SAI Announces 323 Assistant Coach Vacancies Across 26 Sports Disciplines

The Sports Authority of India has announced the opening of 323 Assistant Coach positions across 26 sports disciplines. Eligible candidates can apply for these roles, which offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement. The selection process includes a written test and a Coaching Ability Test. With a focus on inclusivity, the recruitment adheres to government reservation policies, ensuring a fair chance for all applicants. This is a significant opportunity for aspiring coaches to join a prestigious organization and contribute to India's sports development.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 17, 2026, 14:00 IST

Overview of Assistant Coach Vacancies

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), which operates under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS), has opened applications for 323 Assistant Coach positions across 26 different sports disciplines. This announcement was made on Friday.

Details on Vacancies and Compensation

Successful candidates will be assigned to various Regional Centres, National Centres of Excellence (NCOE), or Training Centres throughout India. The salary for these positions falls under Level 6, with a pay scale ranging from ₹35,400 to ₹1,12,400, as stated in a recent press release from SAI. The breakdown of vacancies by discipline is as follows:

Discipline	Number of Positions
Athletics	28
Archery	12
Badminton	16
Basketball	12
Boxing	19
Canoeing	7
Cycling	12
Fencing	11
Field Hockey	13
Football	12
Gymnastics	12
Handball	6
Judo	6
Kabaddi	6
Kho Kho	2
Rowing	11
Sepak Takraw	3
Shooting	28
Swimming	26
Table Tennis	14
Taekwondo	11
Tennis	8
Volleyball	10
Weightlifting	10
Wrestling	22
Wushu	6

Eligibility Criteria and Reservation Policies

The recruitment will adhere to the Government of India's reservation policies, including a 33% horizontal reservation for women across all disciplines. Applicants must be under 30 years of age and possess either a Diploma in coaching from SAI NSNIS, Patiala, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution, or have participated in the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, or World Championships along with a coaching certificate, or be a Dronacharya Awardee in the relevant discipline.

Selection Methodology

Candidates will undergo a two-phase selection process, which includes a computer-based online written examination followed by a Coaching Ability Test (CAT).

Career Advancement Opportunities

The Assistant Coach role is classified as an entry-level position in Group 'B' within the coaching cadre, with opportunities for advancement to Group A roles such as Coach, Senior Coach, Chief Coach, and ultimately High Performance Coach, in line with SAI's Recruitment Rules.

Selected individuals may be assigned to any location in India, and their seniority will be recognized on a national scale.