**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) issued directions on January 28, 2026, to all recognised National Sports Federations (NSFs) to immediately discontinue the unauthorised use of the State Emblem, MoYAS, and Sports Authority of India (SAI) logos. Non-compliance may lead to suspension of recognition or withdrawal of financial assistance. Presidents and Secretaries General of NSFs are instructed to ensure compliance at national, state, and union territory levels.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Prohibition of Unauthorised Logo Usage:**
* NSFs must immediately stop using official government logos and emblems on letterheads, websites, visiting cards, and other communication materials.
* Such usage creates an incorrect impression of being a direct part of the Government of India or SAI, and is considered unauthorised and contrary to the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.
* **Permissible Usage:**
* NSFs can only make textual references to their recognition by the Ministry without using official logos or insignia.
* Government and SAI logos may only be used on event-specific publicity materials (banners, backdrops, advertisements, signage, mementos) where financial assistance has been provided or formal recognition has been extended, and in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
* **Compliance:**
* All NSFs must remove unauthorised logos from physical and digital platforms.
* NSFs must ensure that their affiliation with the Government of India or SAI is not misrepresented.
* Presidents and Secretaries General are responsible for compliance at the national, state, and union territory levels.
* **Consequences of Non-Compliance:**
* Violation of these instructions will be viewed seriously.
* Non-compliance may result in action, including suspension of recognition or stoppage of financial assistance.
**Impact Analysis**
**National Sports Federations (NSFs)**
* **Impact:** NSFs are restricted in their use of official logos and emblems, potentially impacting their branding and communication strategies.
* **Action Required:** NSFs must immediately discontinue unauthorised use of official logos and emblems, remove them from all physical and digital platforms, and ensure compliance across all levels.
**Presidents and Secretaries General of NSFs**
* **Impact:** They are responsible for ensuring that their respective federations comply with the new guidelines.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance at the national level and by their affiliated State and Union Territory units.
Key Entities Referenced
National Sports Federations (NSFs): Organizations directed to stop unauthorized use of official logos.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS): The issuing authority providing directives regarding logo usage.
Sports Authority of India (SAI): Organization whose logos are being misused, and whose affiliation is misrepresented.
State Emblem: One of the logos whose unauthorized use is prohibited.
National Sports Development Code of India, 2011: Legal document that unauthorized usage violates.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Government Directs National Sports Federations
to Stop Unauthorised Use of Official Logos
Misuse of State Emblem, Ministry and SAI Logos Found to
Create Misleading Government Affiliation
Non-Compliance May Lead to Suspension of Recognition or
Withdrawal of Financial Assistance
प्रव तथ: 28 JAN 2026 6:41PM by PIB Delhi
New Delhi, 28 January 2026: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS), Government of India,
issued directions to all recognised National Sports Federations (NSFs) to immediately discontinue the
unauthorised use of the State Emblem and the logos or insignia of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
It was observed that certain NSFs are using official government logos and emblems on their letterheads,
websites, visiting cards, and other communication materials, thereby creating an incorrect impression of
being a direct part of the Government of India or SAI. Such usage is unauthorised and contrary to the
provisions of the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.
The Ministry has clarified that while NSFs are recognised by the Government and are eligible for financial
and other forms of assistance, such recognition or support does not entitle them to use the name, emblem,
or logos of the Government of India, the Ministry, or SAI as part of their official stationery or digital
platforms.
NSFs may only make a textual reference to their recognition by the Ministry, without using official logos
or insignia.
The directive to NSFs state that the Government and SAI logos may be used strictly for event-specific
publicity materials, such as banners, backdrops, advertisements, signage, or mementos, only in cases
where financial assistance has been provided or formal recognition has been extended, and that too in
accordance with prescribed guidelines.
Further, all NSFs have also been directed to immediately remove unauthorised logos from physical and
digital platforms and ensure that their affiliation with the Government of India or SAI is not
misrepresented in any manner.
The Presidents and Secretaries General of NSFs have been instructed to ensure compliance not only at the
national level but also by their affiliated State and Union Territory units.
The Ministry has cautioned that any violation of these instructions will be viewed seriously and may result
in appropriate action under existing guidelines and applicable laws, including suspension of recognition or
stoppage of financial assistance.****
Ayushman Kumar
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2219730) आगंतुक पटल : 185
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