Srinagar: The Jammu & Kashmir (Appointment of Outstanding Sportspersons) Rules, 2022 were notified vide S.O. 12 dated 06.01.2022 by the General Administration Department (GAD), Government of Jammu & Kashmir, in exercise of the powers conferred under Article 309 of the Constitution of India. These Rules replaced the earlier Jammu & Kashmir (Appointment under Sports Quota) Rules, 1998.
Subsequently, the Government issued S.O. 412 of 2023, introducing significant amendments to strengthen and streamline the appointment mechanism for outstanding sportspersons.
Who Formulated the Rules?
The Rules were framed by the General Administration Department (GAD) and notified by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir through the Lieutenant Governor under Article 309 of the Constitution of India.
The Department of Youth Services & Sports, Civil Secretariat J&K, has been designated as the implementing department responsible for the execution of these Rules and appointment thereof.
Purpose of the Rules
The Rules provide a special mechanism for the direct appointment of outstanding sportspersons against earmarked Gazetted and Non-Gazetted Government posts, based on their achievements at the National and International levels.
The objectives of the Rules are to:
- Encourage sporting excellence.
- Reward medal-winning sportspersons.
- Provide Government employment opportunities to outstanding athletes.
- Effectively utilize their services for the promotion and development of sports in Jammu & Kashmir.
Important Amendments Introduced by S.O. 412 of 2023
S.O. 412 of 2023 substantially amended the provisions of S.O. 12 of 2022. The amendment was done by the Govt of J&K and not by any recommendations of YSS department, the major amendments are as follows:
A. Youth Services & Sports Department Designated as the Appointing Department
Rule 6(ii) was amended to provide that outstanding sportspersons shall be appointed in the Youth Services & Sports Department, instead of various Government departments, against eligible posts so that their expertise may be effectively utilized for sports promotion.
B. Creation of a Separate Jammu & Kashmir Outstanding Sportspersons Cadre
Subsequently, a separate Jammu & Kashmir Outstanding Sportspersons Cadre was created, comprising:
- Chief Coach (Gazetted Cadre)
- Instructor (Non-Gazetted Cadre)
This cadre was created vide Government Order No. 44-JK(YSS) of 2023 dated 11.10.2023.
C. Relaxation in Educational Qualification for Gazetted Posts
The qualification criteria for appointment against Gazetted posts were amended to provide that outstanding sportspersons possessing International achievements with educational qualification of 10+2 or above shall also be eligible for appointment to Gazetted posts.
D. Insertion of Rule 11 – Power to Relax
A new Rule 11 was inserted in S.O. 12 of 2022, conferring Power to Relax upon the Government.
Under this provision, the Government may relax the following requirements in deserving cases:
- Upper age limit;
- Academic or technical qualification; and
- Mandatory participation criteria required prior to representing the country in International competitions.
E. Introduction of Annexure-IIA (Cricket Competitions)
A new Annexure-IIA was inserted after Annexure-II of S.O. 12 of 2022, providing a separate evaluation framework for Cricket achievements.
The marking scheme prescribed is:
- Maximum 60 points for participation/achievement in International Cricket Competitions (ICC Matches).
- Maximum 40 points for participation/achievement in National Cricket Competitions (BCCI Matches).
Subsequently, J&K Sports Cadre Was Created
Subsequently, J&K Sports Cadre was created by the Government vide Administrative Council Decision No. 94/Z/2023 dated 07/09/2023 and was notified on 11-10-2023.
Wherein 10 posts of Chief Coach at Gazetted Level 8 were created. 225 Non-Gazetted posts of Instructor at Level 4 were created.
Thereafter, Short Advertisement Notification Was Issued by YSS Department
Following the amendments introduced through S.O. 412 of 2023, and creation of J&K Sports Cadre, the YSS Department issued a Short Advertisement Notification dated 12.10.2023, inviting applications for appointment under the Outstanding Sportspersons Rules S.O. 12 read with S.O. 412 of 2023.
Applications were invited for:
- 5 posts of Chief Coach (Gazetted Cadre) posts for vacancies arising from the year 2022 onwards; and
- 225 posts of Instructor (Non-Gazetted Cadre) posts against the backlog quota for the years 2014–2022.
This notification marked the operational implementation of the amended Rules and the newly created Outstanding Sportspersons Cadre posts.
Thereafter, following the advertisement, YSS Department received 585 application forms from the sportspersons seeking appointment under the notified rules.
