The National Institute of Sports, which is now the academic wing of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), was established in 1961 with the objective of training coaches in different sports disciplines. It was renamed the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in January 1973.

NSNIS, which is Asia’s largest sports institute, is housed in the palatial building and sprawling grounds belonging to the erstwhile Maharaja of Patiala whose descendants dedicated this complex to the promotion of sports. The institute has produced coaches who have made significant contributions in preparing the national teams for international competitions.

The institute also houses one of the centres of excellence set up in October 2000 by SAI to groom budding sportspersons. This centre operates as a coaching camp for the best available talent in India. It also conducts outreach camps in remote areas, with the help of the district administration and local nongovernmental organisations. NSNIS also has an integrated school (up to Class V), approved by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, for orthopaedically disabled children.

NSNIS offers an MSc in sports coaching, a postgraduate diploma in sports medicine as well as a diploma and a certificate in sports coaching. Scholarships are also given to deserving candidates.

The Faculty of Sports Sciences, with multiple disciplines (sports medicine, exercise physiology, biochemistry, physiotherapy, sports anthropometry, biomechanics, kinesiology, training methods, sports psychology and research methodology) was established in 1983. Besides offering a gamut of courses, the faculty provides scientific knowhow to sportspersons who attend national camps.

Over the years, NSNIS set up centres at Bangalore, Calcutta and Gandhinagar. About 14,000 coaches, including 507 foreigners, have graduated from the four academic centres, so far. The diploma in sports coaching course is now conducted at Patiala, Bangalore and Calcutta.

The notifications are generally advertised in March or April. The forms can be obtained from the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports, Old Moti Bagh, Patiala, Punjab, by sending a demand draft of Rs 150. For details, log on to www.nsnis.org.

Eligibility

Graduation in any stream. Those who have won a medal in the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, the World Championships (senior section) or the Olympic Games only need a Plus Two. Candidates from the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also eligible if they have completed Class XII. Applicants should have participated in at least two inter-university competitions, two Senior National Championships or National Games, two inter railways or inter police competitions, won a gold or silver in the All India Inter University Championships, Junior or Senior National Championships or participated in the Asian Games, Asian Championship, Commonwealth Games, Commonwealth Championship, World Championship or the Olympic Games. Candidates should be between 20 and 35 years on July 1 of the year of admission with relaxation of up to three months in the upper or lower age limit. The upper age limit is relaxable by three years for international players who have participated in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, World Cup or the Olympic Games. Permanent employees of the state or central government or autonomous bodies of the government who are sponsored by these organisations are also allowed a three year age relaxation.

Entrance exam

Admission is through an entrance test which is held in the last week of June at Patiala, Bangalore and Calcutta. Selection is on the basis of educational qualification, sports achievements and performance in tests.

Pattern of exam

Candidates have to clear a written exam that tests their general knowledge and knowledge in the chosen sports discipline, a practical test of proficiency in their specialised sport and an interview where they are graded on personality, power of expression and expertise.

How to prepare

To ace the general knowledge section, you must read the newspaper daily and keep abreast of national and international news. Also check out the GK guides by Spectrum and Pearsons.

To increase your knowledge of sports, you could read sports magazines such as Sportstar, Sports World and Sports Quiz. You should also have indepth knowledge of the sports field you are opting for.