Parliament Question: Strengthening India’s sports ecosystem

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3189 ANSWERED ON- 19/03/2026 STRENGTHENING INDIA’S SPORTS ECOSYSTEM 3189. SHRI SANJAY RAUT: Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state: (a) whether despite having the world’s largest youth population, India continues to lag behind major sporting nations in Olympic performance, grassroots participation and sports science support; (b) whether a time-bound national roadmap exists to make structured sports education compulsory in schools and systematically identify talent at the district level; (c) the concrete steps taken to reform coaching standards and curb administrative inefficiencies and politicisation within sports federations; (d) the safeguards in place to ensure financial security, insurance and post-career rehabilitation for athletes; and (e) the specific targets set to transform India into a global sporting power within the next decade? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA) (a) to (e): The Government has consistently taken steps to improve sporting performance of the country through structured programmes aimed at talent identification, infrastructure development and scientific training support. The preparation of elite athletes is undertaken through schemes such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme, which provides financial assistance, high-performance coaching, sports science support and international exposure to athletes with medal potential. Further, Sports Authority of India, an autonomous body under this Ministry operates 23 National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), over 50 High Performance Training Centres (HTCs) and more than 100 SAI Training Centres/Other Training Centres (OTCs) across the country, collectively supporting over 12,000 athletes. Page 1 of 3Sports science and medicine services are being strengthened through the National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) to enhance athlete preparation and performance. Under the Khelo India Scheme, the Government ensures coverage through a norm of at least one Khelo India Centre (KIC) per district. A total of 1,066 KICs have been notified across 36 States/UTs, training more than 28,234 athletes at the grassroots level. 35 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) are operational across 34 States/UTs, providing high-performance support to 2,466 athletes. 322 Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAAs) (including private facilities) have been accredited to nurture elite talent. The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 has been enacted to provide for the development and promotion of sports, welfare measures for sportspersons, ethical practices based on basic universal principles of good governance, ethics and fair play of the Olympic and sports movement, the Olympic Charter, the Paralympic Charter, international best practices and established legal standards and to provide for the resolution of sports grievances and sports disputes in a unified, equitable and effective manner and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The select sections of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 has already been notified on 31.12.2025. Further, The National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 framed under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 has been notified on 12.01.2026. The said Rules lay down a statutory framework relating to governance standards, recognition, compliance requirements, ethical conduct, and institutional accountability within the sports ecosystem. The Copies of the Act, the Notification and Rules are available on the website of the Ministry at the following link: https://yas.gov.in/en/sports/nsga-2025. Scheme of Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons provides additional financial security to sportspersons post retirement from active sports career in the form of life-time pension ranging from ₹12,000/- to ₹20,000/- per month. The sportspersons, who are retired from an active sports career and won medals in Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Cup, World Championships, Asian Games, Para Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, are eligible for life-time pension under the scheme. Page 2 of 3The Government has taken initiative for post-retirement rehabilitation through ‘RESET’ (Retired Sportspersons Empowerment Training) Programme which aims at facilitating retired athletes’ career development by providing them tailor-made education for their academic enhancement supplemented with internship and empowering them with the necessary knowledge and skills for their transition into a suitable career option. The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 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”. The key objectives of the policy, inter-alia, include ensuring equitable access to sports infrastructure across the country and establishing comprehensive sports programmes for all participation groups, from grassroots to elite levels, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, rural areas and women athletes from around the country, and promoting social development and inclusion through sports. ***** Page 3 of 3