NF Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27: Apply Online for 56 Posts
Northeast Frontier Railway has opened its annual Sports Quota recruitment drive for 2026-27, inviting online applications from talented sportspersons across a wide range of disciplines — from Archery and Athletics to Cricket, Football, Kabaddi and Weightlifting. A total of 56 posts are on offer under Employment Notification No. 04/2026, spread across Level-1, Level-2 and Level-3 pay grades. If you're an active sportsperson with recognized national or international achievements, here's the complete breakdown of eligibility, sports norms, selection process and how to apply.
Table of Contents
About Northeast Frontier Railway
Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), headquartered at Maligaon, Guwahati, is one of the zonal railways of Indian Railways, serving Assam and the broader North-Eastern region along with parts of North Bengal and Bihar. Like other Railway zones, NFR runs a dedicated Sports Quota recruitment process to build strong Railway and Indian Railways sports teams while offering sportspersons a stable government career. Selected candidates may be posted at the Guwahati headquarters or across NFR's five divisions — Alipurduar, Katihar, Rangiya, Lumding and Tinsukia.
NF Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 – Overview
| Organization Name | Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) |
|---|---|
| Employment Notification No. | 04/2026 |
| Post Name | Sports Quota posts across Level-1, Level-2 and Level-3 |
| Total Vacancies | 56 Posts |
| Category | Government Job (Indian Railways, Sports Quota) |
| Job Location | NFR Divisions & Headquarters, Guwahati |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 25 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24 August 2026 |
| Official Website | www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 25 July 2026 |
| Online Application Last Date | 24 August 2026 |
| Dates for Trial & Interview | To be notified on the official website |
Candidates should stay ready to appear for trials at short notice once the application window closes, and must regularly check the NFR website for updates.
Vacancy Details (Event-wise)
Vacancies are distributed across Level-2/3 (21 posts: 16 at Headquarters + 5 downgraded from Level-4/5) and Level-1 (35 posts: 10 at Headquarters + 25 across the five divisions). Here's the full event-wise break-up.
Level-2 / Level-3 Posts (21 Vacancies)
| Sport | Category | Event/Position | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Woman | Compound | 1 |
| Athletics | Man | Decathlon | 1 |
| Athletics | Man | Long Distance (5000m/10000m/Cross Country) | 1 |
| Basketball | Man | Post Player | 1 |
| Basketball | Man | All Rounder | 1 |
| Basketball | Woman | All Rounder | 2 |
| Badminton | Man | Single | 1 |
| Badminton | Woman | Single | 1 |
| Boxing | Man | 90+ Super Heavy | 1 |
| Boxing | Woman | 60+ – 65 kg | 1 |
| Boxing | Woman | 80+ kg | 1 |
| Boxing | Woman | 57–60 kg | 1 |
| Cricket | Man | All Rounder | 1 |
| Cricket | Man | Batsman | 1 |
| Cricket | Woman | Pace Bowler | 1 |
| Table Tennis | Woman | Single | 1 |
| Volleyball | Man | Setter | 1 |
| Weightlifting | Woman | +86 kg | 1 |
| Weightlifting | Man | 71 kg | 1 |
| Weightlifting | Man | 60 kg | 1 |
| Total (Level-2/3) | 21 | ||
Level-1 Posts (35 Vacancies)
| Sport | Category | Event/Position | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Woman | Recurve | 2 |
| Athletics | Man | High Jump | 1 |
| Badminton | Woman | Single | 1 |
| Basketball | Man | All Rounder | 2 |
| Basketball | Woman | All Rounder | 1 |
| Basketball | Woman | Post Player | 1 |
| Boxing | Man | 50+ – 55 kg | 1 |
| Boxing | Man | 60–65 kg | 1 |
| Cricket | Man | Left Arm Spinner/Leg Spinner | 1 |
| Cricket | Man | All Rounder | 1 |
| Cricket | Woman | Left Arm Spinner | 1 |
| Cricket | Woman | Batswoman | 1 |
| Football | Man | Right Wing | 1 |
| Football | Man | Striker | 1 |
| Football | Man | Defensive Mid Fielder | 1 |
| Football | Man | Left Back | 1 |
| Golf | Man | Single | 2 |
| Kabaddi | Man | Left Corner | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Man | Left Cover | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Man | Right Corner | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Man | Right Cover | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Man | All Rounder | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Man | Raider | 2 |
| Power Lifting | Man | 74 kg | 1 |
