Parliament Question: Target Olympic Podium Scheme

Government of India Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Department of Sports LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1184 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 Target Olympic Podium Scheme

1184. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS be pleased to state:

(a) the roadmap prepared by the Government for strengthening India's performance in upcoming international sporting events, including the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympics;

(b) whether any new High Performance Centres or Centres of Excellence are proposed to be established and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of financial assistance provided to elite athletes under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) during the last three years; and

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to identify and nurture sporting talent from rural and tribal areas? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS [DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA]

(a) The Government has adopted a comprehensive approach to strengthen India's performance in major international sporting events, including the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games. This includes identifying and nurturing talented athletes, providing world-class coaching and training, ensuring access to modern sports infrastructure, sports science and medical Page 1 of 3support, exposure through international competitions, and financial assistance under various schemes such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Assistance to National Sports Federations

(NSFs), Khelo India Scheme, and National Centres of Excellence

(NCOEs). These initiatives aim to enhance the performance of Indian athletes in international competitions.

(b) The establishment of new SAI Centres is considered from time to time based on proposals received from the State Governments and other stakeholders, availability of suitable sports infrastructure, athlete potential, requirement of specific sports disciplines, technical feasibility and availability of resources.

(c) Under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), financial assistance is provided to identified athletes for customized training and competition requirements, including coaching, international exposure, sports science and medicine support, equipment and other athlete-specific requirements.

The expenditure incurred under the TOPS Scheme during the last

three financial years is as under:

Year Expenditure (In Cr.) 2023-24 24.21 2024-25 17.11 2025-26 34.81

(d) Sports being a State subject, the primary responsibility for development of sports infrastructure and promotion of sports, including identification and nurturing of talented sportspersons, rests with the respective State/UT Governments. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the State/Union Territory Governments for the promotion and development of sports in the country through the following schemes and

initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports:

(i) Khelo India - National Programme for Development of Sports;

(ii) Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs);

(iii) Cash Incentives to Medal Winners in International Sports Events and their Coaches;

(iv) National Sports Awards;

(v) Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons;

Page 2 of 3(vi) Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Program for Sportspersons;

(vii) National Sports Development Fund;

(viii) Running Sports Training Centres through Sports Authority of India (SAI); and

(ix) National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR).

Details of the above schemes are available in the public domain on the websites of this Ministry and the Sports Authority of India.

The sportspersons identified under SAI Sports Promotional Schemes belong to all sections of society including the tribal and backward areas of the country.

These selected athletes are provided financial support in the form of expert coaches, sports equipment, scientific support, boarding and lodging, sports kit, competition exposure, educational expenses, medical/ insurance and stipend as per the approved scheme norms.

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