Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, a production unit of the Ministry of Railways, has released the ICF Sports Quota Notification 2026-27 (Employment Notice No. PB/RR/39/Sports-Open/01/2026-2027, dated 10 November 2026) for the recruitment of 17 sportspersons against the sports quota. The recruitment offers a good opportunity for sportspersons seeking a Group C government job in the Indian Railways.
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The online application process for ICF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 has started at pb.icf.gov.in, and the last date to fill the online form is 9 December 2026 (11:59 pm). Candidates must check the prescribed educational qualification, age limit, sports norms, selection process and marks distribution before applying.
ICF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026: Overview
Candidates who have passed 10th / 12th / ITI as prescribed for the post, meet the minimum sports norms and are active players are eligible to apply. The selection process includes document verification, a sports trial and assessment of sports achievements and educational qualification — there is no written exam.
ICF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Conducting Body | Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai – Ministry of Railways |
| Posts | Sportspersons (Group C) |
| Vacancies | 17 (Level 1: 9, Level 2: 8) |
| Games | Football, Kabaddi, Hockey, Tennis, Volleyball |
| Mode of Application | Online only |
| Registration Dates | 10 November to 9 December 2026 |
| Mode of Selection | Trial + Sports Achievement + Education (no written exam) |
| Age Limit | 18–25 years as on 1 January 2027 (no relaxation) |
| Salary | Level 1 (GP ₹1,800) and Level 2 (GP ₹1,900) |
| Selection Process | (i) Document Verification (ii) Sports Trial – 40 marks (iii) Sports Achievements – 50 marks (iv) Educational Qualification – 10 marks |
| Trial Venue | Chennai |
| Official website | pb.icf.gov.in |
ICF Sports Quota Trial Date 2026 Out
The trial date will be announced on the official website pb.icf.gov.in and by SMS from “PBICF”. The detailed trial schedule will be notified by the Factory separately. Document verification will be held one day before the trial in Chennai.
ICF Sports Quota 2026 – Important Dates
All the important dates, including registration dates and the age calculation date, have been announced with the release of the official notification.
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| ICF Sports Quota Notification | 10 November 2026 |
| Apply Online Starts | 10 November 2026 (9:00 am) |
| Last Date to Submit Application Form | 9 December 2026 (11:59 pm) |
| Age Calculation Date | 1 January 2027 |
| Sports Achievement Period | 1 April 2024 to 9 December 2026 |
| Document Verification | One day before the trial |
| Trial Date | Will be announced on the website / by SMS |
ICF Sports Quota Vacancy 2026
Through the ICF Sports Quota Recruitment, 17 vacancies have been announced for sportspersons in Pay Level 1 and Pay Level 2. Check the game and position-wise ICF Vacancy 2026 from the table below.
Game and Position-wise Vacancies
| Pay Level | Game | Position | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (GP ₹1,800) | Football (Men) | Goalkeeper | 1 |
| Football (Men) | Forward | 1 | |
| Kabaddi (Men) | All-rounder | 1 | |
| Kabaddi (Men) | Left Cover | 1 | |
| Kabaddi (Men) | Raider | 1 | |
| Hockey (Men) | Attacker | 2 | |
| Hockey (Men) | Midfielder | 2 | |
| Level 1 Total | 9 | ||
| Level 2 (GP ₹1,900) | Football (Men) | Midfielder | 1 |
| Tennis (Men) | Singles / Doubles | 1 | |
| Volleyball (Women) | Blocker | 2 | |
| Volleyball (Men) | Attacker | 1 | |
| Volleyball (Men) | Blocker | 1 | |
| Volleyball (Men) | All-rounder | 1 | |
| Volleyball (Men) | Setter | 1 | |
| Level 2 Total | 8 | ||
| Grand Total | 17 |
ICF Sports Quota Notification 2026 Out
The detailed notification (Employment Notice No. PB/RR/39/Sports-Open/01/2026-2027) for sports quota recruitment has been released on the ICF official website. The notification contains information regarding the number of vacancies, game and position-wise posts, eligibility requirements, sports norms, application dates, fee and other recruitment conditions.
ICF Sports Quota Notification 2026 PDF – Click to Download
ICF Sports Quota Eligibility Criteria 2026
The candidates who will be applying for the ICF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 must check the eligibility criteria specified by the Factory, as it is essential for candidates to fulfill the eligibility criteria in terms of educational qualifications, age limit and sports norms.
Educational Qualification
| Post | Minimum Qualification |
|---|---|
| Junior Clerk (Level 2) | 12th (+2 stage) pass or equivalent |
| Technician Gr. III (Level 2) | 10th pass, or 10th + Act Apprentice / ITI from an NCVT-recognised institution in the relevant trade |
| Level 1 posts | 10th pass, or ITI or equivalent, or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) from NCVT |
- Candidates selected as Junior Clerk must pass a typing test (30 wpm in English or 25 wpm in Hindi) within 4 years of appointment.
