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Referee, Umpire Resume Samples and Templates for 2026

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

Football Officiating | Laws of the Game | Match Control | Penalty Decisions | Offside Recognition | VAR Protocol | Advantage Play | Card Discipline | Conflict Resolution | Fitness Excellence | Team Management | Report Writing | Player Communication | Pressure Handling | Fair Play Promotion


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

Abhi sandilya

Phone: 9871275111

Email: writer@shriresume.com

Address: Dagshai

About Me

Referee, Umpire

Passionate and dedicated recent graduate with a strong background in sports management and a keen interest in officiating sports events. Seeking an entry-level position as a Referee or Umpire to leverage my knowledge of game rules, sharp decision-making skills, and enthusiasm for sports to ensure fair and enjoyable competitions.

Extra Curricular Activities

  • Networked with professional referees and umpires to gain insights into the profession.


Education

, Bachelor of Arts, Completed, February 2024

Guru Singh Sahib College

State University

Ambala, HR

Certifications

  • Certificate in Sports Officiating, Completed , April 2024
  • Certified Referee (Sport-Specific Certification), Completed , May 2024

Internships

Period: April 2024 - June 2024

Sports Officiating Intern

Khalasa College

Asandh, HR
  • Assisted experienced referees and umpires in officiating various sports events including basketball, soccer, and baseball.
  • Gained hands-on experience in making real-time decisions and enforcing game rules.
  • Helped in setting up and managing sports equipment before and after games.
  • Participated in training sessions to improve officiating skills and knowledge of sports rules.
  • Collaborated with event coordinators to ensure smooth operation of sports events.

Skills

  • Comprehensive knowledge of rules and regulations for multiple sports
  • Excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure
  • High level of physical fitness and stamina
  • Attention to detail and strong observational skills

Languages

  • English
  • Hindi

Softwares

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Operating System

  • Window
  • IOS

Personal Interests

  • Passion for promoting fair play and sportsmanship
  • Enthusiastic follower of various sports leagues and events
  • Enjoy staying active through sports and fitness activities
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Author

Kshama Sharma - Resume, CV and Cover Letter Writing Expert

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