Southern Railway has announced a golden opportunity for talented sportspersons across India. The Railway Recruitment Cell, Chennai, has issued an employment notification for the recruitment of candidates against the Sports Quota for the year 2025-26. This recruitment drive is aimed at encouraging young and skilled athletes to join the Indian Railways while continuing their sports careers. With posts ranging from Level-1 to Level-5 in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix, this is a significant chance for aspirants to secure a stable government job along with the prestige of representing Indian Railways in various sporting events.
Through this article, we will provide you with comprehensive details regarding important dates, vacancy distribution, eligibility conditions, sports norms, salary structure, selection process, application fees, and step-by-step guidance on how to apply. If you are an athlete aiming to balance both your sporting passion and a secure career, this recruitment notification is tailored for you.
Important Dates
- Opening Date of Application: 13 September 2025 (09:00 hrs)
- Closing Date of Application: 12 October 2025 (23:59 hrs)
- Date of Trials: To be notified later on the official website of Southern Railway Recruitment Cell.
Candidates are advised to complete their application well before the closing date to avoid server issues due to heavy traffic on the last day.
Vacancy Details – Southern Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2025-26
The Southern Railway has released 67 vacancies under the Sports Quota. The posts are divided across Level 1, Level 2/3, and Level 4/5 of the 7th Pay Commission Pay Matrix.
Pay-Wise Distribution of Posts
- Level 4 & 5: 5 Posts
- Level 2 & 3: 16 Posts
- Level 1: 46 Posts
Total Vacancies: 67 Posts
Level 4 & 5 (5 Posts)
- Athletics (Women): Triple Jump / 400m
- Boxing (Women): 48-51 Kg / 57-60 Kg
- Cricket (Men): Fast Bowler
- Tennis (Men): Singles
Total: 5 Posts
Note: If suitable candidates are not found in Level 4/5, vacancies may be filled in Level 2/3 from the same discipline.
Level 2 & 3 (16 Posts)
- Athletics (Men): 200m, 400m Hurdles, 800m, High Jump, Hammer Throw
- Athletics (Women): 100m, 200m, 800m, Heptathlon
- Basketball (Men): Center
- Basketball (Women): 1 Point Guard, 3 Forwards
- Boxing (Men): 47-50 Kg, Above 90 Kg
- Cricket (Men): 2 Opening Batsmen
- Cricket (Women): Left Arm Spinner
- Golf (Men): 1 Post
- Swimming (Men): 50m/100m/200m Butterfly Stroke
- Tennis (Men): Singles/Doubles
Total: 16 Posts
Level 1 (46 Posts)
- Athletics (Men): 400m Hurdles, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, 3000m Steeple Chase, Javelin Throw, Shot Put, Discus Throw
- Athletics (Women): 100m, 400m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m, 3000m Steeple Chase, Triple Jump, High Jump, Discus Throw, Hammer Throw, Shot Put, Javelin Throw
- Basketball (Men): 2 Forwards, 1 Point Guard
- Boxing (Men): 60-65 Kg, 70-75 Kg, 75-80 Kg, 80-85 Kg, Above 90 Kg
- Boxing (Women): 45-48 Kg, 48-51 Kg, 51-54 Kg, 54-57 Kg, 57-60 Kg, 60-65 Kg, 70-75 Kg, 75-80 Kg
- Cricket (Men): 2 Fast Bowlers, 1 Leg Spinner (Bowling All-Rounder)
- Cricket (Women): Opening Batter
- Football (Men): 2 Forwards, 2 Midfielders, 1 Defender
- Golf (Men): 1 Post
- Hockey (Men): 3 Forwards, 3 Defenders
- Swimming (Men): Backstroke (50m/100m/200m – 1 Post), Breast Stroke (50m/100m/200m – 1 Post)
- Weightlifting (Men): 89 Kg, 96 Kg, 109 Kg
- Weightlifting (Women): 49 Kg, 59 Kg, 64 Kg, 71 Kg, 76 Kg, 87 Kg, Above 87 Kg
Total: 46 Posts
Salary Scale
The pay scale varies according to the level in the 7th CPC Pay Matrix:
- Level-1: Initial Pay Rs. 18,000/-
- Level-2: Initial Pay Rs. 19,900/-
- Level-3: Initial Pay Rs. 21,700/-
- Level-4: Initial Pay Rs. 25,500/-
- Level-5: Initial Pay Rs. 29,200/-
In addition to basic pay, candidates will also be entitled to allowances as admissible under Railway rules.Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
- Minimum Age: 18 years
- Maximum Age: 25 years
- Date of reckoning age: 1 January 2026
- Born between 02 January 2001 and 01 January 2008 (both dates inclusive)
- No age relaxation is permissible.
