The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has officially announced a golden opportunity for sportspersons across India by releasing a notification for recruitment under the Sports Quota for the year 2025–26. This recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 56 posts across various sports disciplines such as Athletics, Boxing, Archery, Basketball, Cricket, Volleyball, Football, Cycling, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Badminton, and Golf.
This is an excellent opportunity for talented players who want to combine their passion for sports with a secure government career in the Indian Railways. The recruitment will be carried out through open advertisement and candidates will be selected based on their sports performance, trials, and interviews.
In this article, we will cover all the important details including important dates, vacancy details, eligibility criteria, sports norms, salary scale, selection process, application fees, documents required, and how to apply online.
Important Dates
Candidates must keep track of the following important dates for the Northeast Frontier Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2025–26:
- Online Application Start Date: 16th September 2025
- Online Application Closing Date: 15th October 2025
- Trial & Selection Dates: To be announced later on the official portal
- Merit List Declaration: Will be notified after completion of trials and interviews
Applicants are advised to submit their online application well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Vacancy Details
The NFR has announced a total of 56 vacancies under the Sports Quota. These vacancies are distributed across three different pay levels and a variety of sports disciplines.
Level 5 / Level 4 (Grade Pay Rs. 2800/2400) – Graduate Qualification
Total Posts: 5
- Athletics (Women, Shot Put) – 1 Post
- Boxing (Men, 71–75 kg) – 1 Post
- Boxing (Women, 60–63 kg) – 1 Post
- Cycling (Men, Track Individual Sprint) – 1 Post
- Cycling (Men, Road Individual Time Trial) – 1 Post
Level 3 / Level 2 (Grade Pay Rs. 2000/1900) – 12th Pass Qualification
Total Posts: 15
- Archery (Men, Compound) – 1 Post
- Athletics (Men, Shot Put) – 1 Post
- Basketball (Men, All-rounder) – 2 Posts
- Basketball (Women, All-rounder) – 2 Posts
- Boxing (Women, 45–48 kg) – 1 Post
- Boxing (Women, 48–50 kg) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Men, Batsman) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Men, Spinner – Left Arm / Right Arm Leg Spinner) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Men, Middle Order Batsman) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Women, Batswoman All-rounder) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Women, Middle Order Batswoman) – 1 Post
- Volleyball (Men, Universal) – 1 Post
- Weightlifting (Men, 89 kg) – 1 Post
- Weightlifting (Women, 71 kg) – 1 Post
Level 1 (Grade Pay Rs. 1800) – 10th Pass Qualification
Total Posts: 36
- Archery (Men, Recurve) – 1 Post
- Archery (Women, Recurve) – 2 Posts
- Athletics (Women, Long Jump) – 1 Post
- Badminton (Women, Singles) – 2 Posts
- Basketball (Men, All-rounder) – 2 Posts
- Basketball (Women, All-rounder) – 2 Posts
- Boxing (Men, 60–63.5 kg) – 1 Post
- Boxing (Men, 57–60 kg) – 1 Post
- Boxing (Men, 48–51 kg) – 1 Post
- Boxing (Women, 52–54 kg) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Men, Batsman) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Men, Pace Bowler) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Men, All-rounder) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Women, Left Arm Spinner) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Women, Wicketkeeper Batswoman) – 1 Post
- Cricket (Women, Pace Bowler) – 1 Post
- Football (Men, Stopper) – 2 Posts
- Football (Men, Central Attacking Midfielder) – 2 Posts
- Football (Men, Right Back) – 1 Post
- Football (Men, Left Back) – 1 Post
- Football (Men, Striker) – 1 Post
- Golf (Men, Single) – 1 Post
- Table Tennis (Men, Singles) – 1 Post
- Table Tennis (Women, Singles) – 2 Posts
- Volleyball (Men, Setter) – 1 Post
- Volleyball (Men, Middle Blocker) – 1 Post
- Weightlifting (Men, 67 kg) – 1 Post
- Weightlifting (Women, 49 kg) – 1 Post
Application Fees
- General Candidates: ₹500/-
- SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Women, Minority, and Economically Backward Class Candidates: ₹250/-
Refund Policy:
Candidates who appear for the selection trials will receive a partial refund of the application fee (after deduction of banking charges). To avail the refund, candidates must provide their bank account details in the online application form.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet both educational qualification and age limit requirements as per the post they are applying for.
