The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 The National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025

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LLOOKK SSAABBHHAA ___________ The following Bills were introduced in Lok Sabha on 23rd July, 2025:- BIBLiLl lN No.o 7. 67 6O oFf 2 2002255 A Bill 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. WHEREAS the Olympic Charter and the Paralympic Charter emphasise impeccableethical behaviour in sports governance, necessitating the national sports governing bodies to align with such global governance standards; AND WHEREASthe national sports governing bodies discharge important public functions in the country and it is pertinent for these bodies to manage their internal and external affairs in an open, fair and transparent manner in the public interest;2 2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— AND WHEREAS the Government of India respects the principle of autonomy of the sports governing bodies in the country in line with the fundamental principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter and the Paralympic Charter; AND WHEREAS the Government of India recognises the importance of providing accessible, fair and effective measures for the resolution of grievances and disputes relating to sports; AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary to give effect to the aforesaid objectives. BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY Short title and 1. (1) This Act may be called the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. 5 commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act, and any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to the coming into force of that provision. 10 Definitions. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) “ad hoc administrative body” means a body constituted for ad hoc administration under section 11; (b) “affiliate unit” means the State, district or other units of,— (i) the National Olympic Committee; 15 (ii) the National Paralympic Committee; (iii) the National Sports Federation; and (iv) the Regional Sports Federation; (c) “Athletes Committee”, “Disputes Resolution Committee”, “Ethics Committee” and “Executive Committee”, by whatever name called, means the 20 “Athletes Committee”, “Disputes Resolution Committee”, “Ethics Committee” and “Executive Committee”, respectively, of a National Sports Body; (d) “Board” means the National Sports Board established under sub-section (1) of section 5; (e) “Board recognition” means recognition of a sports organisation by 25 the Board under this Act; (f) “bye-laws” means the memorandum of association or articles of association, by whatever name called, of a sports organisation; (g) “designated sport” means any sport discipline as may be specified by the Central Government, by notification, to be a designated sport for a specific 30 region or State or for the whole of India; (h) “International Charters and Statutes” means the Olympic Charter and other Charters and Statutes of the international sports governing bodies and include any bye-laws, rules, regulations or constitution, by whatever name called, as may be adopted, amended or issued by such bodies from time to time; 35 (i) “International Federation” means— (i) a federation recognised as such by the International Olympic Committee in respect of an Olympic sport; or (ii) a federation recognised as such by the International Paralympic Committee in respect of a Paralympic sport; or 403 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 3 (iii) a federation which regulates the sport at international level in respect of non-Olympic or non-Paralympic sports; (j) “International Olympic Committee” means the governing body for the Olympic Games; 5 (k) “International Paralympic Committee” means the governing body for the Paralympic Games; (l) “international recognition” means the recognition of a national sports governing body by the concerned international sports governing body; (m) “International Sports Body” means an international sports governing 10 body such as the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee or International Federation or a continental governing body for sports; (n) “National Olympic Committee” means the National Olympic Committee established under section 3 as a national sports governing body and 15 recognised as the National Olympic Committee of India by the International Olympic Committee; (o) “National Paralympic Committee” means the National Paralympic Committee established under section 3 as a national sports governing body and recognised as the National Paralympic Committee of India by the International 20 Paralympic Committee; (p) “National Sports Body” means a national sports governing body such as the National Olympic Committee or the National Paralympic Committee or the National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation, established under section 3; (q) “National Sports Election Panel” means the National Sports Election 25 Panel notified under section 16 to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committee and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies; (r) “National Sports Federation” means a National Sports Federation established under section 3 as a national sports governing body for a 30 designated sport; (s) “National Sports Promotion Organisation” means a sports organisation or body