| Power Lifting | Man | 105 kg | 1 |
| Power Lifting | Man | 120+ kg | 1 |
| Power Lifting | Woman | 69 kg | 1 |
| Volleyball | Man | All Rounder | 1 |
| Volleyball | Man | Libero | 1 |
| Weightlifting | Man | 94 kg | 1 |
| Weightlifting | Man | +110 kg | 1 |
| Total (Level-1) | 35 | ||
Zone-wise Quota Distribution
| Pay Level | Zonal Headquarters | Divisions | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level-2/3 (GP 1900/2000) | 16 + 5 (downgraded from Level-4/5) | — | 21 |
| Level-1 (GP 1800) | 10 | 25 (5 each for Alipurduar, Katihar, Rangiya, Lumding, Tinsukia) | 35 |
| Total | 31 | 25 | 56 |
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Pay Level | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
| Level-2/3 | Passed Class 12th (+2 stage) or equivalent from a Govt. recognized Board/Council/Institution |
| Level-1 | Passed Class 10th (Matriculation) or ITI or equivalent, or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT |
For sports quota appointment to Technician-III, the minimum qualification remains Class 10th pass, though the training period extends to 3 years unless the candidate already holds a relevant ITI qualification (in which case it's 6 months). Proof of age via HS/Matriculation certificate must be attached with the online application.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2027)
- All Posts (Level-1, 2 & 3): 18 to 25 Years
Sports Norms
Only sports achievements from championships held on or after 1 April 2024, in the immediately preceding two financial years, are considered valid for this recruitment.
| Pay Level | Minimum Sports Norms |
|---|---|
| Level-2/3 | Represented the country in Category-B events, OR 3rd position in Category-C events/Senior-Youth-Junior National Championships/National Games/All India Inter-University Championships, OR 1st position in Federation Cup (Senior) |
| Level-1 | Represented the country in Category-C events, OR 3rd position in Federation Cup (Senior), OR represented a state with at least 8th position in Senior National Championships (except marathon/cross-country) |
Sportspersons who meet the higher-grade norms remain eligible for lower-grade posts as well. Category-A covers the Olympic Games; Category-B covers World Cups/Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and similar; Category-C covers Commonwealth/Asian Championships, SAF Games, and World University Games. Sport-specific norms — including current All India rankings for Badminton/Table Tennis, IGU rankings for Golf, and weight-category equivalences for Weightlifting — are detailed in the full notification and should be checked carefully against your discipline.
Salary Details
Pay follows the standard Railway pay matrix under the 7th CPC, based on the Level assigned to each post.
| Pay Level | Pay Matrix |
|---|---|
| Level-3 | 7th CPC Pay Matrix, Level-3 |
| Level-2 | 7th CPC Pay Matrix, Level-2 |
| Level-1 | 7th CPC Pay Matrix, Level-1 |
Selection Process
Selection runs through a sports performance trial followed by an interview, with marks from both combined into a final merit list.
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| Trial – Game skill, physical fitness & coach's observations | 40 Marks |
| Interview – Assessment of recognized sports achievements | 50 Marks |
| Interview – Educational Qualification | 10 Marks |
| Total | 100 Marks |
- A candidate must score 25 or more (out of 40) in the trial to be declared "FIT" and proceed to the interview stage; below 25 is "NOT FIT" and not considered further
- Interviews are held on the same day as trials, or at most the next day
- Minimum qualifying marks for the final merit list: 65 marks for Level-3/2, and 60 marks for Level-1
- For educational qualification, 6 marks go to candidates meeting only the minimum requirement; higher qualifications earn higher marks
- In case of a tie in total marks, preference goes to the younger candidate
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved | ₹500/- |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / Women / Minority / Economically Backward Class | ₹250/- |
Candidates who appear for the selection trials are entitled to a partial refund of the fee (after deducting banking and other charges) — bank details must be entered in the online application to receive this. Minority and EBC candidates must upload the relevant self-declaration/income certificate (Annexure-A/B) at the time of application, with originals produced during document verification.
