UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026: 108 Groundsman, Deputy Sports Officer & Coach Posts – Apply Online @ upsssc.gov.in

Post-Wise Vacancy & Pay Scale

UPSSSC has announced 108 vacancies across Groundsman, Deputy Sports Officer, Assistant Coach (12 sports), and Lifeguard posts in the Sports Directorate, Uttar Pradesh. The pay scales are as per Uttar Pradesh Government rules.

Age relaxation is available for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other notified categories as per UP government orders. For Deputy Sports Officer and Assistant Coach, the upper age limit is relaxed for government service (maximum 5 years as per order dated 27-08-2013). Date of birth is accepted only from the High School or equivalent certificate.

Eligibility Criteria & Educational Qualification

All candidates must be citizens of India and must have appeared in the UPSSSC Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2025. Only candidates with a PET-2025 scorecard and non-zero normalised score are eligible to apply. The mandatory qualifications per post are as follows:

Groundsman (including Special Selection) – 3 Posts

• High School examination pass certificate from Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, Uttar Pradesh, or equivalent certificate from a recognised institution
• Practical experience in preparing and marking playing fields and courts for outdoor and indoor games
• Knowledge of grafting and budding of grasses and plants, seed protection, sowing, transplanting and grafting

Deputy Sports Officer (including Special Selection) – 50 Posts

• Graduate from a recognised university
• Diploma in coaching in the relevant sport from NIS Patiala, NIS Bangalore, NIS Kolkata, LNIPE Thiruvananthapuram, LNIPE Gwalior, or National Sports University Imphal (recognised by Government of India)
• Two years of coaching experience

Assistant Coach – Swimming and 11 Other Sports (including Swimming Special Selection) – 25 Posts

• Graduate from a recognised university
• Diploma in coaching in the relevant sport from NIS Patiala, NIS Bangalore, NIS Kolkata, LNIPE Thiruvananthapuram, LNIPE Gwalior, or National Sports University Imphal
• Two years of coaching experience

Lifeguard (including Special Selection) – 18 Posts

• High School examination pass certificate from Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, Uttar Pradesh, or equivalent certificate from a recognised institution
• Practical experience of at least three years working as a Lifeguard

The coaching diploma must be from one of the Government of India–recognised institutes: NIS Patiala, NIS Bangalore, NIS Kolkata, LNIPE Thiruvananthapuram, LNIPE Gwalior, or the National Sports University, Imphal (recognised by UP Sports Directorate vide letter dated 14-07-2025). Candidates whose PET-2025 result is marked "Under Investigation" or "Provisional" may apply provisionally. Only one application is accepted; if multiple submissions are made, the last one stands. The Commission's decision on eligibility is final.

Selection Process & Screening Clause

Selection is based on a written examination conducted under the Uttar Pradesh Group "C" direct recruitment rules and the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate service rules (1982 and 1986, as amended), as well as the state government's two-tier examination system. No interview or physical test is named in the notification.

Shortlisting Stage

• Candidates who appeared in PET-2025 and hold a valid scorecard are shortlisted based on their normalised PET-2025 score in merit order
• Candidates equal to 15 times the advertised posts (category-wise) are shortlisted for the written examination
• If the exam is held in multiple shifts, score normalisation follows the Commission's notice dated 22-05-2019

Written Examination Pattern

The written examination consists of one paper of 100 questions in 2 hours (120 minutes). Each question carries 1 mark. Negative marking of 25% (one-fourth) applies to each wrong answer.

The 40-mark Sports-Related Information section covers exercise physiology, sports psychology, sports training, biomechanics, sports nutrition and yoga, sports medicine, sports organisation and administration, testing and evaluation, AI and digital learning in sports, and sports federations and regulations. Part-2 covers computer basics, digital financial tools, cyber security, AI, big data, machine learning and IoT. Part-3 covers history, culture, geography, economy, polity and current events of Uttar Pradesh.