contributing towards the development of sports, such as talent identification and their nurturing, policy advocacy relating to sports administration or welfare and recognised by the Board under sub-section (7) 35 of section 8; (t) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the expression “notify” or “notified”, shall be construed accordingly; (u) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act; 40 (v) “recognised sports organisation” means a sports organisation recognised by the Board as a National Sports Body under sub-section (1) of section 8; (w) “Regional Sports Federation” means a Regional Sports Federation established under section 3 as national sports governing body for a designated 45 sport; (x) “regulations” means regulations made by the Board under this Act; (y) “Secretary General” means the Secretary General or the Secretary of a National Sports Body;4 4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— (z) “sportsperson of outstanding merit” means a sportsperson referred to in the proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 4; (za) “State” means a State specified in the First Schedule to the Constitution and includes a Union territory; (zb) “Tribunal” means the National Sports Tribunal constituted under 5 sub-section (1) of section 17. CHAPTER II NATIONAL SPORTS BODIES Establishment of 3. (1) The following bodies shall be established as the national sports national sports governing bodies for their respective recognised sports organisations, namely:— 10 governing bodies. (a) the National Olympic Committee; (b) the National Paralympic Committee; (c) a National Sports Federation for each designated sport; and (d) a Regional Sports Federation for each designated sport. (2) There shall be only one National Olympic Committee and one National 15 Paralympic Committee, each governing multi-sport disciplines. (3) The National Olympic Committee shall have an international recognition and affiliation of the International Olympic Committee. (4) The National Paralympic Committee shall have an international recognition and affiliation of the International Paralympic Committee. 20 (5) Every National Sports Federation shall have an international recognition and affiliation of the concerned international sports governing body: Provided that this sub-section shall not apply to a designated sport which does not have an international sports governing body. (6) Every Regional Sports Federation shall have the relevant affiliations as 25 may be prescribed. Compliance with 4. (1) Every National Sports Body shall have,— certain requirements by (a) a General Body, consisting of equal number of representatives from National Sports each of its affiliate units and such other ex officio members as per its bye-laws Bodies. and the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable: 30 Provided that it shall have representation of such sportspersons of outstanding merit and such other categories of persons, as may be prescribed; (b) an Executive Committee which shall consist of not more than fifteen members, of whom— (i) at least two shall be sportspersons of outstanding merit; 35 (ii) two shall be from the Athletes Committee to be elected from amongst themselves; and (iii) such number of ex officio and other members shall be nominated or elected, as the case may be, as per the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws: 40 Provided that at least four members shall be women: Provided further that the voting rights of elected representatives of the Athletes Committee in the Executive Committee shall be as determined by the bye-laws;5 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 5 (c) an Ethics Committee to be constituted as per its bye-laws and the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable: Provided that the Ethics Committee of the National Olympic Committee shall function as the Ethics Committee of any National Sports Body which 5 does not have such Committee; (d) a Dispute Resolution Committee to be constituted as per its bye-laws and the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable: Provided that the Dispute Resolution Committee of the National Olympic Committee shall function as the Dispute Resolution Committee of 10 any National Sports Body which does not have such Committee; (e) an Athletes Committee consisting of elected members as determined by the bye-laws; (f) a President who shall be the head of the concerned National Sports Body and shall preside over the meetings of its Executive Committee and the 15 General Body; (g) a Secretary General of the concerned National Sports Body shall be the head of administration who shall be responsible for carrying out all decisions of the Executive Committee and the General Body: Provided that where the International Charters and Statutes provide for 20 a full-time head of administration, by whatever name called, there shall not be an elected post of the head of administration; (h) a Treasurer who shall be the custodian of funds or the accounts of the concerned National Sports Body. (2) A person shall not be qualified to contest for election or seek nomination 25 to, the Executive Committee, unless— (a) such person is a citizen of India who has attained at least twenty-five years of age; (b) such person is a sportsperson of outstanding merit or, has previously served as a member of the Executive Committee for at least two full terms, if 