The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, has issued an advertisement for the recruitment of meritorious sportspersons to the posts of Head Constable (General Duty) and Constable (General Duty) under the Sports Quota-2026.
According to the recruitment advertisement dated September 17, 2026, a total of 521 vacancies are available across multiple sports disciplines. The recruitment is open to eligible Indian citizens, both male and female, who meet the prescribed educational, age, sports achievement and physical standards.
The vacancies have been announced for 182 Head Constable (GD) posts and 339 Constable (GD) posts. Of the Head Constable vacancies, 150 are for male candidates and 32 for female candidates. For Constable (GD), 258 vacancies are earmarked for male candidates and 81 for female candidates.
The CRPF advertisement states that the posts are Non-Gazetted and Non-Ministerial Group ‘C’ positions. They are initially temporary and are likely to be made permanent. The posts carry an All India liability, meaning selected candidates may be required to serve anywhere in India or abroad.
Applications will be accepted through online mode only. The online application window is scheduled to open on October 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM and close on November 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Candidates will also receive an opportunity to make corrections or modifications to submitted applications from November 12 to November 14, 2026.
CRPF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details
The recruitment drive covers a total of 521 vacancies under the Sports Quota-2026.
The post-wise distribution is as follows:
Post Male Female Total
Head Constable (GD) 150 32 182
Constable (GD) 258 81 339
Total 408 113 521
The CRPF has stated that the number of vacancies is tentative. The vacancy position may increase or decrease at any stage of the recruitment process because of administrative reasons. Any change is to be communicated through the CRPF recruitment website.
The advertisement distributes the vacancies among 22 sports disciplines. The discipline-wise totals are:
Aquatics (Swimming) – 60
Archery – 3
Athletics – 101
Badminton – 5
Basketball – 16
Body Building – 11
Boxing – 20
Football – 22
Gymnastics – 12
Handball – 12
Hockey – 15
Judo – 16
Kabaddi – 27
Karate – 17
Shooting – 53
Taekwondo – 14
Volleyball – 20
Water Sports – 20
Weightlifting – 19
Wushu – 20
Wrestling – 26
Yoga – 12
The detailed notification contains separate event-wise and gender-wise allocations for these disciplines.
Aquatics and Athletics Have Multiple Events
Among the sports listed in the notification, Aquatics has vacancies in several swimming and water-based events. These include freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly and individual medley events. Diving and water polo are also included.
The Aquatics category has a total of 60 vacancies, distributed across the listed events. The notification specifies separate positions for male and female candidates and for Head Constable and Constable categories.
Athletics has the largest discipline-wise allocation, with 101 vacancies. The events mentioned include 100 metres, 400 metres, 800 metres, 1500 metres, 5000 metres, 110-metre hurdles, 400-metre hurdles, 3000-metre steeplechase, long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault, discus throw, hammer throw, shot put, javelin throw, 20-kilometre walk, 10-kilometre walk, marathon, decathlon and cross country.
Team Sports Included in CRPF Sports Quota Recruitment
The recruitment also includes several team sports.
Basketball carries 16 vacancies, while football has 22 vacancies. The football allocation includes goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards.
Handball has 12 vacancies, while hockey has 15. Kabaddi has 27 vacancies, and volleyball has 20 vacancies.
The hockey notification covers positions including full back, half back, goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward.
These allocations form part of the overall 521-post recruitment under the Sports Quota-2026.
Individual Sports and Combat Disciplines
A number of individual and combat sports are also covered by the recruitment notification.
Boxing has 20 vacancies, with allocations spread across different weight categories for male and female candidates.
Judo has 16 vacancies, with the notification specifying several weight categories. Karate has 17 vacancies, including different Kumite categories and Individual Kata.
Taekwondo has 14 vacancies, with different Kyurogi weight categories. Wrestling has 26 vacancies, covering Free Style and Greco Roman categories.
Wushu has 20 vacancies, covering Taolu and Sanda events. Weightlifting has 19 vacancies, while Shooting has 53 vacancies across various rifle and pistol events.
CRPF Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
Candidates interested in applying should note the dates mentioned in the official advertisement.
Advertisement date: September 17, 2026
Online application starts: October 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM
Last date to apply and pay the online fee: November 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM
Correction window: November 12 to November 14, 2026
The recruitment notice specifically states that applications will be accepted only through the CRPF recruitment website. Offline applications will not be accepted.
CRPF Sports Quota 2026 Eligibility Criteria
The recruitment is specifically intended for meritorious sportspersons who meet the sports achievement conditions mentioned in the notification.
