Parliament Question: Financial Assistance for Sports Infrastructure

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5905 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 Financial Assistance for Sports Infrastructure 5905. SHRI BALWANT BASWANT WANKHADE: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any scheme for providing financial assistance to the schools and colleges in rural areas of the country for the development of sports infrastructure and procurement of sports equipment, State/UT-wise; (b) if so, the details thereof, including the funds granted to schools and colleges under the said scheme during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise; (c) the number of schools and colleges that have received such grants during the said period, State/UT-wise; (d) the criteria adopted for granting such financial assistance; and (e) whether the Government proposes to introduce any policy to provide sports training from the primary education level and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ] (a) to (e) ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility for development of sports, including providing financial assistance to schools and colleges in rural areas for development of sports infrastructure and procurement of sports equipment, sanction and release of grants, identification of beneficiary institutions, prescribing criteria for financial assistance, and promotion of sports training from Page 1 of 3the primary education level, rests primarily with the respective State/Union Territory Governments. The Union Government only supplements their efforts by bridging critical gaps. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements the following schemes for the promotion of sports in the country, which also cater to development of sports infrastructure, procurement of sports equipment, training and other sports-related facilities, including for schools and colleges in rural areas: i. Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports; ii. Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs); iii. Cash Incentives to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their coaches; iv. National Sports Awards; v. Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; vi. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons; vii. National Sports Development Fund; viii. Running Sports Training centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI); and ix. National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR). Details of the above schemes are available in the public domain on the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India. The Khelo India Scheme and National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), implemented by this Ministry, under which financial assistance for development of sports infrastructure is provided are demand-driven schemes. The proposals received from the State/ Union Territory Governments and other eligible entities are considered for financial support, subject to their completeness, technical feasibility and availability of funds under the scheme. The receipt of project proposals from the State/UT Governments and other eligible entities, including schools and colleges, is a continual process. The Khelo India Scheme caters to the needs of the entire country within its allocated budget for activities/programmes. The details of sports infrastructure sanctioned under the Khelo India Scheme and NSDF across the country, including schools and colleges, are available in the public domain on the dashboards of the Ministry at mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in and nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdf-glance.html, respectively. Page 2 of 3The Ministry of Education, through the Samagra Shiksha, Integrated Scheme for School Education, is promoting inclusive and equitable quality education alongside holistic child development, including sports and physical education. Under this scheme, government schools across the country receive annual financial grants to procure sports equipment, which are ₹5,000 for primary schools, ₹10,000 for upper primary, and ₹25,000 for secondary and senior secondary schools. Additionally, schools are eligible for an extra grant of up to ₹25,000 if at least two students win medals in the Khelo India Games, encouraging competitive sports. **** Page 3 of 3