BCCI overhauls umpire pay and introduces merit-based grading

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a significant overhaul of the pay structure and grading system for umpires and match referees. According to BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia, this marks the first fee revision for these officials in nearly a decade.

The new system restructures umpire categories from the previous A+, A, B, and C grades to a new A, B, C, and D format. Under this revised structure, daily payments will increase substantially. For instance, Grade A umpires will receive Rs 60,000 per day, with subsequent grades receiving Rs 50,000, Rs 40,000, and Rs 35,000.

In addition to the pay increase, the BCCI is introducing a merit-based promotion and relegation system. An umpires board, supported by an assessment team, will evaluate performance to determine assignments. At the end of each season, high-performing umpires will be upgraded to higher levels, while those failing to meet satisfactory standards will be downgraded.