Umpire (Cricket)
Match official who enforces the rules, arbitrates on play and keeps track of the score.
Overview
An Umpire is an official who watches a game or match closely to enforce the rules and arbitrate on matters arising from the play. An umpire is instrumental in recording the total score of the game and keeping track of the proceedings of the match.
Where they work
- Corporate matches
- Domestic matches
- Club level matches
- International matches
Work environment
You have to always work outdoors and be active in this job. The timings are flexible and are dependent on the time duration of the matches.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like different types of physical activities
- You like to work outdoors
- You are an effective communicator
- You are comfortable working with groups
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in any stream
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree (B.P.Ed) in Physical Education.
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree followed by a Master's degree (M.P.Ed) in Physical Education and then appear for the Umpire Certification Examination.
Alternative route 3
- 1Register with the respective State Cricket Associations. After this, qualify the Umpire Certification Examination.
Forms, exams and applications
The Umpire Certification Examination, taken after registering with the respective State Cricket Association. Check the official notification for current eligibility and dates.
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
For a general degree, you can choose any college in India accredited by NAAC, NBA, BCI, MCI, DCI, PCI, UGC, AICTE and so on. The course is offered by the Department of Physical Education. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- University of Delhi, New Delhi
- Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra
- Bengaluru University, Bengaluru, Karnataka
- Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
- Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab
- Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Manipal University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- NIMS University, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Singhania University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Assistant Umpire → Umpire → International Umpire
- 2Athlete (cricketer) → Umpire → International Umpire
Related careers to explore
Sportsperson
Plays a game professionally and competes at state, national or international level.
Sports Coach
Helps players and teams reach their potential by planning and running training programmes.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream, Physical Education.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to sports.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Shubhda Bhosle Gaikwad — The youngest woman umpire in India. Prior to attaining this status, she played for Madhya Pradesh U16 and U19 till 2009. She has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Physical Education and a PhD in Sport Psychology. She is now working to empower the tribal children of Jhabua.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 439 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://shorturl.at/lmy7o
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.