For both Head Constable (GD) and Constable (GD), the prescribed age is 18 to 23 years as on August 1, 2026, subject to the applicable age relaxation provisions.
For Head Constable (GD), candidates must have passed 10+2 or an equivalent qualification from a recognised Board or University recognised by the Central or State Government. Equivalent Army qualification is also mentioned for eligible Ex-Army personnel.
For Constable (GD), candidates must have passed Matriculation or an equivalent examination from a recognised board.
The notification makes clear that candidates must possess the required educational qualification by November 11, 2026, the closing date of applications. Candidates who do not possess the prescribed qualification by that date are not eligible to apply.
Sports Qualification for Head Constable Posts
The sports qualification requirements vary according to the level of competition and achievement.
For Head Constable (GD), eligible sportspersons include those who have represented India in recognised international competitions or meets, subject to the clearance requirements of the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Eligibility also covers sportspersons who have represented a State or Union Territory in National Games or Championships organised by recognised National Sports Federations, or National Games organised by the Indian Olympic Association, and have won medals or secured positions up to third place.
Candidates who have secured first or second position in individual events in Inter-University Tournaments can also meet the sports qualification criteria. For team events, the team must have reached the finals in competitions conducted by the Association of Indian Universities or the Inter University Sports Board.
The notification additionally provides eligibility for sportspersons who have won Gold or Silver medals in individual or team events at Junior National-level Games, Championships or Meets organised by recognised National Sports Federations.
Sports Qualification for Constable Posts
For Constable (GD), the notification provides different sports achievement categories.
Eligible candidates may include sportspersons who have represented a State in Senior or Junior National-level Games or Championships organised by recognised National Sports Federations.
The notification also covers sportspersons who have represented State School teams in National Sports or Games for Schools conducted by the All-India School Games Federation of India and secured medals or positions up to third place.
Candidates who have represented a State or Union Territory in Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Youth Games or Khelo India Winter Games, conducted with the authorisation of the Department of Sports, and secured medals or positions up to third place are also included.
The sports qualification provisions further include candidates who have represented their University in Inter-University Tournaments conducted by Inter-University Sports Boards.
Sports Achievements Must Fall Within the Prescribed Period
The CRPF notification specifies that the relevant sports achievement or certificate should be from the last two years from the date of publication of the recruitment advertisement.
Candidates must fulfil all eligibility conditions and possess the necessary certificates by the last date for receipt of applications.
Candidates appearing in examinations or awaiting results who do not possess the required educational or sports certificates are not eligible to apply.
The notification also states that educational and sports qualification certificates other than those issued by Central or State Boards must be accompanied by the relevant Government notification declaring equivalence for service under the Central Government.
For the selection process, the advertisement identifies the relevant sports achievement period as September 30, 2024, to September 30, 2026. Players who represented or won medals in the specified competitions during this period may participate in the recruitment process, subject to fulfilling all other conditions.
Age Relaxation Under CRPF Sports Quota Recruitment
The notification provides age relaxation for different categories.
For meritorious sportspersons, the stated relaxation includes:
Unreserved candidates – 5 years
OBC (NCL) candidates – 8 years
SC/ST candidates – 10 years
Ex-Servicemen (UR) – 8 years after deduction of military service
Ex-Servicemen (OBC) – 11 years after deduction of military service
Ex-Servicemen (SC/ST) – 13 years after deduction of military service
The notification also provides provisions for departmental candidates with three years of continuous service, along with additional category-based relaxation in applicable cases.
Candidates seeking age relaxation must produce the prescribed certificate issued by the competent authority. The recruitment notice states that certificates must be in the prescribed formats; certificates in other formats will not be accepted.
CRPF Sports Quota Salary 2026
The pay structure for the two posts is linked to the 7th Central Pay Commission pay matrix.
For Head Constable (General Duty) under the Sports Quota, the post carries Pay Level 4, with a pay range of ₹25,500 to ₹81,100.
For Constable (General Duty) under the Sports Quota, the post carries Pay Level 3, with a pay range of ₹21,700 to ₹69,100.
The notification also states that the posts carry Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance and other allowances as admissible in the CRPF from time to time under Government orders.
The New Defined Contributory Pension Scheme referred to in the advertisement is also applicable to candidates selected for appointment.
How CRPF Sports Quota Merit Will Be Calculated
Sports achievements form an important part of the merit process.
The recruitment notification provides marks for medals and participation according to the level of competition. The marks range according to whether the achievement is a Gold, Silver or Bronze medal or participation.
For example, at the Olympic Games or Summer/Winter Olympics, the prescribed marks are 100 for Gold, 96 for Silver, 92 for Bronze and 80 for participation.
