Karnataka Sports Quota Recruitment 2026: 2% Reservation and Weightage Marks for Sports Achievers
Karnataka Sports Quota Recruitment 2026: The Government of Karnataka has introduced important amendments to the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) Rules, 1977, providing a 2% reservation in direct recruitment for sports achievers.
The Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) issued the notification on 03 October 2026. The amendment is aimed at providing better employment opportunities in Karnataka Government services to eligible sportspersons who have represented Karnataka and achieved distinction at national and international sporting events.
The new rules are called the Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
Key Highlights of Karnataka Sports Quota 2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Department | Department of Personnel & Administrative Reforms |
| Notification Date | 03 October 2026 |
| Rules | Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 |
| Sports Quota | 2% |
| Recruitment Type | Direct Recruitment |
| Eligible Candidates | Sports Achievers |
| Reservation Categories | GM, SC, ST and OBC |
| Sports Covered | 39 sports/events |
| Maximum Weightage | 50 marks |
| Minimum Requirement | Qualification prescribed for the concerned post |
| State Requirement | Karnataka domicile for at least 10 years |
2% Reservation for Sports Achievers
Under the amended Rule 9(1E), 2% of vacancies earmarked for direct recruitment in each of the categories of General Merit, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes will be filled from eligible sports achievers.
This reservation is subject to the recruitment rules applicable to the particular service or post and any general instructions issued by the Government.
If sufficient eligible sports achievers are not available to fill the 2% quota, the remaining vacancies will be filled by other candidates belonging to the same category of vertical reservation.
Who is a Sports Achiever?
According to the amended rules, a sports achiever is a person who:
- Has been domiciled in Karnataka for at least 10 years.
- Has participated in specified sports or games at National or International events.
- Has represented Karnataka in at least one National Championship recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, or
- Has participated in at least one National Games.
- The candidate may have represented another State or organizations such as Railways in certain events.
Therefore, simply participating in a sporting event does not automatically make a candidate eligible for the sports quota. The candidate must satisfy the conditions specified under the amended rules.
Sports Covered Under the 2% Sports Quota
The amended rules cover 39 sports and sporting disciplines/events, including:
- Aquatics – Swimming, Diving, Open Water Swimming and Water Polo
- Archery
- Athletics
- Badminton
- Basketball
- Billiards and Snookers
- Boxing
- Canoeing
- Chess
- Cricket
- Cycling
- Equestrian
- Fencing
- Football
- Golf
- Gymnastics
- Handball
- Hockey
- Judo
- Kabaddi
- Kayaking
- Kho-Kho
- Netball
- Rowing
- Shooting
- Sports Climbing
- Squash
- Table Tennis
- Taekwondo
- Tennis
- Triathlon
- Volleyball
- Weight Lifting
- Wrestling
Note: The notification text lists the sports in a table numbered up to 34, while the weightage table separately specifies 39 achievement/event categories. Eligibility depends on the specific sporting achievement and certification requirements prescribed in the rules.
Sports Achievement Weightage Marks
One of the most important features of the amendment is the introduction of weightage marks for sports achievements.
Eligible sports achievers can receive additional marks depending on the level of their achievement. The maximum weightage is 50 marks.
Highest Weightage
| Sports Achievement | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Gold Medal – Olympics/Paralympics | 50 |
| Silver Medal – Olympics/Paralympics | 49 |
| Bronze Medal – Olympics/Paralympics | 48 |
| Participation – Olympics/Paralympics | 47 |
| Gold – Asian Games/Asian Para Games | 46 |
| Silver – Asian Games/Asian Para Games | 45 |
| Bronze – Asian Games/Asian Para Games | 44 |
| Gold – Commonwealth Games | 43 |
| Silver – Commonwealth Games | 42 |
| Bronze – Commonwealth Games | 41 |
| Participation – Asian Games | 40 |
| Participation – Commonwealth Games | 39 |
Weightage for World Championships and Other Events
The notification also provides weightage for achievements in World Cups, World Championships, Asian Championships, Youth Olympics, World University Games, S.A.F. Games and National Games.
Some important weightage marks are:
| Achievement | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Gold – World Cup/Para World Cup | 38 |
| Silver – World Cup/Para World Cup | 37 |
| Bronze – World Cup/Para World Cup | 36 |
| Gold – World Championship/Para World Championship | 35 |
| Silver – World Championship/Para World Championship | 34 |
| Bronze – World Championship/Para World Championship | 33 |
| Gold – Asian Championship | 32 |
| Silver – Asian Championship | 31 |
| Bronze – Asian Championship | 30 |
| Gold – Youth Olympics | 29 |
| Silver – Youth Olympics | 28 |
| Bronze – Youth Olympics | 27 |
| Gold – World University Games | 26 |
| Silver – World University Games | 25 |
| Bronze – World University Games | 24 |
| Gold – S.A.F. Games | 23 |
| Silver – S.A.F. Games | 22 |
| Bronze – S.A.F. Games | 21 |
| Gold – National Games | 20 |
| Silver – National Games | 19 |
| Bronze – National Games | 18 |
The rules also provide weightage from 17 to 12 marks for medals won in Senior National Championships and Khelo India University Games or All India Inter-University Meets/Championships.