- Technician training will follow RBE No. 92/2024 dated 09.10.2024.
- Certificates from COBSE-listed boards and from Jharkhand State Open School, Ranchi are not recognised for railway jobs.
Age Limit (as on 1 January 2027)
A candidate must have attained the age of 18 years and must not be above the age of 25 years, which means born between 2 January 2002 and 1 January 2009 (both dates included).
Age Relaxation
No upper or lower age relaxation is allowed in this open advertisement for any category.
ICF Sports Quota Minimum Sports Norms
| Pay Level | Minimum Sports Achievement (any one) |
|---|---|
| Level 2 | Category B: represented India in the World Cup (Junior / Youth / Senior), World Championships (Junior / Senior), Asian Games (Senior), Commonwealth Games (Senior), Youth Olympics, Champions Trophy (Hockey) or Davis Cup (Tennis); OR Category C: at least 3rd position in the Commonwealth Championships, Asian Championships / Asia Cup, South Asian Federation Games, USIC (World Railways) Championships or World University Games; OR at least 3rd position in the Senior / Youth / Junior National Championships; OR at least 3rd position in the National Games (IOA); OR at least 3rd position in the All India Inter University Championship (AIU); OR 1st position in the Federation Cup (Senior) |
| Level 1 | Represented India in any Category C championship listed above; OR at least 3rd position in the Federation Cup (Senior); OR represented a State with at least 8th position in the Senior National Championships; OR at least 3rd position in the Senior / Youth / Junior Nationals, the National Games or the All India Inter University Championship |
Game-wise Special Conditions
- Hockey (Men) Level 1: participation in an international tournament (Senior or Junior) of four or more nations may be considered.
- Kabaddi (Men) Level 1: body weight must be 85 kg or below at the time of the trial. Heavier candidates will not be allowed to take part.
- Tennis (Men) Level 2: current All India ranking of up to 20 in Senior Singles, up to 4 in Senior Doubles, or up to 6 in Youth / Junior Singles. Mixed doubles ranking is not counted. A medal in the National Inter State Senior Championships may also be considered.
- Volleyball (Men and Women) Level 2: achievements in VFI events held after 25.06.2020 are not considered, except VFI National Championship medals won between 29.10.2025 and 21.04.2026. AIU and international federation certificates are valid.
- Junior National age groups accepted: Football U-19 (B.C. Roy Trophy), Kabaddi U-20, Volleyball U-19, Hockey U-20, Tennis U-18.
Only achievements between 1 April 2024 and 9 December 2026 will be counted, and the candidate must be an active player. All championships must be recognised by the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB). Rural meets and festival meets are not considered.
ICF Sports Quota Apply Online 2026 Link
The online form filling process for the ICF Sports Quota Recruitment has started on the official website pb.icf.gov.in. Candidates interested in the 17 sports quota vacancies can submit their online application form by 9 December 2026 (11:59 pm). Make sure to fill the application form carefully; only one application is allowed, and no corrections are possible after submission.
ICF Sports Quota Apply Online 2026 Link (Active) – Click to Apply
Required Documents for Online Application
- Passport-Size Photograph: Recent photograph (JPG, maximum 400 KB) without a cap or sunglasses
- Scanned Signature: In running hand (not block or capital letters), in a 50 mm × 20 mm box, as JPG at 100 dpi, 10–400 KB
- LTI / RTI: Left / right thumb impression in a 50 mm × 20 mm box, as JPG at 100 dpi, 10–400 KB
- Sports Achievement Certificates: Self-attested scans as per Para 4 of the notification
- Educational Certificates: Self-attested scans of 10th / 12th / ITI certificates
- Date of Birth Proof: 10th certificate or birth certificate
- Category / EBC / Minority Certificate: If claiming a fee concession
ICF Sports Quota Application Fee 2026
As per the new notification, candidates belonging to SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Women, Minorities and Economically Backward Class categories get a concessional fee, which is refundable after appearing in the trial. Candidates belonging to other categories must pay ₹500.
| Category | Examination Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / Others | ₹500 |
| SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Women / Minorities / Economically Backward Class | ₹250 (refundable after appearing in the trial, minus bank charges) |
The fee must be paid online. Economically Backward Class here means an annual family income below ₹50,000, supported by an income certificate in the prescribed format. This is not the same as OBC. Minority candidates must give a self-declaration and bring an affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper to document verification.
ICF Sports Quota Fee Refund
The concessional fee of ₹250 paid by SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Women / Minorities / EBC candidates will be refunded only to those who actually appear in the sports trial, minus bank charges.
How to Apply for ICF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
The candidates who are interested in applying for the ICF Sports Quota Vacancy 2026 can follow the steps provided below:
- Visit the official website: Go to pb.icf.gov.in and open the Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) 2026-27 link.
- Register yourself: Read the notification and register. Your system-generated registration number is your login ID, and your date of birth (ddmmyyyy) is your password.
