The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Southern Railway released this recruitment notification on 26 September 2026 on its official website, www.rrcmas.in. As per Employment Notice No. RRC-02/Sports/2026-27, applications open on 26 September 2026 and close on 25 October 2026. Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 is for sportspersons who want a government post in Indian Railways through the Sports Quota, without a written exam.
The notice covers 67 posts across Pay Matrix Level 1 to Level 5 of the 7th CPC. These are filled by trial performance and verified sports achievements, not by marks in a written exam. A full discipline-wise breakdown follows below. Candidates should check all details in the article below.
Information verified from the official Southern Railway notice No. RRC-02/Sports/2026-27 dated 26 September 2026. Last verified: 23 September 2026.
Southern Railway is recruiting 67 posts under Sports Quota through Employment Notice No. RRC-02/Sports/2026-27. The last date to apply online is 25 October 2026 at www.rrcmas.in. Candidates aged 18 to 25 years, active in recognised sports achievements from 1 April 2024 onward, can apply. Selection is through sports trials, document verification and a medical examination, with no written exam stage.
Quick summary of Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Southern Railway, Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), Chennai |
| Post | Sportsperson, Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) |
| Total vacancy | 67 posts (Level 1 to Level 5) |
| Salary | ₹18,000 to ₹29,200 (initial pay, by level) |
| Application mode | Online only |
| Eligibility | 10th pass/ITI to Graduation, depending on level; age 18-25 years |
| Selection process | Trials, document verification, medical exam |
| Place of posting | Decided by Southern Railway administration at appointment |
| Last date | 25 October 2026, 23:59 Hrs |
| Who can apply | Indian citizen sportspersons meeting the sports norms for the post |
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About Southern Railway
Southern Railway is one of the zones of Indian Railways, with its Railway Recruitment Cell based in Chennai. Like other Railway zones, it fills a share of its Group C posts through the Sports Quota instead of a written exam. This route lets a sportsperson hold a regular Railway post while continuing competitive sport for the zone. This recruitment is part of the government jobs intake Southern Railway runs every recruitment cycle.
Local context and how it compares
This recruitment is open to sportspersons from anywhere in India, not restricted to a state or region. Postings, once decided, will fall within Southern Railway’s jurisdiction.
Sports Quota recruitment works differently from most Railway hiring. Recruitment Boards such as RRB fill posts through a written computer-based test open to lakhs of applicants. RRC Southern Railway’s Sports Quota route instead calls only candidates who already hold sports achievement certificates at the level the post needs. It then selects through trials, and marks for sports performance, achievement and education. This is added context, not part of the official notice. Confirm current recruitment patterns on the official website.
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notice released | 26 September 2026 |
| Online application opens | 26 September 2026, 09:00 Hrs |
| Online application closes | 25 October 2026, 23:59 Hrs |
| Cut-off date for age | 1 January 2027 |
| Sports achievement period counted | 1 April 2024 to 26 September 2026 |
| Trial dates | Not yet announced; will appear on www.rrcmas.in |
The notice tells candidates to submit their application well before the closing date. The RRC Chennai server sees heavy load close to the deadline, and a late failed submission will not be accepted after 25 October 2026.
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Vacancy details and salary
Southern Railway is filling 67 posts across three groups of pay levels. The table below gives the level-wise split, and the discipline-wise breakdown follows.
| Level in 7th CPC Pay Matrix | No. of posts |
|---|---|
| Level 4 & 5 | 5 |
| Level 2 & 3 | 16 |
| Level 1 | 46 |
| Total | 67 |
Initial pay by level:
| Level | Initial pay |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | ₹18,000 |
| Level 2 | ₹19,900 |
| Level 3 | ₹21,700 |
| Level 4 | ₹25,500 |
| Level 5 | ₹29,200 |
A candidate recruited under this notice is placed only at the minimum pay of the level offered, not anywhere higher in that level’s pay band.
