**Policy Summary:**
On September 9, 2025, the Sports Authority of India's (SAI) National Centre of Sports Science Research (NCSSR), under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi. The agreement aims to integrate sports science and technology to enhance athlete performance and promote indigenous innovation in the sports sector, aligning with the Government of India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" and "Garv se Swadeshi" initiatives.
The collaboration will focus on developing indigenous sports equipment, sports science devices, and cutting-edge technologies to reduce reliance on imports. Key objectives include facilitating high-quality research in sports science and engineering, promoting innovation-driven projects for athlete performance enhancement, enabling knowledge sharing between experts and institutions, and contributing to injury prevention and athlete wellbeing.
The MoU was signed by NCSSR Director-cum-Head Brig. Dr. Bibhu Kalyan Nayak and IIT Delhi Dean RD Prof. Ashwini K. Agrawal, in the presence of Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Secretary Sports Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, and IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee, along with other dignitaries from IIT Delhi including Prof. Deepak Joshi, Prof. Biswarup Mukherjee, Prof. K.K. Deepak, Prof. Anil Varma, and Prof. Neetu Singh.
Coinciding with the MoU signing, Secretary Sports Shri Hari Ranjan Rao inaugurated a newly established Biomechanics Laboratory at IIT Delhi. This facility is equipped for advanced sports science assessments and biomechanical research, providing insights into athlete movement, performance optimization, and injury mitigation, and supporting both able-bodied and para-athletes.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The Indian government ministry responsible for youth affairs and sports.
SAI NCSSR: Sports Authority of India National Centre of Sports Science Research, an organization focused on sports science research.
IIT Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, an institute of technology in Delhi, India.
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya: Union Sports Minister
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A vision of the Government of India to promote self-reliance.
Sports Authority of India: An organization established by the Government of India for the promotion of sports
Narendra Modi: Prime Minister of India who has advocated the use of Swadeshi products.
Shri Hari Ranjan Rao: Secretary Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS)
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
SAI NCSSR and IIT Delhi sign MoU to give impetus
to wider use of sports science and innovation in India
Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said
the partnership reflects the Indian Government's
commitment to integrate science and technology with
sports
Posted On: 09 SEP 2025 8:22PM by PIB Delhi
Under the guidance of the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya to promote
Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, the Sports Authority of India’s (SAI) National Centre of
Sports Science Research (NCSSR) on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian
Institute of Technology Delhi to strengthen cooperation in the domains of sports sciences, advanced
technology, and indigenous innovation.
The MoU will foster inter-institutional coordination and focus on the development of indigenous sports
equipment, sports science devices, and cutting-edge technologies. By minimizing dependence on imported
tools and embracing home-grown solutions, this initiative aligns with the Government of India’s campaign
‘Garv se Swadeshi’—particularly within the sports sector.Speaking about the partnership, Union Sports Minister Dr Manuskh Mandaviya said: “This partnership
reflects the Ministry’s commitment to integrating science and technology with sports to empower Indian
athletes and ensure they are equipped to compete at the highest level internationally. Our Prime Minister
Narendra Modi has advocated the use of Swadeshi products and this partnership perfectly aligns with his
vision.”
This collaboration is expected to:
• Facilitate high-quality research in sports science and engineering
• Promote innovation-driven projects for athlete performance enhancement
• Enable knowledge sharing between leading experts and institutions
• Contribute to injury prevention and athlete well-beingThe MoU was signed in the presence of Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary Sports, MYAS and Prof. Rangan
Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi. The MoU was signed by NCSSR Director-cum-Head Brig. (Dr.) Bibhu
Kalyan Nayak on behalf of SAI and Prof. Ashwini K. Agrawal, Dean (R&D) on behalf of IIT Delhi.
Dignitaries present during the MoU signing ceremony were Prof. Deepak Joshi, Prof. Biswarup Mukherjee,
Prof. K.K. Deepak, Prof. Anil Varma, Dean (International Programmes) and Prof. Neetu Singh, Head(CBME)
all from IIT Delhi.
Coinciding with the MoU signing, Shri Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary Sports, MYAS also inaugurated the
newly-established Biomechanics Laboratory at IIT Delhi. This facility is equipped to conduct advanced sports
science assessments and biomechanical research. The lab will play a vital role in delivering scientific insights
into athlete movement, optimizing performance, and mitigating the risk of injuries.The lab aims to strengthen India’s sports science infrastructure and foster innovation to support
both able-bodied and para athletes, a significant stride towards promoting inclusivity.
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Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander
(Release ID: 2165078)