Leh, Aug 19: Outstanding sportspersons in Ladakh will now have a 4 per cent horizontal reservation in direct recruitment to Group ‘C’ non-gazetted government posts, following approval of the new reservation framework by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.
With the approval, Ladakh becomes the first Union Territory in the country to provide a fixed 4 per cent reservation for sportspersons in government jobs, according to the administration.
The Union Territory Administration has notified the Ladakh Outstanding Sportspersons (Horizontal Reservation in Direct Recruitment to Group ‘C’ Non-Gazetted Posts) Rules, 2026, providing the framework for implementing the reservation.
The reservation will operate horizontally across existing vertical categories, ensuring that eligible sportspersons can avail the benefit irrespective of their social category. It will apply to direct recruitment to Group ‘C’ posts under the UT Administration, except posts specifically excluded through notification.
The eligibility framework covers sportspersons who have represented a State or the country in recognised national or international competitions, medal winners in Senior or Junior National Championships, Khelo India Youth Games above 18 years, Khelo India Winter Games, Khelo India Para Games and Khelo India University Games. Eligible sportspersons who have represented their universities in recognised inter-university competitions will also be covered.
Recognised chess achievements have also been included in accordance with the prescribed Department of Personnel and Training provisions.
The framework places greater weight on higher-level sporting achievements and medal-winning performances. A separate Sports Merit List will be prepared, with eligibility determined according to the level of competition and distinction achieved.
Under the prescribed scoring system, international medal-winning performances carry the highest weight, followed by Senior National Championships or National Games, Junior National Championships, Inter-University or Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India Winter Games and Khelo India Para Games.
Where a candidate has more than one sporting achievement, only the highest achievement will be considered, preventing additional weightage merely for winning multiple medals or securing multiple positions.
The administration as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust has also incorporated verification mechanisms to ensure that the reservation is extended only to genuine sporting achievements. The Department of Youth Services and Sports will constitute a three-member committee to assist the recruiting agency or appointing authority in verifying the recognition status, validity of certificates, competitions and sporting achievements claimed by candidates.
The rules have been framed under Clause 5.6 of the Ladakh Sports Policy, 2026, approved by Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena.
The administration said the initiative was aimed at providing institutional support to young athletes and ensuring that talented sportspersons are not forced to abandon sporting careers due to concerns over employment and financial security.
The 4 per cent reservation is intended to create a direct pathway from sporting achievement to government employment while encouraging greater participation in competitive sports across Ladakh. [KNT]
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