South Eastern Railway Sports Quota Group C and Group D Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 54 Posts

South Eastern Railway (SER) is recruiting 54 sportspersons under the Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) for the year 2026-27. The posts are 5 Group ‘C’ Level-4/Level-5, 16 Group ‘C’ Level-2/Level-3 and 33 Group ‘D’ Level-1, in Pay Band PB-1 Rs. 5,200-20,200 with Grade Pay from Rs. 1800 to Rs. 2800. Selection is by sports trials followed by certificate verification. Only Indian nationals aged 18 to 25 years as on 01.01.2027 can apply, and their sports achievements must be earned on or after 01.04.2024. Online applications on www.rrcser.co.in open on 31 October 2026 and close on 30 November 2026 (23.59 Hrs).

RRC SER Recruitment 2026 Overview

Employment Notice No. SER/Pers/Sports Quota/OA/2026-27 covers the recruitment of sportspersons to Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ posts in any of the units of South Eastern Railway. No post is reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS communities. Selection is on overall merit in each sports discipline.

About RRC SER

South Eastern Railway is a zonal railway of Indian Railways. This notification comes from its Office of the Principal Chief Personnel Officer, Garden Reach, Kolkata-700043. The Railway Recruitment Cell (RRC), South Eastern Railway runs the recruitment and publishes its notices on www.rrcser.co.in.

RRC SER Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

The notice says the dates of the sports trials will be announced from time to time on the website. The date and venue of the trials and certificate verification will also be sent to eligible candidates through the call letter.

RRC SER Vacancy 2026

South Eastern Railway has 54 posts under the Sports Quota for 2026-27: 05 (Five) Group ‘C’ Level-4/Level-5, 16 (Sixteen) Group ‘C’ Level-2/Level-3 and 33 (Thirty three) Group ‘D’ Level-1. Each post is any post of that level in any of the units of South Eastern Railway. For Level-1, the notice refers to Annexure-A of RBE No 79/2026, which is available in the public domain.

Vacancies for Level-4/5 (GP Rs. 2400/2800)

Vacancies for Level-2/3 (GP Rs. 1900/2000)

Vacancies for Level-1 (GP Rs. 1800)

Reservation

No post is reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS communities. Candidates with the required performance or achievement in the sports discipline will be selected on overall merit, whatever their community. Candidates may still upload the community they belong to, as required by chapter 13 of the brochure published by the Govt. of India, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance of Pensions, Deptt. of Personnel Training, New Delhi. For SC/ST/OBC, the caste certificate must be issued by a Competent Authority not below the rank of Tehsildar. OBC candidates must also upload an OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate in the Central Govt. format, issued not before than 01 year by the competent authority.

RRC SER Eligibility Criteria 2026

Applications are open only to Indian nationals. Candidates must have both the academic qualification and the minimum sports norms for the level they apply for. Candidates who are appearing in, or waiting for the results of, final examinations are not eligible. The educational qualification must be from a recognised institution.

Level-2/Level-3 qualification, as printed:

• Passed class 12th (10+2 stage) or its equivalent examination. The qualification must be from a Govt. recognized Board / Council / Institutions etc. OR
• Passed Matriculation from a recognized Board plus Course Completed Act Apprenticeship OR
• Passed class 10th from a Govt. recognized Board / Council / Institutions etc. plus ITI passed OR its equivalent examination OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
• The minimum educational qualification should be as applicable to the post offered.

Notes on qualification:

• For a Group-C appointment against the Sports Quota in Technician-III, the minimum educational qualification is 10th pass. The training period for these appointees will follow RBE no. 92/2024, based on the selected candidate’s educational qualification.
• No relaxation in the minimum educational qualification is allowed.
• Candidates must submit photocopies of the documents for their educational qualification with the application form. They must also produce the original certificate on the day of the trials.

Sports Norms for Level-4/5 (PB-1 Rs. 5,200-20,200, Grade Pay Rs. 2800 or 2400 (6th PC), Level 5/Level 4 (7th PC))

• (a) Represented the country in Olympic Games (Senior Category) OR
• (b) At least 3rd Position in any of the Championships/events in the World Cup (Junior/Youth/Senior Category) / World Championships (Junior/ Senior Category)/ Asian Games (Senior Category)/ Commonwealth Games (Senior Category), Youth Olympics, Davis Cup (Tennis), Champions Trophy (Hockey), Thomas/Uber Cup (Badminton).

