Parliament Question: Gender equality in pay structure

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2389 ANSWERED ON- 12/03/2026 GENDER EQUALITY IN PAY STRUCTURE 2389. MS. SWATI MALIWAL: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has worked towards promoting the principle of equal pay for equal work for male and female athletes across various sports disciplines; (b) if so, the details of remuneration, match fees, prize money, annual contracts, tournament allowance and incentives paid to male, female and trans athletes (including para athletes) by each National Sports Federation during the last five years, sport-wise and year-wise; (c) whether any guidelines or advisories have been issued to National Sports Federations to promote gender equity in pay structures and incentives; and (d) whether financial assistance provided to National Sports Federations is linked to compliance with gender equity norms? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA) (a) to (d) : The Government has enacted Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 which provides for payment of equal remuneration to men and women for the same work or work of similar nature without any discrimination. Further, the Government is running various sports promotional schemes across the country, which are gender neutral and cater to both men and women. These schemes include: (i) Khelo India- National Programme for Development of Sports; (ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs); (iii) Cash Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches; (iv) National Sports Awards; (v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons; (vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Sports Welfare Scheme; (vii) National Sports Page 1 of 2Development Fund (NSDF); and (viii) Running Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI). Details of these schemes are available in the public domain on the website of the Ministry at https://yas.nic.in/. Under the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs), the Ministry provides financial assistance to recognized NSFs towards training of athletes which includes all requisite facilities for their preparations including wholesome nutritious diet, food, supplements, equipment support, lodging, travelling facilities, services of reputed Indian and Foreign Coaches/supporting staff, scientific & medical support, sports kit, etc. besides financial assistance for their training abroad and participation in international competitions in India and abroad. The Scheme is inclusive in nature, the benefits under the Scheme are equally applicable to female athletes. ***** Page 2 of 2