30 such person is contesting election for the position of the President or the Secretary General or the Treasurer: Provided that a person may continuously hold the position of either the President or the Secretary General or the Treasurer, as the case may be, for up to three consecutive terms separately, or in combination thereof and shall be 35 eligible for election to the Executive Committee after a mandatory cooling off period of one term; (c) the nomination of such person is duly proposed and seconded by a voting member of the General Body; (d) such person is not declared to be of unsound mind; 40 (e) such person complies with the International Charters and Statutes and bye-laws relating to age and term of the Executive Committee: Provided that such person shall not be more than seventy years of age on the last date of nomination for election: Provided further that any person, aged between seventy and seventy-five 45 years, may contest elections or seek nominations, if permitted by the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws and in case such person is elected, he shall serve for a full term;6 6 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— (f) such person, if he is a government servant, has necessary approvals from the Government, as applicable. (3) The term of the Executive Committee shall be as provided in the bye-laws subject to a maximum period of four years. (4) The mode of election to different bodies, committees and offices including 5 their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members thereof, and other matters of governance shall be such as may be prescribed. CHAPTER III THE NATIONAL SPORTS BOARD Establishment of 5. (1) The Central Government may, by notification, establish a Board to be 10 National Sports known as the National Sports Board, consisting of a Chairperson and such number Board. of other Members as may be prescribed. (2) The Chairperson and the Members referred to in sub-section (1) shall be appointed by the Central Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who possesses special knowledge or practical experience in the field of 15 public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields, on the recommendation of a search-cum-selection committee comprising of such number of persons, having wide experience in public administration, sports administration and recipients of national sports awards, as may be prescribed. (3) The salary and allowances and the term of office of the Chairperson and 20 other Members of the Board and other terms and conditions of their service, including removal from service, shall be such as may be prescribed. (4) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and 25 to contract, and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued. (5) The head office of the Board shall be at Delhi and the Board shall establish its branch offices at such other places as may be prescribed. Powers and 6. The Board shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions functions of to carry out the provisions of this Act, namely:— 30 Board. (a) the grant of Board recognition to sports organisations and registration of affiliate units and to suspend or cancel such recognition or registration; (b) to maintain a register of the National Sports Bodies and each of their respective affiliate units in such manner as may be specified by regulations; (c) to conduct inquiries on matters specified in section 9; 35 (d) to constitute an ad hoc administrative body or to direct the concerned National Sports Body or their affiliate units, as the case may be, to so constitute, as per section 11; (e) to issue guidelines for formulation of the Code of Ethics by the National Sports Bodies; 40 (f) to frame Safe Sports Policy for the protection and safety of women, minor athletes and other classes of persons; (g) maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel as per section 16;7 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 7 (h) collaborate with the International Sports Bodies and National Sports Bodies for the development of sports and welfare of athletes in India and to issue guidelines to the National Sports Bodies for ensuring compliance with the international standards and best practices of the Olympic and sports 5 movement; (i) take such measures as may be prescribed, to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of athletes and support personnel; and (j) such other powers and functions as may be prescribed. 7. (1) The Central Government shall, in consultation with the Board, appoint Staff of Board. 10 such officers and other employees as may be necessary for discharging the functions of the Board. (2) The officers and other employees of the Board shall discharge their functions under the general superintendence and control of the Chairperson or any other member of the Board to whom powers for exercising such superintendence 15 and control are delegated by the Chairperson. (3) The qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officers and other employees of the Board shall be such as may be prescribed. CHAPTER IV 2 0 THE GOVERNANCE OF RECOGNISED SPORTS ORGANISATIONS 8. (1) The Board shall have the power to grant Board recognition to any sports Board recognition and registration. organisation as a National Sports Body. (2) Any sports organisation desirous of obtaining Board recognition as a National Sports Body under this section shall apply to the Board in such form and 25 manner and containing such particulars, as may be specified by regulations. (3) No sports organisation shall be recognised under sub-section (1) unless such organisation,— 21 of 1860. (a) is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860; or (b) is a not-for-profit company incorporated under section 8 of the 18 of 2013. 