For World Championships or World Cups, the corresponding marks are 90, 86, 82 and 70.
For Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, the marks are 80, 76, 72 and 60.
The notification also assigns marks for Asian Championships/Cups and Commonwealth Championships, Youth Olympic Games, Youth/Junior World Championships and World Cups, Youth/Junior Asian and Commonwealth Championships, SAF Games and recognised international competitions.
For National Games and Senior National Championships, the marks vary depending on whether the achievement is an individual medal or a team event.
Similarly, marks are prescribed for Youth/Junior National Championships, Inter-University Competitions, National Sports Games for Schools, Khelo India University Games and Khelo India Youth Games.
The detailed table gives the following marks for the National and youth-level categories:
National Games and Senior National Championship
Individual Gold – 30 marks
Individual Silver – 26 marks
Individual Bronze – 22 marks
Individual participation – 12 marks
Team-event Gold – 26 marks
Team-event Silver – 22 marks
Team-event Bronze – 18 marks
Team-event participation – 8 marks
Youth/Junior National Championship, Inter-University Competitions, National Sports Games for Schools, Khelo India University Games and Khelo India Youth Games
Individual Gold – 20 marks
Individual Silver – 16 marks
Individual Bronze – 12 marks
Individual participation – 6 marks
Team-event Gold – 16 marks
Team-event Silver – 12 marks
Team-event Bronze – 8 marks
Team-event participation – 4 marks.
Only the Highest Applicable Achievement Is Considered
The CRPF notification contains specific provisions regarding multiple medals and achievements.
Candidates are awarded marks for the highest medal or position secured during the prescribed period. Where a candidate has obtained more than one medal in the same competition, marks are awarded only for the highest medal or position secured in that competition.
Marks for separate competitions are not simply combined as overall sports achievements under this provision.
Candidates who cannot produce the prescribed original certificates or documents are eliminated from the recruitment process. Candidates who qualify the documentation stage proceed to the Physical Standard Test.
CRPF Sports Trial Test
Candidates who qualify the Physical Standard Test will have to appear in the Sports Trial Test for their respective discipline.
The trial is conducted by the Board of Officers constituted for the recruitment.
The notification states that a candidate who fails the Sports Trial Test will not be considered for recruitment. At the same time, no marks are awarded for the trial test. The final merit is based on the marks obtained for sports certificates and achievements.
Candidates appearing for the trial may also be subjected to a dope test on the day of the trial.
The notification further states that an appeal for re-conduct of the Sports Trial Test will not be entertained. Videography and photography are to be carried out during the sports trial.
CRPF Physical Standard Test Requirements
The recruitment notification specifies physical standards that candidates must meet.
For height, the general standard is:
Male candidates: 170 cm
Female candidates: 157 cm
The notification provides relaxed height standards for specified categories.
For candidates belonging to Scheduled Tribes, the relaxed standard is 162.5 cm for males and 150 cm for females.
For Scheduled Tribe candidates from North-Eastern States, the standards are 157 cm for males and 147.5 cm for females.
For Scheduled Tribe candidates from Left-Wing Extremism affected districts, the standards are 160 cm for males and 147.5 cm for females.
Candidates belonging to specified categories including Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras and Marathas, as well as candidates from Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, have a relaxed standard of 165 cm for males and 155 cm for females.
For male candidates, the general chest requirement is 80 cm unexpanded, with a minimum expansion of 5 cm.
For specified categories, relaxed chest standards are provided. Scheduled Tribe candidates have a relaxed unexpanded chest standard of 76 cm, while candidates covered under the specified Garhwali, Kumaoni, Dogra, Maratha and certain State/UT categories have a standard of 78 cm, with 5 cm minimum expansion.
Candidates from the listed North-Eastern States and Gorkha Territorial Administration have a relaxed unexpanded chest standard of 77 cm, also with 5 cm expansion.
Weight is required to be proportionate to height and age according to the applicable medical standards.
Candidates seeking height or chest relaxation must produce the prescribed certificate from the competent authority at the time of the Physical Standard Test.
Medical Examination Under CRPF Recruitment 2026
Candidates shortlisted for the recruitment will undergo medical examination by Medical Boards constituted by the CRPF.
The medical examination is to be conducted under the applicable Uniform Guidelines for Recruitment Medical Examination for officers and non-officers in CAPFs and Armed Forces, along with the relevant Ministry of Home Affairs instructions and amendments.
The notification specifies minimum distance vision of 6/6 and 6/9 for both eyes without correction, meaning without spectacles or lenses.
It also states that colour-blind candidates are not eligible under the prescribed medical requirements.
The medical standards additionally mention conditions including knock knees, flat feet, varicose veins and squint as relevant considerations.
The notification contains provisions regarding tattoos, including permitted locations and size requirements under the stated conditions.
CRPF Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
The application fee is ₹100 for male candidates belonging to the Unreserved, Other Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections categories applying for Head Constable (GD) and Constable (GD) under the Sports Quota.
The fee must be paid through the CRPF recruitment website.
The notification states that the application fee is exempted for:
Female candidates
Scheduled Caste candidates
Scheduled Tribe candidates
Ex-Servicemen candidates
Applications involving any other mode of fee payment are liable to rejection.
The notification also states that the application fee will not be refunded or adjusted against another recruitment process.
Documents Required During Recruitment
Candidates who report for recruitment will have to produce original documents before the Recruitment Board.
These include documents related to age, education, caste, sports achievements, domicile and any claim for age or height relaxation.
The original educational, sports, domicile and caste certificates will be checked by the Recruitment Board.
Candidates whose documents are found in order will be asked to provide self-attested copies. The original documents are returned after verification, while the photocopies are retained with the application.
The CRPF also reserves the right to verify the genuineness of documents and certificates submitted during recruitment.
Candidates claiming SC, ST, OBC or EWS status must produce the applicable certificates in the prescribed format. The crucial date for determining SC/ST/OBC/EWS status is November 11, 2026, the closing date of online applications.
Government employees applying for the recruitment are required to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer during document verification. The notification states that failure to produce the required NOC can result in rejection of the candidature.
Application Process for CRPF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates will have to submit their applications through the official CRPF recruitment website.
The application process is online only. Candidates should first read the instructions and eligibility conditions before filling out the form.
Applicants are required to create their profile on the CRPF recruitment website and upload the relevant sports certificate or document supporting their highest medal, position or applicable level of participation.
The notification specifically states that the relevant sports certificate or document must be uploaded before applying. Failure to upload the required document may lead to rejection during scrutiny.
The application portal is scheduled to remain open from 9:00 AM on October 12, 2026, until 11:59 PM on November 11, 2026.
A correction or modification facility will subsequently be available from November 12 to November 14, 2026.
Selection Process for CRPF Sports Quota 2026
The recruitment process includes several stages.
Candidates whose applications are found in order will be issued online admit cards for the recruitment process.
The stages include:
1. Identity verification
2. Biometric verification
3. Document and testimonial checking
4. Physical Standard Test
5. Sports Trial Test
6. Detailed Medical Examination
7. Review Medical Examination, where applicable
Before documentation begins, candidates undergo identity verification, including biometric capture. Biometric identification may also be carried out at different stages of recruitment.
After documentation, candidates whose certificates and documents are accepted proceed to the Physical Standard Test.
Candidates qualifying in the PST move to the Sports Trial Test for their respective discipline.
Those who qualify the required stages are considered for further selection according to the recruitment rules and merit provisions.
Merit List and Tie-Breaking Rules
The final merit list is prepared on the basis of marks obtained for sports certificates and achievements according to the marks table in the recruitment advertisement.
If candidates have the same marks, the notification provides specific tie-breaking provisions.
The candidate securing the higher marks is placed higher in the merit list. Where candidates have similar international achievements, their national-level achievement is considered for resolving the tie.
If the tie remains, the older candidate is given priority.
If the tie still persists, priority is given according to the alphabetical order of the candidate’s name in English.
The recruitment notice also specifies prescribed formats for sports achievement certificates. Different authorities are identified for certificates relating to international competitions, national competitions, Inter-University tournaments, school-level national competitions and Khelo India events.
Preference Categories for Sports Achievements
The notification lays down an order of preference for different categories of sportspersons.
The first preference is specified for candidates who have represented the country in international competitions with the required clearance from the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The next category covers candidates who represented a State or Union Territory in Senior or Junior National Championships organised by recognised National Sports Federations or in National Games organised by the Indian Olympic Association and secured medals or positions up to third place.
Candidates representing universities in Inter-University competitions or authorised Khelo India University Games and securing medals or positions up to third place are also covered in the stated preference order.
The notification subsequently mentions candidates who represented State or Union Territory teams in Khelo India Youth Games or Khelo India Winter Games and secured medals or positions up to third place.
State School teams participating in National Sports or Games for Schools are also included.
The notification further provides for candidates who represented the State, Union Territory, University or State School teams at the specified levels but did not secure a medal or position.
