The Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, a premier rolling stock manufacturing unit under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, has officially released an employment notification (Notice No. PB/RR/39/Sports-Open/01/2026-2027, dated 10.11.2026). This recruitment drive invites online applications from outstanding sportspersons of Indian nationality for recruitment against Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) in Pay Level-1 and Pay Level-2 of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC) for the recruitment year 2026-2027.
A total of 17 vacancies have been announced, comprising 09 posts in Pay Level-1 (Grade Pay Rs. 1,800/-) and 08 posts in Pay Level-2 (Grade Pay Rs. 1,900/-). The recruitment covers active sportspersons across major athletic disciplines including Football (Men), Kabaddi (Men), Hockey (Men), Tennis (Men), and Volleyball (Men & Women). Candidates having the required sports achievements between 01.04.2024 and 09.12.2026 along with Class 10th / ITI / 12th pass qualifications can apply online via the official ICF portal at pb.icf.gov.in from 10 November 2026 to 09 December 2026 (upto 23:59 hrs).
Selected sportspersons will be recruited in regular Indian Railway positions such as Junior Clerk, Technician Grade-III, or Level-1 staff with 7th CPC central pay packages and allowances. Appointees are required to execute a 5-year service bond. Below is the detailed breakdown of game-wise positions, sports performance norms, age rules, selection criteria, and step-by-step online application instructions.
ICF Chennai Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organization | Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai |
| Parent Ministry | Ministry of Railways, Government of India |
| Employment Notice No. | PB/RR/39/Sports-Open/01/2026-2027 (Dated: 10.11.2026) |
| Recruitment Scheme | Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) 2026-2027 |
| Posts Offered | Junior Clerk, Technician Gr. III (Level-2) & Level-1 Posts |
| Total Vacancies | 17 Posts (Level-1: 09, Level-2: 08) |
| Pay Scale (7th CPC) | Pay Level-1 (GP Rs. 1,800/-) & Pay Level-2 (GP Rs. 1,900/-) |
| Sports Disciplines | Football, Kabaddi, Hockey, Tennis, Volleyball |
| Application Mode | Online Mode Only |
| Application Fee | Rs. 500/- (SC/ST/Ex-SM/PwBD/Women/Minorities/EBC: Rs. 250/-) |
| Online Registration Window | 10 November 2026 to 09 December 2026 |
| Official Portal | pb.icf.gov.in |
ICF Chennai Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event / Milestone | Scheduled Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Issued Date | 10 November 2026 |
| Opening Date for Online Application | 10 November 2026 (from 09:00 hrs) |
| Closing Date for Online Application | 09 December 2026 (upto 23:59 hrs) |
| Document Verification Date | One day prior to the scheduled Trials date |
| Sports Trials Dates | To be intimated via SMS/Email and published on ICF portal |
Application Fee & Refund Policy
Candidates must remit the application examination fee online through Internet Banking, Debit Cards, or Credit Cards:
| Candidate Category | Application Fee | Fee Refund Policy |
|---|---|---|
| All Other Candidates (General / OBC / EWS Male) | Rs. 500/- | Non-refundable |
| SC, ST, Ex-Servicemen, PwBD, Women, Minorities, and Economically Backward Classes (EBC) | Rs. 250/- | Rs. 250/- will be refunded (after deducting bank charges) to candidates who actually appear in the Trials. |
Important Fee Notes:
- Minority Candidates: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Zorastrians (Parsis) claiming fee concession must submit a self-declaration and produce an affidavit on Non-Judicial stamp paper at the time of Document Verification.
- Economically Backward Classes (EBC): Candidates whose annual family income is less than Rs. 50,000/- must upload the income certificate issued on the official letterhead in the prescribed format.
Age Limit & Crucial Dates
- Prescribed Age Range: 18 to 25 Years as on 01 January 2027.
- Date of Birth Bracket: Candidate must be born between 02.01.2002 and 01.01.2009 (both dates inclusive).