Sports Norms for Level-2/3 (PB-1 Rs. 5,200-20,200, Grade Pay Rs. 2000 or 1900, Level 3/Level 2 (7th PC))

• (a) Represented the Country in any of the Championships/events in the World Cup (Junior/ Senior Category)/ World Championships (Junior/ Senior Category)/ Asian Games (Senior Category)/ Commonwealth Games (Senior Category); Or
• (b) At least 3rd position in any of the Championships / Events in the Commonwealth Championships (Junior/Senior Category)/ Asian Championships/Asia Cup (Junior /Senior Category) / South Asian Federations (SAF) Games (Senior Category)/ USIC (World Railways) Championships (Senior Category), World University Games; Or
• (c) At least 3rd position in Senior/ Youth/ Junior National Championships; Or
• (d) At least 3rd Position in National Games organized under the aegis of the Indian Olympic Association; Or
• (e) At least 3rd Position in All India Inter University Championship organized under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities; Or
• (f) 1st Position in Federation Cup Championships (Senior Category).

Additional Discipline-wise Norms for Level-4/5 and Level-2/3

• Athletics (Men), Level 4/5: a Gold Medal winner in the Open National Championship (Senior), Inter State Athletics Championships (Senior) and Asian Championships (Senior) may be considered.
• Chess (Men), Level-4/5 (Grade Pay Rs. 2400/2800): Grand Master Title in Chess.
• Table Tennis (Women), Pay Level 4/5: may be considered on current Annual All India Ranking – Seniors, Singles, up to 8th Position.
• Athletics (Men), Level 2: a medal-winning performance in the National Inter State Senior Athletics Championship may also be considered.
• Hockey (Women), Grade Pay Rs. 1900/2000: at least 2nd Position in International Tournaments of four or more nations may also be considered.
• Hockey (Men), Grade Pay Rs. 1900/2000: participation in International Tournaments (Senior or Junior) of four or more nations may also be considered. Semifinalists in the Senior National Championships may be considered for Grade Pay Rs. 1900/2000. Only events recognised by ‘Hockey India’ count.
• Archery (Men/Women): a medal-winning performance (at least 3rd position) in the All India Inter University Championship, and achievements in International events as per para 3.2, will be considered. Participation and medal-winning performance in events organised by the Archery Association of India will be considered.
• Rifle Shooting (Women): National Shooting Championship Competition (for all age groups). Only individual performance counts.

Sports Norms for Level-1 (Grade Pay Rs. 1800)

• (a) Represented the Country in any of the Championships/events in the Commonwealth Championship (Junior/Senior Category)/Asian Championship/ Asia Cup (Junior/Senior Category)/South Asian Federations (SAF) Games (Senior Category)/ USIC (World Railways) Championship (Senior Category)/ World University Games; Or
• (b) At least 3rd Position in Federation Cup Championships (Senior Category); Or
• (c) Represented a State equivalent Unit, except in Marathon and Cross Country with at least 8th position in Senior National Championship only.

Cricket (Men), Level-1: the following national-level achievements in 4 days/One day limited Overs/Twenty-20 Cricket Championships (except Vizzy Trophy) organised under the aegis of BCCI may also be considered:

• Representation in Main Indian Seniors Team in 2 Test Matches/ Limited Overs One Day International Matches / Twenty-20 Matches.
• Representation of India-A and India U-19 Team in 2 Test Matches / 2 Limited Overs One Day International Matches / 2 Twenty-20 Overs Matches.
• Quarter finalist in Senior/ U-23/ U-19 All India Inter State Group Championships (Except plate group) OR Participation in Senior/U-23/ U-19 All India Inter-zonal Championship OR Participation in Senior/U-23/ U-19 Challenger Trophy.
• Pre-Quarter finalist in Senior/ U-23/ U-19 All India Inter State Championships (Except plate group).

Volleyball (Men/Women): certificates for events conducted by the Volleyball Federation of India or its affiliated units up to 28/10/2025 and after 21/04/2026 will not be considered. Certificates from the National Volleyball Championship held under the aegis of VFI while VFI (Interim Body) had valid Government recognition, i.e. from 29.10.2025 up to 21.04.2026, are valid. Certificates issued by the Association of Indian Universities and the International Federations for recognised volleyball achievements are also valid.

Golf (Men), Grade Pay Rs. 1800: a sportsperson with an I.G.U. ranking up to 100 and a single handicap, i.e. less than 10 (in order of Merit/Amateur Merit list), is also eligible. Only the current Annual All India Ranking will be considered.

Body Building (Men): achievements in events conducted by the Indian Body Builders Federation or its affiliated units will not be considered (RBE No. 75/2024 dated 08.08.2024). Certificates issued by the Association of Indian Universities and the International Federations for recognised Body Building (Men) achievements are valid.

The highest ranking in the year of recruitment may be considered. Sportspersons who meet the norms for a higher grade are also eligible for lower grades. However, they will be eligible for promotion or re-appointment in higher grades only on the basis of sports achievements gained after joining the Railways. (Authorities: RBE 189/2010, 128/2019, 03/2023 & 26/2023.)

