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Referee and Umpire Resume Guide for India

A well-crafted referee or umpire resume is essential for success in India’s growing sports officiating sector. Whether you’re pursuing a career with BCCI, AIFF, Hockey India, BFI, SAI, or state sports associations, this guide provides everything you need to create a standout resume.

This comprehensive guide includes:

Resume format recommendations for officiating roles in India
Key skills employers look for in referees and umpires
Complete resume example with Indian context
Top officiating employers in India
Salary insights in INR by experience level
Required qualifications and certifications
ATS optimization tips for sports job portals

Why Your Referee/Umpire Resume Matters in India

India’s sports industry is growing rapidly with professional leagues like IPL, ISL, PKL, and increased investment in grassroots sports. Trained match officials are essential for fair play and professional sports management across cricket, football, hockey, kabaddi, and other sports.

A strong referee/umpire resume helps you:

Stand out from competition for officiating positions
Showcase your certification levels and match experience
Demonstrate your knowledge of rules and regulations
Highlight your ability to manage high-pressure situations

Sports federations and leagues receive many applications. Your resume must immediately communicate your qualifications, officiating experience, and professional credibility.

Referee/Umpire Resume Format for India

Indian sports organizations prefer professional resume formats that highlight certifications and match officiating experience.

Recommended Format

Length: 1-2 pages
Layout: Reverse chronological
Font: Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (11-12pt)
Sections: Contact, Summary, Certifications, Skills, Experience, Education

Personal Details for Indian Officiating Resumes

Include:

Full name
Phone number with +91 country code
Professional email address
City, State
Sports officiating license numbers
Languages spoken

What to Avoid

Personal details like religion or caste
Match results or team outcomes
Confidential assessment reports
Salary expectations in resume

Key Skills for Referees and Umpires in India

Indian sports organizations look for a combination of rules knowledge, decision-making ability, and professional conduct.

Technical Skills

Rules Knowledge: Complete understanding of sport-specific rules
Decision Making: Quick, accurate rulings
Game Management: Match control and flow
Positioning: Optimal viewing angles
Signal Clarity: Clear communication of decisions
Technology Use: DRS, VAR, Hawk-Eye familiarity

Physical Fitness

Endurance: Sustained activity during matches
Speed: Moving with play
Vision: Accurate observation
Fitness Testing: Meeting federation standards
Recovery: Multiple match capability
Health Management: Maintaining peak condition

Professional Skills

Communication: With players, coaches, officials
Conflict Resolution: Handling disputes
Pressure Management: High-stakes decisions
Impartiality: Fair and unbiased officiating
Time Management: Match duration control
Documentation: Match reports, incident reports

Sport-Specific Skills

Cricket Umpires:

LBW decisions, no-ball monitoring
DRS protocol, ball tracking
Light and weather decisions

Football Referees:

Offside recognition, penalty decisions
Advantage play, card discipline
VAR review protocol

Other Sports:

Kabaddi: Raid timing, touch decisions
Hockey: Penalty corner, video referral
Basketball: Foul calling, clock management

Referee/Umpire Resume Example for India

Here’s a complete resume example tailored for Indian sports officiating:

Sunil Kumar Sharma

Bangalore, Karnataka | +91-98XXX-XXXXX | sunil.official@email.com | AIFF License: XXXXX

Professional Summary

AIFF Licensed Football Referee with 8+ years of officiating experience across I-League, ISL, and state league matches. Currently FIFA Referee Instructor and Chief Referee for Karnataka State Football Association. Officiated 200+ competitive matches including 50+ I-League and 25+ ISL matches. Completed FIFA Referee Training and hold Level-3 AIFF certification. Known for consistent decision-making, excellent fitness levels, and professional conduct. Active in referee development and training for emerging match officials.

Certifications and Licenses

FIFA Referee Badge | FIFA | 2021 - Present
AIFF Level-3 Referee License | All India Football Federation | 2019
FIFA Referee Instructor | FIFA/AIFF | 2022
AIFF Fitness Test A-Grade | AIFF | Annual renewal
VAR Training Certification | AIFF | 2023

Key Skills

Professional Experience

FIFA Match Official | AIFF Panel | India | January 2021 – Present

Officiate ISL (Indian Super League) matches as center referee
Selected for AFC (Asian Football Confederation) assignments
Complete 25+ ISL matches with excellent assessment ratings
Participate in FIFA referee development programs
Mentor developing referees on AIFF panel
Maintain A-Grade fitness certification annually
Attend pre-season referee camps and workshops

I-League Referee | AIFF | India | June 2018 – December 2020

Officiated 50+ I-League first division matches
Served as fourth official and assistant referee
Achieved consistent performance ratings above 8.0/10
Selected for knockout and playoff matches
Completed VAR training and implementation
Promoted to FIFA panel based on performance

State League Referee | Karnataka State Football Association | Karnataka | April 2015 – May 2018

Officiated state league and district championship matches
Progressed from Level-1 to Level-3 certification
Handled 100+ matches including finals and semi-finals
Completed AIFF referee training courses
Selected for national youth championship officiating
Recognized as “Best Young Referee” in 2017

