The Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force (ITBPF) is recruiting 126 meritorious sportspersons as Constable (General Duty) under its Sports Quota-2025. Men and women who have played or won medals in recognised competitions since 1 January 2024 can apply, across 28 disciplines from athletics and boxing to ice hockey and skiing. The post is at Pay Level 3 (Rs 21,700-69,100), and the minimum education is 10th pass. Applications are online at recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in from 3 October to 1 November 2026.
ITBP Sports Quota 2026 at a glance
| Force | Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Ministry of Home Affairs |
| Post | Constable (General Duty) (Sportspersons), Group 'C' Non-Gazetted, Non-Ministerial |
| Advertisement | Directorate L/No. 4086 dated 18 September 2026, amended by the corrigendum of 1 October 2026 |
| Vacancies | 126 (70 men, 56 women after the corrigendum) |
| Pay | Level 3, Rs 21,700-69,100 (7th CPC), plus allowances |
| Qualification | Matriculation, plus a listed sports achievement between 1 January 2024 and 1 November 2026 |
| Age | 18 to 23 years on 1 November 2026, with relaxation |
| Fee | Rs 100 for male UR, OBC and EWS candidates; nil for women, SC and ST |
| Apply | Online, 3 October (00:01 AM) to 1 November 2026 (11:59 PM) |
Important dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement (Directorate letter) | 18 September 2026 |
| Corrigendum on weightlifting vacancies | 1 October 2026 |
| Online application opens | 3 October 2026, 00:01 AM |
| Online application closes | 1 November 2026, 11:59 PM |
| Sports achievements counted | 1 January 2024 to 1 November 2026 |
| Documentation, PST, trial test and medical | Dates on the admit card, issued online |
Discipline-wise vacancies
The table below gives the final numbers, with the 1 October corrigendum applied to weightlifting. The corrigendum moved two of the four weightlifting posts (53 kg and 69 kg) from men to women, so the overall split changed from 72 men and 54 women to 70 men and 56 women. The total stays at 126.
| Discipline | Events | Men | Women | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletics | 200 m, 5000 m, 10000 m, triple jump | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Aquatics | Water polo, freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, butterfly, medley | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Archery | Recurve, compound, Indian round | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Badminton | Badminton | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Basketball | Shooting guard, point guard, centre | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Boxing | Eight weight classes, 45-48 kg to 80-85 kg | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| Equestrian | Show jumping, dressage, tent pegging, eventing | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Football | Football | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Gymnastics | All round artistic | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Handball | Handball | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Ice hockey | Ice hockey | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Hockey | Hockey | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Judo | Ten weight classes, 48 kg to 81 kg | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Kho-kho | Kho-kho | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Pencak silat | 45-50, 50-55, 60-65 and 75-80 kg | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| Powerlifting | Weight classes from 43 kg to 120 kg | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Skiing | Alpine, Nordic | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Shooting | 10 m and 50 m pistol, 25 m RPF, 10 m rifle, 50 m rifle 3P | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Table tennis | Table tennis | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Taekwondo | Seven kyorugi weight classes | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| Volleyball | Blocker, setter, attacker | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| Weightlifting | 53, 60, 65 and 69 kg | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Wrestling | Freestyle, Greco-Roman | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| Canoeing | Canoeing | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Kayaking | Kayaking | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Rowing | Rowing | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| MTB cycling | Mountain bike | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Karate | Individual kata, +68 kg kumite | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total | 70 | 56 | 126 |
Event-level posts matter: in boxing, for example, the women's posts are only in the 45-48, 57-60, 65-70 and 70-75 kg classes, and the basketball power forward slot has no vacancy at all. Check your exact event in the notice before applying. The numbers are tentative, and if no suitable candidate turns up in a discipline, ITBPF can move those posts to other advertised disciplines.
Pay and allowances
Pay Level 3 in the 7th CPC matrix, Rs 21,700-69,100. On top of basic pay: Dearness Allowance, Ration Money, Washing Allowance, Special Compensatory Allowance when posted in specified border areas, free uniform, free accommodation or HRA, Transport Allowance, free leave pass and free medical care. Pension is under the contributory scheme that applies to central government entrants from 1 January 2004. The post is temporary but likely to become permanent, and you can be posted anywhere in India or abroad.
Eligibility
Education
Matriculation or equivalent from a recognised board. A certificate from a board other than a Central or State Board must come with the government notification that declares it equivalent for central government service.
Sports qualification
You must have taken part in, or won a medal at, one of these levels between 1 January 2024 and 1 November 2026:
- International: participation or a medal in an international competition cleared by the Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
- National: representing a State or UT at a senior or junior National Championship run by a recognised National Sports Federation, or at the National Games run by the Indian Olympic Association, and finishing in the top three.