Constitution of Scrutiny Committee & High Power Committee
Scrutiny Committee was constituted vide Government Order No. 1247-JK(GAD) of 2023 dated 14.10.2023 for scrutiny of the applications received from applicants. The committee scrutinized the applications and prepared a Provisional General Merit List of the applicants, and the provisional general merit list was duly ratified by the 6-member High Power Committee constituted under Rule 3(2) of S.O. 12, headed by the worthy Chief Secretary.
The said provisional general merit list was in public domain on 19/07/2024 for inviting objections, if any, from the public at large, and after disposal of the objections so received, the provisional selection list was to be issued.
The scrutiny committee further disposed of the objections so received and then prepared a provisional selection list duly ratified by the High Power Committee. The provisional select list was published in the public domain as on 11-02-2026 for inviting objections and, after disposal of the objections, the final selection list was to be issued.
The scrutiny committee disposed of all the objections and the reply was given to the persons who submitted their objections and the scrutiny committee forwarded the final selection list to the High Power Committee constituted under Rule 3(2) of S.O. 12 headed by the worthy Chief Secretary for approval, and the approval was also accorded from the competent authority for publication of the final selection list wherein 223 applicants were provisionally selected for Government service.
After the approval of competent authority, the final selection list was issued in the public domain as on 10-06-2026.
Confusion Regarding Categorization Based on Olympic/Non-Olympic Sport
The provisions of S.O. 12 of 2022 read with S.O. 412 of 2023 do not provide for any distinction between Olympic and Non-Olympic sports disciplines. The Rules categorically stipulate that eligible sportspersons shall be considered for appointment against Gazetted and Non-Gazetted posts strictly on the basis of merit secured by them through their sporting achievements and the merit score awarded under the notified rules.
The S.O. 12 Rules recognize 44 sports disciplines uniformly and do not discriminate between disciplines on the basis of Olympic status. Athletes from all recognized disciplines, whether Olympic or Non-Olympic, have been assessed and considered solely on the basis of the merit points earned through their valid and verified achievements.
Higher Weightage to Olympic-Level Achievements
Importantly, S.O. 12 provides greater weightage (60/55/54 points in total) to the athletes who have competed and won medals at Olympic Games / Asian Games, Commonwealth Games in comparison to medals or achievements in other competitions, that is (53/51/51 points in total) World Championship / Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championship as enshrined in Annexure-II of S.O. 12 of 2022.
Confusion Related to Kayaking & Canoeing & Dragon Boat
As per the communication from SAI vide letter dated 15th January 2019 and communication from IOA, Indian Olympic Association, vide letter dated 31st March 2017, GOI & IKCA letter dated 30th March 2012.
These letters clarify that Dragon Boat event is a part of Canoeing and not a separate sports discipline and in Kayaking & Canoeing recognized events include Calm Water (Canoe Sprint, Canoe Polo, Dragon Boat, Marathon), White Water (Slalom, Wild Water, Freestyle), and Salt Water (Canoe Sailing, Ocean Racing/Surfing), conducted under the aegis of the Indian Kayaking & Canoeing Association and the International Canoe Federation.
Confusion Related to Inclusion of Pencak Silat
The Pencak Silat, vide Govt. of India, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Order No. F.NO. 9-32/2015-SP-I, dated 03/11/2017, recognized the Indian Pencak Silat Federation as a National Sports Federation based on its inclusion in Asian Games 2018 Jakarta Indonesia. The Indian Pencak Silat Federation is also recognized by the (PERSILAT) international body for Pencak Silat sport. The Pencak Silat stands also recognized by J&K Sports Council from 2018 onwards.
Presently Pencak Silat at International level is also incorporated as a competitive combat medal sport in ASIAN GAMES 2018, ASIAN YOUTH GAMES Bahrain 2025, (SEA) South East Asian Games, Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games, World Championships, under the banner of (OCA) Olympic Council of Asia which is the regional continental body for sports in ASIA duly recognized by (IOC) Olympic International Committee. Pencak Silat is also featured in World Combat FISU World University Games including ASEAN University Games in South East Asia and Pencak Silat was also demonstrated in Paris Olympics 2024 for its inclusion as Olympic sport.
Pencak Silat at National level is featured in KHELO INDIA GAMES, NATIONAL GAMES, All India Inter University Games, All India Police Games, and is also part of all vertical schemes under Khelo India.