District Level Referee | Bangalore District Football Association | Bangalore | 2013 – March 2015

Started officiating at local league and school level
Completed basic referee certification
Gained experience in match management
Built foundation for professional officiating career

Key Matches Officiated

Competition	Matches	Role
Indian Super League	25+	Center Referee
I-League	50+	Center/AR
Durand Cup	10+	Center Referee
Santosh Trophy	15+	Center Referee
State Leagues	100+	Various

Education

Bachelor of Physical Education (B.P.Ed) | Bangalore University | 2014

Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) | Bangalore University | 2012

Physical Fitness

AIFF A-Grade Fitness Test qualified annually
FIFA Fitness Test certified
Regular training regimen maintained
No injury history affecting officiating

Languages

Kannada (Native) | Hindi (Fluent) | English (Fluent) | Tamil (Basic)

Key Achievements

FIFA Referee Badge holder
200+ competitive matches officiated
ISL regular panel referee
FIFA Referee Instructor certified
Average assessment rating 8.5/10
“Best Young Referee” - KSFA 2017

Top Referee/Umpire Employers in India

India’s sports officiating sector offers opportunities across federations and leagues.

Cricket

BCCI: Board of Control for Cricket in India
IPL: Indian Premier League
State Cricket Associations: Ranji Trophy, domestic cricket
ICC Panel: International assignments

Football

AIFF: All India Football Federation
ISL: Indian Super League
I-League: First division clubs
State Football Associations: Local leagues

Other Sports

Hockey India: National and league officiating
BFI (Basketball): NBA India, 3x3 leagues
Kabaddi: Pro Kabaddi League
Badminton Association: BWF, national events
Athletics Federation: Track and field
Wrestling Federation: National championships

Multi-Sport Organizations

SAI: Sports Authority of India
IOA: Indian Olympic Association
State Sports Departments: Government events
School Games Federation: SGFI events
University Sports: AIU championships

How to Apply

Federation websites and portals
State association registration
Referee training courses
Assessment and certification exams
Mentor and referral networks

Referee/Umpire Salary in India

Salaries vary significantly based on sport, level, and match type.

Match Fees by Level

Level	Per Match Fee (INR)
District/Local	₹500 - ₹2,000
State League	₹2,000 - ₹5,000
National League	₹10,000 - ₹25,000
Professional League (ISL, IPL)	₹25,000 - ₹1,00,000+
International	₹50,000 - ₹2,00,000+

Note: Cricket umpires at IPL level earn significantly higher match fees.

Annual Income Potential

Category	Annual Earnings (INR)
Part-time (Weekend)	₹1 - ₹3 LPA
Regular (State Level)	₹3 - ₹6 LPA
Professional League	₹8 - ₹15 LPA
Elite Panel (IPL, ISL)	₹15 - ₹40 LPA
ICC/FIFA International	₹30 - ₹80+ LPA

Additional Benefits

Travel Allowance: Match venue travel
Accommodation: For away matches
Retainer Fee: Panel officials
Training Stipend: Workshop attendance
Insurance: Match injury coverage

Qualifications for Referee/Umpire Jobs in India

Educational Requirements

Entry Level:

Minimum 12th pass
Physical fitness
Sport knowledge and playing background

Higher Positions:

B.P.Ed or sports degree preferred
Advanced certification levels
Fitness test qualification

Certification Pathway

Cricket Umpiring:

Level-1 → Level-2 → Level-3 → BCCI Panel → ICC Panel

Football Refereeing:

District → Level-1 → Level-2 → Level-3 → AIFF Panel → FIFA

Other Sports:

Similar tiered certification through respective federations

Physical Requirements

Excellent vision (corrected or uncorrected)
Cardiovascular fitness
Age limits (varies by sport and level)
Regular fitness testing
No disqualifying medical conditions

Career Advancement Path

Local/District Official
State Panel Official
National Panel Official
Professional League Official
International Panel Official
Referee Instructor/Assessor

ATS Tips for Your Referee/Umpire Resume

Sports organizations use application systems:

Keyword Optimization

Include relevant terms like:

Referee, umpire, match official
FIFA, BCCI, AIFF, federation name
License level, certification
Matches officiated, assessment rating
VAR, DRS, technology
Fitness test, physical standards

Formatting Tips

List certifications with license numbers
Include match counts by competition
Mention assessment ratings
Add fitness qualifications
Keep format professional and clean

Final Tips for Your Referee/Umpire Resume

✅ Lead with certifications - License levels prominently

✅ Show match experience - Numbers and competition levels

✅ Include assessments - Performance ratings

✅ Mention fitness - Test grades and standards

✅ Add technology training - VAR, DRS familiarity

✅ List key matches - High-profile assignments

✅ Include languages - Communication ability

Quick Checklist

Certifications and license numbers displayed
Match count and level quantified
Fitness qualifications mentioned
Assessment ratings included
Professional format maintained
Languages listed

Ready to create your professional referee/umpire resume? Use our resume builder to get started with expert-designed templates.

