Indian Army Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 (Intake 06/2026)

About the Recruitment

The Indian Army, through the Army Sports Control Board, invites applications from unmarried Indian male and female sportspersons for enrolment as Direct Entry Havildar (Sports) and Naib Subedar (Sports) under Sports Quota Entry, Intake Serial No. 06/2026. The recruitment spans 23 sporting disciplines — including athletics, archery, boxing, hockey, wrestling, shooting, swimming, and several other Olympic and Asian Games events. Unlike most recruitment drives, this intake does not notify a fixed number of vacancies in advance: the number of candidates finally enrolled depends on requirement in each sports discipline and vacancy availability determined only after the selection trials, so the "vacancy" figure should be read as need-based rather than pre-announced.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be unmarried and hold a minimum qualification of Matriculation (Class 10 pass). The age band is 17½ to 25 years, restricted to candidates born between 30 September 2001 and 1 October 2008 (both dates inclusive), for both Havildar and Naib Subedar entries. Sports achievement requirements differ by post: for Havildar, a candidate should be a medallist at Junior/Senior National Championship level, have represented India internationally in an individual event, have represented a state or country in a team event at Junior/Senior level, or be a medallist at the Khelo India Games/Khelo India Youth Games/Khelo India University Games (achievements from 1 April 2024 onward are considered). For Naib Subedar, the bar is higher — a medal at a World/Asian Championship or Asian Games, a medal at the Commonwealth Games/World Cup, having represented India at least twice in Asian Games/Commonwealth Games/World Cup, or Olympic representation. Physical standards also apply: minimum height for men ranges from 157 cm to 170 cm depending on region, and 162 cm for women (with a 4 cm relaxation for candidates from the North-East, Gorkhas, Garhwalis, Ladakhis, and recognised tribal areas), along with a minimum 5 cm chest expansion.

Vacancy & Post Details

No fixed vacancy count has been notified for this intake — selection and enrolment are entirely trial-based and contingent on requirement in each sporting discipline (individual events such as athletics, boxing, wrestling and shooting, as well as team games like hockey, football, basketball, kabaddi, and volleyball). Candidates with exceptional talent outside the listed events or categories may still apply, and a waiver in physical standards can be considered for such candidates.

Selection Process

Shortlisting of applications is done purely on the basis of sports achievements. Shortlisted candidates receive a call-up letter by email indicating the date, time, and venue for trials. At the trial site, candidates undergo a Physical Fitness Test (a 1.6 km run within a qualifying time, plus a ditch/long-jump and balance or high-jump component depending on gender), a Physical Standards Test (height, weight, chest expansion), and a skill/trial test in their sport. Those who qualify undergo a medical examination at the same venue. Final enrolment offers depend on the candidate's overall merit and vacancy availability in that sports discipline; selection remains provisional until the candidate reports for training at the allotted Regimental/Corps Training Centre.

How to Apply

This recruitment is offline only. Candidates must download the application form from the official website (joinindianarmy.nic.in), fill it out on A4 paper in the prescribed format, and send the completed form — along with self-attested copies of the Matriculation certificate, Aadhaar card, and sports certificates — by Registered Post only to the Army Sports Control Board, Directorate of PT & Sports, General Staff Branch, IHQ of MoD (Army), Room No. 747 'A' Wing, Sena Bhawan, PO New Delhi-110011. Speed Post and hand-delivered applications are not accepted, and only one application per candidate is allowed. Submissions are accepted from the date of advertisement until 1700 hrs on 10 July 2026; late applications will not be entertained. There is no application fee.

Documents Required

• Two recent passport-size colour photographs (unattested, taken within the last month)
• Matriculation/educational certificates and mark sheets
• Domicile certificate with photograph
• Caste certificate with photograph
• Religion certificate (if religion is not already mentioned on the caste certificate)
• School Character Certificate and a separate Character Certificate (each within the last 6 months)
• Unmarried Certificate (within the last 6 months)
• Aadhaar card, for biometric verification at the trial site
• Discharge Certificate/NOC, for serving or previously discharged government/defence personnel, where applicable