SAI Recruitment 2026: Assistant Director, Deputy Director & Medical Officer Vacancies | Eligibility, Salary, Dates and Apply Details
SAI Recruitment 2026 – Latest Vacancy Details
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has released multiple recruitment notifications in 2026 for different positions, including Assistant Director, Deputy Director and Medical Officer. These opportunities are suitable for candidates and serving government employees who meet the specific eligibility conditions mentioned in the respective notifications.
However, candidates should be careful while reading recruitment information shared on social media and job portals because different SAI notifications have different eligibility conditions, vacancy numbers, application modes and deadlines.
The information supplied for this post combines details from more than one SAI recruitment notice. After checking the official SAI recruitment pages, some details require correction. The official SAI website currently lists a 19-post Deputy Director recruitment on deputation, a Medical Officer recruitment notice published on 28 July 2026, and a separate Assistant Director recruitment for 31 posts. (Sports Authority of India)
Therefore, applicants should always verify the relevant notification before applying.
SAI Recruitment 2026 – Quick Overview
| Post | Vacancies | Recruitment Type | Important Date/Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Director | 31 | Regular | Application closed |
| Deputy Director | 19 | Deputation | 23 August 2026 |
| Medical Officer | 3 in the earlier 2026 notice | Deputation | Earlier notice closed; a new Medical Officer notice was published 28 July 2026 |
| Organization | Sports Authority of India | Government of India | — |
The official SAI Jobs page confirms the latest recruitment listings and their publication dates. (Sports Authority of India)
1. SAI Assistant Director Recruitment 2026
The Assistant Director recruitment is an important opportunity, but the vacancy information in the supplied material needs correction.
The official SAI corrigendum dated 3 July 2026 states that SAI invited applications for 31 Assistant Director posts, not 9 posts. The posts were distributed as follows:
- UR – 15
- EWS – 3
- OBC – 7
- SC – 5
- ST – 1
The notification also mentioned 2 PwBD vacancies within the notified reservation framework. The post carries Pay Matrix Level-10 under the 7th CPC.
Important Eligibility Point
This was not a general recruitment open to every graduate.
The official notification stated that eligible candidates were to be considered through the UPSC Civil Services Examination 2024 Pratibha Setu Portal. SAI also published FAQs explaining that the merit list was generated using percentile scores from the UPSC CSE-2024 Pratibha Setu Portal.
Selection Process
The SAI FAQ specifically states that there was no interview for this Assistant Director recruitment. Appointment was to be made according to the prescribed merit order based on the Pratibha Setu percentile criteria.
Application Status
The official SAI recruitment portal lists the last date for this Assistant Director recruitment as 8 July 2026 at 5:00 PM. Therefore, this particular application window is now closed.
Important: The claim that candidates can apply for 9 Assistant Director posts until 30 August 2026 should not be used for this recruitment without a separate official notification.
2. SAI Deputy Director Recruitment 2026
The Deputy Director recruitment is a separate opportunity from the Assistant Director recruitment.
The official SAI website lists a notification dated 24 July 2026 inviting applications for engagement of Deputy Directors on deputation basis.
According to the recruitment information, 19 Deputy Director posts are available.
Vacancy
- Post: Deputy Director
- Number of Posts: 19
- Recruitment Type: Deputation
- Location: SAI centres/locations as specified by the organization
- Pay Scale
The Deputy Director position is associated with Pay Matrix Level-11 under the 7th CPC, rather than Level-07.
The earlier official SAI Deputy Director notification also confirms the post at Pay Level-11 and deputation terms.
Who Can Apply?
This recruitment is primarily intended for eligible serving government officers who satisfy the deputation conditions.
It is therefore not an ordinary private-sector-style vacancy for fresh graduates.
Candidates should carefully check:
- Parent department requirements
- Existing pay level
- Regular service requirements
- Cadre clearance
- Vigilance clearance
- APAR/ACR requirements
- Other conditions specified in the notification
Age Limit
The maximum age for appointment on deputation is generally specified as 56 years under the relevant notification conditions.
Candidates must check the exact age calculation date in the official advertisement before applying.
Deputy Director Application Process
The Deputy Director application is an offline/deputation-based process.
Eligible government officers should:
- Read the complete SAI notification.
- Download the prescribed application form.
- Fill in all required details.
- Obtain the necessary certification from the parent department/cadre authority.
- Attach the required service documents.
- Forward the application through the proper channel.
- Ensure that the application reaches SAI before the deadline.
Application Address
Applications are to be addressed to the relevant Director, Human Resources Division-II, Sports Authority of India, Head Office, Gate No. 10, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003, subject to the exact address/instructions in the current notification.
Last Date
The supplied recruitment information gives:
23 August 2026
Applicants should follow the deadline and submission instructions stated in the current official notification.
3. SAI Medical Officer Recruitment 2026
SAI has also issued recruitment notices for Medical Officer positions.
The official SAI Jobs page currently shows an entry titled “Inviting Application For Appointment For Medical Officer In SAI On Deputation”, published on 28 July 2026.
This is important because an earlier 2026 Medical Officer notification had already been issued and had different dates.
Earlier Medical Officer Notification
The earlier 2026 SAI Medical Officer recruitment was for 3 posts on deputation basis. Available recruitment records show:
- Post: Medical Officer
- Vacancies: 3
- Pay Level: Level-11
- Pay Scale: ₹67,700 to ₹2,08,700
- Maximum Age: 56 years
- Recruitment Type: Deputation
The earlier notification required qualifications such as MBBS with relevant experience, or specified postgraduate qualifications in areas such as Sports Medicine, Orthopaedics or PMR, subject to the notification’s exact conditions.