Educational Qualification:
- Level 5 / 4 (GP ₹2800/2400): Graduation or equivalent from a recognized university/institution.
- Level 3 / 2 (GP ₹2000/1900): 12th Pass (10+2) or equivalent examination from a recognized board.
- Level 1 (GP ₹1800): 10th Pass / ITI / National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
Age Limit:
- Minimum: 18 Years
- Maximum: 25 Years
- Cut-off Date: 1st January 2026
(No relaxation in age is provided under sports quota recruitment).
Sports Norms
Candidates must be active players and their sports achievements should fall within the last two financial years (on or after 1st April 2023).
- Level 5 / 4: At least 3rd position in Category-B Championships (e.g., World Cup, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games).
- Level 3 / 2: Representation at the national/international level or 3rd position in recognized championships.
- Level 1: Representation in Category-C events or state-level/national-level tournaments with minimum specified ranks.
Different sports such as Cricket, Boxing, Athletics, Cycling, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Football, Volleyball, Badminton, Golf, and Archery have specific norms, which will be considered during recruitment.
Salary Scale
The pay scale for selected candidates will be as per the 7th Pay Commission:
- Level 5 / 4: ₹29,200 – ₹92,300 (with GP ₹2800/2400)
- Level 3 / 2: ₹21,700 – ₹69,100 (with GP ₹2000/1900)
- Level 1: ₹18,000 – ₹56,900 (with GP ₹1800)
In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates will also receive allowances such as DA, HRA, Medical Facilities, Passes, and other Railway Benefits.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of two stages:
- Sports Trials (40 Marks)
- Game skills, physical fitness, and coach’s observations will be assessed.
- Candidates must score at least 25 marks to qualify as “FIT”.
- Interview & Document Verification (60 Marks)
- Sports achievements and educational qualifications will be evaluated.
- Final merit list will be prepared out of 100 marks.
Minimum Qualifying Marks:
- Level 5 / 4: 70 Marks
- Level 3 / 2: 65 Marks
- Level 1: 60 Marks
In case of a tie, the younger candidate will be given preference.
Documents Required
Candidates must upload scanned copies of the following documents while applying online:
- Educational qualification certificates
- Sports achievement certificates (on or after 01.04.2023)
- Proof of Date of Birth (Matriculation/HS certificate)
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS) if applicable
- Income Certificate (for EBC candidates)
- Minority Self-declaration (for minority candidates)
- NOC (for government/PSU employees)
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
- Signature
Rejection Grounds
Applications may be rejected due to the following reasons:
- Incorrect or false information furnished in the application.
- Multiple applications for the same post.
- Wrongly filled details of DOB, Education, or Sports certificates.
- Photograph issues (blurred, with sunglasses/cap, mismatch with physical appearance).
- Over-aged or under-aged candidates.
- Applications without proper documents.
Key Points to Remember
- There is no reservation for SC/ST/OBC/EWS in Sports Quota recruitment.
- Selected candidates will be posted in different divisions of NFR – Katihar, Alipurduar, Rangiya, Lumding, Tinsukia, or Headquarters.
- All selected candidates will be under probation for 2 years.
- Selected candidates must sign a service bond for 5 years.
- Candidates have to bear their own travel and stay expenses during trials.
- Final selection will be purely merit-based.
How to Apply
- Applications will be accepted online only.
- Candidates must keep a valid email ID and mobile number active until the completion of the recruitment process.
- Ensure all details match with original certificates.
- Upload all required documents, photograph, and signature in the prescribed format.
- Do not submit multiple applications.