Conditions on Sports Achievements

• The achievements must have been earned on or after 01.04.2024.
• Only the concluding day of the Championship/Event is taken into account.
• All Championships/Events must have been held under the aegis of International / National Sports Federations/Associations recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYAS) at the time of that Championship.
• No recruitment will be made on certificates for National Championships held by a federation that was not recognised by MoYAS at the time of that championship.
• The updated list of recognised NSFs is published on the Ministry’s website from time to time.

Junior National Championships Recognised by the RSPB

For para 3.2 (the Level-4/5 and Level-2/3 norms), the RSPB recognises the following Junior National Championships:

Candidates should check the official notification for the discipline-specific eligibility of each post.

RRC SER Age Limit 2026

The age limit for all three levels is a minimum of 18 years and a maximum of 25 years as on 01.01.2027. The notice prints the date-of-birth range as not earlier than 02.01.2002 and not later than 01.01.2009. No age relaxation (upper or lower) is allowed. Proof of date of birth is a copy of the Matriculation or equivalent certificate from a recognised Board, OR the Birth Certificate, which must be uploaded.

RRC SER Salary 2026

RRC SER Application Fee 2026

• The fee must be paid online through Internet Banking or a Debit or Credit Card. Candidates bear the service charges for the payment.
• Fees paid in Cash, by Cheque, Money Order, Central Recruitment Fee Stamps or Demand Draft are not accepted, and such applications will be rejected.
• Rs. 400 for UR/OBC and Rs. 250 for SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Women, Minorities and Economically Backward Classes will be refunded to eligible candidates who actually appear in the trial. Bank charges are deducted from the refund.
• In the application, candidates choose whether the refund goes to the account used for payment. If not, they give a beneficiary account: beneficiary name, account number, name of the bank and IFSC code.
• Candidates seeking a fee exemption as Economically Backward Classes must have Annexure-III filled in and certified by the proper authority. Economically Backward Classes are candidates whose family income is less than Rs 50,000 per annum.
• Minority candidates must make a self-declaration in the Annexure-V format to claim the fee waiver. They must also furnish a Minority Community declaration affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper of Rs.10/-, sworn before an Executive Magistrate. The notice lists the minorities as Muslim/Sikh/Christian/Buddhist/Parsis.

RRC SER Selection Process 2026

1. Sports Trials, where performance is assessed by the Trial Committee.
2. Certificate (Sports & Educational) Verification by a duly constituted Recruitment Committee of South Eastern Railway.

The venue and date of the trials and certificate verification will be sent to eligible candidates in due course. Selected candidates must also meet the required medical fitness standards before appointment.

Distribution of Marks

Minimum Qualifying Marks

Selection is purely on merit, against the vacancies notified in each discipline. When two or more sportspersons score the same marks in a discipline, the younger candidate gets preference. The names of successful candidates will be published separately. Their candidature stays provisional until their qualifications and certificates are verified and found genuine, and other formalities are complete.

How to Apply Online for RRC SER Recruitment 2026

Applications are accepted only online, between 31 October 2026 and 30 November 2026 (23.59 Hrs). Applications sent directly to RRC will not be entertained.

1. Visit the RRC-SER website, www.rrcser.co.in, and click the “Online/E-Application for Sports Quota(OA) / 2026-27” link, then “New Registration”.
2. Fill in your personal details: Name, Father’s name, Date of Birth, Community, E-mail address and Mobile number. These must match your Matriculation or equivalent certificate. Note the registration number and password sent to you by E-mail/SMS.
3. Log in with the registration number and password, and complete the registration step by step.
4. Enter your bank account details for the fee refund, or confirm that the refund should go to the account used for payment.
5. Enter the details of a valid photo identity card and upload it.
6. Upload the scanned photograph, signature and LTI, and the self-attested certificates for date of birth, educational/technical qualification, caste (SC/ST/OBC/EBC/EWS), income, OBC and minority self-declarations, and sports achievements.
7. Pay the fee by credit card, debit card or internet banking.
8. Submit the application. Note the Unique Registration Number generated at submission, which is needed at later stages.
9. Take two (02) printouts of the completed application form. No change is allowed after final submission, and the hard copy must be the same as the one submitted online.

Use your own mobile number and a valid, active e-mail ID, and keep them active until recruitment ends. RRC sends all communication only by SMS and E-mail and will not accept requests to change them. For help with the online application, use the Help Line Number and E-mail ID shown on the RRC/SER website.