- Inter-University: representing a university at an AIU or Inter University Sports Board competition, or at the Khelo India University Games, and finishing in the top three in the finals.
- Khelo India Games: representing a State or UT at the Khelo India Youth Games (above 18 age category) or Khelo India Winter Games, and finishing in the top three in the finals.
At national, university and Khelo India level, simply taking part is not enough; you need a podium finish. You must upload the certificate for your best medal or highest level of participation in your profile on the recruitment website before you apply, or the application is rejected at scrutiny. All education and sports certificates must be in hand on the date of recruitment.
Age limit and relaxation
The base age range is 18 to 23 years on 1 November 2026. Meritorious sportspersons get the following relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation for sportspersons |
|---|---|
| Unreserved, EWS, OBC | 5 years |
| OBC (NCL) | 5 + 3 = 8 years |
| SC, ST | 5 + 5 = 10 years |
| Departmental candidates with 3 years' continuous central government service | Up to 40 years (UR, EWS, OBC); up to 45 (SC, ST) |
Only the date of birth in your Matriculation or Higher Secondary certificate is accepted, and it cannot be changed later. To claim relaxation you must produce the category certificate in the prescribed format (Annexures III to VI); a certificate in any other format is refused. The OBC non-creamy layer certificate must have been obtained within three years before 1 November 2026.
How sports achievements are marked
Merit is decided by marks for your single best result in the period. If you have several medals, only the highest one counts.
| Competition | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Participation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Olympic Games (Summer and Winter) | 100 | 92 | 84 | 75 |
| Youth Olympic Games | 95 | 87 | 79 | 70 |
| World Championship / World Cup (quadrennial) | 90 | 82 | 74 | 65 |
| Asian Games | 85 | 77 | 69 | 60 |
| Commonwealth Games | 80 | 72 | 64 | 55 |
| World Championship / World Cup (biennial) | 75 | 67 | 59 | 50 |
| World Championship / World Cup (annual) | 70 | 62 | 54 | 45 |
| Junior World Championship / Junior World Cup | 65 | 57 | 49 | 40 |
| Asian Championship (quadrennial) | 60 | 52 | 44 | 35 |
| Asian Championship (biennial) | 55 | 47 | 39 | 30 |
| Asian Championship (annual) | 50 | 42 | 34 | 25 |
| Junior Asian Championship | 45 | 37 | 29 | 20 |
| World University Games | 40 | 32 | 24 | 18 |
| Other international championships cleared by the Sports Ministry, more than 7 countries | 35 | 27 | 19 | 15 |
| National Games / Senior National Championship | 30 | 22 | 17 | Not eligible |
| Junior National Championship | 25 | 18 | 15 | Not eligible |
| Inter-University / Khelo India University Games | 20 | 13 | 11 | Not eligible |
| Khelo India Youth Games / Khelo India Winter Games | 15 | 12 | 10 | Not eligible |
The minimum qualifying score is 10 marks for every category, which is a Khelo India Youth Games bronze. Certificates are checked with the body that runs each level: SAI or the National Sports Federation for international events, the IOA for the National Games, the federation for National Championships, AIU or the Inter University Sports Board for university events, and SAI for Khelo India. The certificate must be signed by the awarding authority in the prescribed form (Form 1 for international, Form 2 for national, Form 3 for inter-university, Form 5 for Khelo India). Offers of appointment are conditional on the certificates proving genuine.
Physical standards
The standard height is 170 cm for men and 157 cm for women. Men need an unexpanded chest of 80 cm with at least 5 cm expansion. Lower limits apply to these groups:
| Candidates | Height, men | Height, women | Chest, men (unexpanded) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Scheduled Tribes | 162.5 cm | 150 cm | 76 cm |
| ST candidates of North-Eastern states | 157 cm | 147.5 cm | 76 cm |
| ST candidates of Left-Wing extremism affected districts | 160 cm | 147.5 cm | 76 cm |
| Garhwalis, Kumaonis, Dogras, Marathas; Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh | 165 cm | 155 cm | 78 cm |
| Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura | 162.5 cm | 152.5 cm | 77 cm |
| Gorkha Territorial Administration areas of Darjeeling district | 157 cm | 152.5 cm | 77 cm |
Chest expansion stays at 5 cm in every case. Height and chest relaxation needs the Annexure VI certificate from the district authorities; without it the claim is not considered. Weight must be in proportion to height and age as per the chart in Annexure I. Being under or overweight does not stop you at the PST; the medical officer decides it at the detailed medical examination.
