Maharashtra Revises 5% Sports Quota Policy for Government Jobs; 3 Month Certificate Verification Mandatory

The Maharashtra government has introduced major changes to its 5% parallel reservation for talented sportspersons in government jobs. The revised policy was approved at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday.

Under the new policy, eligible sportspersons seeking the benefit of the sports quota will be required to get their sports certificates verified within three months from the date of issuance of the new government resolution (GR).

The move is aimed at strengthening the verification process, preventing the use of fake sports certificates and ensuring that the reservation benefits reach genuine and deserving athletes.

5% Sports Reservation Extended Across Government Bodies

The 5% sports reservation will apply to direct recruitment for Group A, Group B, Group C and Group D posts in state government departments and subordinate offices.

The reservation will also cover several local bodies and government-linked institutions, including:

• Zilla Parishads
• Panchayat Samitis
• Gram Panchayats
• Municipal corporations
• Government undertakings
• Boards and corporations
• Universities
• Government-aided educational institutions
• Ashram schools
• Cooperative societies
• Banks
• Sugar factories
• Recognised non-governmental organisations (NGOs) receiving government financial assistance

New 'Kreeda e-Praman' System to Curb Fake Certificates

To prevent irregularities and fake sports certificates, the Maharashtra government will introduce a digital verification system called 'Kreeda e-Praman'.

Under the system, organisers of sports competitions will have to upload digitally signed competition results within seven days of the event's completion.

The system will use blockchain technology to securely preserve information related to sports competitions. The authenticity of sports certificates and competition results will also be capable of being verified instantly through cryptographic hashing.

The digital system is expected to make the sports reservation process more transparent and reduce the possibility of manipulation or submission of fraudulent certificates.

Previous Sports Quota Decisions Cancelled

The Maharashtra government has decided to cancel all earlier government decisions relating to the 5% sports reservation. A consolidated revised government resolution will be issued shortly.

Importantly, sportspersons who were eligible for reservation under the previous policy will also have to get their certificates verified.

They will be required to complete the verification process within three months from the date of issuance of the new GR.

Which Sportspersons Are Eligible for Group A Posts?

Under the revised eligibility framework, sportspersons who have won medals at major international competitions are eligible for the sports quota for Group A positions.

The eligible categories include medal winners from competitions such as: