Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Maligaon, Guwahati has released Employment Notification No. 04/2026 for recruitment of 56 sportspersons against the Sports Quota for the year 2026-27. The vacancies are spread across Level-3/2 (GP Rs. 1900/2000) and Level-1 (GP Rs. 1800) in various sports including Athletics, Basketball, Badminton, Boxing, Cricket, Football, Golf, Kabaddi, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and more. Both men and women candidates who are active sportspersons with achievements in national or international championships held on or after 01.04.2024 are eligible to apply online through the NFR portal. The application window opens on 25.07.2026 and closes on 24.08.2026.
Latest Update — July 2026: NFR has published Advt. No. 04/2026 for 56 Sports Quota posts. Online applications open on 25.07.2026 through nfr.indianrailways.gov.in. Last date to apply is 24.08.2026.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Sports Quota Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), Maligaon, Guwahati |
| Notification No. | 04/2026 |
| Total Vacancies | 56 Posts |
| Pay Levels | Level-3/2 (21 Posts) & Level-1 (35 Posts) |
| Application Start | 25.07.2026 |
| Application Closing | 24.08.2026 |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Official Portal | nfr.indianrailways.gov.in |
| Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027) | 18 to 25 years |
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Level 3/2 Vacancy Details (21 Posts)
Level-3/2 posts carry Grade Pay of Rs. 1900/2000. Candidates must have passed Class 12th (+2 stage) or its equivalent from a recognized Board/Council. Here is the complete sport-wise and event-wise breakdown:
| Sport | Event/Category | Gender | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Compound | Woman | 1 |
| Athletics | Decathlon | Man | 1 |
| Athletics | Long Distance (5000m/10000m/Cross Country) | Man | 1 |
| Basketball | Post Player | Man | 1 |
| Basketball | All Rounder | Man | 1 |
| Basketball | All Rounder | Woman | 2 |
| Badminton | Single | Man | 1 |
| Badminton | Single | Woman | 1 |
| Boxing | 90+ Super Heavy | Man | 1 |
| Boxing | 60+ – 65 kg | Woman | 1 |
| Boxing | 80+ kg | Woman | 1 |
| Boxing | 57-60 kg | Woman | 1 |
| Cricket | All Rounder | Man | 1 |
| Cricket | Batsman | Man | 1 |
| Cricket | Pace Bowler | Woman | 1 |
| Table Tennis | Single | Woman | 1 |
| Volleyball | Setter | Man | 1 |
| Weightlifting | +86 kg | Woman | 1 |
| Weightlifting | 71 kg | Man | 1 |
| Weightlifting | 60 kg | Man | 1 |
| Total (Level 3/2) | 21 | ||
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Level 1 Vacancy Details (35 Posts)
Level-1 posts carry Grade Pay of Rs. 1800. Candidates must have passed Class 10th (Matriculation) or ITI or NAC from NCVT. Here is the complete breakdown:
| Sport | Event/Category | Gender | Posts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Recurve | Woman | 2 |
| Athletics | High Jump | Man | 1 |
| Badminton | Single | Woman | 1 |
| Basketball | All Rounder | Man | 2 |
| Basketball | All Rounder | Woman | 1 |
| Basketball | Post Player | Woman | 1 |
| Boxing | 50+ – 55 kg | Man | 1 |
| Boxing | 60-65 kg | Man | 1 |
| Cricket | Left Arm Spinner/Leg Spinner | Man | 1 |
| Cricket | All Rounder | Man | 1 |
| Cricket | Left Arm Spinner | Woman | 1 |
| Cricket | Batswoman | Woman | 1 |
| Football | Right Wing | Man | 1 |
| Football | Striker | Man | 1 |
| Football | Defensive Mid Fielder | Man | 1 |
| Football | Left Back | Man | 1 |
| Golf | Single | Man | 2 |
| Kabaddi | Left Corner | Man | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Left Cover | Man | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Right Corner | Man | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Right Cover | Man | 1 |
| Kabaddi | All Rounder | Man | 1 |
| Kabaddi | Raider | Man | 2 |
| Powerlifting | 74 kg | Man | 1 |
| Powerlifting | 105 kg | Man | 1 |
| Powerlifting | 120+ kg | Man | 1 |
| Powerlifting | 69 kg | Woman | 1 |
| Volleyball | All Rounder | Man | 1 |
| Volleyball | Libero | Man | 1 |