Educational Qualification
- Level-1 Posts: 10th pass or ITI or equivalent qualification.
- Level-2/3 Posts: 12th pass or equivalent OR Matriculation plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship approved by NCVT/SCVT.
- Level-4/5 Posts: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.
Candidates awaiting final results are not eligible to apply. The educational qualification must be from a Government-recognized institution.
Sports Norms
Candidates must fulfill the minimum sports achievement norms as per the level they are applying for:
- Level-4/5: At least 3rd position in World Cup/World Championships, or participation in Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics, Davis Cup, Champions Trophy (Hockey), etc.
- Level-2/3: At least 3rd position in National Championships (Senior/Junior), or represented the country in recognized international events.
- Level-1: At least 3rd position in District/State/National Championships under the aegis of recognized sports federations.
Sports achievements must be in the current or immediate previous two financial years, and candidates must be active players.
Selection Process
The selection will be carried out through the following stages:
- Trials:
- Candidates will be called to participate in sports trials for their respective disciplines.
- Performance, physical fitness, and suitability will be assessed by the selection committee.
- Candidates will be rated as FIT or NOT FIT. Only FIT candidates will proceed to the next stage.
- Assessment of Sports Achievements:
- Sports certificates and performance in recognized competitions will be verified and marks awarded.
- Maximum of 50 marks allotted.
- Educational Qualification:
- Marks for academic qualification will also be considered (up to 10 marks).
- Final Merit List:
- Prepared based on performance in trials, sports achievements, and educational qualification.
- Minimum qualifying marks:
- Level-4/5: 70 marks
- Level-2/3: 65 marks
- Level-1: 60 marks
Application Fees
- General Candidates: Rs. 500/-
- Rs. 400 will be refunded after deducting bank charges, upon appearing in the trials.
- SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Persons with Disabilities/Minority Community/Economically Backward Classes: Rs. 250/-
- Rs. 250 will be refunded after deducting bank charges, upon appearing in the trials.
Fee payment must be done online only via debit card, credit card, or net banking.
Documents Required
Candidates must upload the following documents while applying online:
- Scanned copy of 10th/12th/Graduation certificates as per post requirements.
- Scanned copy of sports achievement certificates.
- Date of Birth proof (10th certificate/School leaving certificate).
- Caste certificate (for SC/ST/OBC candidates).
- Income certificate/BPL card (for fee exemption if applicable).
- Recent passport-size photograph (3.5cm x 3.5cm, JPG/JPEG format, 50-100kb).
- Scanned signature (JPG/JPEG format, 10-40kb).
How to Apply
- Visit the official Southern Railway Recruitment Cell portal.
- Register yourself with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in the online application form carefully.
- Upload scanned copies of required documents.
- Pay the examination fee online through the integrated payment gateway.
- Submit the application form and take a printout for future reference.
General Instructions
- Applications will be accepted online only. No physical forms will be entertained.
- Candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility conditions before applying.
- Incomplete or incorrect applications will be rejected.
- Candidates must bring their original documents for verification during trials.
- No request for change of trial date/venue will be entertained.
- Southern Railway reserves the right to cancel or modify the recruitment process at any stage without assigning reasons.
- Selected sportspersons will be required to sign a service bond for 5 years.
- They will also be on probation for 2 years, which may be extended up to 4 years if performance in sports is unsatisfactory.
- Misconduct, canvassing, or submission of forged documents will lead to disqualification and possible legal action.
