UPSSSC Recruitment 2026 - Apply Online for 108 Assistant Coach, Groundsman and More Posts

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026 Overview

The Commission is inviting online applications for different types of posts in the Sports Directorate, Uttar Pradesh. The table below summarises the key points of the official notification. The post names are English renderings of the Hindi names printed in the notification.

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Important Dates

The last date to submit the application and pay the fee is 04-11-2026. No application or fee is accepted after this date. The fee must be reconciled by the bank by 11-11-2026, and corrections can also be made until that date.

The notification says a candidate cannot print the application until the bank has reconciled the fee. Candidates should therefore make sure the fee is reconciled by 04-11-2026, or at the latest within 7 days, that is by 11-11-2026.

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Vacancy 2026

The notification advertises 108 posts. Table 1 gives the post-wise and category-wise vacancies as printed in the notification. A dash (--) means the notification shows no figure for that category. The notification states that vacancy numbers and category-wise figures may be revised in line with the latest Uttar Pradesh government rules and orders, so the total may increase or decrease.

In summary: Groundsman 3 posts, Deputy Sports Officer 50 posts, Assistant Coach (Swimming) 25 posts, Assistant Coach (other 11 sports) 12 posts, and Lifeguard 18 posts. The notification does not explain what "Special Selection" means beyond using it as a post label.

Horizontal Reservation Details

Table 2 of the notification gives horizontal reservation by post. Only the non-zero figures are listed below. All other horizontal categories (including all disability sub-categories not mentioned here) show 00 or no figure for every post.

For Deputy Sports Officer, Assistant Coach and Lifeguard posts, the notification also lists Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism and Acid Attack Victims sub-categories, all with 00 vacancies. For the Dependant of Freedom Fighter and Outstanding Sportsperson categories, every post shows 00.

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Eligibility Criteria

Only those candidates can apply online who hold the mandatory qualification for the advertised post, appeared in the Preliminary Eligibility Test (PET) 2025, and have a PET-2025 scorecard issued by the Commission. The notification also lists these general conditions:

• Applicants must be citizens of India.
• Candidates must hold the mandatory educational qualification and other required eligibility, with the relevant certificates, by the last date of application, 04-11-2026.
• Candidates for the Main Examination are shortlisted on the normalized score of PET-2025. Candidates with zero, negative or less-than-zero absolute or normalized score are not shortlisted.
• Candidates whose PET-2025 results are marked "Under Investigation (UI)" or "Provisional" are allowed to apply provisionally. Their shortlisting and selection depend on the outcome of the Commission's inquiry.
• Only one application is to be submitted for the advertised posts. If more than one is submitted, the last submitted application is accepted and the others are treated as cancelled.
• Candidates must check that they meet the eligibility conditions before applying. The Commission does not advise candidates on their eligibility.
• Male candidates with more than one living wife, and female candidates married to a man who already has a living wife, are not considered eligible unless the Governor has granted an exemption.

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Qualification

The notification gives mandatory (essential) qualifications and, separately, preferential qualifications for each post. The notification states that, other things being equal, preference in direct recruitment is given to candidates with the preferential qualifications. Post-wise details are below.

Equivalence of coaching-diploma institutions: the Director (Sports), Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate, Lucknow, has informed the Commission through letters dated 14-07-2025 (attached as Annexure-1 for Deputy Sports Officer and Annexure-2 for Assistant Coach) that, besides the institutes named above, the National Sports University, Imphal, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, is also recognised. The notification says any other institution will be intimated later if it is received.

The notification states that the Commission's decision on a candidate's eligibility or ineligibility is final. Candidates whose application lacks the mandatory qualification, or who give false information, are liable to have their candidature cancelled.

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Age Limit

The age limit differs by post. The notification gives the age as on a reference date, as shown below. The exact number of years of relaxation for reserved categories is not specified in this notification.

Age Relaxation

• For Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other categories notified by the government from time to time, the upper age limit is relaxed by the number of years specified. The number of years is not stated in this notification.
• For Deputy Sports Officer and Assistant Coach posts, the upper age limit for persons already in government service is relaxed by the number of years of government service they have completed.
• Employees working in state services are given a maximum relaxation of five years in the upper age limit as per the Uttar Pradesh government order dated 27 August 2013.
• Chief Minister Fellowship researchers get relaxation in age limit and preference as per the Uttar Pradesh Public Services (Relaxation of Age Limit and Preference for Chief Minister Fellowship Researchers for Competitive Examinations) Rules, 2026.

The date of birth recorded in the High School or equivalent certificate is the only date of birth accepted.

