Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has approved a 4 per cent horizontal reservation for “Outstanding Sportspersons” in direct recruitment to Group ‘C’ (Non-Gazetted) government posts under the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh. This policy aims to secure the future of young sportspersons and encourage more youth in Ladakh to pursue sports as a career.
Ladakh thus becomes the first and only Union Territory in India to provide a fixed 4 per cent reservation for sportspersons in government employment. While other states and Union Territories offer reservations or incentives under the sports quota, none provide a statutory or specified reservation similar to this.
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Following the approval, the Administration has notified the Union Territory of Ladakh Outstanding Sportspersons (Horizontal Reservation in Direct Recruitment to Group ‘C’ non-gazetted Posts) Rules, 2026. These rules establish a structured framework to extend reservation benefits to meritorious sportspersons who meet all eligibility criteria, including recruitment examinations.
The term “Outstanding Sportspersons” covers individuals who have represented a State or the Country in recognised national or international competitions; medal winners in Senior or Junior National Championships; medal winners in Khelo India Youth Games above 18 years; Khelo India Winter Games; Khelo India Para Games; and Khelo India University Games. It also includes sportspersons who have represented their universities in recognised Inter-University competitions. Eligible chess players are incorporated following the prescribed Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) provisions.
These rules were framed pursuant to Clause 5.6 of the landmark Ladakh Sports Policy, 2026, which Lt Governor Saxena approved on August 1. The policy aims to foster sporting excellence by providing assured financial support and incentives.
The 4 per cent reservation will function as a horizontal reservation across all vertical reservation categories. Horizontal reservation provides equal opportunities to all beneficiary groups—including women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, transgender individuals, and persons with disabilities—across vertical categories. This means candidates selected under the sports reservation will be counted against the vertical social category they belong to.
The reservation applies to direct recruitment to all Group ‘C’ posts under the Administration of UT Ladakh, except posts specifically excluded by the Administration through notification.
Lt Governor Saxena stated, “The initiative is aimed at ensuring that no talented youth in Ladakh is forced to give up sporting aspirations because of concerns about financial support or future employment, and that excellence in sports becomes a pathway to both pride and a secure career. The 4 per cent reservation for sportspersons in government jobs is a long-term commitment to our youth for an institutional support system to excel in the field of sports. Through reservation in government jobs, assured scholarships, cash incentives, modern infrastructure, scientific coaching and career opportunities, we are creating an ecosystem where talent is recognised, nurtured and rewarded without financial burden on families.”
The reservation framework places greater emphasis on higher-level sporting achievements and medal-winning performances. A separate Sports Merit List will be prepared for eligible candidates, with inter-se merit determined according to competition level and distinctions achieved.
The prescribed scoring matrix assigns the highest weight to international medal-winning performances, followed in descending order by Senior National Championships/National Games, Junior National Championships, Inter-University/Khelo India University Games, and Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India Winter Games, and Khelo India Para Games. Medal winners will rank higher at each level than candidates with mere representation but no medal or position.
The rules also ensure transparency and verification in the selection process. The Department of Youth Services and Sports will form a three-member committee to assist recruiting agencies or appointing authorities in verifying the genuineness, recognition status, and validity of certificates, competitions, and sporting achievements submitted by candidates.
The Sports Merit List will be based solely on sporting achievements. If a candidate has multiple sporting accomplishments, only the highest achievement will be considered; no additional weightage will be granted for multiple medals or positions.