Level 5/4 posts (5 posts, Graduation required)
| Sports discipline | Event / position | No. of posts |
|---|---|---|
| Athletics (Men) | Long Jump; Decathlon | 2 |
| Athletics (Women) | 100m; 400m | 2 |
| Boxing (Men) | 47-50 kg | 1 |
If a discipline in Level 5/4 gets no suitable candidate, the notice says that post moves down to Level 3/2 in the same discipline instead of staying vacant.
Level 3/2 posts (16 posts, 12th pass or equivalent route)
| Sports discipline | Event / position | No. of posts |
|---|---|---|
| Athletics (Men) | 400m; High Jump | 2 |
| Athletics (Women) | 400m Hurdles / Long Jump | 1 |
| Basketball (Men) | Pivot | 3 |
| Cricket (Men) | Left-arm Spinner; Right Top-order Batsman; Left-hand Top-order Batsman | 3 |
| Cricket (Women) | Left-arm Fast Bowler | 1 |
| Cue Sports (Men) | Snooker | 1 |
| Football (Men) | Midfielder | 1 |
| Volleyball (Men) | Middle Blocker; Universal Opposite Hitter | 2 |
| Volleyball (Women) | Attacker-Outside Hitter; Middle Blocker | 2 |
Level 1 posts (46 posts, 10th pass or ITI route)
| Sports discipline | Event / position | No. of posts |
|---|---|---|
| Athletics (Men) | 100m; 200m; 400m Hurdles | 4 |
| Athletics (Women) | Hammer Throw/Discus Throw; 800m; 1500m | 4 |
| Boxing (Men) | 65-70 kg; 70-75 kg; 80-85 kg; Above 90 kg | 4 |
| Boxing (Women) | 54-57 kg; 57-60 kg; 65-70 kg; Above 80 kg | 4 |
| Cricket (Men) | Left-arm Spinner/All-rounder; Right Top-order Batsman; Left-arm Fast Bowler | 3 |
| Cricket (Women) | Opening Batsman; Top-order Batsman/Off-spinner (All-rounder) | 4 |
| Football (Men) | Forward; Midfielder; Defender | 7 |
| Hockey (Men) | Goalkeeper; Forward; Defender; Midfielder | 7 |
| Volleyball (Men) | Attacker-Outside Hitter; Middle Blocker | 3 |
| Volleyball (Women) | Setter; Libero | 2 |
| Weightlifting (Men) | 65 kg; 79 kg | 2 |
| Weightlifting (Women) | 53 kg; 77 kg | 2 |
The vacancy counts above add up to the notified total of 67 posts (5 + 16 + 46). No post is set aside only for any one community such as OBC, SC or ST. A candidate claiming OBC or SC/ST status must still upload the community certificate in the prescribed format; without it, the application is treated as UR (Unreserved).
Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility
Educational qualification (by level)
| Level | Minimum qualification |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | 10th pass, or ITI, or equivalent, or NAC granted by NCVT |
| Level 3/2 | Passed 12th (+2 stage) or equivalent; or Matriculation plus Act Apprenticeship for technical categories; or Matriculation plus ITI approved by NCVT/SCVT for technical categories |
| Level 5/4 | Graduation |
The qualification must come from a government-recognised institution, and no relaxation applies. A candidate recruited as Clerk-cum-Typist must reach 30 words per minute in English, or 25 words per minute in Hindi, within 4 years of appointment. The post stays provisional until then.
Candidates who are still awaiting the result of their final qualifying exam cannot apply. This is a hard rule in the notice, not a discretionary one.
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Age limit
Candidates must be between 18 and 25 years as on 1 January 2027, born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2009, both dates inclusive. No age relaxation applies to any category, including SC, ST, OBC, PwBD or ex-servicemen. The date of birth entered in the application must match the SSC/SSLC/Matriculation or 10th-class certificate. Once claimed, the date of birth cannot be changed later on any ground.
The lowest qualification this notice accepts is 10th pass, for Level 1 posts.
