Parliament Question: Khelo Bharat Niti and Grassroots Sports Development

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.08.2026 Khelo Bharat Niti and Grassroots Sports Development †2336. SHRI DINESHBHAI MAKWANA: SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: DR. BHOLA SINGH: SHRI RAJA A: SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO: DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT: SHRI TEJASVI SURYA: SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR: SHRI VISHWESHWAR HEGDE KAGERI: SHRI LUMBARAM CHOUDHARY: DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA: SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL: SHRI P P CHAUDHARY: SHRI YOGENDER CHANDOLIA: SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE: SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI: SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE: SHRI PRADEEP KUMAR SINGH: SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT: SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR: SHRI SURESH KUMAR KASHYAP: SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH: SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY: SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE: SHRI SATISH KUMAR GAUTAM: SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI: Page 1 of 5SHRI MANOJ TIWARI: SHRI JANARDAN MISHRA: SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI: SHRI BIBHU PRASAD TARAI: SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL: SHRI VIJAY BAGHEL: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has initiated the implementation of the Khelo Bharat Niti, 2025 across the country, State/UT-wise, particularly for Palghar tribal district and Shimla Lok Sabha Constituency and if so, the details thereof along with sanctioned projects, expenditure incurred and beneficiaries under Khelo India centres; (b) the measures taken by the Government under the said policy to strengthen grassroots sports infrastructure, streamline talent identification and enhance sports science, coaching standards and athlete development along with the status of training under the said Niti across the Country, State/UT-wise including said districts, Darbhanga, Akola and Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituencies; (c) the details of Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), including athlete support, financial/sports science assistance and specific measures to promote the inclusion of women, rural, tribal and para- athletes; (d) whether the Government has introduced mechanisms to encourage greater participation of the private sector through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), sports entrepreneurship and startups for strengthening the sports ecosystem in the Country, State/UT-wise, particularly Akola and Tribal district of Palghar in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Government proposes to develop modern sports facilities, training centres and sports infrastructure to nurture sports talent in areas such as Darbhanga and if so, the details thereof; and Page 2 of 5(f) the details of key targets and outcomes envisaged under the said policy, particularly with regard to India's preparations for the 2032 and 2036 Olympic Games and making India into a global sporting powerhouse and whether the Government proposes to establish additional sports infrastructure and Khelo India Centre in Jalgaon Lok Sabha Constituency to support the said Games and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS [DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA] (a): Yes. The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 aims at building a strong, inclusive, and performance-driven sports ecosystem in India. The Union Government, implements the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, through its ongoing schemes and programmes, which operate within defined guidelines and reporting frameworks. Under the the Khelo India Scheme, Shimla Lok Sabha Constituency has 03 operational KICs. Similarly, in Palghar district in Maharashtra, 01 Khelo India Centre is fully functional. The details are available in public domain on the dashboard of Khelo India (https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in/). Further, a total of 349 infrastructure projects have been sanctioned, the details of which are available at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in/. (b): Khelo Bharat Niti, 2025 provides a whole-of-Government framework for sports development through convergence among Central Ministries, National Sports Federations (NSFs), educational institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders. Grassroot training is delivered through 1,066 operational KICs nationwide. In Darbhanga (Bihar), 01 KIC for Football trains 30 athletes; in Akola (Maharashtra), 01 KIC for Boxing trains 30 athletes; and in Jalgaon (Maharashtra), 01 KIC for Archery is operational with 37 Athletes. There are also 3 Khelo Page 3 of 5India Accredited Academies in Jalgaon district, in Badminton, Shooting and Swimming discipline. To enhance sports science and coaching standards, each athlete receives an annual support package of ₹6.28 lakh covering coaching, sports science, equipment, boarding, insurance and a monthly Out-of- Pocket Allowance of ₹10,000. (c): Under the current Los Angeles 2028 (LA 2028) Paralympic Cycle, a total of 62 para-athletes has been inducted under the TOPS, comprising 41 men and 21 women as compared to Paris 2024 Paralympic Cycle, where 59 para-athletes were supported under TOPS, including 40 men and 19 women. Athletes inducted under TOPS for Para Sports (Core Group) receive a monthly Out-of-Pocket Allowance (OPA) of ₹50,000, along with individualized support based on their training and competition requirements. This support includes financial assistance towards foreign training and competition exposure, sportsspecific equipment and kits, remuneration for coaches and sports science experts (such as physiotherapists, strength and conditioning trainers, and nutritionists), medical support, and assistive devices such as prostheses, wheelchairs, and other specialized equipment, wherever required. (d): The Government encourages greater participation of the private sector in strengthening the sports ecosystem through initiatives such as Khelo India Accredited Academies and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). As per the Office Memorandum dated 18.06.2026 issued by the Department of Public Enterprises, Government of India, 'Development of Sporting Activities' has been identified as a common CSR theme for Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The identified areas include development of sports infrastructure, provision of sports equipment, access to professional coaching, promotion of sports and nurturing of sportspersons. Page 4 of 5Further, under the Khelo India Scheme, 364 Khelo India Accredited Academies have been accredited across the country, including 46 in Maharashtra, thereby promoting private sector participation in athlete training and development. (e): New training centres are established subject to receipt of proposals from the respective State Governments/other stakeholders and fulfilment of the standard/feasibility criteria relating to availability of infrastructure, sporting ecosystem, talent pool and other operational criteria. Financial assistance for creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure is provided under the Khelo India Scheme and NSDF. Details are available in public domain on the dashboards of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in. Currently, one Khelo India Centre in Football discipline is operational in Darbhanga with 30 trainees. (f): Khelo Bharat Niti aims to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse by strengthening grassroots talent identification, sports infrastructure, athlete support and governance, with a view to improving India's performance at the Olympic, Paralympic, Asian and Commonwealth Games and supporting preparations for the 2036 Olympic Games. Presently, one Khelo India Centre is operational in Jalgaon catering to 37 athletes. Further, under the Khelo India Scheme, currently there is a Khelo India Centre in Jalgaon in the boxing discipline which caters to 37 athletes. ***** Page 5 of 5