Medical standards and tattoos
Distant vision must be at least 6/6 and 6/9 without glasses or lenses, and near vision N6 and N9. Colour vision is tested to CP III on the Ishihara chart, and colour blind candidates are not eligible. Knock knees, flat foot, varicose veins and squint are disqualifying. Tattoos are allowed only on the inner left forearm or the back of the hands, smaller than a quarter of that part, and religious symbols and names are permitted.
Selection process
Applications and uploaded certificates are scrutinised first. Candidates whose papers are in order get an online admit card for these stages:
- Documentation: identity check with biometrics, then verification of original certificates for age, education, caste and sports achievement. Self-attested copies are handed over on the spot and originals returned.
- Physical Standard Test: height, chest and weight for men; height and weight for women, with a female staff member present. Women submit a pregnancy self-declaration. A candidate found pregnant is declared temporarily unfit, her post is kept reserved, and she is re-examined six weeks after confinement with a fitness certificate.
- Sports trial test: 40 marks in your own event, qualifying only, with a cut-off of 20. These marks do not go into the merit list. Candidates who have represented India in an international event as part of the Indian squad, with Sports Ministry clearance, are exempt. There is no appeal for a re-trial.
- Merit list: drawn discipline by discipline on the sports achievement marks in the table above.
- Detailed Medical Examination: under the MHA's uniform guidelines for CAPF recruitment medicals. A candidate declared unfit can ask for a Review Medical Examination by signing the Annexure VII consent within 24 hours; it is normally held the next day and its decision is final.
Tie-breaking
Higher marks rank first. If two candidates have similar international achievements, the better national result decides. After that, the younger candidate ranks higher, and finally the name that comes first in English alphabetical order.
Application fee
Male candidates in the UR, OBC and EWS categories pay Rs 100, only through the recruitment website. Women and SC and ST candidates pay nothing. Fees paid any other way are rejected and forfeited, and no fee is refunded.
Documents for the recruitment
- Printout of the submitted online application (without it you are not let into the venue) and four passport size photographs matching the one uploaded.
- Matriculation or 10th certificate for date of birth, and education certificates.
- Sports certificates in the prescribed form, including the one uploaded online.
- OBC certificate (Annexure III) with the non-creamy layer declaration (Annexure III-A), SC or ST certificate (Annexure IV), or EWS certificate valid for 2025-2026 (Annexure V).
- Annexure VI certificate for height and chest relaxation, if claimed.
- Domicile certificate from the local revenue authority. West Pakistani refugees in Jammu and Kashmir or Ladakh need the Annexure VI(A) certificate and a copy of the electoral roll.
- No Objection Certificate (Annexure II) in original from the employer, for anyone in government service. Without it, the candidature is rejected at documentation.
How to apply
- Create your profile on recruitment.itbpolice.nic.in with a working email ID and mobile number; admit cards are sent only online.
- Upload the certificate for your best medal or highest participation in your profile before filling the form.
- Fill the Constable (GD) Sports Quota application between 3 October and 1 November 2026. Your category cannot be changed later.
- Pay Rs 100 online if you are a male UR, OBC or EWS candidate.
- Submit and print the form; you need the printout at documentation, PST and medical.
Rules after selection
- You must serve at least 10 years. Resigning earlier means refunding three months' pay and allowances or the training cost, whichever is higher.
- Basic training is compulsory.
- Sporting performance is reviewed regularly. A sportsperson who does not deliver results can be offered a move to the regular GD cadre or be discharged under the rules.
- These vacancies are not open to persons with disabilities or ex-servicemen, and anyone involved in a criminal case is not considered.
- No travel or daily allowance is paid for the trip to the venue, and you should plan to stay more than one day.
Points to check before you apply
- Your event must have a vacancy for your gender. Several events are men only or women only.
- National-level participation alone does not qualify; you need a top three finish. International participation does count.
- Only results from 1 January 2024 to 1 November 2026 count.
- Upload the sports certificate before applying, or the form is rejected at scrutiny.
- Women apply free.
Official links
- ITBP Constable (GD) Sports Quota advertisement (PDF)
- Corrigendum of 1 October 2026 on weightlifting vacancies (PDF)
- ITBP recruitment website (online application)
Helpline: 011-24369482 and 24369483.
Frequently asked questions
How many posts are there for women?
56 of the 126, after the corrigendum moved two weightlifting posts to women.
Is there a written exam?
No. After documentation and the PST, there is a qualifying sports trial, and merit is based on marks for your best sports achievement.
What is the upper age limit for a general category sportsperson?
The base limit is 23, and sportspersons get 5 years' relaxation, so 28 on 1 November 2026. OBC (NCL) candidates get 8 years and SC and ST candidates 10.