Sports norms and eligible achievements
Beyond education and age, a candidate must also meet the sports achievement norm set for the pay level applied for. These norms are as detailed in the notice.
Categorisation of international championships
Category B (used for Level 5/4 norms): World Cup (Junior/Youth/Senior), World Championships (Junior/Senior), Asian Games (Senior), Commonwealth Games (Senior), Youth Olympics, Champions Trophy (Hockey).
Category C (used for Level 3/2 norms): Commonwealth Championships (Junior/Senior), Asian Championships/Asia Cup (Junior/Senior), South Asian Federation (SAF) Games (Senior), USIC (World Railway) Championships (Senior), World University Games.
Minimum sports norms by pay level
Level 5 or 4. A candidate must meet one of the following:
- At least 3rd position in a Category B championship (World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics or Champions Trophy Hockey, at Junior/Youth/Senior level as applicable), OR
- Represented the country at one of the same Category B championships.
Level 3 or 2. A candidate must meet one of the following:
- At least 3rd position in a Category C championship, OR
- At least 3rd position in Senior/Youth/Junior National Championships, OR
- At least 3rd position in National Games under the Indian Olympic Association, OR
- At least 3rd position in All India Inter University Championships under the Association of Indian Universities, OR
- First position in the Federation Cup Championship (Senior category), OR
- Represented the country at a Category C championship, OR
- At least 3rd position in the Federation Cup Championships (Senior category).
Level 1. A candidate must meet one of the following:
- Represented a state or equivalent unit, with at least 8th position in Senior National Championships (this condition does not apply to Marathon and Cross Country), OR
- At least 3rd position in Youth/Junior National Championships, OR
- At least 3rd position in National Games under the Indian Olympic Association, OR
- At least 3rd position in All India Inter University Championships under the Association of Indian Universities, OR
- Quarter-finalist in Senior/U-23/U-19 All India Inter-State Group Championships (except the Plate Group), OR
- Participation in Senior/U-23/U-19 All India Inter-Zonal Championship, OR
- Participation in Senior/U-23/U-19 Challenger Trophy, OR
- Pre-Quarter finalist in Senior/U-23/U-19 All India Inter-State Championships (except the Plate Group).
A candidate who meets a higher level’s sports norms can still apply for a lower-level post. The notice gives an example. A sportsperson with Level 3/2 norms can apply for a Level 1 post, but will only be considered for Level 1. They must also give an undertaking not to claim a higher pay level later, based on achievements earned before joining Railways.
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Extra allowances for certain disciplines
- In Hockey (Men), Level 2 or Level 3 posts have one more route in. Participation in an international tournament (Senior or Junior) of 4 or more nations, or a semi-final finish in Senior National Championships, may also be considered.
- In Volleyball, certificates issued by the Volleyball Federation or its affiliated units after 25 June 2020 will not be considered. Certificates issued under the Association of Indian Universities or an International Federation are still valid.
- In Athletics, a medal-winning performance at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships may also be considered for Level 2. A gold medal at the Open National Championships (Senior), Inter-State Athletics Championships (Senior) or Asian Championships (Senior) may also be considered for Level 5/4.
- In Cricket (Men and Women), a national-level BCCI achievement may also be considered for Level 5/4. This means representation for India-A or India Under-19 in 2 Test matches, or 2 Limited-Overs ODIs, or 2 T20 matches.
All the championships listed above must be conducted under a recognised International or National Sports Federation, and also recognised by the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB).
