New Delhi: The Indian Navy has invited applications from outstanding unmarried male and female sportspersons for enrolment as sailors under Sports Quota Entry 02/2026. Eligible athletes may be enrolled as Direct Entry Petty Officer (Sports Entry) or Direct Entry Chief Petty Officer (Sports Entry), subject to sports achievements, vacancies and Service requirements.
The advertisement has been published in Employment News (26 September–2 October 2026). Vacancies have not been fixed in advance and will depend on the Navy’s requirement in each discipline.
Who Can Apply
Applicants must be Indian citizens, unmarried, and 10+2 qualified in any stream or an equivalent examination. The prescribed age is 17½ to 25 years as on the date of commencement of the course. Candidates must have been born between 1 September 2001 and 28 February 2009, both dates inclusive.
Minimum height is 157 cm for men and 152 cm for women. Candidates must be medically fit for service ashore and afloat. Visual standards are 6/12 in each eye without glasses and 6/6 with glasses. A female candidate found pregnant at reporting or during initial training will have her candidature cancelled. Candidates earlier declared permanently medically unfit by an Armed Forces hospital for the same entry are advised not to apply.
Sports Disciplines
Men: Athletics, Aquatics, Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball, Boxing, Cricket, Equestrian, Football, Fencing (Foil), Golf, Handball, Hockey, Kabaddi, Kayaking and Canoeing, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Squash, Tennis, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling.
Women: Athletics, Aquatics, Kayaking and Canoeing, Rowing and Sailing.
Special conditions apply in two sports. For shooting, only male athletes in Group ‘A’ and the top 25 athletes in Group ‘B’ of the latest national ranking are eligible. For sailing, only medallists at International or Senior Nationals in the ILCA7, ILCA6, 49er and 49er FX classes may apply.
Sports Proficiency
Direct Entry Petty Officer: A candidate must satisfy any one of the following: a medal at Junior or Senior National level while representing a State; representation of India in an individual event at the international level; representation of a State or the country in a team event at National or International level (Junior or Senior); or a medal in the Khelo India Games, Youth Games or a higher competition. Federation certificates must be enclosed.
Direct Entry Chief Petty Officer: A candidate must satisfy any one of the following: a medal in a World Championship or Asian Championship; a medal in the Asian Games; a medal in the Commonwealth Games or a World Cup; representation of India twice in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games or World Cup; or representation of India at the Olympic Games.
Pay, Training and Service
Selected candidates will receive a stipend of ₹14,600 per month during initial training. On successful completion of training, Petty Officers will be placed in Pay Level 5 and Chief Petty Officers in Pay Level 6, with Military Service Pay of ₹5,200 per month plus dearness allowance as applicable. Insurance cover of ₹75 lakh (on contribution), free uniform, food, accommodation, medical care, leave travel concession and other Service benefits are admissible.
Initial training will be conducted at INS Chilka, followed by professional training in the allotted trade. The initial engagement is 15 years, subject to successful completion of training. A three-year probation applies. Direct Entry Petty Officers are expected to improve performance and at least represent the Services team in National Championships. Direct Entry Chief Petty Officers are expected to represent the Services team at least twice in National Championships within three years; individual-event athletes must also win a medal at least once in that period. Failure to meet prescribed sports standards during training or probation may lead to discharge. Eligible sailors may later rise to Master Chief Petty Officer and, through prescribed examinations, to commissioned rank.
Selection
Applications will be shortlisted on the basis of higher sports achievements. Shortlisted candidates will receive a call letter by post for sports trials at designated Naval centres. Venue change will not be permitted. Those who clear the trials will undergo medical examination at INS Hamla, Mumbai, or INS India, Delhi. The final select list will depend on vacancies in each discipline. Police verification will be completed at the time of enrolment.
How to Apply
There is no application fee. Applications will be accepted only by Ordinary Post. Speed Post, Registered Post and courier consignments will be rejected. The last date for receipt at Naval Headquarters is 15 October 2026. For candidates from the North-Eastern States, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep and Minicoy, the last date is 22 October 2026. The deadline is the date of receipt, not the date of posting.
Candidates should use the prescribed A4-size format available with the notification or on joinindiannavy.gov.in. Only one application is permitted. Documents to be attached include self-attested copies of the matriculation certificate (for date of birth), Class 10 mark sheet, Class 12 certificate and mark sheet, domicile certificate, and sports or NCC certificates. Two self-addressed envelopes (22 × 10 cm), one bearing a ₹10 stamp, and an extra recent colour photograph with a blue background (name and signature on the reverse) are required. Computer-generated photographs will not be accepted. Papers should be punched and tied with thread and placed in a brown envelope superscribed with the entry, sport and level of achievement (for example, “Direct Entry Petty Officer / 02/2026 Kabaddi – National Level”).
Postal address:
The Secretary, Indian Navy Sports Control Board, Naval Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, Nausena Bhawan, Room No. W-016, Delhi Cantt., New Delhi – 110010.
The Navy has cautioned candidates against agents claiming influence over recruitment. Terms in the advertisement are guidelines and may be revised in accordance with current Service instructions. Aspirants should rely on the official notification and the Indian Navy website for the authoritative text.