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Application Fee

At the application stage, only an online processing fee of Rs. 25.00 is charged. The application fee itself is Rs. 00 for every category.

• Candidates in the Dependant of Freedom Fighter, Ex-Servicemen, Women, Persons with Disabilities and Outstanding Sportsperson categories pay the fee according to their original category among serial numbers 1 to 4.
• The fee can be paid by credit card, debit card, internet banking, UPI, or SBI e-challan. No other mode is allowed.
• The examination fee for the Main Examination is paid separately, and only by candidates shortlisted for it. It must be paid before downloading the Main Examination admission card. The amount is not specified in this notification.

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Salary

The notification gives the pay level and pay scale for each post. The amounts are the minimum and maximum of the pay scale, not a take-home figure. Allowances are not specified in the notification.

UPSSSC Sports Directorate Selection Process

Selection for the advertised posts is based on a written examination, conducted under the Uttar Pradesh Group "C" direct recruitment rules, the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate service rules (1982 and 1986, as amended), and the new two-tier examination system adopted by the state government. The notification names no interview, physical test or other stage.

How Candidates Are Shortlisted

• Only candidates who appeared in the Commission's PET-2025 and have a scorecard can apply.
• Candidates are shortlisted for the written examination on their normalized PET-2025 score, in merit order.
• For this advertisement, candidates equal to 15 times the advertised posts, category-wise, are shortlisted. This includes all candidates holding the normalized score of the final cut-off (up to two decimal places).
• If the examination is held in more than one shift or day, the score normalization follows the Commission's notice dated 22 May 2019.

Post Preference and Document Verification

Candidates must give a preference of posts at the time of document verification (record examination). The Commission will try to allot posts as far as possible on the basis of the preferences given, taking into account post availability, merit, the post's educational qualification and the age limit. The Commission's decision is final. Candidates must submit self-attested copies of mark sheets, certificates and degrees, and the application copy, when asked.

Written Examination Pattern

The written examination has one question paper of 100 questions and a duration of two hours (120 minutes). Questions are objective, multiple-choice type. Each question carries one mark. Each wrong answer carries negative marking of 25 percent, that is one-fourth of the marks for that question. The exam date is not specified and will be notified in due course.

Syllabus Highlights

The notification gives a detailed syllabus. The 40-mark Sports-Related Information section covers these ten areas:

1. Exercise Physiology (energy systems, ATP production, cardiovascular and muscular adaptations, recovery and fatigue management)
2. Sports Psychology (motivation, personality and sports performance, managing fear, anger, anxiety, aggression and stress)
3. Sports Training (principles of training, training components, planning and periodization, talent identification)
4. Sports Biomechanics (motion, force, levers, Newton's laws in sports, kinematics and kinetics, injury prevention)
5. Sports Nutrition and Yoga (macronutrients, micronutrients, hydration, diet planning for athletes, balanced diet, yogic practices)
6. Sports Medicine (common sports injuries, first aid and emergency care, massage and rehabilitation)
7. Organization and Administration in Sports (sports organization, event management, facility and equipment management, leadership and communication)
8. Testing, Measurement and Evaluation (physical fitness testing, skill and performance testing, body types)
9. Application of Digital Learning and AI in Sports (digital coaching tools, AI applications, data management and statistical analysis, computer applications)
10. International and National sports federations and bodies, major competitions, sports awards in India, and rules and regulations of sports

Part-2 covers computer and IT basics (hardware and software, input and output, IP address, IT gadgets, e-mail, printer, tablet and mobile operation, MS-Word and MS-Excel, operating systems, social networking, e-governance), digital financial tools, future skills and cyber security, and developments such as AI, big data processing, deep learning, machine learning and Internet of Things. Part-3 covers the history, culture, art, architecture, festivals, geography, economy, polity and current events of Uttar Pradesh. The remaining Part-1 subjects follow standard general studies topics as printed in the notification.

Reservation Provisions in UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026