Required Documents
The following must be uploaded with the online application; incomplete uploads will lead to rejection.
- Scanned copy of minimum educational qualification mark-sheet/pass certificate
- Certificate of recognized sports achievement, dated on or after 01.04.2024
- Proof of Date of Birth
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS), as per Annexures C, D & E, wherever applicable
- Income Certificate for EBC candidates claiming fee exemption (Annexure-B)
- Self-declaration for Minority Community candidates (Annexure-A)
- No Objection Certificate, for candidates already in Government/PSU/Bank service
- Recent colour passport photograph (3.5cm x 4.5cm, JPG/JPEG, 30–70 KB, 100 DPI, no cap or sunglasses)
- Scanned signature (3.5cm x 2.5cm, JPG/JPEG, 20–50 KB, 100 DPI)
Candidates must also bring all original documents, the call letter, and 4 passport-size photographs at the time of trials.
How to Apply Online
- Visit the official website: www.nfr.indianrailways.gov.in and locate the Recruitment against Sports Quota section.
- Read the complete notification carefully before starting the online application.
- Fill in personal details, active mobile number and a valid email ID — these will be used for all further communication.
- Enter your educational qualification and sports achievement details accurately.
- Upload your photograph, signature, and all required supporting documents in the specified format and size.
- Pay the applicable application fee online.
- Review all details carefully and submit the application — no printouts or certificates should be sent by post.
Important Instructions
- A candidate is considered only for the specific event/position/game advertised and for which they hold the recognized sports norm.
- Candidates who meet eligibility norms for a higher grade post remain eligible for lower grade posts too.
- No TA/DA or accommodation is provided for trials; candidates should be prepared to stay 2–3 days at their own arrangement and bring their own sports kit.
- All selected candidates must serve a 2-year probation period and sign a Service Bond committing to at least 5 years of service in Indian Railways.
- Selected candidates may be posted anywhere on NF Railway, based on requirement.
- Candidates already employed in Government service, PSU, or a recognized bank must submit a No Objection Certificate.
- Candidates who fail to appear for trials, interview, or any stage of selection on the scheduled date/venue will have their candidature cancelled without further notice.
- Selected candidates must clear a medical examination as per the prescribed norms for their post.
- NF Railway has not appointed any agent or coaching centre — candidates should be wary of anyone claiming otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for NF Railway Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
Ans: The online application window closes on 24 August 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in this recruitment?
Ans: There are 56 vacancies — 21 in Level-2/3 and 35 in Level-1, spread across the NFR headquarters and its five divisions.
Q3. What is the educational qualification required?
Ans: 12th pass for Level-2/3 posts, and 10th pass/ITI/NAC for Level-1 posts, along with the required sports achievement.
Q4. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Ans: 18 to 25 years as on 1 January 2027, for all posts.
Q5. What is the application fee for this recruitment?
Ans: ₹500 for General candidates, and ₹250 for SC/ST/Ex-servicemen/Women/Minority/EBC candidates, with a partial refund for those who attend the trials.
Q6. How is selection made for this recruitment?
Ans: Through a sports performance trial (40 marks) followed by an interview assessing sports achievement and educational qualification (60 marks), combined into a final merit list out of 100.
Important Links
Final Words
Sportspersons with genuine national or international-level achievements now have until 24 August 2026 to apply for one of these 56 NF Railway Sports Quota posts. Double-check that your event, position and sports norms match exactly what's listed against your discipline before applying, since selection is strictly tied to the specific event advertised. Share this opportunity with fellow athletes who might be eligible, and join our Telegram channel above for more Railway recruitment updates.