Who Should Apply? (Quick Eligibility Check)
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) under the Khelo India Events and Competition Wing has officially released Notification No.: 05/2026/Softball, inviting applications for Technical Officials (Softball Sport). This recruitment drive offers 40 contractual positions for seasoned sports officials to manage and officiate matches during the upcoming Khelo India Youth Games 2026 in Telangana. Candidates looking for central government opportunities in sports management should review all criteria carefully.
Detailed Vacancy & Eligibility Breakdown
| Post | Essential Requirement | Preference |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Officials (Softball) | Valid license/pass in officiating examination (mandatory) | Preference shall be given to international Technical Officials |
| Tournaments Officiated | Marks |
|---|---|
| More than or equal to 5 | 40 |
| 3 or 4 | 30 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 1 | 10 |
| Tournaments Officiated (Khelo India/National) | Marks |
|---|---|
| More than or equal to 5 | 40 |
| 3 or 4 | 30 |
| 2 | 20 |
| 1 | 10 |
Applicants with active credentials in officiating softball at state, national, or international levels will find this an exceptional platform to contribute to India's premier grassroots sports movement. For broader career openings within the sports administration framework, candidates may also review related listings such as the Sports Authority of India Deputy Director Recruitment 2026 recruitment details.
What Posts Are Available? – Post & Discipline Breakdown
A total of 40 vacancies have been announced exclusively for Softball Technical Officials under the Khelo India Youth Games 2026 deployment. Selected officials will manage match operations, refereeing, and tournament administration according to international softball federation standards.
| Post Name | Sport Discipline | Total Vacancies | Deployment Event |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical Officials | Softball | 40 | Khelo India Youth Games 2026, Telangana |
Who Is Eligible? – Education, Age & Domicile
To qualify for consideration by the steering committee, candidates must fulfill strict educational and professional milestones mandated by SAI:
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must possess a valid license or pass in an officiating examination issued by a competent national authority or an International Federation certificate.
- Experience Requirements: Prior tournament officiating experience at the State or National level, as well as participation in Khelo India Games or National Games held between 2021 and 2026, is mandatory. Only certificates and tournaments within this timeframe will be evaluated.
- Age Limit: Candidates aged 60 years or more shall not be considered for selection. There are no relaxation provisions mentioned in the notification.
What Is the Salary & Official Benefits?
Selected technical officials will be engaged on a contractual basis for the duration of the Khelo India Youth Games 2026. Remuneration will be disbursed as per SAI Khelo India norms on an honorarium or consolidated pay basis. In addition to daily allowances during the event window, officials receive official hospitality and logistical support at the event venue in Telangana.
Selection Process & Exam Pattern Breakdown
There is no written examination or interview for this recruitment cycle. Selection is entirely merit-based, derived from a rigorous 100-mark scoring matrix evaluated during document scrutiny:
- Officiating License: Up to 20 marks based on national or international federation credentials.
- State / National Officiating Experience: Up to 40 marks evaluated against tournaments officiated between 2021 and 2026.
- Khelo India / National Games Experience: Up to 40 marks for prior multi-discipline mega-event service.
Important Dates & Schedule Guidance
The application window opens on 2 November 2026 and closes strictly on 12 November 2026. Candidates must submit their applications on the official portal before the final deadline. No offline submissions are entertained.
What Is the Application Fee & Payment Mode?
The Sports Authority of India has exempted all candidates from paying any application fees. Whether applying under General, OBC, EWS, SC, or ST categories, the application fee is Rs. 0 across the board.
How to Apply? (Step-by-Step Walkthrough)
Eligible candidates must apply through online mode only by following these steps:
- Navigate to the official SAI jobs portal at https://sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/saijobs/.
- Complete the candidate registration using valid contact credentials.
- Fill out the application form for the Softball Technical Officials notification.
- Upload scanned self-attested copies of your valid officiating license, experience certificates (2021-2026), photo ID, and recent passport-size photograph.
- Verify all entered details and submit the form before 12 November 2026.
What Can Get Your Application Rejected?
Warning: The steering committee will automatically reject applications that violate notification guidelines. Ensure you avoid these common pitfalls:
- Submitting applications via email or postal mail, which are strictly prohibited.
- Failing to self-attest uploaded certificates and licenses.
- Submitting officiating licenses issued after 2026 or tournament experience outside the 2021-2026 window.
- Applying if aged 60 years or above on the cutoff date.
Editor's Key Advisory for Candidates
Candidates are strongly advised to download the Official Notification PDF before starting registration. Keep scanned PDFs of your officiating certificates organized to ensure a smooth online submission on the Sports Authority of India Official Website prior to the 12 November 2026 deadline.