- No Age Relaxation: No relaxation in age (either upper or lower) is permissible for recruitment under open advertisement sports quota.
ICF Chennai Sports Quota Vacancy Details 2026
A total of 17 posts are allocated across specific sports disciplines and playing positions:
| Sl. No. | Pay Level & Grade Pay | Game (Men / Women) | Position / Event | No. of Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Pay Level-1 (GP Rs. 1,800/-) |
Football (Men) | Goal Keeper (1), Forward (1) | 02 |
| 2. | Kabaddi (Men) | All-rounder (1), Left cover (1), Raider (1) | 03 | |
| 3. | Hockey (Men) | Attacker (2), Midfielder (2) | 04 | |
| Total Pay Level-1 Vacancies | 09 Posts | |||
| 4. | Pay Level-2 (GP Rs. 1,900/-) |
Football (Men) | Midfielder | 01 |
| 5. | Tennis (Men) | Singles / Doubles | 01 | |
| 6. | Volleyball (Women) | Blocker | 02 | |
| 7. | Volleyball (Men) | Attacker (1), Blocker (1), All rounder (1), Setter (1) | 04 | |
| Total Pay Level-2 Vacancies | 08 Posts | |||
| Grand Total Vacancies (Level-1 + Level-2) | 17 Posts | |||
Note: No post is exclusively reserved for SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD candidates. However, community certificates must be uploaded to claim fee concessions. Candidates can apply for only one playing position in the respective game.
Educational Qualifications
- For Junior Clerk (Pay Level-2): Passed 12th (+2 Stage) Examination or its equivalent from a recognized Board. Appointees must acquire a typing proficiency of 30 words per minute in English or 25 words per minute in Hindi within a period of 4 years from appointment.
- For Technician Gr. III (Pay Level-2): Class 10th pass OR 10th pass plus Course Completed Act Apprentice / ITI in relevant technical trades from an NCVT-recognized institution.
- For Pay Level-1 Posts: Class 10th pass OR ITI or its equivalent OR National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) granted by NCVT.
Minimum Sports Performance Norms
Sports achievements must have been earned in the current and/or immediate previous two financial years (i.e., championships held between 01.04.2024 and 09.12.2026):
1. For Pay Level-2 Posts
- Represented the country in Category-B Championships (World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Youth Olympics, Davis Cup, Champions Trophy); OR
- Secured at least 3rd Position in Category-C Championships (Commonwealth Championships, Asian Championships/Asia Cup, South Asian Federations Games, USIC World Railways Championships, World University Games); OR
- Secured at least 3rd Position in Senior / Youth / Junior National Championships, National Games under Indian Olympic Association, or All India Inter University Championship; OR
- Secured 1st Position in the Federation Cup Championship (Senior Category).
2. For Pay Level-1 Posts
- Represented the country in Category-C Championships; OR
- Secured at least 3rd Position in Senior Federation Cup Championship; OR
- Represented a State or equivalent unit with at least 8th Position in Senior National Championships; OR
- Secured at least 3rd Position in Senior / Youth / Junior National Championships, National Games, or All India Inter University Championship.
3. Specific Game Requirements
- Hockey (Men): Participation in International Tournaments (Senior/Junior) of four or more nations.
- Kabaddi (Men): Body weight criteria must be 85 kg and below at the time of attending trials. Candidates weighing above 85 kg will not be permitted to take trials.
- Tennis (Men): Current annual All India rankings: Seniors Singles (up to 20th), Doubles (up to 4th); Youth Singles (up to 6th); Juniors Singles (up to 6th).
Selection Process & Distribution of Marks
The recruitment of sportspersons will be finalized based on Document Verification, Trials, and assessment of sports achievements out of a total of 100 Marks:
| Sl. No. | Description of Assessment | Maximum Marks | Qualifying Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Assessment of Recognized Sports Achievements | 50 Marks | As per official evaluation matrix |
| 2. | Game Skill, Physical Fitness & Coach’s Observation during Trials | 40 Marks | FIT: Securing 25 Marks or more NOT FIT: Securing below 25 Marks |
| 3. | Educational Qualification | 10 Marks | Assessed on academic merit |
| Total Marks | 100 Marks | Merit-Based Final Panel | |
Minimum Qualifying Marks for Final Selection:
- Pay Level-2: Minimum 65 Marks out of 100.