Post Preference & Document Verification

• Candidates must submit post preferences during document verification (record examination)
• The Commission allocates posts based on preferences, availability, merit, qualification and age limit — decision is final
• Self-attested copies of all mark sheets, certificates, degrees and the application copy must be submitted when requested
• No TA/DA will be paid to candidates for appearing in the written examination or document verification

Required Documents & Instructions for Candidates

• PET-2025 Registration Number and Scorecard issued by UPSSSC
• High School examination certificate from Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad, Uttar Pradesh (Groundsman, Lifeguard)
• Graduate degree certificate from a recognised university (Deputy Sports Officer, Assistant Coach)
• Diploma in Coaching from a Government of India–recognised institute — NIS Patiala / NIS Bangalore / NIS Kolkata / LNIPE Thiruvananthapuram / LNIPE Gwalior / National Sports University Imphal (Deputy Sports Officer, Assistant Coach)
• Experience certificates on official letterhead: 2 years coaching (Deputy Sports Officer / Assistant Coach), 3 years lifeguard (Lifeguard), practical field preparation experience (Groundsman)
• Valid caste / category certificate in Uttar Pradesh government prescribed format — SC / ST / OBC / EWS (women candidates: caste certificate on father's side only)
• EWS certificate issued between 01-04-2026 and 04-11-2026 based on FY 2025-26 income, valid for FY 2026-27, in prescribed format (if claiming EWS reservation)
• Disability certificate from competent authority stating type and percentage of disability (if claiming horizontal reservation)
• Dependant of Freedom Fighter / Ex-Serviceman certificate (if applicable — Ex-Servicemen must have retired by 04-11-2026)
• Outstanding Sportsperson certificate in prescribed format under UP Government Rules, 2022 (if applicable)
• No Objection Certificate from current employer (if working in government service)
• Two recent passport-size photographs and valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar / Voter ID / PAN)
• Self-attested copies of all mark sheets, certificates and degrees for record verification

Application Corrections: Candidates can correct correspondence address, EWS / horizontal reservation category details, mandatory or preferential qualification details, and marital status until 11-11-2026 through the Applicant's Dashboard using "Modify Application" and OTP verification. No correction is accepted after this date. The candidate application cannot be printed until the bank has reconciled the online processing fee; fee reconciliation must be completed by 04-11-2026 or at the latest by 11-11-2026.

Important Dates

Important Links

• Download UPSSSC Sports Directorate PET-2025 Main Examination Official Notification PDF
• Apply Online for UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026 at upsssc.gov.in
• Visit UPSSSC Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the last date to apply for UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application, registration and fee payment for UPSSSC Sports Directorate Main Examination (PET-2025)/22 is 04-11-2026. The application window opened on 14-10-2026. Fee reconciliation and application corrections can be made until 11-11-2026. No application or fee is accepted after 04-11-2026.

2. How many vacancies are announced in UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026?

A total of 108 vacancies have been announced across five post categories: Groundsman (3 posts), Deputy Sports Officer (50 posts), Assistant Coach – Swimming (25 posts), Assistant Coach – 11 other sports (12 posts), and Lifeguard (18 posts). The recruitment includes both permanent and temporary government posts under the Sports Directorate, Uttar Pradesh.

3. What is the application fee for UPSSSC Sports Directorate posts?

The application fee is Rs. 00 for all categories (Unreserved, OBC, SC, ST). An online processing fee of Rs. 25.00 is charged, making the total payable amount Rs. 25.00. The fee can be paid via credit card, debit card, internet banking, UPI, or SBI e-challan only. The main examination fee for shortlisted candidates is paid separately and its amount is not specified in this notification.

4. What is the selection process for UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026?

Selection is based on a written examination only. Candidates who appeared in PET-2025 are shortlisted in merit order based on normalised PET-2025 score, at a ratio of 15 times the advertised posts (category-wise). The written exam has 100 objective questions for 100 marks in 120 minutes, with 25% negative marking. The exam covers sports-related information (40 marks), computer/IT knowledge (15 marks), Uttar Pradesh general information (20 marks), and general studies (25 marks). The exam date has not been specified and will be notified later.

5. What is the salary for UPSSSC Sports Directorate posts?

The pay scales are: Groundsman – Pay Level-4 (Rs. 25,500 – Rs. 81,100), Deputy Sports Officer – Pay Level-6 (Rs. 35,400 – Rs. 1,12,400), Assistant Coach – Pay Level-5 (Rs. 29,200 – Rs. 92,300), and Lifeguard – Pay Level-3 (Rs. 21,700 – Rs. 69,100). These are the minimum and maximum pay scale figures as per UP Government rules. Allowances are not specified in the notification.

6. What is the mode of application for UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026?

The application mode is Online only. Candidates must visit upsssc.gov.in, log in using their PET-2025 registration number, and complete the application through the Live Advertisement Segment. Applications sent by any other means are not accepted. Candidates must read the full notification PDF carefully before applying and verify that they meet all eligibility conditions, including the PET-2025 score requirement.