BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF - Apply Online for 25 Sportspersons Posts
Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, under Indian Railways, has released Employment Notice No. Sports Quota/02/2026-27 (No. BLW(P)/Recruitment/Sports/KOTA/2026-27, dated 24.08.2026) inviting online applications from eligible Indian sportspersons for filling up 25 posts against Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) for the year 2026-27, across Basketball, Volleyball, Wrestling and Handball (Men).
In brief: BLW Varanasi is recruiting sportspersons under Sports Quota for 25 posts - 2 in Pay Level-5, 8 in Pay Level-2, and 15 in Pay Level-1. Only candidates with the required sports qualification/achievements are eligible to apply; there is no reservation for SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PH or Ex-Servicemen for these posts. Online applications open 12.09.2026 and close 12.10.2026 (for fee payment, document upload and submission). Applications are online only, via https://blw.indianrailways.gov.in. Selected candidates will be posted at BLW, Varanasi.
BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Unit | Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi – 221004, Indian Railways |
| Employment Notice No. | Sports Quota/02/2026-27 (No. BLW(P)/Recruitment/Sports/KOTA/2026-27), dated 24.08.2026 |
| Recruitment Mode | Sports Quota (Open Advertisement), based on sports trials |
| Disciplines | Basketball (Men), Volleyball (Men), Wrestling (Men), Handball (Men) |
| Total Vacancies | 25 (Pay Level-5: 2, Pay Level-2: 8, Pay Level-1: 15) |
| Reservation | No reservation for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PH/Ex-Servicemen for these posts |
| Application Mode | Online only, via https://blw.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Application Fee | ₹400 (General) / ₹250 (SC/ST/Ex-Servicemen/PwBD/Minorities/EBC) - refundable on appearing in trial |
| Online Application Opens | 12.09.2026 |
| Closing Date (fee payment, document upload, submission) | 12.10.2026 |
| Job Location | Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi |
| Official Website | https://blw.indianrailways.gov.in |
BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notice Date | 24.08.2026 |
| Opening Date of Online Application | 12.09.2026 |
| Closing Date (Fee Payment, Document Upload & Application Submission) | 12.10.2026 |
| Cut-off Date for Age | 01.01.2027 |
| Cut-off Date for Sports Achievement Eligibility | Championship/event on or after 01.04.2024 |
| Trial/Document Verification Date | Not specified in the notification; will be intimated to candidates |
BLW Sports Quota Vacancy 2026-27 Details
25 posts are open across four disciplines, distributed among Pay Level-1, Pay Level-2 and Pay Level-5, by playing position/weight category.
| S.No. | Discipline | Level-01 | Level-02 | Level-05 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Basket Ball (Men) | 1 All Rounder, 2 Forward | 1 All Rounder, 1 Point Guard, 1 Pivot | – | 6 |
| 2 | Volleyball (Men) | 1 Universal, 1 Libero, 1 Counter Attacker, 1 Setter, 1 Centre Blocker | 1 Counter Attacker, 1 Universal | – | 7 |
| 3 | Wrestling (Men) | 1 (57 Kg Free Style), 1 (97 Kg Greco Roman) | 1 (70 Kg Free Style), 1 (125 Kg Free Style) | – | 4 |
| 4 | Handball (Men) | 1 Left Back, 1 Right Wing, 1 All Rounder, 1 Pivot, 1 Goal Keeper | 1 Centre Back | 1 Right Back, 1 Left Wing | 8 |
| Grand Total | 25 (Level-1: 15, Level-2: 8, Level-5: 2) | ||||
There is no reservation for SC, ST, OBC or EWS candidates for these posts. However, candidates claiming to belong to SC/ST/OBC/EWS communities must enclose a photocopy of a Self-Attested Caste Certificate in the format prescribed, issued not below the rank of Tehsildar - otherwise no fee benefit will be given for their community. A separate application, with separate examination fee, must be filed for each discipline/game a candidate wishes to apply for.
BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 Eligibility Criteria
Only candidates having the required sports qualification are eligible to apply. Applicants are advised to possess requisite academic qualification while applying in response to this notice - those awaiting final results are not eligible.
Minimum Educational Qualification (by Pay Level)
| Pay Level (as per 7th CPC) | Minimum Educational Qualification for Recruitment |
|---|---|
| Pay Level 5 | A degree/graduation or its equivalent from a recognized university |
| Pay Level 2 | 12th (+2 stage) or its equivalent examination from a recognized Board/University |
| Pay Level 1 | 10th pass or ITI or equivalent from a recognized Board or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT |
Minimum Sports Norms/Qualification (Summary)
| Pay Level | Minimum Sports Achievement Norm (Indicative) |
|---|---|
| Pay Level 5 | Olympic Games (Senior Category), OR at least 3rd position in any Category-B Championship/event |
| Pay Level 2 | Represented the country in any Category-B or Category-C Championships/events, OR at least 3rd position in Category-C Championships/events, OR at least 3rd position in Senior/Youth/Junior National Championships, OR at least 3rd position in National Games under the aegis of Indian Olympic Association, OR at least 3rd position in All India Inter University Championship organized under the aegis of Association of Indian Universities, OR 1st position in Federation Cup Championships (Senior Category) |
| Pay Level 1 | Represented the country in any Category-C Championships/events, OR at least 3rd position in Federation Cup Championships/events, OR represented a state or equivalent unit (except Marathon and Cross Country) with at least 8th position in the said event |
Championships are categorized as: Category-A (Olympic Games – Senior Category); Category-B (World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games – all Junior/Youth/Senior categories as applicable, Youth Olympics); Category-C (Commonwealth Championships, Asian Championships/Asia Cup, South Asian Federations Games, USIC World Riys Championships, World University Games, etc. – Junior/Senior categories as applicable).
Sports achievement certificates must be issued under the aegis of recognized International/National/State Sports Promotion Board and be conducted by a Sports Federation recognized by Railway Sports Promotion Board (as notified) - federations not recognized or de-recognized after this notification will not be considered. Discipline-specific validity conditions apply for Volleyball (certificates from events organized by Volleyball Federation of India-affiliated units on or after 25.06.2020, or Association of Indian Universities/International Federation events), Handball (events organized by Handball Association of India-affiliated units on or after 05.09.2023), and Wrestling (certificates from events organized by WFI-affiliated units after 10.03.2025).
Recruitment against Junior National Championship-based sports achievements is permitted only for: Basketball (Men, Under-18, Junior National Basketball Championship), Volleyball (Men, Under-19, Junior National Volleyball Championship), and Wrestling (Free Style/Greco Roman, Men, Under-20, Junior National Wrestling Championship).
Only sports achievements from championships/events held on or after 01.04.2024, where the sportsperson remains active as on the date of appointment, are eligible for consideration against this Sports Quota advertisement.
BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 Age Limit
Minimum age is 18 years and maximum age is 25 years, as on 01.01.2027.
- Candidates born between 01.01.2002 and 01.01.2009 (both days inclusive) should only apply.
- Candidates born on or before 31.12.2001 are not eligible.
- Candidates born on or after 02.01.2009 are not eligible.
- No relaxation in lower or upper age limit is permissible for any community.
10th/Matriculation Certificate/equivalent Educational Certificate mentioning date of birth is mandatory; applications without a valid DOB proof will be rejected.
BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 Application Fee
| Category | Fee | Refund |
|---|---|---|
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), Minorities, Economically Backward Classes (EBC) | ₹250 | Refunded to candidates who actually appear in the trial |
| All other candidates | ₹400 | Refunded to candidates who actually appear in the trial |
- Fee must be deposited in the account of FA AND CAO, Banaras Locomotive Works, Varanasi - Account No. 10852349060, IFSC Code SBIN0001868, State Bank of India - before the closing date.
- Candidates should login again to complete the application process after depositing the fee, and must keep the fee receipt.