- Fill out the application form: Fill in your personal details, game, playing position, educational details and sports achievements.
- Upload required documents: Upload your photograph, signature, LTI / RTI, sports achievement certificates and educational certificates as specified.
- Pay the application fee: Pay the fee online and save the transaction ID starting with “DU”.
- Submit the application form: Check the preview, recheck the details and documents you have provided, and submit your application.
- Download and print the form: After applying, take a printout and bring it to document verification.
Only one application is allowed, and no corrections are possible after submission. There is no need to send a hard copy to ICF.
Documents for Verification
- Printout of the online application
- Original date of birth proof (10th certificate or birth certificate)
- Original educational and sports achievement certificates
- For AIU certificates: proof of being a student of that university / college (college ID, fee book, mark sheet, etc.)
- 2 recent passport-size photographs
- E-receipt of the fee
- Original photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN / Driving Licence / Passport)
- Community / EBC / minority certificate, if claiming a fee concession
- NOC from the employer, for those already in government / PSU service
ICF Sports Quota Selection Process 2026
The selection of candidates for sports quota posts will be based on the following stages:
- Document verification, held one day before the trial
- Sports trial (40 marks) — candidates must score at least 25 out of 40 to be declared FIT
- Assessment of sports achievements and education for FIT candidates
- Merit list and medical examination
Marks Distribution
| Component | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Recognised Sports Achievements | 50 |
| Game Skill, Physical Fitness and Coach’s Observation (Trial) | 40 |
| Educational Qualification | 10 |
| Total | 100 |
Minimum Qualifying Marks
| Pay Level | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
|---|---|
| Level 2 | 65 out of 100 |
| Level 1 | 60 out of 100 |
Important points:
- There is no written examination.
- If two candidates get the same marks, the younger candidate will be ranked higher.
- Selected candidates will be on probation for 2 years and must sign a 5-year service bond with ICF.
ICF Sports Quota Salary 2026
Candidates appointed against the sports quota will receive salary under Pay Level 1 or Pay Level 2 of the 7th CPC. In addition to this salary, they will also receive Dearness Allowance, HRA and other railway allowances as sanctioned by the Government from time to time.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Post | Sportsperson (Group C) |
| Pay Level | Level 1 and Level 2 |
| Grade Pay (6th CPC) | ₹1,800 (Level 1) / ₹1,900 (Level 2) |
| Starting Basic Pay (7th CPC) | ₹18,000 + allowances (Level 1) / ₹19,900 + allowances (Level 2) |
| Additional Benefits | DA, HRA and other applicable railway allowances |
The notification gives only the pay level and grade pay. The starting basic pay shown above is the standard 7th CPC pay matrix figure for that level.
ICF Sports Quota Salary 2026 – Click to Check
ICF Sports Quota Trial Venue 2026
The trials and document verification will be held in Chennai. No TA / DA or accommodation will be given, so candidates from other states should plan their travel and stay in advance.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Trial Venue | Chennai |
| Document Verification | One day before the trial |
| Intimation | Website pb.icf.gov.in and SMS from “PBICF” |
ICF Sports Quota 2026 for West Bengal Players
This is an open advertisement, so footballers, hockey players, kabaddi players, volleyball players and tennis players from West Bengal can apply if they meet the sports norms. Bengal has a strong football culture, and players who have finished in the top three at the Junior Nationals (B.C. Roy Trophy, U-19) or the Senior Nationals, or in the AIU inter-university championship, can apply for the Football Goalkeeper and Forward (Level 1) or Midfielder (Level 2) posts. To qualify for a Level-1 post, a player who represented Bengal in the Senior Nationals needs the team to have finished in the top 8.
The trial and document verification will be held in Chennai, and no TA / DA or accommodation will be given, so Bengal candidates should plan their travel and stay in advance. All updates will come by SMS from “PBICF”, so do not change your mobile number or email until selection is complete.
ICF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
Is ICF Sports Quota 2026 Notification Out?
Yes, ICF Sports Quota Notification 2026-27 has been released at pb.icf.gov.in for 17 vacancies.
How many posts are there in ICF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
There are 17 posts: 9 in Pay Level 1 and 8 in Pay Level 2.
What is the last date to apply?
The last date for the online application is 9 December 2026, until 11:59 pm.
What is the age limit for ICF sports quota 2026?
18 to 25 years as on 1 January 2027. No age relaxation is given to any category.
Which games are included?
Football (Men), Kabaddi (Men), Hockey (Men), Tennis (Men), Volleyball (Men) and Volleyball (Women).
Is there a written exam?
No. Selection is based on the sports trial (40 marks), sports achievements (50 marks) and educational qualification (10 marks).
Where will the trials be held?
The trials and document verification will be held in Chennai. The dates will be announced on pb.icf.gov.in and by SMS.
What is the application fee?
₹500 for General candidates. ₹250 for SC / ST / Ex-Servicemen / PwBD / Women / Minorities / EBC, refundable after appearing in the trial.