Photograph, Signature and LTI Specifications

• Photograph: colour, passport size, white/light background, 3.5 cm X 3.5 cm, not older than three months from the date of application. JPG/JPEG, scanned at 100 DPI, up to 70 KB.
• The photo must show a clear front view, without cap or sunglasses. If you wear glasses, there must be no glare and the eyes must be clearly visible. It must match your appearance at the trial, document verification and medical test.
• The same photo must be used at every stage. The notice advises keeping at least 06 (Six) copies.
• Signature and LTI: in black ink on white paper, within a box of 50 mm x 20 mm or 140X60 pixels. JPG/JPEG at 100 dpi, file size 10-40 KB. Both must be the applicant’s own.
• The signature must be in Hindi or English, not in capital or disjointed letters, and the same at every stage. A different signing style at the trial, document verification or medical examination may lead to cancellation.

Documents Required (PDF format only)

• A self-attested copy of a valid photo identity card issued by a government body (Aadhar card/PAN card/Driving License/Voter ID Card). Carry this card with the e-call letter at every stage.
• A self-attested certificate in proof of educational qualification issued by the Board/Council/University (para 3.5).
• Sports achievement certificates only for Championships concluded on or after 01.04.2024, from recognised Sports Association of Indian University.
• A self-attested certificate in proof of age (Matriculation/10th certificate).
• Self-attested certificates in proof of all recognised sports achievements as per paras 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4.
• SC/ST: a self-attested community certificate from the Competent Authority (Annexure-I).
• OBC-NCL: a self-attested community certificate (Annexure-II) and a self-declaration that the candidate is not in the Creamy Layer (Annexure-IIA).
• EBC: a self-attested Income Certificate from the Competent Authority in the Annexure-III format.
• EWS: a self-attested EWS certificate from the Competent Authority (Annexure-IV).
• Minority: a declaration for the waiver of examination fees (Annexure-V).
• Ex-Servicemen: the discharge certificate and pension documents (copy of PPO).
• Certificates in languages other than English or Hindi must come with an attested English/Hindi translation.
• Serving employees: a No-Objection Certificate from the employer.

What to Bring to the Trial

Bring the original documents for date of birth, educational qualification, sports achievements and identification. Without them, you will not be allowed to appear in the selection. Also bring the e-call letter, the original photo identity card used in the online application, and 02 self-attested copies of every document uploaded with the application. You must bring your own kit. No TA/DA or accommodation is given for the trial. You may need to stay 2-3 days and must make your own arrangements. SC/ST candidates are eligible for free second-class rail travel to attend the sports trials.

Invalid Applications

The notice says applications with any of these defects will be summarily rejected (the list is illustrative, not exhaustive):

• Applications sent manually and not registered online.
• More than one application registered by the same candidate.
• Applications received after the closing date.
• No fee paid, or less than the prescribed fee paid.
• Incomplete, faulty or ineligible applications.
• An undated or unsigned application, or a signature in block, capital or disjointed letters.
• No proper scanned photograph, signature and LTI or other enclosures. This includes a black-and-white, capped, sunglassed, disfigured, small, full-body, side-view or unrecognisable photo.
• No photo identity card or proper certificates of date of birth, education, sports achievement and caste uploaded. Certificates not from the appropriate authority are liable to rejection.
• The candidate lacks the prescribed qualification and minimum sports achievements when applying.
• Over age, or date of birth not filled in or wrongly filled in.
• A compulsory enclosure is missing, or a column is left blank.
• The discipline is not mentioned in the application.
• Any other irregularity that RRC/SER considers invalid.

RRC SER Recruitment 2026 Important Instructions

• Selected candidates are likely to be posted anywhere on South Eastern Railway after all pre-appointment formalities, including training where prescribed.
• Selected candidates must submit a Service Bond to serve 5 years with the railway.
• Candidates appointed to Clerk-cum-typist posts in Group-C must gain typing proficiency of 30 w.p.m. in English or 25 w.p.m. in Hindi within four years of appointment. Until then, the appointment is provisional.
• Candidates debarred from any RRB/RRC exam need not apply unless their debarment ends by the closing date of this notification.
• A candidate found ineligible at any stage may be rejected, and one appointed in error is liable to be summarily removed from service.
• Name, spellings and dates must match the Matriculation certificate. If there is a significant mismatch, the candidature will be cancelled from the day the discrepancy is noticed.
• Canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification.
• The Railway Administration may fix any date, change the place, or postpone or cancel the trials for unforeseen reasons. No claim will be accepted.
• Lists of eligible and ineligible candidates, trial dates and venues, and the e-call letter/admit card link will be published on the RRC/SER website. Ineligible candidates will be informed only through the list on the website.
• South Eastern Railway has not appointed any agent or coaching centre. Report anyone offering selection to the Chairman, Railway Recruitment Cell, South Eastern Railway, Garden Reach, Kolkata-700043, or to the Sr. Dy. General Manager, South Eastern Railway, Garden Reach, Kolkata-700043.
• The decision of South Eastern Railway in all matters is final. For any legal dispute, the jurisdiction is the Central Administrative Tribunal, Calcutta.

RRC SER Recruitment 2026 Important Links

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