30 Companies Act, 2013; or 2 of 1882. (c) is a trust created under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882; and (d) complies with such other criteria and conditions as may be specified by regulations and having the sole object of the development of sports. (4) The Board recognition granted under this section shall be renewed 35 periodically at such intervals and in accordance with such procedure as may be specified by regulations. (5) All sports organisations recognised as National Sports Bodies by the Central Government before the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have Board recognition under this Act and the provisions of this Act shall, mutatis 40 mutandis, apply to such organisation. (6) All affiliate units of National Sports Bodies shall ensure that they are registered with the Board, subject to such conditions and in such manner, as may be prescribed. (7) The Board, subject to the prior approval of the Central Government, shall 45 also have the power to recognise sports organisations participating in sports governance, athlete support and welfare, as National Sports Promotion Organisations.8 8 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— (8) The eligibility criteria for Board recognition and the manner of governance and functioning of the National Sports Promotion Organisations shall be such as may be specified by regulations: Provided that a National Sports Promotion Organisation recognised by the Central Government before the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have 5 been recognised as such under this Act and the provisions of this Act shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to such organisation: Provided further that the Board recognition granted under this sub-section shall be renewed periodically at such intervals and in accordance with such procedure as may be specified by regulations. 10 Power of Board 9. The Board may, either on its own motion, or in response to complaint to conduct received from any person or body on matters affecting the welfare of sportspersons inquiry. or the development of sports in the country or misuse of public funds, conduct an inquiry where it is satisfied that there is a reasonable cause so to do: Provided that no such complaint shall be entertained unless the complainant 15 has exhausted all available remedies with the National Sports Body or their affiliate units: Provided further that the Board may entertain such complaint if it is satisfied that accessing those remedies would result in unnecessary delay or unreasonable prejudice. 20 Power o f Board 10. (1) The Board may, either on its own motion, or on the receipt of a to suspend or complaint by an aggrieved party, by order, suspend or cancel the Board recognition cancel Board recognition. of a sports organisation as a National Sports Body or registration of an affiliate unit of a National Sports Body, in any of the following circumstances, namely:— (a) the international recognition of the concerned National Sports Body 25 has been suspended or cancelled by the concerned International Sports Body; (b) the concerned affiliate unit has been suspended or disaffiliated by the concerned National Sports Body; (c) the National Sports Body has violated any of the provisions of this Act or the rules or regulations made thereunder, including eligibility criteria 30 or terms and conditions of the Board recognition; (d) the Registrar of Companies or the Registrar of Societies of the concerned sports organisation has reported gross irregularities in the internal functioning or removed the name of the National Sports Body or its affiliate 35 units; (e) the National Sports Body or the affiliate unit has— (i) failed to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed gross irregularities in the election procedures thereof; or (ii) failed to publish its annual audited accounts; or (iii) has misused, misapplied or misappropriated any public funds: 40 Provided that the suspension or disaffiliation referred to in clause (a) and clause (b) shall be co-terminus with the suspension or disaffiliation by the concerned International Sports Body or the National Sports Body, as the case may be, which may be extended by the Board, for reasons to be recorded in writing, for such further period as the Board may consider necessary. 45 (2) Before issuing an order of suspension or cancellation of Board recognition or registration of the sports organisation under sub-section (1), the Board shall consult the concerned—9 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 9 (a) International Sports Body, where such suspension or cancellation of Board recognition concerns the National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation; (b) National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation, where 5 such suspension or cancellation of registration concerns any affiliate unit, and upon such consultation, take any of the following measures, namely:— (i) issue an order, directing the National Sports Body or its affiliate unit, to take such action as is appropriate to correct the deficiency and upon compliance, the Board may make a finding of compliance; or 10 (ii) conduct a hearing by giving reasonable opportunity to the parties to present their case before pronouncing its decision. (3) An appeal against any order of the Board for suspension or cancellation of Board recognition or registration under this section shall lie with the Tribunal. 