co.in.
2. Sports trials.
3. Certificate verification by the Recruitment Committee.
4. Medical fitness check before appointment.

Candidates must bring the original documents for date of birth, education, sports achievements and identity proof on the day of trials. Without them, the Railway will not allow the candidate to appear. All uploaded documents need 2 self-attested copies.

Marks Distribution

The minimum qualifying mark for the trial attribute is 25 out of 40.

Minimum Qualifying Marks

In the SER sports quota, if two candidates score the same marks in a discipline, the younger candidate gets preference. Canvassing in any form leads to disqualification. Name lists stay provisional until departmental verification ends.

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Application Fee

Candidates can pay the SER sports quota fee only online, through internet banking, a debit card or a credit card. Candidates bear the service charge.

• UR and OBC candidates pay ₹500. The Railway refunds ₹400 to those who appear in the trial.
• SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Women, Minorities and Economically Backward Classes pay ₹250. The Railway refunds ₹250 to those who appear in the trial. The notice also lists PwD candidates for this refund.

The Railway rejects applications with cash, cheque, money order, central recruitment fee stamps or demand draft. Candidates choose whether the refund goes to the paying account or to another account they name.

Minority candidates must upload a declaration in the Annexure-V format. They must later bring an affidavit on ₹10 non-judicial stamp paper, sworn before an Executive Magistrate. EBC candidates must upload an income certificate in the Annexure-III format.

How to Apply

Candidates can apply for the SER sports quota only online. Applications sent by post or handed to the RRC office are not entertained.

1. Open rrcser.co.in and click the link “Online/E-Application for Sports Quota(OA) / 2026-27”.
2. Click “New Registration”.
3. Fill in name, father’s name, date of birth, community, email address and mobile number. These must match the Matriculation certificate.
4. Note the registration number and password sent by email or SMS.
5. Log in and complete the form step by step. Mention the discipline, since an application without it can be rejected.
6. Enter the photo identity card details and upload the card.
7. Upload the photograph, signature, Left Thumb Impression (LTI) and the self-attested certificates.
8. Give refund bank details if the refund should go to a different account.
9. Pay the fee online.
10. Note the Unique Registration Number. Take 2 printouts of the final form.

No change is allowed after final submission. RRC does not change a mobile number or email address at any stage. The notice advises candidates to apply well before the closing date, since the portal can fail under load in the last days.

Photo, Signature and LTI

• Photograph: Colour, 3.5 cm x 3.5 cm, white or light background, not older than three months. JPG/JPEG, 100 DPI, up to 70 KB. No cap or sunglasses.
• Signature and LTI: Black ink on white paper, within a box of 50 mm x 20 mm or 140 x 60 pixels. JPG/JPEG, 100 DPI, 10 to 40 KB. The signature must be in Hindi or English, not in capital or disjointed letters.

Candidates for the SER sports quota can fit the files to these limits with the photo and signature resizer. Keep at least 6 copies of the same photograph for later stages.

Documents to Keep Ready

• Self-attested photo identity card in PDF: Aadhaar, PAN, Driving Licence or Voter ID.
• Matriculation or equivalent certificate, or a Birth Certificate, for date of birth.
• Education certificate as per the level.
• Certificates of all recognised sports achievements.
• Community certificate, if claimed: SC/ST (Annexure-I), OBC Non-Creamy Layer (Annexure-II and Annexure-IIA), EBC (Annexure-III), EWS (Annexure-IV).
• Minority declaration (Annexure-V), if claiming the fee concession.
• Discharge certificate and PPO copy for Ex-Servicemen.
• No-Objection Certificate for serving employees.
• English or Hindi attested translation of any certificate in another language.

Reasons for Rejection

• More than one application by the same candidate, or a manual application.
• An application after the closing date, or with a lower fee.
• A blank column, no discipline, or a missing document.
• A photo with a cap or sunglasses, or in black and white.
• A signature that is unsigned or in capital or disjointed letters.
• A candidate who lacks the education or sports achievement on the day of applying.

Other Points From the Notice

These points also apply to the SER sports quota.

• Selected candidates must submit a service bond to serve the Railway for 5 years.
• Selected candidates must pass the medical fitness standards before appointment.
• Clerk-cum-Typist appointees in Group ‘C’ must reach a typing speed of 30 w.p.m. in English or 25 w.p.m. in Hindi within four years. Until then, the appointment is provisional.
• The Railway can fix any date, change a venue, postpone or cancel the trials.
• Disputes fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Administrative Tribunal, Calcutta.

Important Links

Should you apply?

This SER sports quota notice suits sportspersons with a recognised achievement earned on or after 01 April 2024. They must play one of the listed disciplines and positions. Others cannot apply.

Competition for the SER sports quota is tight in practice. Most positions carry a single post, so the trial result decides who fills that post. Sports achievement, trial performance and education set the merit order, and a younger candidate wins a tie.

The SER sports quota job has trade-offs. Selected candidates sign a service bond for 5 years and can be posted anywhere on South Eastern Railway. Trials need travel and a stay of 2-3 days at the candidate’s own cost. SC and ST candidates get free second-class rail travel. No post is reserved for any community.

This is added context, not part of the official notification. Confirm with the hiring office.

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FAQs

What is the last date for SER sports quota recruitment 2026?

The last date is 30 November 2026 at 23.59 Hrs. Applications open on 31 October 2026 on rrcser.co.in. Candidates should apply early, since the portal can slow down in the last days.

What is the age limit for the South Eastern Railway sports quota?

The age limit for the SER sports quota is 18 to 25 years as on 01 January 2027. The date of birth must fall between 02 January 2002 and 01 January 2009. The notice gives no age relaxation, upper or lower.

Can I apply for a lower level if I meet the higher level norms?

Yes. Sportspersons in the SER sports quota who meet the norms for a higher grade can also be recruited in lower grades. They become eligible for promotion or re-appointment in higher grades only through sports achievements earned after joining the Railway.

What is the salary of Group ‘D’ Level 1 sports posts?

Level 1 posts in the SER sports quota carry Grade Pay ₹1,800 in Pay Band ₹5,200 – ₹20,200. Level 2/3 posts carry ₹1,900/₹2,000, and Level 4/5 posts carry ₹2,400/₹2,800, in the same pay band.

Written and verified by

Sandeep Khati

Founder and Editor, India Job Alerts

B.Tech in Computer Science from Jalpaiguri Government Engineering College (2010). Former Systems Engineer at TCS and in digital publishing since 2011. He started India Job Alerts in April 2025 to publish verified government and PSU job notifications for West Bengal, Sikkim and the rest of India. Every post is checked against the official notification before it goes live. Also writes about the Darjeeling hills at SearchDarjeeling.

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