**Executive Summary**
This document is a response from the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to an unstarred question regarding financial assistance for retired sportspersons. The response, dated February 9, 2026, confirms the existence of the "Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons," which provides lifelong pensions to medal-winning athletes from international competitions. It also mentions the RESET programme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Pension Scheme:**
* A scheme exists called the 'Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons'
* The scheme provides lifelong pensions to sportspersons who have won medals for the country in international competitions.
* The monthly pension ranges from Rs.12,000/- to Rs.20,000/-.
* Pension amounts have been increased over the years.
* **Pension Rates based on Achievement:**
* Medalists at the Olympic Games/Para Olympic Games: Rs. 20,000 per month.
* Gold Medalists at the World Cup/World Championship in Olympic and Asian Games: Rs. 16,000 per month. (World Cup/World Championship held once in four years).
* Silver and Bronze Medalists at the World Cup in Olympic and Asian Games: Rs. 14,000 per month.
* Gold Medalists of the Asian/Commonwealth Games/Para Asian Games: Rs. 14,000 per month.
* Silver and Bronze Medalists of the Asian/Commonwealth Games/Para Asian Games: Rs. 12,000 per month.
* **RESET Programme:**
* The Ministry also implements the RESET programme.
* The aim is to bridge the gap between generations.
* Allows the skills of retired athletes to benefit aspiring athletes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Retired Sportspersons**
* **Impact:**
* Provides financial security through a lifelong pension if they have won medals in international competitions and did not hold a government job.
* Potential to contribute their skills to future generations through the RESET programme.
* **Action Required:**
* Eligible sportspersons should apply for the "Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons" to receive their pension.
* Engage with the RESET programme to contribute their skills and experience to aspiring athletes.
**Aspiring Athletes**
* **Impact:**
* Benefits from the RESET program as the skills of retired athletes contributes to nurturing future champions.
* **Action Required:**
* Engage with the RESET programme to receive their mentorship and training to support their development and success.
Key Entities Referenced
Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons: A scheme providing lifelong pension to sportspersons who have won medals for the country in international competitions after their retirement.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The ministry responsible for the scheme providing financial assistance to retired sportspersons.
RESET programme: A programme implemented by the Ministry to bridge the gap between generations of athletes, allowing retired athletes to benefit the new generation.
Government of India
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Department of Sports
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1573
TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026
Financial Support for Retired Sports persons
1573. Shri Shafi Parambil:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any financial assistance scheme to
support retired sportspersons who didn’t have any Government job;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons for not extending financial support to the struggling
retired sportspersons in the country?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
[DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]
(a) to (c): Yes Sir. A scheme namely ‘Scheme of Sports Fund for
Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons’ already exists under which
sportspersons, who have won medals for the country in international
competitions are given lifelong pension to provide additional financial
security after their retirement from active sports careers. Under the
existing Scheme, a monthly pension ranging from Rs.12,000/- to
Rs.20,000/- is provided to the ex- sportspersons.
Page 1 of 2The amount of pension to the ex-sportspersons has been increased
over the years. The existing rates of pension are as under:-
S. No. Category of meritorious sportspersons Rate of Pension
(Rs./per month)
1 Medalists at the Olympic Games / Para 20,000
Olympic Games
2 Gold medalists at the World Cup/World 16,000
Championship* in Olympic and Asian
Games disciplines
3 Silver and Bronze medalists at the World 14,000
Cup in Olympic and Asian Games
disciplines
4 Gold medalists of the Asian/ 14,000
Commonwealth Games/ Para Asian Games
5 Silver and Bronze medalists of the Asian/ 12,000
Commonwealth Games/ Para Asian
Games
*World Cup/World Championship held once in four year only shall be
considered.
Further, the Ministry implements RESET programme which aims at
bridging the gap between generations, allowing the unique skills of our
retired athletes to benefit the new generation of aspiring athletes. Their
rich experience aims to serve as a foundation for nurturing future
champions, contributing to the growth of sports in India and fostering
nation-building.
*****
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