**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports' response to Unstarred Question No. 311 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on February 2, 2026, regarding the Khelo India - National Programme for Development of Sports. It addresses funds allocated and utilised, the number of athletes and training centers supported in Tamil Nadu, pending proposals from the Tamil Nadu State Government, measures to promote indigenous sports, rural talent, and gender equality, and potential increases in financial assistance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Funding and Expenditure:**
* Funds are allocated and released Scheme-wise, not State-wise, under the Khelo India Scheme.
* Details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred under Khelo India Scheme since its inception are provided, including data for Tamil Nadu.
* Financial data on funds allocated and expenditure incurred, in crore, are as follows:
| Financial Year | Funds allocated | Expenditure incurred |
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------------- |
| 2016-17 | 118.10 | 118.10 |
| 2017-18 | 350.00 | 346.99 |
| 2018-19 | 500.09 | 342.24 |
| 2019-20 | 578.00 | 575.52 |
| 2020-21 | 328.77 | 338.06 |
| 2021-22 | 869.00 | 764.29 |
| 2022-23 | 600.00 | 596.39 |
| 2023-24 | 880.00 | 872.20 |
| 2024-25 | 746.54 | 620.75 |
* **Khelo India Scheme Details:**
* Details of Khelo India Athletes (KIA), Khelo India Centres (KIC), Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) and Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAA) are available on the Ministry's dashboard: https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in.
* **Tamil Nadu Proposals:**
* The Ministry has received proposals for the development of sports infrastructure from the State Government of Tamil Nadu.
* The Khelo India Scheme is demand-driven, and proposals from State/UT Governments and eligible entities are considered for financial support based on completeness, technical feasibility, and fund availability.
* **Promotion of Indigenous Sports:**
* The 'Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games' sub-component of the Khelo India Scheme is dedicated to developing and promoting indigenous games.
* Games like Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana, and Silambam have been identified for promotion.
* The ‘Sports for Women' vertical under ‘Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports' encourages women in sports.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Their proposals for sports infrastructure development are under consideration by the Union Government.
* **Action Required:** Ensure that proposals are complete, technically feasible, and meet the requirements for fund availability under the Khelo India Scheme.
**Athletes and Training Centers (including those in Tamil Nadu, specifically Arani Lok Sabha Constituency)**
* **Impact:** Affected by the allocation of resources, support for training centers, and the promotion of sports.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the Ministry's dashboard to access relevant information regarding schemes and opportunities available.
**Rural and Indigenous Communities**
* **Impact:** Benefit from the promotion of indigenous/tribal games under the Khelo India Scheme.
* **Action Required:** Engage with and participate in the initiatives promoting indigenous games.
**Women in Sports**
* **Impact:** Encouraged through the 'Sports for Women' vertical.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the sports programs to promote inclusiveness.
Key Entities Referenced
Khelo India-National Programme for Development of Sports: A national programme focused on the development of sports in India.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports: The ministry responsible for the Khelo India Scheme and sports development in India.
Tamil Nadu: A state in Southern India, with specific focus regarding funding and sports potential within the policy.
Government of India
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Department of Sports
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 311
TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
Khelo India-National Programme for Development of Sports
311. SHRI THARANIVENTHAN M S:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the total funds allocated and utilised under the Khelo
India – National Programme for Development of Sports since its
inception in the country, year and State/UT-wise, particularly in Tamil
Nadu;
(b) the details of the number of athletes, schools and training centres
which have been selected or supported under the said scheme in Tamil
Nadu;
(c) whether any proposals from the State Government of Tamil Nadu for
setting up of Khelo India Centres, sports infrastructure or training
academies are pending with the Union Government and if so, the details
thereof;
(d) the measures taken by the Government to promote indigenous sports
for rural talent and gender equality in sports under the said scheme in
Tamil Nadu; and
(e) whether the Government is considering an increase in financial
assistance and talent identification in Southern States like Tamil Nadu,
where significant sports potential remains underutilised and if so, the
details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
[ DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA ]
Page 1 of 3(a) Funds are allocated and released Scheme-wise and not State-wise
under the Khelo India Scheme in this Ministry. The details of funds
allocated and expenditure incurred under Khelo India Scheme, since its
inception across the country, including in the State of Tamil Nadu, are as
under:
(amount in ₹ crore)
Financial Funds Expenditure
Year allocated incurred
2016-17 118.10 118.10
2017-18 350.00 346.99
2018-19 500.09 342.24
2019-20 578.00 575.52
2020-21 328.77 338.06
2021-22 869.00 764.29
2022-23 600.00 596.39
2023-24 880.00 872.20
2024-25 746.54 620.75
(b) The details of Khelo India Athletes (KIA), Khelo India Centres (KIC),
Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) and Khelo India
Accredited Academies (KIAA), along with sports disciplines covered
under these centres, across the country, including Arani Lok Sabha
Constituency of Tamil Nadu, are available in the public domain on the
dashboard of the Ministry at https://dashboard.kheloindia.gov.in.
(c) and (e) The Ministry has received proposals for development of sports
infrastructure under the Khelo India Scheme from the State Government
of Tamil Nadu. The Khelo India Scheme is a demand driven scheme. The
proposals received from the State/ UT Government and other eligible
entities, including for strengthening talent identification support in
Southern States, are considered for financial support, subject to their
completeness, technical feasibility and availability of funds under the
scheme.
(d) The ‘Promotion of rural and indigenous/tribal games’ sub-component
of the Khelo India Scheme, is specifically dedicated to the development
and promotion of rural and indigenous games in the country. Indigenous
games like Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Gatka, Thang-Ta, Yogasana and
Silambam have been identified for promotion under this component and
Page 2 of 3were made part of Khelo India Games. In addition, the ‘Sports for
Women’ vertical under ‘Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports’
component of the Khelo India Scheme, is specifically dedicated to
encouragement of women in sports across the country.
*****
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