| Weightlifting | 94 kg | Man | 1 |
| Weightlifting | +110 kg | Man | 1 |
| Total (Level 1) | 35 | ||
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Posting & Quota Allotment
The 56 vacancies have been worked out as per RBE 189(B)/2010 and RBE 52/2012. Level-3/2 posts (GP-1900/2000) include 16 + 5 downgraded quota of Level-4/5 for Zonal Head Quarter, totalling 21. Level-1 posts (GP-1800) include 10 for Zonal Head Quarter and 25 for Divisions (5 each for APDJ, KIR, RNY, LMG, and TSK), totalling 35. Selected candidates will be posted in the Divisions (Alipurduar, Katihar, Rangiya, Lumding & Tinsukia) or Headquarter of N.F. Railway as per requirement of sports and availability of vacancies.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Educational Qualification & Age Limit
| Level | Educational Qualification | Age Limit (as on 01.01.2027) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3/2 | Class 12th (+2 stage) or equivalent from a Govt. recognized Board/Council/Institution | 18 to 25 years |
| Level 1 | Class 10th (Matriculation) or ITI or equivalent or NAC granted by NCVT | 18 to 25 years |
For Technician-III appointments under sports quota, minimum qualification is Class 10th pass. The training period is 3 years unless the candidate passes/possesses ITI qualification in the relevant trade, in which case it is 6 months. Proof of age (HS/Matriculation certificate) must be produced.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Sports Achievement Period
Key Requirement: Sports achievements in recognized championships/events held on or after 01.04.2024 shall only be considered for appointment. The sportsperson must be an active player currently, and for validity, the concluding day of the championship/event shall be taken into account.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Sports Norms
Level 3/2 – Sports Norms
- Represented the country in any Category-B championships/events, OR
- At least 3rd position in any Category-C championships/events, OR
- At least 3rd position in Senior/Youth/Junior National Championships, OR
- At least 3rd position in National Games, OR
- At least 3rd position in All India Inter University Championships, OR
- 1st position in Federation Cup Championships (Senior Category).
Level 1 – Sports Norms
- Represented the country in any Category-C championships/events, OR
- At least 3rd position in Federation Cup Championships (Senior Category), OR
- Represented a state or equivalent unit, except in marathon and cross-country with at least 8th position in Senior National championships only.
Categories of International Championships
| Category | Events Included |
|---|---|
| Category-A | Olympic Games (Senior category) |
| Category-B | World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics, Davis Cup, Champions Trophy, Thomas/Uber Cup |
| Category-C | Commonwealth Championships, Asian Championships/Asia Cup, SAF Games, USIC (World Rlys) Championship, World University Games |
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Selection Process & Marks
The selection process has two stages — a Trial and an Interview. Here’s how the 100 marks are split:
| Stage | Assessment | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Trial | Sports performance & suitability | 40 |
| Interview | Sports achievement | 50 |
| Interview | Educational qualification | 10 |
| Total | 100 | |
Candidates securing 25 marks or more in the Trial are declared FIT and called for the interview. Those below 25 marks are declared NOT FIT. Minimum qualifying marks: Level-3 — 65 marks, Level-2 and Level-1 — 60 marks. Offer of appointment is purely on merit; preference goes to the younger candidate in case of a tie.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General | Rs. 500/- |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Women, Minority, EBC | Rs. 250/- |
Candidates appearing for selection trials will be entitled to a partial refund of the application fee.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – How to Apply Online
- Visit the official NFR website: nfr.indianrailways.gov.in.
- Click on the recruitment/sports quota application link and register with your mobile number and email ID.
- Fill in personal, educational, and sports achievement details in the online form.
- Upload recent colour passport photograph (3.5cm x 4.5cm, 30-70 KB in JPG/JPEG, 100 DPI) without cap and sunglasses.
- Upload signature (3.5cm x 2.5cm, JPG/JPEG, 100 DPI, 20-50 KB). Must not be in block/capital letters.
- Upload scanned educational qualification mark-sheet/certificate and recognized sports achievement certificate held on or after 01.04.2024.
- Upload scanned caste/income/minority certificates (if applicable) and proof of date of birth.
- Pay the application fee online and submit the application.
- Keep mobile number and email ID active for further communication. Do not send any printout or certificates by post.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Documents to Bring During Trial
- All original documents (Date of Birth, Educational Qualification, Sports Achievement).
- Copy of call letter.
- 4 copies of passport-sized photographs.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Important Instructions
Service Bond: Selected candidates must sign a Service Bond to serve for at least 5 years in Indian Railways. A 2-year probation period applies to all selected sportspersons.
- No TA/DA or accommodation will be provided for trials.
- Selected candidates may be posted anywhere on the NF Railway.
- There is no reservation for any community, but SC, ST, and OBC-NCL candidates must submit caste certificates in prescribed formats.
- OBC-NCL and EWS certificates older than one year will be treated as invalid.
- Candidates must fulfill minimum medical norms for the post.
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Publication Date | 04/2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 25.07.2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 24.08.2026 |
| Sports Achievement Validity Period | Achievements on or after 01.04.2024 |
| Age Cutoff Date | 01.01.2027 |
NFR Recruitment 2026 – Important Links
Other Govt JobsNFR Recruitment 2026 – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many vacancies are there in NFR Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
A total of 56 vacancies — 21 posts in Level-3/2 and 35 posts in Level-1 — across 12 different sports for both men and women.
Q2. What is the minimum educational qualification for NFR Level 1 sports quota posts?
Candidates must have passed Class 10th (Matriculation) or ITI or equivalent or National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
Q3. What is the age limit for NFR Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
The age limit is 18 to 25 years as on 01-January-2027 for both Level-3/2 and Level-1 posts.
Q4. What sports achievements are required for Level 3/2 posts?
You must have represented the country in Category-B championships, or secured at least 3rd position in Category-C championships, National Games, Senior/Youth/Junior National Championships, or 1st position in Federation Cup (Senior Category).
Q5. What is the selection process for NFR Sports Quota posts?
Selection has two stages — a Trial (40 marks) assessing sports performance and suitability, followed by an Interview (60 marks for sports achievement and educational qualification). Total is 100 marks. Minimum qualifying marks are 65 for Level-3 and 60 for Level-2/1.
Q6. What is the application fee for NFR Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
General candidates pay Rs. 500. SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, Women, Minority, and EBC candidates pay Rs. 250. Candidates appearing for trials get a partial refund.
Q7. How do I apply for NFR Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
Apply online through nfr.indianrailways.gov.in between 25.07.2026 and 24.08.2026. Upload photograph, signature, educational certificates, and sports achievement certificates. Do not send anything by post.
Q8. What is the service bond requirement for NFR sports quota recruitment?
Selected candidates must sign a Service Bond to serve for at least 5 years in Indian Railways. A 2-year probation period applies to all selected sportspersons.
Q9. Are women candidates eligible for NFR Sports Quota posts?
Yes. Several posts are reserved for women in sports like Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, and Powerlifting. The application fee for women is Rs. 250.
Q10. Where will selected NFR sportspersons be posted?
Selected candidates will be posted in the Divisions (Alipurduar, Katihar, Rangiya, Lumding & Tinsukia) or Headquarter of N.F. Railway as per sports requirement and vacancy availability.