Age groups for Junior National Championships
Where a candidate’s achievement is from a Junior National Championship, only the following championships and age groups count:
| Discipline | Category | Age group | Recognised championship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | Men & Women | Under-20 | Junior National Athletic Championship |
| Basketball | Men & Women | Under-18 | Junior National Basketball Championship |
| Boxing | Men & Women | Under-17 | Junior National Boxing Championship |
| Cricket (Men) | Men | Under-23 | Col. C.K. Nayudu Trophy (Inter-State) |
| Cricket (Men) | Men | Under-19 | Cooch Behar Trophy (Inter-State) |
| Cricket (Men) | Men | Under-19 | Vinoo Mankad Trophy (One-Day Limited Overs Inter-State) |
| Cricket (Women) | Women | Under-19 | Interstate All India Knock-Out / Inter-Zonal Tournament (One-Day Limited Overs) |
| Cricket (Women) | Women | Under-19 | All India Inter-Zonal Tournament (One-Day Limited Overs) |
| Football | Men | Under-19 | Junior National Football Championship for B.C. Roy Trophy |
| Hockey | Men | Under-21 | Junior (Under-21) National Hockey Championship |
| Cue Sports | Men | Under-21 | Junior National Billiards & Snooker Championship |
| Cue Sports | Men | Under-21 | Junior National 8 Ball & 9 Ball Pool Championship |
| Weightlifting | Men & Women | Under-20 | Junior National Weightlifting Championship |
Railway Board letter RBE 118/2025, dated 24 November 2025, sets one more rule. From now on, Sports Quota recruitment must rely only on certificates issued by National Sports Federations recognised for that sport. A certificate will not count if it comes from a federation that was not recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) at the time of that championship. If the Railway Board issues a fresh guideline before an application is scrutinised, that guideline decides whether a given federation’s certificate is taken.
Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 – Selection process
Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 is based on trial performance, assessment of sports achievements and educational qualification. Only candidates found FIT in the trials move to the next stage.
- All eligible candidates are called for trials that assess sports performance and suitability.
- Trial dates are notified later on the RRC Chennai website. Candidates may get a short-notice call and should check www.rrcmas.in regularly.
- Candidates must bring original documents on the day of trial and document verification. This covers educational qualification, community, sports achievements, date of birth and identity proof (PAN, Aadhaar, Driving Licence, etc.). Without these, the candidate cannot appear.
- Trials are held at Chennai or another venue the Railway Administration specifies. Candidates bear their own travel and stay costs.
- No request for a change of trial date, time or venue is entertained.
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Distribution of marks
| Component | Maximum marks |
|---|---|
| Game skill, physical fitness and coach’s observation during trials | 40 |
| Assessment of recognised sports achievements, as per the norms | 50 |
| Educational qualification | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
The Trial Committee first marks candidates FIT or NOT FIT out of the 40 trial marks: 25 marks or more is FIT, below 25 is NOT FIT. Only FIT candidates go forward to be marked on achievements and education.
Minimum qualifying marks
| Level | Minimum qualifying marks |
|---|---|
| Level 5/4 (Grade Pay 2800/2400) | 70 marks |
| Level 3/2 (Grade Pay 2000/1900) | 65 marks |
| Level 1 (Grade Pay 1800) | 60 marks |
Appointment for Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 is offered purely by merit and post availability. If two candidates score the same marks, the younger candidate gets preference. A sportsperson is considered only if they can be fitted into the Southern Railway team. If Level 5/4 gets no valid application for its 5 posts, those posts are downgraded to Level 3/2 in the same discipline.
Application fee
| Candidate category | Fee | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| All candidates, except the concession categories below | ₹500 | ₹400 refunded (bank charges deducted) on appearing in the trials |
| SC/ST/Women/Ex-Servicemen/Persons with Disabilities/Minority community/Economically Backward Classes | ₹250 | ₹250 refunded (bank charges deducted) on appearing in the trials |
A candidate claiming the fee concession must upload the required certificate (SC/ST/Minority/EBC proof) in the prescribed format. An application without the required fee is rejected outright.
“Minorities” here means Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Zoroastrians (Parsis). “Economically Backward Classes” means candidates whose annual family income is below ₹50,000. The income certificate must come from an authority the notice names. This includes the District Magistrate, a Tahsildar-level Revenue Officer, or a sitting Member of Parliament for the candidate’s own constituency.
Fee payment is online only, through the payment gateway built into the application. Candidates should save and print the e-receipt once the transaction succeeds. If a transaction fails, the notice says to make the payment online again.
Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 – How to apply
- Create and keep active one personal email ID and mobile number for the entire recruitment process; the notice warns these should not change once used to apply.
- Read the notice fully and confirm eligibility for age, qualification and sports norms before starting the form.
- Apply online through the link on the RRC Chennai website. Select the correct sports discipline and specific event or position (for example, Basketball, Pivot) while filling the form; this must match the merit certificate submitted.
- Upload the required scanned, self-attested documents (list below), each as a separate legible file.
- Pay the application fee online through the payment gateway.
- Submit the form and save the e-receipt with its date for later reference.
Documents to keep ready
- Self-attested mark sheet or certificate for the minimum educational qualification required for the post, plus any higher qualification held.
- Self-attested certificates for the sports achievements claimed, matching the norms set out above.
- Self-attested 10th-class or Matriculation certificate, or an equivalent mark sheet or school-leaving certificate, showing date of birth.
- Self-attested caste certificate, for candidates claiming SC/ST/OBC status.
- Certificates for any fee concession claimed: minority declaration, income certificate, BPL card or Izzat MST, as applicable.
- Scanned photograph and scanned signature.
The scanned colour photograph must be 3.5 cm by 3.5 cm, in JPG/JPEG format at 100 DPI. Its file size must sit between 50 KB and 100 KB, not older than one month, with a clear front view and no cap or sunglasses. The scanned signature must be 3.5 cm by 2.5 cm, in JPG/JPEG format at 100 DPI, sized between 10 KB and 40 KB. It must be written by hand in English or Hindi, not in block capitals. A candidate whose photo or signature does not meet these limits can resize it with a tool such as the Photo & Signature Resizer before uploading. Certificates in a language other than English or Hindi need an attested translation attached.
Certificates, photographs or signatures sent separately after the form is submitted will not be accepted.
Important links
| Link | What it is |
|---|---|
| www.rrcmas.in | RRC Chennai, Southern Railway official website; apply online and check trial updates here |
| Employment News | Source edition, 26 September to 2 October 2026, where this notice was published |
| Latest Jobs (All India) | More current pan-India government job openings |
Should you apply?
Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 suits a sportsperson who already holds recognised achievement certificates at the level they are applying for, from a national or international championship the notice accepts. A candidate who plays only at a club or district level, with no certificate from a recognised federation, is unlikely to clear the trial’s achievement marks.
Level 1 is the easiest route to qualify for on paper, since the sports norm is a state or equivalent representation. It also carries the lowest starting pay, at ₹18,000. Level 5/4 needs an international or top national medal, and pays more, at ₹29,200. A candidate meeting a higher level’s norms can drop down and apply at Level 1 for a better chance of selection. They must then accept staying at Level 1 pay.
A recruited sportsperson signs a 5-year service bond and serves a 2-year probation, extendable once if performance in sport is found unsatisfactory. This is a regular government post with continued sport attached, not a short-term sports contract. A candidate should be certain they want the Railway job itself, not only the sport, before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last date to apply for RRC Southern Railway Sports Quota 2026?
The online application closes on 25 October 2026 at 23:59 Hrs. Applications opened on 26 September 2026. Candidates should submit well before the closing time, since the portal sees heavy traffic close to the deadline.
What is the age limit for Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
Candidates must be 18 to 25 years old as on 1 January 2027, born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2009. No age relaxation applies to any category, including SC, ST and OBC candidates.
What is the salary for Southern Railway Sports Quota posts?
Initial pay ranges from ₹18,000 at Level 1 to ₹29,200 at Level 5. The exact level a candidate gets depends on posts available, sports achievements and marks scored in the recruitment process.
How is Sports Quota recruitment different from RRB exam-based recruitment?
Sports Quota recruitment skips the written exam most Railway hiring uses. Selection instead runs on trial performance, verified sports achievement certificates and educational marks. This is added context, not part of the official notice. Confirm current RRB exam patterns on the official website.