11. (1) In the event of loss of the international recognition of a National Sports Ad hoc 15 Body, the normalisation process shall be implemented as per the International administrative body. Charters and Statutes and the Board shall not interfere in such process. (2) In the absence of the normalisation process referred to in sub-section (1) on the loss of international recognition of a National Sports Body, or in the event of cancellation or suspension of Board recognition of a National Sports Body under 20 section 10, where the loss of recognition concern— (a) a National Olympic Committee or a National Paralympic Committee, the Board may constitute an ad hoc administrative body in consultation with the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee, as the case may be; 25 (b) a National Sports Federation, the Board may, in consultation with the concerned International Federation, wherever applicable, direct the National Olympic Committee to constitute an ad hoc administrative body; (c) a Regional Sports Federation, the Board may in consultation with the concerned International Federation, if any, constitute an ad hoc administrative body. (3) In the event of cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or 30 registration of an affiliate unit of a National Sports Body under section 10,— (a) where the cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or registration, concerns a State sports federation, the Board may direct the concerned National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation; and 35 (b) where the cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or registration, concerns a district sports federation, the Board may direct the concerned State sports federation, to constitute an ad hoc administrative body consisting of such members as may be determined by the Board in consultation with the National Sports Body or the concerned affiliate State unit, as the case may be. 40 (4) The ad hoc administrative body shall be responsible for administering the concerned sports body or its affiliate units to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act. (5) The ad hoc administrative body referred to in sub-section (2) shall consist 45 of a maximum of five eminent sports administrators, who have previously held the office of a President or a Secretary General or a Treasurer of a National Sports Body or who is or has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Olympic Committee, having no past association with the sports discipline or any conflict of interest: 50 Provided that no person shall be part of more than one ad hoc administrative body at the same time.10 10 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— CHAPTER V CODE OF ETHICS Code of Ethics. 12. (1) Every National Sports Body shall formulate a Code of Ethics for the members of its Executive Committee and other committees, employees, staff, sponsors, coaches, athletes, officials, members, affiliates and such other relevant 5 persons, in accordance with the guidelines specified by the Board. (2) The Code of Ethics shall establish minimum standards for the ethical and appropriate conduct of the persons specified in sub-section (1). (3) The Code of Ethics shall be framed in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the International Sports Bodies and in consonance with the applicable laws in India. 10 (4) The Code of Ethics shall provide measures for protection of vulnerable persons against abuse by persons in positions of trust, responsibility or authority. Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “person in a position of trust” means any person who exercises authority, control or influence over another person, or a person on whom another person is dependent and who is connected or 15 associated with the affairs of the National Sports Body. CHAPTER VI SAFE SPORTS POLICYAND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL Safe Sports 13. (1) The Board shall frame a comprehensive Safe Sports Policy applicable Policy. to all activities, events, operations and proceedings conducted by the National Sports 20 Bodies. (2) The Safe Sports Policy shall include provisions to ensure the protection and safety of women and minor athletes and such other persons as may be prescribed. (3) Every National Sports Body shall establish an internal grievance redressal 25 mechanism to address the grievances raised by athletes, coaches and other individuals associated with such body, in a fair, timely and transparent manner. CHAPTER VII PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF RECOGNISED SPORTS ORGANISATION Privileges of 14. Only a recognised sports organisation shall be eligible to receive grants or 30 recognised any other financial assistance from the Central Government. sports organisation. Duties of 15. (1) A recognised sports organisation shall ensure that all its voting recognised members and affiliate units, as applicable, complies with— sports