Leh (Ladakh): The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has approved a 4 per cent horizontal reservation for "Outstanding Sportspersons" in direct recruitment to Group 'C' (non-gazetted) government posts, the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh announced on Wednesday.
First UT to prescribe fixed reservation for sportspersons
The administration said this makes Ladakh the first Union Territory in the country to provide a fixed statutory reservation of 4% for sportspersons in government jobs. The decision has been implemented through the notification of the "Union Territory of Ladakh Outstanding Sportspersons (Horizontal Reservation in Direct Recruitment to Group 'C' non-gazetted Posts) Rules, 2026".
According to the notification, the rules have been framed pursuant to Clause 5.6 of the Ladakh Sports Policy, 2026, which the LG approved on 1 August. The policy seeks to provide financial support and incentives and to encourage youth in Ladakh to adopt sport as a career pathway.
Who qualifies as an "Outstanding Sportsperson"
The rules lay out categories of achievement that will qualify a candidate to seek reservation under the new provision. Eligible sportspersons include those who have:
- Represented a State or the Country in recognised national or international competitions;
- Won medals in Senior or Junior National Championships;
- Won medals in Khelo India Youth Games (age above 18), Khelo India Winter Games, Khelo India Para Games and Khelo India University Games;
- Represented their universities in recognised Inter-University competitions;
- Chess achievers meeting the DoPT-prescribed provisions.
The administration emphasised that the benefit will be available only after candidates fulfil all eligibility criteria, including passing the prescribed recruitment examination for the post sought.
Horizontal reservation across vertical categories
The 4 per cent will operate as a horizontal reservation across all vertical categories—meaning it will apply across the range of beneficiaries such as women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, persons with disabilities and transgender persons, without reducing the vertical quotas that already exist.
Horizontal reservation requires administration of benefits in a manner that preserves vertical-category entitlements while ensuring that eligible sportspersons within each vertical category can equally access the reserved share.
Implications for recruitment and sports policy
Officials said the measure is intended to strengthen the link between sporting achievement and career stability, thereby making sports a more viable long-term option for youth in the high-altitude Union Territory. The rules are part of a broader package under the Ladakh Sports Policy, 2026, which the administration says aims to nurture sporting excellence through scholarships, coaching support and infrastructure—measures the policy lists as priorities.
As this is a rule-based reservation, the administration will incorporate the provision into its recruitment processes for Group 'C' posts. Candidates claiming the benefit will be required to submit documentary proof of sporting achievements as per the notified criteria and to appear for the regular recruitment examination, the notification states.
What applicants should note
- Reservation applies only to direct recruitment to Group 'C' non-gazetted posts under the UT administration.
- Sporting credentials must match the prescribed categories (national/international representation, medals in specified national games and recognised inter-university events).
- Chess players are included in line with Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) norms.
The administration did not provide an immediate estimate of how many posts will be affected in upcoming recruitments, nor a timeline for operationalising the rules in specific advertisements. It made clear, however, that the horizontal reservation will be applied subject to candidates meeting all standard recruitment conditions.
Officials framed the move as providing both an incentive for sporting participation and a measure of social security for athletes who choose to serve in government roles while continuing to contribute to sporting endeavours in the region.
| Category | Examples of qualifying achievement |
|---|---|
| National/International representation | Represented State or Country in recognised competitions |
| National championships | Medal winners in Senior/Junior National Championships |
| Khelo India events | Medal winners in Khelo India Youth (18+), Winter, Para and University Games |
| University level | Representation in recognised Inter-University competitions |
| Chess | Eligible achievers as per DoPT provisions |
The notification implementing the rules completes a legislative step under the Ladakh Sports Policy. Further operational details—such as the process for verification of sporting credentials, use of a scoring matrix, or integration with recruitment notifications—are expected to be outlined by the administration when specific vacancies are advertised.
The approval marks a notable administrative precedent within the Union Territories and is likely to prompt interest from other states and territories considering targeted measures to support sportspersons seeking stable employment.
