Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 on July 1, 2025, to build a strong and inclusive sports ecosystem. The policy aims to promote sports at all levels, ensure equitable access to sports infrastructure, and foster economic growth through sports-related activities. India has bid for the 2036 Olympic Games, and the bid is in the Continuous Dialogue phase with the IOC.
Key Points / Main Content:
Objectives of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025:
Establish comprehensive sports programs for all participation groups.
Organize sports competitions and leagues at various levels.
Implement physical literacy initiatives.
Develop a robust talent identification and development system.
Ensure equitable access to sports infrastructure across the country.
Provide athlete-centric support systems.
Promote sports science, medicine, and innovation.
Strengthen governance and institutional frameworks.
Revamp funding mechanisms.
Foster economic growth through sports-related activities.
Promote social development and inclusion.
Establish sports as a viable career option for youth.
Encourage mass participation in sports and fitness activities.
Develop a mechanism to reward and recognize athletes.
Develop a framework for educational institutions to impart sporting culture.
Inclusivity and Affordability:
The policy aims to bridge the rural-urban gap and improve access to sports for women, persons with disabilities, and economically weaker sections.
It integrates sports with school curricula and promotes community participation to reduce training costs.
Financial Support:
The Union Government supplements State/UT efforts through various schemes, including:
Khelo India Scheme
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
Assistance to National Sports Federations Scheme
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare program for Sportspersons
Scheme of sports fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons
Scheme of Cash Incentive to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches.
Details of these schemes are available on the Ministry's website.
Olympic Bid:
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has submitted India's bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
The bid is currently in the Continuous Dialogue phase with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Impact Analysis:
State/UT Governments:
Impact: Primarily responsible for the promotion and development of sports, including financial support to aspiring sportspersons and local sports clubs.
Action Required: Continue efforts to promote sports and support athletes, utilizing available Union Government schemes.
Aspiring Sportspersons:
Impact: Increased access to training, facilities, and financial support through various schemes and initiatives.
Action Required: Utilize available resources and opportunities to develop their sporting potential.
Indian Olympic Association (IOA):
Impact: Responsible for the Olympic bid.
Action Required: Continue to engage with the IOC during the Continuous Dialogue phase for the 2036 Olympic Games bid.
National Sports Federations:
Impact: Potential to receive assistance through the Assistance to National Sports Federations Scheme.
Action Required: Comply with requirements to benefit from the schemes.
Key Entities Referenced
Khelo Bharat Niti: A sports policy launched by the Government of India aimed at building a strong, inclusive, and performance-driven sports ecosystem in India.
Dr. K Sudhakar: Member of Parliament who raised questions regarding the Khelo Bharat Niti.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya: The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports who provided the answer to the parliamentary questions.
Khelo India Scheme: A scheme by the Union Government to promote sports at the grassroots level.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme TOPS: A scheme by the Union Government to identify and support potential Olympic medalists.
Indian Olympic Association IOA: The organization responsible for bidding to host the Olympic Games in India.
International Olympic Committee IOC: The organization that allots hosting rights for the Olympic Games.
2036 Olympic Games: The Olympic Games for which India has submitted a bid.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. *104
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Khelo Bharat Niti
*104. Dr. K Sudhakar:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to
state:
a) the details of the objectives of the recently launched Khelo Bharat
Niti and the manner in which it is likely to help young and aspiring
sportspersons in the country;
(b) whether provisions have been enabled in Khelo Bharat Niti to
make sports inclusive and sports training affordable for aspiring
sportspersons and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to
financially support the aspiring sportspersons under the said
initiative along with the support given to various small clubs to
promote sports especially in rural and semi urban areas; and
(d) the details regarding the status of India's bid to host the Olympic
games?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *104 FOR ANSWER ON 28/07/2025
REGARDING ‘KHELO BHARAT NITI’ BY DR. K SUDHAKAR, HON’BLE
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
(a): The Government has launched recently the Khelo Bharat Niti-
2025 on 01.07.2025, which aims at building a strong, inclusive, and
performance-driven sports ecosystem in India. The vision of the Niti
is "Sports for Nation Building – Harness the Power of Sports for
Nation's Holistic Development". To realize this vision, the Niti
focuses on several key objectives, which are given below:
(i) Establish comprehensive sports programs for all
participation groups, from grassroots to elite levels.
(ii) Organize sports competitions and leagues at various levels,
creating a robust competitive structure.
(iii) Implement physical literacy initiatives to promote a culture of
sports and physical activity.
(iv) Develop a robust talent identification and development
system to nurture future champions.
(v) Ensure equitable access to sports infrastructure across the
country.
(vi) Provide athlete-centric support systems for the holistic
development of sportspersons.
(vii) Promote sports science, medicine and innovation to enhance
performance and well-being.
(viii) Strengthen governance and institutional frameworks in the
sports sector.
(ix) Revamp funding mechanisms to ensure sustainable
development of sports.
(x) Foster economic growth through sports-related industries
and activities.
(xi) Promote social development and inclusion through sports.
(xii) Establish sports as a viable career option for youth.
(xiii) Encourage mass participation in sports and fitness activities
for a healthier nation.
(xiv) Develop a robust mechanism to reward and recognizechampion athletes as well as retired athletes.
(xv) Develop a framework and guidelines for educational
institutions to act as feeder institutes to impart sporting
culture.
(b): Yes, Sir. The Khelo Bharat Niti includes provisions to make
sports inclusive and affordable. It focuses on bridging the rural-urban
gap by improving access to sports training and facilities for athletes
from all backgrounds, including women, persons with disabilities, and
economically weaker sections. The policy emphasizes the
integration of sports with school curricula, community participation,
and partnerships with stakeholders to reduce training costs and
increase outreach.
(c): ‘Sports’ being a State subject, the responsibility for promotion
and development of sports, including to extend financial support to
aspiring sportspersons/local sports clubs in order to promote sports
in rural and semi-urban areas, rests primarily with the respective
State/Union Territory (UT) Governments. However, the Union
Government supplements their efforts through its various
schemes/programmes viz., (i) Khelo India Scheme (ii) Target Olympic
Podium Scheme (TOPS) (iii) Assistance to National Sports
Federations Scheme (iv) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National
Welfare program for Sportspersons (v) Scheme of sports fund for
Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons, and (vi) Scheme of Cash
Incentive to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their
Coaches. Details of all these schemes are available in public domain
on the website of this Ministry at https://yas.nic.in/sports/schemes .
(d): Bidding to host the Olympic Games in India is the responsibility
of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and allotment of hosting
rights for the Olympics is done by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) through a detailed host selection process. IOA in
that process has submitted India’s bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
The bid has now moved to the “Continuous Dialogue” phase with the
IOC.
******