organisations. (a) the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable, and shall exercise the rights, perform the duties and discharge the functions as specified 35 therein; and (b) the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder. (2) A recognised sports organisation shall be considered as a public authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with respect to the exercise of its functions, 40 22 of 2005. duties and powers under this Act. CHAPTER VIII NATIONAL SPORTS ELECTION PANEL National Sports 16. (1) The Central Government shall, on the recommendations of the Board, Election Panel notify a National Sports Election Panel consisting of such number of persons as it 45 and appointment may deem necessary, who are retired Chief Election Commissioner or Election of electoral Commissioner or Deputy Election Commissioner or retired State Election officer. Commissioner or Chief Electoral Officers of the States, with adequate experience of conduct of elections under the Representation of the People Act,1951. 43 of 1951.11 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 11 (2) The persons notified under sub-section (1) shall act as electoral officers to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies. (3) The Board shall maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel in 5 such manner as may be prescribed. (4) The fees and other allowances to be paid to the persons notified under sub-section (1) shall be such as may be prescribed. (5) The National Sports Bodies may appoint an electoral officer from the National Sports Election Panel to oversee its election process and ensure free and 10 fair elections: Provided that where the Charter or Statutes of the International Sports Body require appointment of any other person as an electoral officer, the concerned National Sports Body may appoint such other person after furnishing the details, including qualifications and experience, of the person, to the Board. 15 (6) Every National Sports Body, having affiliate units, shall prepare an Election Panel for the conduct of free and fair elections of the Executive Committees of their affiliate units, consisting of such number of retired persons as it may deem 43 of 1951. n Re ec pe rs es sa er ny t, a tih oa nv oin f g t hea d Pe eq ou pa lete A ce tx , p 1e 9r 5ie 1n . c e of conduct of elections under the 20 (7) Every affiliate unit shall appoint an electoral officer from the roster to be maintained by the National Sports Body, to oversee its election process and ensure free and fair elections. CHAPTER IX NATIONAL SPORTS TRIBUNAL 25 17. (1) The Central Government shall, by notification, constitute a National Sports Constitution of Tribunal consisting of a chairperson and two other members, to provide for the National Sports Tribunal. independent, speedy, effective and cost-efficient disposal of sports related disputes. (2) The chairperson shall be a person who is or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of a High Court. 30 (3) The members shall be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience in sports, public administration and law. (4) The chairperson and the other members of the Tribunal shall be appointed by the Central Government on the recommendations of a Search-cum-Selection Committee consisting of the following members, namely:— 35 (a) the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge recommended by the Chief Justice of India—chairperson; (b) the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Law and Justice; (c) the Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Sports. 40 (5) The Search-cum-Selection Committee shall determine the procedure for making its recommendations. (6) Notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, order or decree of any court, or in any law for the time being in force, the Search-cum-Selection Committee shall recommend a panel of two names for appointment to the post of 45 chairperson or member, as the case may be, and the Central Government shall take a decision on the recommendations made by that Committee, preferably within three months from the date of such recommendation. (7) No appointment shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of a member in the Search-cum-Selection Committee. 50 (8) The term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and members of the Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed.12 12 12 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— (9) The Tribunal shall formulate its own procedure for the conduct of its busine(9ss) iTnchleu dTinrigb uthnea lt imshealliln efos rtmo ublea tfeo liltosw oewd nfo pr rtohcee ddiusrpeo sfaolr otfh me actotenrdsu. ct of its business including the timelines to be followed for the disposal of matters. (10) All expenses incurred in connection with the Tribunal shall be defrayed out of( 1th0e) CAolln seoxlpideantseeds Finucnudr roefd I nind icao. nnection with the Tribunal shall be defrayed Removal of out of 1 t 8h .e (C 1)o n Ts ho eli d Ca ete nd tr aF lu Gnd o vo ef rI nn mdi ea n. t shall remove from office a chairperson or 5 R c m T c m T hh rre ee iiaam mm bbii rr uuo pp bb nnv ee ee aaa rr rr llss ssl .. oo o oonnf ff oo rr mm T t t pT t t ph hh hr rr ree e ie io oi i s sbmm b c c C Cb bu u e ebb h he en n d drG p p r t t ( 1t t (1 G p pee h hh h 2ee 2 h hi ia a u ur r 98 r r e err o o e oe omm )e e ) a ae e l l r r .. f f v voo s s ej j el lj j s s