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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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