Pencak Silat was recognized by GOI MYAS back in 2017, and Govt. of India MYAS Order No. F.NO.-K-15011/10/2018-SP-IV, dated 08/08/2019 issued special cash Award to medal winners of Pencak Silat sport for the World Championship event held in 2018 at Thailand.
Inclusion in Central Government DOPT for Recruitment in Central Government Departments
The Pencak Silat, after showing outstanding performance at national & international level, was included by Government of India Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pension (Department of Personnel Training), DOPT, at serial no. 38, in the list of games for recruitment of meritorious sports persons in Ministries/Departments of Government of India and is there at S. No. 38 till date.
Position in J&K UT
Following the Central Government position, Government of J&K UT vide S.O. 149 dated 27/04/2021 added already recognized 5 new games namely baseball, netball, Pencak Silat, triathlon & Ice Hockey, after serial no. 39 as (40,41,42,43,44) in the ANNEXURE-I to SRO-349 of 1998 dated 22-12-1998 read with SRO-376 of 2004 dated 29-11-2004 (Erstwhile repealed rules for appointment of outstanding sportspersons) and S.O. 149 is self explanatory as it states that S.O. 149 is to be read with SRO 349 & 376 of 2004.
The same provision continued in S.O. 12 of 2022 read with S.O. 412 of 2023 and Pencak Silat is recognized like other sports disciplines at S. No. 42 for appointment in Gazetted & Non-Gazetted cadre.
Position in Other States
a) Pencak Silat sport is also included in other states for appointment of sportspersons
Pencak Silat sport is also included in other states for appointment of sportspersons such as in advertisement notification dated 15/11/2021 Department of Posts Kolkata. Pencak Silat is at S. No. 38 in the list of sports which qualify for appointment.
b) Pencak Silat is also included in Chief Commissioner of CGST, Central Excise & Customs advertisement for recruitment of sportspersons 2025
Pencak Silat is at S. No. 38.
c) Pencak Silat is also included in Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Odisha advertisement for recruitment of sportspersons dated 05/06/2026
Pencak Silat is at S. No. 38.
d) Pencak Silat is also included in Assam Rifles Meritorious Sportspersons Recruitment 2026
Advertisement dated 18/12/2025.
e) Pencak Silat Athletes are also recruited in Haryana Government services.
Confusion Related to Entertaining of Achievements of Pencak Silat
The scrutiny committee constituted vide Government Order No. 1247-JK(GAD) of 2023 dated 14.10.2023 sought opinion of the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on:
As to whether the awards of points and achievements of the applicants earned in Pencak Silat game has to be reckoned from the year 2017 i.e. for the preceding 05 years in terms of proviso to Rule 3 of S.O. 12 of 2022 and also when the said game was recognized at National level in the year 2017 in consonance with the explanation iv to Rule 2 of S.O. 12 of 2022 provide definition of Federation/Association recognized by Government of India for promotion and development of respective sports in the country.
In terms of decision of Selection Committee, who vide their No. LAW-OPN/164/2024-10, Dated 30.09.2024 clarified that placement of these games need to be considered in calendar year 2021 onwards only. However, reckoning of sports achievements of eligible candidates has to be made from the year 2017 onwards when the national bodies of these games were recognized by MYAS GOI.
Accordingly, the athletes of the Pencak Silat were placed in select list in year 2021-2022 only and their achievements were reckoned from 2017 onwards when their National bodies were recognized by MYAS GOI.
Confusion Related to Softball Sport
In 1967: The Softball Association of India (SBAI) gained official recognition from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
In 1973: The SBAI received its first formal recognition from the Government of India through the All India Council of Sports, thereby becoming the recognized National Sports Federation (NSF) for softball.
In 2022: The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MYAS) renewed the annual recognition of the SBAI, listing it as a recognized National Sports Federation (NSF).
Confusion Related to Applicants Selected in Gazetted Cadre
Since Gazetted posts were created & advertised in 2022 from 2022 onwards, the applicants selected in Gazetted posts are placed purely based on merit score, validity of achievements and qualifications enshrined in rules. There is no deviation from rules; everything is done in a transparent and rule-bound manner.
Placement of 4 applicants from Pencak Silat in Gazetted category is purely based on higher score achieved during selection process and not due to favouritism or bias. They have found themselves in Gazetted category purely based on merit and validity of achievements.
There is no rule which bars placement of multiple candidates in Gazetted/Non-Gazetted category posts. S.O. 12 purely selects candidates based on their achievements, merit score and accordingly selection is granted to the deserving on the basis of merit score achieved without discrimination based on Olympic/Non-Olympic sport.
