Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Tightens Sports Quota Rules for Government Jobs
Maharashtra has changed the rules for athletes seeking government jobs through a 5% sports quota.
Applicants must now get their sports certificates online through a government portal.
Each certificate will have a QR code and digital signature so officials can check it.
Sports organisations must upload competition results and participant information within 30 days.
Athletes whose certificates were checked under the old system have three months to verify them online.
Some sports are eligible, while under-17 competitions do not count.
If an applicant’s sports record seems doubtful, a committee may test their skills and record the test on video.
Eligible athletes can also receive extra time before reaching the upper age limit for recruitment.
Maharashtra has revised its 5% sports reservation for government and semi-government jobs.
Applicants must submit certificates from the Krida e-Praman portal, with QR codes and digital signatures for verification.
Sports organisations must upload competition results and participant details within 30 days or be listed as defaulters.
People with certificates verified under the old offline system have three months to complete online verification.
The revised rules set eligible sports and age relaxations, and allow video-recorded skill tests when credentials are in doubt.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, sportspersons seeking government jobs, and sports organisations.
- What
- The state revised its 5% sports quota rules, requiring online certificates and verification.
- When
- A new Government Resolution was issued on Monday; existing offline-verified certificate holders have three months to verify online.
- Where
- Maharashtra, India.
- Why
- The government says the measures are intended to improve transparency and ensure genuine sportspersons receive the reservation benefits.
Government’s stated rationale
Potential compliance requirements
Verification and eligibility
Government’s stated rationale
The government says online certificates and blockchain-based checks will improve transparency and help ensure genuine sportspersons receive benefits.
Potential compliance requirements
Applicants with older offline-verified certificates must complete online verification within three months, while organisations must meet a 30-day data-upload deadline.
Doubtful credentials
Government’s stated rationale
A committee may conduct practical skill tests, with video recordings stored in the cloud, when credentials are disputed or raise serious doubts.
Potential compliance requirements
The rules provide for physical assessment in such cases, but the article does not describe a separate appeal or review process.
- Reservation
- 5% parallel reservation in government and semi-government jobs
- Certification platform
- Krida e-Praman
- Certificate safeguards
- Unique QR code and digital signature; blockchain-based verification is mandatory
- Competition data deadline
- Sports organisations must upload results and participant details within 30 days of a competition
- Online transition
- Three months for people with certificates verified under the earlier offline system
- Age relaxation
- Up to five years; maximum age 43, or 45 for eligible persons with disabilities
- Under-17 competitions
- Not considered for the quota