Service Conditions After Selection
The CRPF recruitment notice states that selected candidates will be governed by the CRPF Act, 1949, and Rules, 1955.
The posts carry All India liability, and selected personnel may be required to serve anywhere in India or abroad.
The notification also contains a condition concerning continued sports performance after appointment. Personnel appointed against the Sports Quota are to be monitored by the Training Directorate for at least two years.
They are required to participate in tournaments, games and meets in their respective sports disciplines.
The notification states that if the required sports standard is lowered or the personnel are found not to meet the required standard within the specified two-year period, their services may be terminated.
Three-Year Service Bond for Selected Candidates
The recruitment advertisement also provides for a service bond for selected sportspersons.
Selected candidates are required to serve the Force for a minimum period of three years, or for a specific period as prescribed from time to time.
The notification states that candidates will give an undertaking through a bond of ₹1,00,000 to serve the Force for at least three years to promote sports in the Force before resigning for better employment elsewhere or on another ground.
The relevant bond format is included as an annexure to the recruitment advertisement.
One Application Per Candidate
The CRPF recruitment notice contains several instructions regarding submission of applications.
A candidate is permitted to apply for one post only, and only one online application is allowed for the examination.
The notification states that if more than one application is detected, all applications may be rejected and the candidate’s candidature cancelled.
It also states that if a candidate submits multiple applications and appears in the examination more than once, the candidature may be cancelled and the candidate may be debarred from the examination.
Candidates are therefore required to exercise care while filling out their application form.
Admit Card and Recruitment Updates
Admit cards for recruitment stages will not be sent through post.
Candidates are advised to regularly check the CRPF website for downloading admit cards and for updates related to the recruitment process.
The notification provides a helpline number, 011-26160255, for queries related to admit cards for sports events or discipline tests and the Detailed Medical Examination or Review Medical Examination. The helpline is specified as available on working days, Monday to Friday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
The CRPF has also stated that amendments to the advertisement and updates concerning recruitment, tests and results will be published through its recruitment website.
CRPF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026: Key Points at a Glance
The major details of the recruitment notification are:
Recruiting organisation: Central Reserve Police Force
Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
Recruitment: Sports Quota-2026
Posts: Head Constable (GD) and Constable (GD)
Total vacancies: 521
Head Constable vacancies: 182
Constable vacancies: 339
Head Constable male vacancies: 150
Head Constable female vacancies: 32
Constable male vacancies: 258
Constable female vacancies: 81
Age: 18 to 23 years as on August 1, 2026, subject to applicable relaxation
HC/GD qualification: 10+2 or equivalent
CT/GD qualification: Matriculation or equivalent
HC/GD pay: Level 4, ₹25,500–₹81,100
CT/GD pay: Level 3, ₹21,700–₹69,100
Application mode: Online
Application start date: October 12, 2026
Application closing date: November 11, 2026
Correction window: November 12–14, 2026
Application fee: ₹100 for specified male UR/OBC/EWS candidates
Fee exemption: Female, SC, ST and Ex-Servicemen candidates
Sports disciplines: 22
Official recruitment website: rect.crpf.gov.in
CRPF Recruitment 2026: Important Instructions for Applicants
Candidates should carefully verify their eligibility before submitting the online application.
The sports certificate uploaded with the application must support the sports achievement being claimed. Original certificates and other required documents must be produced during document verification.
Candidates should also ensure that their name and date of birth are entered exactly as recorded in the Matriculation or Secondary Examination Certificate or equivalent document. The notification states that requests for subsequent changes in these particulars will not be entertained.
Candidates must also ensure that the photograph and signature uploaded with the application are clear. The notification states that applications containing blurred or illegible photographs or signatures may be rejected.
Applicants are required to keep sufficient copies of the same passport-size photograph used in the application and carry them during recruitment stages.
A valid original photo-bearing identification document must also be carried to the recruitment centre or venue for the PST, sports event or discipline test and DME/RME.
Where to Apply for CRPF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can submit their applications through the CRPF Recruitment website at rect.crpf.gov.in.
The online application process will begin on October 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM and will remain open until November 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Candidates should complete the application within the prescribed period and ensure that the required sports certificates and supporting documents are uploaded correctly.
The CRPF has stated that the vacancies are tentative and that changes, corrigenda or updates to the recruitment process will be published on its recruitment website.
Candidates should rely on the official CRPF recruitment notification for the complete event-wise vacancy distribution, eligibility conditions, certificate formats, physical standards, medical requirements and other recruitment instructions. The uploaded advertisement is dated September 17, 2026, and carries Advertisement No. R.II-21/2026-Sports.