Looking for more guidance? Check out our resume format guide for additional tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best resume format for Referees and Umpires in India?

Use a 1-2 page reverse chronological format with certifications displayed prominently. Include sections for summary, certifications (with license numbers), skills, experience (matches officiated), and education. Quantify match experience by competition level.

What certifications are required for sports officiating in India?

Requirements vary by sport. Cricket requires BCCI umpire certification levels. Football requires AIFF referee licenses (Level 1-3, FIFA badge). Each federation has its own certification pathway. Higher certifications open access to better matches and pay.

What skills should I highlight on an officiating resume?

Highlight rules knowledge, decision-making ability, match management, fitness levels, communication skills, and pressure handling. Include technology familiarity (DRS, VAR) and any instructor or mentor experience you have.

How much do referees and umpires earn in India?

District level officials earn ₹500-2,000 per match. State level earns ₹2,000-5,000. National/professional leagues pay ₹10,000-50,000+ per match. IPL umpires and ISL referees earn ₹25,000-1,00,000 per match plus retainers.

How important is physical fitness for officiating?

Extremely important. All federations require annual fitness tests. AIFF requires FIFA fitness test for higher panels. BCCI has physical standards for umpires. Regular training is essential. Fitness failure means loss of panel position.

Should I include assessment ratings on my resume?

Yes, if they're positive. Assessment ratings (like 8.5/10 average) demonstrate consistent performance. Include any special recognition, finals assignments, or promotion to higher panels based on performance.

How do I start a career in sports officiating?

Start with basic certification from your sport's federation or state association. Officiate at local/school level to gain experience. Progress through certification levels while building match count. Networking and mentor relationships help advancement.

Can sports officiating be a full-time career in India?

Yes, at higher levels. Professional league officials (IPL, ISL, PKL) can earn full-time income. Most officials start part-time while maintaining other employment, transitioning to full-time as they reach elite panels.

What is the path to international officiating?

Reach the highest national certification (BCCI Elite, AIFF Level-3). Maintain excellent performance ratings and fitness. Get nominated by national federation for international panels (ICC, FIFA, AFC). Age limits apply for starting international careers.

How do I list matches officiated on my resume?

Create a table or list showing competition name, number of matches, and your role (center referee, assistant, umpire). Include notable matches like finals, internationals, or high-profile games. Total count demonstrates experience depth.

Referee, Umpire Text-Only Resume Templates and Samples

ARVIND RAWAT

Phone: 0000000

Email: arvind@abc.com

Address: C-21, Sector-21, Delhi

About Me

Referee Umpire

An Experienced Umpire, Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events. Detect infractions of rules and decide penalties according to established regulations. Committed to encouraging excellent sportsmanship, safety, and competition among athletes of all ages.
Extensive experience of XX years in judging performances in sporting competitions in order to award points, impose scoring penalties, and determine results; inspecting sporting equipment and/or examining participants in order to ensure compliance with event and safety regulations
Keeping track of event times, including times and elapsed time during game segments, starting or stopping play when necessary; resolving claims of rule infractions or complaints by participants and assessing any necessary penalties, according to regulations
Directing participants to assigned areas such as starting blocks or penalty areas; reporting to regulating organizations regarding sporting activities, complaints made, and actions taken or needed such as fines or other disciplinary actions; teaching and explaining the rules and regulations governing a specific sport.
Possessing full knowledge of various sports rules and regulations; enforcing rules; assessing penalties; experience in examining sports equipment for compliance and safety adherence

Education

, Master of Fine Arts, Completed, July 2004

Amity School of Communication

– Marks null

Noida, UP

Certifications

Umpire Certification, Completed , January 2022

Work Experience

Period: June 2022 - Current

Referee / Consultant - Sports Operations

Dream 11

Mumbai, MH

Conduct an audit of each team to ensure they're ready to play
Make sure every player has the proper gear and often ask players to pound on their shin guards to prove they have them on; confirm that each team is fielding a sufficient number of players to avoid forfeiting the match
Explain and enforce rules, assess penalties, signal the start and end of games, stop play for reviews as needed, and inspect sports equipment prior to the start of games
Work for professional sports organizations, schools, or community sports organizations
Make sure that the rules of the game they are officiating are being followed by all players
Explain rules as needed and ensure that all participants understand these rules
Make calls regarding when these rules are broken and assess penalties
Stop games as needed to review plays and might use videos to determine if a call has been made correctly

Period: September 2017 - December 2020

Referee / Cricket Coach

Gyan Sagar International School

Alwar, RJ

Responsible for making decisions and calls in a game of cricket
Ensured that players and matches follow the rules of the game, taking a similar role to referees in other sports
Inspected the pitch area, made sure that all equipment is set out, and checked that the boundary is correctly marked before play begins
Met with team captains to check team details and to discuss hours of play, the timing of food and drink breaks, and rules of play, before the coin toss to decide which team bats or bowls first
Monitored fair play and made decisions on gameplay; monitored overs sets of six balls bowled at one end of the pitch and tell teams when to change ends