**Executive Summary:**
This document presents the Indian government's initiatives under the Khelo India Scheme and the National Sports Policy 2025 (Khelo Niti 2025) to promote inclusive sports for differently-abled youth. It details support for para-athletes, adaptive sports technology, coach training, and efforts to increase funding and partnerships. The 2nd edition of Khelo India Para Games was held in March 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Support for Para-Athletes:**
* 83 para-athletes receive ₹6.28 lakh annually, including a ₹10,000 monthly allowance, under the Khelo India Scheme.
* Khelo India Para Games are organized to provide inclusive competitive opportunities; the 2nd edition featured over 1,200 athletes across six para sports.
* **Adaptive Sports Technology and Coach Training:**
* SAI has established a Para Sports Centre under the NCOE scheme in Gandhinagar, offering specialized training in Athletics, Swimming, Powerlifting, and Table Tennis.
* The Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment has established a Center for Disability Sports in Gwalior.
* All sports facilities must adhere to guidelines ensuring accessibility for athletes with disabilities.
* Customized equipment and training aids are provided under the Khelo India Scheme.
* Specialized training modules for coaches in parasports are being developed with sports federations.
* **National Sports Policy 2025 (Khelo Niti 2025):**
* Aims to promote inclusive sports nationwide.
* Encourages increased funding and partnerships, including public-private partnerships and CSR initiatives.
* Provides clear targets through state-level alignment, KPIs, and regular monitoring mechanisms.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Differently-abled Athletes:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from specialized training, coaching, international exposure, access to world-class facilities, and inclusive competitive opportunities.
* *Action Required:* Participate in available programs and adhere to guidelines for accessible sports facilities.
* **Coaches:**
* *Impact:* Will have access to specialized training modules in parasports.
* *Action Required:* Participate in the development and implementation of specialized training programs.
* **Sports Federations:**
* *Impact:* Collaboration in developing specialized training modules for coaches in parasports.
* *Action Required:* Collaborate in the development and implementation of specialized training programs.
* **Sports Authority of India (SAI):**
* *Impact:* Responsible for operating the Para Sports Centre and providing customized equipment and training aids.
* *Action Required:* Maintain and enhance facilities, provide resources, and support para-athletes.
* **Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports:**
* *Impact:* Oversees and supports the Khelo India Scheme and the implementation of the National Sports Policy 2025.
* *Action Required:* Continue to promote inclusive sports through funding, partnerships, and policy implementation.
* **Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for operating the Center for Disability Sports in Gwalior.
* *Action Required:* Maintain and enhance facilities and support para-athletes.
* **Government of India:**
* *Impact:* Accountable for promoting inclusive sports, increasing funding, and fostering partnerships.
* *Action Required:* Increase funding and foster partnerships.
Key Entities Referenced
Khelo India Para Sports: A sports scheme aimed at promoting sports among differently-abled youth in India.
Baijayant Panda: Member of Parliament who raised a question in the Lok Sabha regarding inclusive sports for differently-abled youth.
DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA: The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Khelo India Scheme: A government initiative to promote sports at the grassroots level, including support for differently-abled athletes.
New Delhi: Location of the 2nd edition of Khelo India Para Games in March 2025.
Sports Authority of India (SAI): An organization responsible for promoting and developing sports in India, including establishing Para Sports Centres.
Gandhinagar, Gujarat: Location of the SAI Regional Centre that houses a dedicated Para Sports Centre under the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) scheme.
Ministry of Social Justice Empowerment: A government ministry that established a Center for Disability Sports in Gwalior.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3550
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2025
Inclusive Sports for Differently-Abled Youth
3550. Shri Baijayant Panda:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) the current reach of schemes like Khelo India Para Sports for differently-
abled youth across States and districts;
(b) the assessments done on barriers faced by differently-abled athletes;
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to introduce adaptive
sports technologies and coach training under these schemes; and
(d) whether there is a proposal by the Government to increase funding or
partnerships to expand inclusive sports nationwide with clear targets?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
{ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA }
(a) to (d) Under the Khelo India Scheme, the Government is actively
promoting inclusive sports by supporting talented differently-abled athletes
through specialized training, coaching, international exposure, and access
to world-class facilities. A total of 83 para-athletes have been identified
under the scheme, each receiving ₹6.28 lakh annually, including a ₹10,000
monthly out-of-pocket allowance. To provide inclusive competitive
opportunities, the Ministry organizes Khelo India Para Games alongside
other national-level events. The 2nd edition of Khelo India Para Games, held
in March 2025 in New Delhi, featured over 1,200 athletes across six para-
sports disciplines.
The Government has taken several steps to promote the adoption of
adaptive sports technologies and enhance coach training for differently-
abled athletes. Sports Authority of India (SAI) has established a dedicated
Para Sports Centre under the National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) scheme
Page 1 of 2at its Regional Centre in Gandhinagar. This centre currently provides
specialized training in Athletics, Swimming, Powerlifting, and Table Tennis
for para-athletes. In addition, the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
has established a Center for Disability Sports in Gwalior, equipped with
state-of-the-art training amenities tailored for differently-abled athletes.
Furthermore, all sports facilities are mandated to adhere to the guidelines
outlined in "Accessible Sports Complex and Residential Facilities for Sports
Persons with Disabilities," ensuring comfort and accessibility for athletes
with disabilities. Further, under the Khelo India Scheme and through the
support of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), customized equipment and
training aids are being provided. Additionally, specialized training modules
for coaches in para-sports are being developed in collaboration with
recognized sports federations.
The Government has approved the National Sports Policy 2025 (Khelo Niti
2025), which aims to promote inclusive sports across the country. The
policy encourages increased funding and partnerships, including public-
private partnerships and CSR initiatives, to support participation of women,
persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. It also provides for
clear targets through state-level alignment, Key Performance Indicators
(KPIs), and regular monitoring mechanisms.
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