• Reservation applies to Uttar Pradesh SC, ST, OBC and EWS candidates as per the latest Uttar Pradesh government orders and the requisition received from the department.
• EWS candidates must have family income from all sources below Rs. 8 lakh in the financial year before the year of application and must meet the conditions of the Uttar Pradesh Public Services (Reservation for Economically Weaker Sections) Act, 2020 (10 percent reservation). They need an EWS certificate issued between 01-04-2026 and 04-11-2026, based on FY 2025-26 income and valid for FY 2026-27, in the prescribed format.
• Candidates who are not original residents of Uttar Pradesh do not get reservation and are treated as Unreserved.
• A candidate claiming more than one reservation gets only one benefit, whichever is more beneficial.
• Ex-Servicemen must have retired from service by 04-11-2026. Dependants of Freedom Fighters and Ex-Servicemen get reservation under the Uttar Pradesh Public Services (Physically Handicapped, Dependants of Freedom Fighters and Ex-Servicemen) Reservation Act, 1993, as amended.
• Women of Uttar Pradesh are placed in the categories to which they belong. For Uttar Pradesh women candidates, only a caste certificate issued on the father's side is valid. Women's reservation is subject to the final decision of the Supreme Court in Special Appeal (D) No. 475/2019.
• Uttar Pradesh Outstanding Sportspersons must submit a certificate in the format prescribed by the competent authority, under the Uttar Pradesh Government Departments (Direct Recruitment to Group-C Posts of Outstanding Sportspersons) Rules, 2022.
• Persons with disabilities must hold a disability certificate issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format, stating the type and percentage of disability. The notification says posts have been re-identified to ensure 4 percent horizontal reservation, and disabled candidates must update their disability category and sub-category in the application.
• Candidates selected under horizontal reservation are adjusted in their own category.

The notification attaches formats for the SC/ST caste certificate, OBC caste certificate, EWS income and asset certificate and self-declaration, dependant of freedom fighter certificate, and disability certificate forms (Appendix 1 to 9 and Annexure 1 to 2).

How to Apply for UPSSSC Sports Directorate Recruitment 2026

The notification allows only the online application system. Applications sent by any other means are not accepted. Candidates should read the full advertisement before applying.

1. Visit the Commission's website upsssc.gov.in and, on the homepage under the Live Advertisement Segment, click the advertisement for Sports Directorate Main Examination (PET-2025)/22 to view or download it.
2. Log in using your PET-2025 registration number. An OTP is sent to the mobile number or e-mail registered in PET-2025.
3. Your personal details recorded in PET-2025 (name, parents' names, domicile, category, EWS, horizontal reservation details, date of birth, gender, marital status, mobile number, e-mail) are displayed automatically.
4. Select the posts you want to apply for. A post not selected is not considered.
5. For each selected post, choose Yes or No for the required educational qualification and enter the board or university name, year of passing, certificate or roll number, certificate issue date and marks details.
6. Check the photo and signature uploaded in PET-2025, which are displayed automatically and cannot be changed. Then enter whether you hold any preferential qualification, and check your permanent and correspondence address.
7. Read the declaration, tick all checkboxes, enter the verification code and click "Save and Submit".
8. Pay the fee through credit card, debit card, internet banking, UPI or SBI e-challan. The application is submitted automatically once the fee is paid and reconciled.
9. Download and print the application. Keep a copy safe, as it may be required during record verification.

Fee Payment Problems

• If the application does not appear after payment, the fee has not been reconciled. Log in with the registration number, use "Update Your Transaction ID by Double Verification" in the Applicant Segment, and click "Verify Transaction ID".
• If payment fails, a Payment Acknowledgment Receipt (PAR) appears instead of the application. Use the same option and then the "Application Fee Deposition" option to pay.
• For SBI e-challan, download the challan, pay at any SBI branch, then enter the challan details through the "Update Your Transaction ID by Double Verification" option.

Corrections in the Application

After the application is finally submitted, candidates can make corrections until 11-11-2026 by logging in through the Applicant's Dashboard, clicking "Modify Application" and entering the verification code and OTP. Only the following details can be corrected:

• Correspondence address.
• Personal details such as EWS and horizontal reservation category (Dependant of Freedom Fighter, Disabled, Ex-Servicemen, Gender, Outstanding Sportsperson, etc.).
• Details of mandatory or preferential qualification entered in the application.
• Marital status.

No correction is possible after the last date for correction, and the Commission does not accept separate representations for corrections.

Important Instructions for Candidates

• Uttar Pradesh reserved-category candidates must mark their category in the application.
• Candidates working in central or state government service must get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employer, to be shown when the Commission asks.
• Self-attested copies of mark sheets, certificates and degrees must be produced to verify age and qualification when requested.
• The examination date, time and centre are given in the admission card. The centre, date and time are not changed in any case, and candidates should not write to the Commission about it.
• The Commission does not correspond individually with candidates. All information is uploaded on its website, so candidates should check it regularly.
• An application can be cancelled if the date of birth is not given, the candidate is overage or underage, lacks the mandatory qualification, or gives false information.
• Giving wrong facts that cannot be proved by certificates can lead to debarment from this and all other examinations and selections of the Commission.
• Malpractice, indiscipline or misbehaviour in the examination can lead to cancellation of candidature and debarment. The Uttar Pradesh Public Examination (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024 applies.