Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on 18th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Government of India has launched the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31) with a financial outlay of ₹36,441 crore to enhance the national sporting ecosystem. The scheme aims to increase athlete support tenfold and establish a seamless "grassroots-to-podium" pathway through massive infrastructure expansion and talent identification. Key implementation goals include mapping sporting facilities and strengthening state-level participation over the five-year period ending in 2031.
Key Points / Main Content
Financial and Strategic Expansion
Allocates ₹36,441 crore for the 2026–31 period, representing an eightfold increase over the previous budget.
Aims to expand the number of supported athletes by nearly ten times.
Focuses on a complete sporting pathway connecting schools and grassroots centers to high-performance opportunities.
Infrastructure Development
Introduces a "State Action Plan" to provide states with a larger role in developing regional sports infrastructure.
Requires the mapping and assessment of existing infrastructure for Olympic, Asian, and Commonwealth Games to identify gaps and upgrade needs.
Prioritizes "Sports Infrastructure for Medal Strategy" and the strengthening of strategic sports assets.
Talent Identification and Educational Integration
Establishes a tiered network including Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas, Khelo India Feeder Schools, and Khelo India Centres.
Provides structured support for Khelo India Athletes (KIA) and Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA) across major disciplines.
Integrates sports science, technology, and regular competition exposure into the development framework.
Core Components
The scheme covers nine pillars: infrastructure, competitions/leagues, talent identification, training facilities, coach and support staff development, the Fit India Movement, and Sports Technology.
Emphasizes quality coaching and facilities for para-athletes and access to training centers closer to athletes' homes.
Impact Analysis
Athletes (Grassroots to Elite)Impact:
Athletes will benefit from significantly increased financial support, access to better local facilities, and a systematic progression path to international levels. Para-athletes will receive specialized focus on sports science and quality coaching.
Action Required:
Prospective and emerging athletes must engage with the talent identification network and utilize the newly established Feeder Schools and Khelo India Centres.
State GovernmentsImpact:
States are granted greater autonomy and responsibility in shaping their regional sporting landscapes through the State Action Plan.
Action Required:
States must map existing sporting assets, identify infrastructure gaps, and collaborate with the central framework to upgrade facilities.
Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Educational InstitutionsImpact:
SAI and designated schools will serve as the primary hubs for talent development, requiring an integration of academic and athletic training.
Action Required:
Educational institutions must implement the "Utkrishta Vidyalayas" and "Feeder School" models, while SAI must oversee the deployment of sports technology and staff development.
Key Entities Referenced
Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31): A national initiative with a ₹36,441-crore outlay aimed at expanding sporting infrastructure, talent identification, and creating a seamless grassroots-to-podium pathway for athletes.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The central government ministry responsible for the policy formulation and oversight of the revamped sporting framework.
Sports Authority of India (SAI): The primary implementing body and regulator coordinating regional talent identification, training facilities, and infrastructure mapping under the scheme.
Maharashtra: The central state of applicability for this expansion, focused on strengthening its sporting ecosystem and talent base through the revamped framework.
Fit India Movement: A key national program integrated as one of the nine core components within the revamped Khelo India Scheme.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Khelo India Revamped Scheme to Strengthen
Maharashtra’s Sporting Ecosystem
₹36,441-crore scheme to expand sporting infrastructure,
talent identification and athlete support; SAI Regional
Director Pandurang Chate emphasises seamless grassroots-
to-podium pathway
प्रव तथ: 18 AUG 2026 7:28PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai : 18 August 2026
The Sports Authority of India (SAI), Regional Centre Mumbai, organised a press
interaction on the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31) at Mumbai Press Club
today, highlighting the Government’s expanded vision to strengthen India’s sporting
ecosystem and create a seamless pathway for athletes from grassroots participation
to national and international excellence.
The interaction was attended by SAI Regional Director Shri Pandurang Chate,
Assistant Director Shri Ankit Patil, and distinguished sportspersons, including Padma
Shri and Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Awardee and Paralympic Gold Medallist Shri
Pramod Bhagat, BWF World Championship Gold Medallist Shri Sukant Kadam and
Asian Games Gold Medallist Ms. Rutuja Sampatrao Bhosale.The revamped Khelo India Scheme has an outlay of ₹36,441 crore for 2026–31,
approximately eight times the previous allocation. It aims to expand the number of
athletes supported by nearly ten times and strengthen the sporting ecosystem from
grassroots talent identification to high-performance sport.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pandurang Chate said the revamped scheme
represents a shift towards developing a complete sporting pathway, connecting
schools and grassroots centres with structured training, competitions and high-
performance opportunities. He expressed confidence that Maharashtra, with its
strong sporting culture and talent base, can significantly benefit from the expanded
framework.
The scheme covers nine key components, including sports infrastructure,
competitions and leagues, talent identification, Khelo India Training Facilities, coach
and support staff development, the Fit India Movement and Sports Technology. Its
infrastructure strategy focuses on Sports Infrastructure for Medal Strategy,
Strengthening Strategic Sports Assets and State Action Plan for Sports
Infrastructure Development.Under the framework, existing infrastructure across Olympic, Asian Games and
Commonwealth Games disciplines will be mapped and assessed to identify gaps,
upgrade requirements and the need for new facilities. The State Action Plan will
provide States a greater role in developing and strengthening sports infrastructure.
The revamped framework also envisages Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas, Khelo
India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Centres to widen the talent identification and
development network. Support will be provided to Khelo India Athletes (KIA) and
Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA) across major sporting disciplines.
Sharing their perspectives, Shri Pramod Bhagat emphasised quality coaching,
facilities, competition exposure and sports science, particularly for para athletes.
Shri Sukant Kadam highlighted early talent identification and sustained support,
while Ms. Rutuja Sampatrao Bhosale stressed regular competition, quality coaching
and access to facilities closer to athletes’ homes.
The revamped scheme seeks to integrate talent identification, infrastructure,
coaching, sports science, technology and competition opportunities to enable
athletes to progress systematically from the grassroots to the national and
international stage.
PIB Mumbai | Nitin Fulluke/ Priti Malandkar
सोशल मडयावर आाला फॉलो करा: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[d
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