SAI High Performance Director Recruitment 2026

Sports Authority of India (SAI) is hiring 5 (tentative) High Performance Directors on a re-engagement (LPD minus Pension) basis. This post is for retired Central/State Government or UT officers from the scientific cadre holding a Ph.D. in Sports Science. You can apply online before 31 July 2026. The posting will be anywhere in India wherever SAI schemes are implemented, and the engagement is for 1 year or till age 65, whichever is earlier.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) High Performance Director Recruitment 2026 - 5 Posts

Sports Authority of India (SAI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, has invited applications for engagement of retired persons as High Performance Director on LPD (Last Pay Drawn) minus Pension basis. This is a senior scientific-administrative post meant for officers who have already worked in the scientific cadre of Central/State Government or Union Territory administrations. SAI's mandate is to develop and promote sports excellence across the country, and it maintains international-standard sports infrastructure and trained coaches nationwide. No written exam is required - eligible candidates are called directly for an interview.

Who Can Apply?

• Eligibility Criteria: You should be an officer who has worked in the scientific cadre under Central Government/State Government/UT Administration, holding an analogous post in your parent cadre/department, OR an officer with 5 years' regular service in Pay Level-11 (Rs. 67,700-2,08,700, PB-3, Rs. 15,600-39,100 + Rs. 6,600 Grade Pay).
• Essential Qualification: You must hold a Ph.D. Degree in Sports Science from a recognised University or Institution.
• Desirable Experience: 2 years' experience in the field of sports science or sports medicine.
• Reference Pay Level: Level-12, Rs. 78,800-2,09,200 (PB-3, Rs. 15,600-39,100 + Rs. 7,600 Grade Pay).
• Applications are invited only from Indian citizens who fulfil the essential educational qualification and work experience criteria mentioned above. The responsibility of ensuring the genuineness of your certificates lies completely with you through self-attestation.

Age Limit

• Your age should not exceed 64 years as on the opening date of receipt of application.
• The maximum tenure for this contractual post is till the age of 65 years, in any case, and the contract will not be extended beyond this in compliance with DoE guidelines dated 09.12.2020.

Salary

• This post follows a "Last Pay Drawn Minus Pension" remuneration model - you get a fixed monthly amount calculated by deducting your basic pension (as fixed at retirement) from your last pay drawn. If you have availed the commuted value of pension, that commuted portion is also included in the deduction.
• The reference pay level for this post is Level-12 (Rs. 78,800-2,09,200) under the 7th CPC Pay Matrix.
• You will get a Transport Allowance of Rs. 5,580 or Rs. 11,160 per month depending on your place of posting.
• No annual increment or percentage increase and no Dearness Allowance will be paid during the contract term - the fixed remuneration remains unchanged for the entire duration.
• No other facilities such as accommodation, residential phone, personal staff, medical reimbursement or LTC will be admissible.
• Income Tax and other applicable deductions will be made at source, and SAI will issue TDS/Service Tax certificates as applicable.
• If you have to travel outstation for official duty, you will get TA/DA as admissible to SAI officers of equivalent level (Pay Level 12).

Selection Process (No Written Exam)

1. Application Screening: Your application will be scrutinised/shortlisted based on your experience and job description.
2. Interview: Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria will be called for an interview by a duly appointed Selection/Interview Committee. No TA/DA is paid for attending the interview - it is at your own cost.
3. Final Selection: Based on the recommendations of the Selection/Interview Committee. The decision of the Director General, SAI is final and binding on all candidates in matters of eligibility, selection and posting.

Note that meeting the eligibility criteria does not automatically mean you will be called for an interview - SAI reserves the right to shortlist based on relevant experience. A panel of selected candidates may also be prepared, valid for one year, and this panel can be used by SAI or any Government of India-funded scheme/project.

How to Apply

1. Go to the SAI recruitment portal at sportsauthorityofindia.nic.in/saijobs.
2. Register with a valid email ID - this must stay active till the recruitment process is completed, and cannot be changed once entered.
3. Fill in the online application form and upload self-attested documents: proof of date of birth (Aadhaar/10th/12th mark sheet), educational qualification and experience certificates, a passport-size photo and signature, and NOC from your present employer if you are still serving in Central/State Government or an Autonomous Organisation.
4. Upload your latest Last Pay Drawn certificate and Pension Payment Order (if applicable).
5. Submit the form before the last date. Applications through any other mode will not be accepted and will be summarily rejected.
6. Selected candidates will be required to produce all original certificates mentioned in the application at the time of joining - failing this will lead to cancellation of your candidature.

Important Dates

• Notification Date: 27 May 2026
• Online Application Start: 1 June 2026
• Last Date to Apply Online: 31 July 2026 (till 5:00 PM)

• Lead and oversee High Performance sports science and training programmes at the assigned SAI centre
• Guide coaches and athletes on scientific training methods and performance analysis
• Review coaching data, athlete performance reports and psychological assessments
• Coordinate with SAI Head Office and Regional Centres on scheme implementation
• Maintain confidentiality of athlete performance data and coaching strategies
• Support capacity-building and training programmes for coaches and support staff
• Represent SAI at national and international sports science forums as required