**Executive Summary**
This is an answer provided by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, to Unstarred Question No. 1234 in Lok Sabha, scheduled to be answered on December 8, 2025, regarding staff and fund shortages at the Sports Authority of India (SAI). The government acknowledges the concerns raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee and is addressing the issues through budget allocation based on proposals from SAI and supplementary grants where appropriate.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Funding and Staff Shortage at SAI:**
* The Government acknowledges concerns raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee regarding severe shortages of funds and staff at SAI.
* Budget allocation to SAI is based on proposals submitted for each financial year.
* Additional requirements are examined and considered through supplementary grants.
* **Vacant Posts and Recruitment at SAI:**
* A total of 1,191 posts are vacant in SAI.
* The recruitment process has been initiated for certain posts.
* **Khelo India Scheme:**
* The promotion of sports rests primarily with the State/UT Governments as ‘Sports’ is a State Subject.
* The Central Government supplements State/UT efforts to bridge critical gaps in sports infrastructure.
* Receiving proposals under the Khelo India Scheme is an ongoing process.
* Details of approved sports infrastructure projects and their progress under the Khelo India Scheme are publicly available on the Ministry's dashboard at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in.
**Impact Analysis**
**SAI (Sports Authority of India)**
* **Impact:** SAI is affected by the shortage of funds and staff, impacting its operational efficiency.
* **Action Required:** SAI needs to continue submitting proposals for budget allocation and manage the recruitment process for vacant positions.
**State/UT Governments**
* **Impact:** State/UT Governments are primarily responsible for promoting sports within their jurisdiction, with support from the Central Government.
* **Action Required:** State/UT Governments should continue to develop sports infrastructure and submit proposals under the Khelo India Scheme, and monitor projects on the ministry dashboard.
**Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports**
* **Impact:** Responsible for addressing concerns raised by the Parliamentary Standing Committee.
* **Action Required:** Ensure budget requirements are met, monitor recruitment process, and maintain public dashboard.
Key Entities Referenced
Sports Authority of India (SAI): An organization facing staff and fund shortages, as highlighted in the parliamentary question.
Khelo India: A scheme under which project proposals are received, approved, and funded.
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports: The ministry responsible for answering questions about staff and fund shortages at SAI and the Khelo India Scheme.
Government of India
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
Department of Sports
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1234
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
Staff and fund shortage at SAI
1234 Adv. Adoor Prakash:
Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government noted the concerns raised by the
Parliamentary Standing Committee over severe shortage of funds and
staff for the better functioning of Sports Authority of India (SAI);
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether a number of sanctioned posts are lying vacant in SAI, if
so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(d) the details of the measures taken by the Government to address
these issues; and
(e) the details of projects proposals received, approved, amount
funds provided and utilized under ‘Khelo India’ scheme since its
inception, State/UT-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS
[DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]
(a) to (d): Yes, Sir. The Government has taken note of the
observations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee regarding the
shortage of funds and staff in the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
The budget allocation to SAI is based on the proposals submitted by
them for the respective financial year. Any additional requirementsthat arise during the year are examined at the RE stage and, where
appropriate, considered through supplementary grants.
A total of 1,191 posts are lying vacant in the SAI. The recruitment
process of certain posts has already been initiated.
(e) ‘Sports’ being a State Subject, the responsibility of promotion of
sports rests primarily with the respective State/UT Governments.
Central Government supplements efforts of the State/UT Governments
for bridging critical gaps in sports infrastructure. Further, receiving
of proposals under Khelo India Scheme is an ongoing process.
The details of the sports infrastructure projects approved and their
physical and financial progress, under Khelo India Scheme across the
country, are available in public domain on the dashboard of the
Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in.
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