Parliament Question: Objectives and Components of Khelo India Policy

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS) LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4091 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025 Objectives and Components of Khelo India Policy †4091. Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has officially notified the Khelo India Policy; (b) if so, the main objectives and components of this policy; (c) the timeline for its nationwide implementation; (d) whether there is any provision for financial assistance to State and Union Territories under this scheme; (e) whether any special provisions are included in Khelo India Policy for strengthening sports infrastructure at the grassroots level and identifying talent; and (f) whether any special provisions are there in Khelo India Policy to promote participation of women, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities in sports? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA) (a) & (b): Yes, Sir. The Government has launched recently the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 on 01.07.2025. It is built upon five key pillars that aim to transform India's sports landscape. First, it focuses on achieving Nation’s Excellence on the Global Stage by enhancinginfrastructure, talent identification and international competitiveness. Second, Sports for Economic Development emphasizes leveraging sports to boost industries such as tourism, manufacturing and sports technology. Third, Sports for Social Development promotes inclusivity, health and education through sports, fostering societal cohesion. Fourth, Sports – A People’s Movement seeks to engage communities in physical activities, making sports a cultural cornerstone. Finally, the Khelo Bharat Niti- 2025 aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, integrating sports with education to nurture holistic development and life skills in students, youths, promoting both academic and athletic excellence. To realize this feature/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 recognize champion athletes as well as retired athletes. (xv) Develop a framework and guidelines for educational institutions to act as feeder institutes to impart sporting culture. For detailed objectives and features, Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 may be referred, copy of which is readily available in the public domain on the website of this Ministry at https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/Khelo-Bharat-Niti-2025_0.pdf (c) Implementation of any policy is a continuous process. Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 has a strategic framework for achieving the objectives, which includes a robust regulatory framework for sports governance; active engagement of private sector; leverage technology including artificial intelligence and data analytics; a national framework with well-defined benchmarks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and time-bound targets for overall development of sports. The Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 envisages a whole-of-Government and multi-stakeholders approach for its effective implementation. Besides, the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 has been disseminated to all Ministries/Departments of Central Government and State/UT Governments requesting them to give wide publicity to the Niti-2025 amongst all stakeholders and take appropriate measures for its implementation in true letter and spirit. A conclave with Stakeholders viz. National Sports Federations (NSFs), Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Sports Control Boards (SCBs), Corporates and eminent sportspersons/coaches, has recently been organized by the Department of Sports to foster collaboration and discuss key sports governance and promotion topics. (d) There is no provisions of financial assistance to State/Union Territory (UT) under the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 as it does not seek to propose any specific programme/scheme, having financial implications.(e) With the objective to ensure equitable access to sports infrastructure across the country, the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 emphasizes equitable access to sports facilities, with a focus on infrastructure development from block to state levels irrespective of economic, social and geographic disparities. Under the “Creation and upgradation of sports infrastructure” component of the Khelo India Scheme, this Ministry renders financial support for creation of basic sports infrastructure such as sports complex, synthetic athletic tracks, synthetic hockey fields, synthetic turf football grounds, multipurpose halls, swimming pools, etc. along with sports equipment. And, under National Sports Development Funds (NSDF), Government supports various institutions and individuals for creation and upgradation of sports facilities. The details of the sports infrastructure sanctioned under Khelo India Scheme and NSDF, across the country are available in public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in and http://www.nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdf-glance.html . Further, with the objective to develop a robust talent identification and development system to nurture future champions, the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 aims to expand sports talent search and development activities involving important stakeholders like National Sports Federation (NSFs), States, educational institutes, private organizations. It has also provisions to develop a National platform that facilitates talent identification, development and monitoring to act as a single window and to integrate with educational institutions and a smooth transition mechanism for athletes as key components. (f) With the objective to establish comprehensive sports programs for all participation groups, including women, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities in sports, from grassroots to elite levels, the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 has provisions to establish dedicated sports facilities with services tailored to their specific needs to foster inclusivity and increase participation in sports among women, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities in sports. These inclusive infrastructures help reduce barriers and encourage active participation. It also has provisions to organize regular sporting leagues, designed specifically for these groups, toenhance engagement and provide sustained opportunities for involvement. *****