The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has approved a historic recruitment drive for the post of Assistant Coach (Level-06, Pay Matrix as per 7th CPC) in the Sports Authority of India (SAI). This marks the first major induction since 2017 and is the largest recruitment exercise ever undertaken for this vital cadre in Indian sports.
In a media interaction, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said: “To ensure fairness, transparency, and merit, a comprehensive selection process is being established to identify and induct the best available coaching talent. This strategic recruitment will play a key role in advancing India’s sporting ambitions in the years ahead”.
He added that the initiative aligns with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a global sporting powerhouse and to strengthen the nation’s sporting ecosystem through transparent, merit-based systems and institutional capacity building.
The drive will fill more than 320 vacancies across over 25 sports disciplines through direct recruitment. The Assistant Coach cadre is a crucial link in India’s sports development framework, forming the foundation for identifying and nurturing sporting talent from grassroots to elite levels. Strengthening this cadre is expected to ensure structured, high-quality coaching support for athletes across the country.
The recruitment process will be aligned with the Government’s Medal Strategy for the Olympic and Asian Games, focusing on disciplines with strong medal potential such as aquatics and cycling. At the same time, special attention will be given to sports that promote a broader sporting culture, including lawn tennis, kayaking, and canoeing, recognizing their growing importance and potential.
In a significant step toward gender inclusivity, over 50% of the posts will be reserved for women coaches. This initiative aims to address the shortage of women coaches in the country while creating a safe and empowering environment for female athletes.