How Will Sports Weightage Be Used?
The weightage marks will be considered along with examination marks while determining the relative merit of candidates under the 2% sports quota.
If recruitment is based on a competitive examination, 50% of the marks obtained in the written examination will be considered along with the applicable sports achievement weightage marks.
Similarly, where selection is based on marks obtained in the examination related to the minimum educational qualification, 50% of the examination marks and the sports weightage marks will be considered.
This means sports achievement can have an important role in determining the merit of eligible candidates under the sports quota.
Certificate Verification is Important
Sports achievement certificates must be issued or certified by the authorities specified in the rules.
The Commissioner, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports, can be requested by the appointing authority to verify the authenticity of certificates submitted by sports achievers.
Therefore, candidates should ensure that their sports certificates are genuine and issued by the recognized authority mentioned in the notification.
What if a Candidate Has Multiple Sports Achievements?
If a sports achiever has more than one eligible achievement, only the highest achievement will be considered for awarding weightage marks.
For example, if a candidate has achievements corresponding to different weightage levels, the highest applicable achievement will be considered.
Minimum Educational Qualification is Mandatory
Sports achievement alone is not sufficient for appointment.
A sports achiever will be considered for recruitment only if he or she possesses the minimum educational qualification prescribed for the particular post under the relevant recruitment rules.
Therefore, candidates must satisfy both:
- The required sports achievement conditions; and
- The educational/other eligibility conditions prescribed for the post.
Sports Achievers Can Also Apply Under Other Recruitment Rules
The amendment clearly states that nothing in the sports quota provision prevents eligible sports achievers from seeking recruitment under any other applicable recruitment rules.
This gives eligible candidates the opportunity to participate in recruitment through other available channels if they satisfy the relevant conditions.
Special Provision for Medal Winners
The rules also provide that if a medal winner in the Olympics, Paralympics, Asian Games, Asian Para Games or Commonwealth Games has not been recruited under the Karnataka State Civil Services Special Rules applicable to such medal winners, the candidate may seek recruitment under the newly amended sports quota provision.
Provision for Persons with Disabilities
For Persons with Disabilities candidates, the 2% sports reservation is limited to posts identified by the expert committee constituted under Section 33 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Thus, the sports quota for PwD candidates will apply only to posts identified for reservation under the relevant provisions.
What Happens in Case of a Tie?
If two or more candidates secure equal marks, priority will be given to candidates whose sporting achievement was in an individual event over candidates whose achievement was in a team event.
This provision is intended to help determine priority when candidates have equal marks under the sports quota.
Government Can Issue Further Guidelines
The Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports may issue general instructions for effective implementation of the sports quota provisions.
If the appointing authority has any doubt or difficulty regarding implementation, it may consult the Commissioner, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports.
When Will the New Rules Come Into Force?
The notification states that the rules will come into force from the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette.
The Government had earlier published the draft amendment notification on 22 May 2026, inviting objections and suggestions from affected persons. The Government subsequently considered the objections and suggestions received before issuing the final amendment rules.
Why This Amendment Is Important
The new sports quota rules are significant for athletes seeking employment in Karnataka Government services.
The provision provides:
- 2% reservation in direct recruitment for sports achievers.
- Coverage across General Merit, SC, ST and OBC categories.
- Recognition of achievements at national and international sporting events.
- Up to 50 weightage marks for outstanding sports achievements.
- Specific recognition for Olympic, Paralympic, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and other major events.
- A mechanism for verification of sports certificates.
- Special provisions for Persons with Disabilities.
- Priority for individual-event achievers in case of equal marks.
Important Note for Candidates
Candidates should carefully check the detailed recruitment notification issued for the particular government post before applying. The sports quota does not remove the requirement to satisfy the prescribed educational qualification and other eligibility conditions.
Candidates should also ensure that their sports achievement certificates are issued by the recognized authorities mentioned in the rules.
Karnataka Sports Quota Recruitment 2026 – Conclusion
The Government of Karnataka's Karnataka Civil Services (General Recruitment) (Amendment) Rules, 2026 introduce a significant 2% sports quota in direct recruitment and provide weightage marks for eligible sports achievements.
With weightage ranging up to 50 marks for Olympic/Paralympic gold medalists, the amendment could provide valuable opportunities for eligible sportspersons seeking Karnataka Government jobs.
The rules will become effective from the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette. Candidates should refer to the official recruitment notification and applicable departmental rules for post-wise eligibility, documentation and selection procedures.
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