Sports Authority of India (SAI) Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for Latest Vacancies

About Sports Authority of India (SAI) Careers

🏛️ Organization Overview

Established in 1984, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) is the primary engine behind India's sports development. It manages the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and the Khelo India program, which are instrumental in identifying and nurturing elite talent. With its headquarters at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, SAI operates a vast network including 12 Regional Centres, 20+ National Centres of Excellence (NCOE), and over 180 training centers across the country.

The organization’s mission is to achieve excellence in sports by providing world-class infrastructure, high-performance coaching, and sports science support. Working at SAI in 2026 provides a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of India's sports revolution, preparing athletes for the 2028 Olympic Games and beyond.

💼 Key Job Profiles

• Coach / Chief Coach: Responsible for training elite athletes at NCOEs and Regional Centres across various Olympic disciplines.
• Young Professional (YP): Administrative and operational roles supporting the execution of Khelo India and other national schemes.
• High Performance Director (HPD): Strategic leadership role focused on developing long-term performance pathways for specific sports.
• Senior Lead (Sports Science): Managing sports medicine, physiotherapy, and biomechanics units to enhance athlete recovery and performance.
• Assistant Director: Administrative cadre responsible for the management of SAI stadiums and regional regional logistics.

💰 Salary & Employee Benefits

SAI offers competitive remuneration packages aligned with the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) for regular employees and fixed monthly payouts for contractual professionals.

• Executive & Coaching Roles: ₹67,700 - ₹2,09,200 (Pay Level 11 to 13).
• Young Professionals: Fixed monthly remuneration of ₹50,000 - ₹70,000.
• Chief Coach (Contractual): Last Pay Drawn minus Basic Pension (for retired officers) plus transport allowances.
• Perks: Government accommodation (subject to availability), Leave Travel Concession (LTC) for regular staff, and comprehensive medical facilities.
• Allowances: Transport Allowance ranging from ₹5,580 - ₹11,160 and Dearness Allowance (DA) for regular positions.

🎯 Selection Process

The selection process at SAI is merit-based and varies significantly by the nature of the post:

1. Shortlisting: Applications are screened based on educational qualifications, sports achievements (for coaches), and relevant experience.
2. Written Examination/Skill Test: For specific administrative and technical roles like Junior Engineer or Translation Officer.
3. Personal Interview: The primary selection tool for Coaches, Young Professionals, and High-Performance staff.
4. Physical/Medical Fitness: Mandatory for all coaching and field staff to ensure they can meet the demands of active sports training.

How to Crack SAI Exams:

• Focus on Sports Achievements: For coaching roles, your "Coaching Experience" and "International Participation" carry more weight than theoretical marks. Ensure your portfolio is well-documented.
• Stay Updated on National Schemes: Interviewers frequently ask about the details of TOPS, Khelo India, and Fit India initiatives. Knowledge of these is vital for administrative roles.
• Sports Science Fundamentals: For technical roles, be prepared for deep-dive questions on athlete nutrition, recovery protocols, and the use of technology in sports (e.g., video analysis).