- Candidates must take a printout of the application form after completing it. Candidature will not be accepted for the recruitment process if there is a discrepancy between the notification and the application form.
- Minorities (Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Zoroastrian/Parsi) claiming waiver of examination fee must submit a minority declaration as per Annexure-III, with a 'self-declaration' affidavit on non-judicial stamp paper if the claimed minority community does not belong to any of the above; if the affidavit is not produced during Document Verification, the candidature will be rejected.
- Economically Backward Class (EBC) means those whose annual family income is less than ₹50,000 - an income certificate as given in Annexure-IV, issued on the letterhead of the competent authority, must be submitted at the time of application.
BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 Selection Process
Selection is based on Screening of Application, Document Verification, and performance in Sports Trials and assessment of Sports Achievement & Educational Qualification.
- After scrutiny of applications, shortlisted eligible candidates will be called for Document Verification and Trial of Sports Performance. Only candidates found suitable in Document Verification proceed to Trials.
- Trials are conducted by a Trial Committee, which assesses sports performance and suitability for the Railway/Unit team, and recommends candidates as either "FIT" or "NOT FIT."
Trial Marking (For Game Skill Assessment)
| Criteria | Marks |
|---|---|
| Game skill, physical fitness & coach's observation during Trials | 40 Marks |
| Outcome | Criteria |
|---|---|
| FIT Candidate | Candidate securing 25 marks or more |
| NOT FIT Candidate | Candidate securing marks below 25 |
Only candidates declared "FIT" are further assessed by the Recruitment Committee. Marks awarded by the Trial Committee (out of 40) are added to the final merit list, computed out of 100 total marks, as follows:
| Component | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Game skill, physical fitness & coach's observations during Trials | 40 Marks |
| Assessment of recognized Sports Achievements as per norms | 50 Marks |
| Educational Qualification | 10 Marks |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks |
Minimum Qualifying Marks (by Pay Level)
| Pay Level (as per 7th CPC) | Minimum Qualifying Marks (out of 100) |
|---|---|
| Pay Level 5 | 70 |
| Pay Level 2 | 65 |
| Pay Level 1 | 60 |
The offer of appointment will be given purely on the basis of merit. In case more than one sportsperson scores the same marks, preference will be given to the younger candidate. Recruitment against posts reserved for SC, ST and OBC communities is subject to candidates uploading a self-attested Caste Certificate issued by the Competent Authority - failing which no fee relaxation is permissible and such candidates will be considered against the General category with the applicable, higher fee.
Medical Examination & Probation
Candidates recommended for appointment must pass the requisite medical fitness standards prescribed for the post by BLW Administration. All candidates getting appointment shall undergo a probation period of 2 years at the time of appointment.
Service Bond
Selected candidates will have to submit a "Service Bond" of 5 years at the time of appointment.
How to Apply for BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27
- Visit the official BLW website, https://blw.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Click on "Recruitment for sports quota 2026-27."
- Click on "Register Here" and complete online registration.
- Log in and fill up the Online Application Form carefully, following the general guidelines for filling the form.
- Upload a scanned colour photograph (size 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm, JPG/JPEG/PNG format, 100 DPI, clear front-facing, taken not before three months from the date of application, without cap and sunglasses).
- Upload a scanned signature (in English or Hindi, in running hand), either JPG/JPEG or PNG format, 100 DPI.
- Upload copies of essential documents: Date of Birth proof, Educational Qualification Certificate, Sports Achievement/Qualification Certificate, Caste/Community Certificate (wherever applicable), NOC from employer (if applicable), Aadhaar Card, and Deposit Slip/Copy of Fee Payment.
- Pay the applicable examination fee (₹400 or ₹250, as per category) into BLW's designated SBI account before the closing date, and log in again to complete the application after fee deposit.
- Preview and submit the application, then take a printout of the completed Application Form for your records - this cannot be modified for the recruitment process after final submission.
- Complete the process before 12.10.2026, the closing date for fee payment, document upload, and application submission.
BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 Important Instructions
- Only Indian sportspersons with the required sports qualification are eligible to apply; a separate application (and separate fee) is required for each discipline/game.
- There is no reservation for SC, ST, OBC and EWS candidates for these posts; however, fee concession requires uploading the prescribed caste/community certificate.
- Merely registering/filling up the online application on the BLW website does not entitle a candidate to be eligible for selection.
- Candidature is provisional at all stages of the recruitment process regarding eligibility, date, mode of selection, acceptance or rejection, recommendation of post, place of posting, grade, etc. - the decision of Railway Administration is final and binding.
- Candidates should bring all documents uploaded with the Online Application Form, in original, along with one set of self-attested photo copies (Date of Birth/Matriculation or equivalent certificate, Educational Qualification, Sports Achievements, Caste Certificate, NOC from employer if working, etc.) on the day of trial and assessment.
- Any subsequent changes in the terms and conditions of the Employment Notice as per extant rules will stand good; BLW reserves the right to consider/incorporate any subsequent changes/modification/addition/cancellation to the recruitment under this notice.
- BLW reserves the right to cancel/postpone trials due to unforeseen circumstances, and reserves the right to fix the date, place or venue of trials, and to cancel the recruitment at any stage.
- No TA/DA/Accommodation will be provided for appearing in the selection trials/assessment. Candidates must make their own arrangements to stay for 4–5 days for the trials as needed.
- Candidature of sports persons recruited against sports quota shall be terminated from service if information/documents furnished by them for recruitment are found incorrect/fake at any stage.
- Persons who have been debarred for life from all RRB/RRC examinations, or debarred for a specified period which is not yet completed, need not apply. Such candidature will be rejected during any stage of recruitment as and when detected.
- Any dispute shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Allahabad only. In the event of any dispute over interpretation or any mistake, the English version shall be treated as final.
BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 Important Links
- Apply Online: Click here
- Official Website: Click here
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
It is Employment Notice No. Sports Quota/02/2026-27 issued by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi, inviting online applications from eligible Indian sportspersons to fill 25 posts under Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) for 2026-27 in Basketball, Volleyball, Wrestling and Handball (Men).
How many vacancies are there in BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
There are 25 total vacancies: 2 in Pay Level-5, 8 in Pay Level-2, and 15 in Pay Level-1, distributed across Basketball (6), Volleyball (7), Wrestling (4), and Handball (8).
What is the last date to apply for BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
The closing date for fee payment, document upload, and submission of the online application is 12.10.2026.
What is the age limit for BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
Candidates must be minimum 18 years and maximum 25 years of age as on 01.01.2027 - born between 01.01.2002 and 01.01.2009 (both dates inclusive). No age relaxation is given to any community.
What is the application fee for BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
The fee is ₹400 for general candidates and ₹250 for SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Minorities and Economically Backward Classes. The fee is refunded to candidates who actually appear in the trial.
What is the educational qualification required for BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
It depends on the pay level: a degree/graduation for Pay Level 5, 12th pass (+2 stage) for Pay Level 2, and 10th pass or ITI/NAC for Pay Level 1.
What is the selection process for BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
Selection involves Screening of Application, Document Verification, and Sports Trials (40 marks), followed by an assessment of Sports Achievement (50 marks) and Educational Qualification (10 marks) for candidates declared "FIT" in trials, out of a total of 100 marks.
What are the minimum qualifying marks for BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
The minimum qualifying marks (out of 100) are 70 for Pay Level 5, 65 for Pay Level 2, and 60 for Pay Level 1.
How can I apply online for BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
Candidates must visit https://blw.indianrailways.gov.in, click "Recruitment for sports quota 2026-27," register, fill the application form, upload the required documents and photograph, pay the fee, and submit before 12.10.2026.
Is there a service bond for selected candidates under BLW Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27?
Yes, selected candidates must submit a Service Bond of 5 years at the time of appointment, and undergo a probation period of 2 years.