Important Correction
The supplied information states Level-10 (₹56,100–₹1,77,500) for Medical Officer. That should not be treated as verified for the Medical Officer post without checking the latest notification. The earlier official recruitment information available for SAI Medical Officer shows Level-11, ₹67,700–₹2,08,700.
Because SAI published another Medical Officer notice on 28 July 2026, candidates should use the latest advertisement for the current vacancy count, deadline and eligibility requirements.
Educational Qualification for Medical Officer
For the earlier Medical Officer recruitment, eligible candidates included professionals with qualifications such as:
- MBBS from a recognized institution with required post-internship experience
- PGDSM with the specified experience
- PG/DNB in Sports Medicine
- Orthopaedics
- PMR
- Equivalent relevant qualifications, as specified
Candidates must carefully compare their qualification and experience with the current notification before applying.
Application Mode
The application mode depends on the individual SAI notification.
Assistant Director
Online application through the SAI recruitment system. The application deadline for the 31-post recruitment has passed.
Deputy Director
Offline application through proper channel/deputation process.
Medical Officer
The current SAI Jobs page lists a Medical Officer deputation notification dated 28 July 2026. Candidates should download and follow the exact application instructions in that latest notification.
About Sports Authority of India
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.
SAI works to promote and develop sports across the country. Its activities include athlete development, coaching, sports science, training infrastructure, talent identification and support for India’s sporting ecosystem.
The organization was established following the development of India’s sports infrastructure after the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. The official SAI website describes it as a successor organization to the IX Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982.
Why Consider a Career with SAI?
Working with SAI can provide valuable exposure to India’s sports administration and athlete development system.
Depending on the position, employees and deputationists may work in areas related to:
- Sports administration
- Human resources
- Athlete development
- Sports science
- Programme management
- Government administration
- Sports infrastructure
- Training and performance support
For professionals already working in government departments, deputation opportunities can provide experience in a specialized national sports organization.
Important Documents
Depending on the post and recruitment method, applicants may need documents such as:
- Educational certificates
- Experience certificates
- Age proof
- Identity proof
- Service records
- APAR/ACR documents
- Cadre clearance
- Vigilance clearance
- Integrity certificate
- No-penalty certificate
- Disability certificate, where applicable
- Category certificate, where applicable
Candidates should not submit documents based only on information from third-party websites. The current official notification should be treated as the final authority.
Important Dates
Assistant Director
- Last Date: 8 July 2026 at 5:00 PM
- Status: Closed
Deputy Director
- Notification: 24 July 2026
- Last Date: 23 August 2026, as stated in the supplied/current recruitment information
- Mode: Offline/Deputation
Medical Officer
- Latest Notice Published: 28 July 2026
- Recruitment Type: Deputation
Candidates should check the latest official advertisement for the exact closing date and vacancy details.
How to Check the Latest SAI Recruitment
Candidates should follow these steps:
Step 1
Visit the official SAI website.
Step 2
Open the Jobs/Recruitment section.
Step 3
Find the relevant post.
Step 4
Download the official notification.
Step 5
Read eligibility, age limit, vacancies and application instructions.
Step 6
Check whether the recruitment is regular, contractual, online or deputation-based.
Step 7
Submit the application exactly as instructed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Assistant Director posts were announced by SAI?
The official corrigendum states 31 Assistant Director posts.
Is the Assistant Director recruitment still open?
No. The official SAI recruitment portal lists 8 July 2026 at 5:00 PM as the last date for that recruitment.
How many Deputy Director posts are available?
The current recruitment information lists 19 Deputy Director posts on deputation basis. The SAI Jobs page confirms the notification was published on 24 July 2026.
Is Deputy Director recruitment open to freshers?
No. This is a deputation recruitment, intended for eligible serving government officers meeting the prescribed service conditions.
What is the Deputy Director pay level?
The Deputy Director post is associated with Pay Level-11 under the 7th CPC in the relevant SAI deputation notification.
How many Medical Officer posts are available?
An earlier 2026 SAI Medical Officer notification was for 3 posts. SAI has also published a new Medical Officer deputation notice dated 28 July 2026, so candidates should check the latest notification for the current vacancy position.
Official Links
SAI Official Website
Sports Authority of India Official Website
Official Notification
Final Conclusion
The SAI Recruitment 2026 update covers multiple opportunities, but applicants should not treat all three posts as one single recruitment advertisement.
The Assistant Director recruitment was for 31 posts, with Pay Level-10, and was linked to the UPSC CSE-2024 Pratibha Setu Portal. Its application deadline was 8 July 2026, so that recruitment is closed.
The Deputy Director recruitment is a separate deputation-based opportunity for 19 posts, with applications due by 23 August 2026 according to the current recruitment information. The role is intended for eligible serving government officers and is associated with Pay Level-11.
For Medical Officer, SAI has published a fresh deputation notice dated 28 July 2026. An earlier 2026 notification covered 3 posts at Pay Level-11, but applicants should use the latest July notification for the current vacancy and deadline.
Always read the official SAI notification before applying, especially for deputation vacancies, because eligibility, service requirements, documents and application deadlines can differ significantly from regular recruitment.