- Pay Level-1: Minimum 60 Marks out of 100.
- Service Bond: Selected sportspersons must execute a Service Bond of 5 Years to serve the Railways.
How to Apply Online for ICF Sports Quota Recruitment 2026?
Eligible candidates must complete their application online through the official portal by following these steps:
- Visit the ICF Web Portal: Open the official recruitment portal of Integral Coach Factory at pb.icf.gov.in.
- Open Sports Quota Link: Click on “Recruitment of Sportspersons Against Sports Quota (Open Advertisement) 2026-27”.
- Fill Online Application: Enter personal details, communication address, educational qualifications, game, and specific playing position. Candidates can apply for only one playing position.
- Upload Scanned Images:
- Recent passport-size colour photograph (max 400 KB, clear front view without cap or sunglasses).
- Signature and Left/Right Thumb Impression (LTI/RTI) in black ink (10 KB to 400 KB).
- Self-attested certificates of Sports Achievements (between 01.04.2024 and 09.12.2026).
- Self-attested certificates of Educational Qualifications and Proof of Date of Birth (Class 10th Board Certificate).
- Pay Examination Fee: Pay the application fee (Rs. 500/- or Rs. 250/-) online via Net Banking, Debit Card, or Credit Card.
- Submit Application: Preview the application form carefully and click Submit. Note the system-generated Registration ID and password (Date of Birth).
- Print Application Form: Download and take a clear printout of the submitted application form to produce during Document Verification. (No hard copies should be sent to ICF by post).
Documents Required to be Uploaded & Produced at Trials
- Printout of the online submitted application form.
- Matriculation / 10th Board Certificate / Birth Certificate as proof of Date of Birth.
- Mark sheets and Certificates of Class 10th / 12th / ITI / Graduation.
- Recognized Sports Achievement Certificates verifying representation and podium positions.
- College Identity Card / Fee Receipt / University representation certificate (for Inter-University participants).
- Community Certificate (SC / ST / OBC-NCL / EWS) in prescribed Central Government format.
- Minority Community Declaration / EBC Income Certificate (for fee concession claimants).
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) from employer (for serving Government / PSU employees).
- Valid Photo Identity Card (Aadhaar Card, Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, or Driving License).
Important Links
| Resource / Document | Direct Link |
|---|---|
| ICF Online Application Portal | Apply Online on ICF Portal |
| Download Official ICF Sports Quota Notification PDF (01/2026-2027) | Download Notification PDF |
| Integral Coach Factory (ICF) Official Website | Click Here |
| More Railway & Sports Quota Job Updates | Visit Placement Store |
Conclusion
The ICF Chennai Sports Quota Recruitment 2026-27 provides a premier opportunity for accomplished athletes in Football, Kabaddi, Hockey, Tennis, and Volleyball to build a prestigious, permanent career with the Indian Railways. With 17 vacancies across Pay Level-1 and Level-2 positions offering secure central government employment and premier athletic infrastructure, talented sportspersons are encouraged to apply.
Candidates must verify their sports certificates earned within the eligibility window (01.04.2024 to 09.12.2026) and submit their online applications on pb.icf.gov.in prior to the closing deadline on 09 December 2026 (23:59 hrs).
Disclaimer: This recruitment article is compiled on the basis of Employment Notice No. PB/RR/39/Sports-Open/01/2026-2027 issued by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, Ministry of Railways for informational guidance. Sportspersons are strictly advised to consult the official ICF portal (pb.icf.gov.in) for trial schedules, call letters, and verified instructions before appearing for document verification and trials.
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