c c N Nou u o f fu u( J Je e ( e eff h h h h1 a au u 1vd d vd d b br r o oa aP( ( ( ( ( P( ( ( ( (tt c c s sa a) n n s s )ei i ei ihh a b c d ea yb yc d e l lt t h hc cc c rr r r t tl lm w wm dd h h) )) )ee ) ) )) ) )T oo i ig g i ii i a a t t T n n c c ea a e a a h hh hh h vvh h e e i ioo r rh e e hTT hh h e eo o h l l l l t tg g e ea a s sa a iia a n n m mnne l l h ha a a arr t tdd et t y y o oe es ss ss s t t s ii s s s Co Co a as s b bee , aa, abb a s s C f f t t b bb b g g b b h h Cdd e e . . a ann e ey yi iuu s ps pa a I I e ee ee a an ne e i i n n n no o yy n nnn ec c ru rus sc cn e e i i s se e v v e ed dtt t t n n nq dq daa b b p po on nn nt rhh gg ro oo o m ma a i ir ll s s tu iu ia al l e em m n n aa rrr r ra ab bl la i ic t tca a l liww i oo c c v v aoc oc tt g g l r r u uh ho od d h he e o oG Gi i uu l e e e e v v hh f fs sie ie n n j jG i iww r ra as s nnd d n np p y ye eu u e e m m o ooo r r Gv v n n h h dd d dt t h h o d dmd d m hh v v— — i i f f i ie e y ys s oi i c c y y v n ng g eeu u e ea a f fss s sr ru uo o t t vh ht t r rs s rre e e r re e n nn pp n h he e c c t to on nr r ee n ni i ei ir s sd d h hd dc eec i ia ad d c c h h s s n m mo o rt t m mn n cct t i i l l a a : : n a am i tti m mg g s s o o g g iip pl l o hhof f t t e e mn n ff h hi il lf f u u i i b bo o iie n een i iv v ny ny n n c ci iee n nr rai i a ee es s n s ss s e e t t o oa an n p p ddo o e e,i ,in n nh h t cc n n n on ot t n na as s i i e eh hr r ta ai i hht t ii o o o o c c f fs s s t t o o u u nn a a a al lm m a aaa f fj jh i il l f f f f sn n n n u ud d a sa s i ia av v i iiif f , , ha cc c cn nrr e e d de ee e l le e o or rl m m ll o opp e e a a an n e en n; ;l g gaa e en n n n lo o p pee s s d dt t o oc uuc c c le e eet tr a a rrr r p p ,; ; e ee ne n o om , ,m sse ss t tl l i i o o n nee o ol l m oo mo moo n no iw w t ty y b b r r nss q q h hn nnnt t t t o m me eh h r r s sh h u uu u e ei i ((e er a ar u un nv ce e c ci i i in noo e e; ; g gn nc c r r or b bc rce )) r ri i n ny yrr h rh ro o d d a a t t ne e- - tt o oi y yi d d f , s, sr r e e oop p f fh h sn n mmr u u e e e ee er ri i u a ao e eo ot tn n (( nc nc d dr re eb b lee l le em f fh eh e t t td d d dr rt t mml l i i)) t t an ni ie e b bh h e e so so h h ,, s s ti ic c s s e ee e bbo in n e en nhh s so o t t e e oi i c c eef p p eeo o n nf f r r na af ( (o o rra a b be e e ep p g gi 1 1 c ca a sss s n nc c ce e m mi i ) )hh c cc c wii e i ii in n t t h h , ,ss o ot t f fn ni i i aai o o i i i i e e s s n n ii ia all r rg go oa n n te e v v a allppu u d d h n n g g d dl l a ar r m m m mbbrra a a ac i i d d l look k t to o t t n neea ah t. .e e i i a ah h h ppe e s sf f c ci io oa m m di di e en nl l e oo e enni n nt t y ya a e er rr h h ss b bff r r e e p w w Teem m ooe e e e t ti i e ei it te o oddn n n n o o s srr i i rr rC Cr e e t tmm ip p s h hh hu u bm m o oo oe e a a e etto i iee n n uoo f f s sn n ff ff c c m mn b b dd ff l lff n u ut tt t t te e ie iee e r r ah h c cbbc co oo o o i is sa a c cr r lh hn ne eeee e s s; ; f fr ffl l t t , 5 1 1 2 1 1 2 0 5 00 5 0 Staff of appoin1t9 s. u(c1h) oTffhiec eCrse anntrda lo tGheorv eemrnpmloeynet essh aasl lm, iany cboen nseucletastsiaorny wfoirt hd itshceh aTrgriinbgu ntahle, 25 STtraibffu onfa l. faupnpcotiinotn ssu ocfh t hoeff Ticreirbsu annadl. other employees as may be necessary for discharging the 2 5 T ribunal. functions of the Tribunal. (2) The officers and other employees of the Tribunal shall discharge their functi(o2n)s Tuhned eor ftfhicee grse naenrda l ostuhpeer rienmtepnldoeynecees aonf dt hceo nTtrroibl uonfa tlh seh cahlla idrpisecrhsaorng eo rt haeniyr o aofu nt th hn de ec cr rt i om mo nne ets rm m ou lb b n ae ed rr re e o or d f ft eht tlh he ee e g gT Tae tr rn ei ideb br u uban nyl a a sl ltu ht tp eo o e cw wr hih hn ao ot ie rm mpn ed p pre so on ow wc nee e. r ras sn f fdo o r rc oe ex xne etrr roc cli i s soi in nf g gth s seu u c cch hh as siu urp ppe eer rri isn not tne e n nod dre e an nnc cye e 30 and control are delegated by the chairperson. 3 0 (3) The qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and condit(i3o)n Ts hoef qsueravliifciec aotifo onfsf,i caeprpso ainntdm oetnhte, rs aelmarpyl oaynede asl loofw thane cTersi abnudn aolt hshera ltle rbme ss aunchd acso nmdaityio bnes porfe sscerrivbiecde . of officers and other employees of the Tribunal shall be such as ma 2y 0 b . e Tp hre es c Tri rb ibe ud n. al shall not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the following Exclusion of matter2s0, .n aTmheel yT:—rib unal shall not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the following 35 Ejuxricslduisciotino no fo f matters, namely:— 3 5 jTurriibsudnicatli.o n of (a) any dispute, or conflict arising during the Olympic Games, T ribunal. Paraly(ma)p ica nyG admiseps,u tCe,o morm ocnownfelaicltth aGrisaimnge s, duArsiniagn tGhea mOesl,y mopr ica nyG aomtheesr, sPiamraillayrm epviecn tGs oamrgeasn,i sCedo mbym aonnyw Ienatletrhn aGtioamnaels F, eAdesriaatni onGsa; m es, or any other simila (r b e ) v ae nn yt s d o isr pg ua tn ei s fe ad ll ib ny g a wn iy th I in nt e thrn ea eti xo cn la ul s iF ve ed je ur ra it si do in cs t; i o n of— (b) any dispute falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of— (i) the internal disputes resolution committee of a National Sports 40 Body;( io)r t he internal disputes resolution committee of a National Sports 4 0 Body; ( io i)r a ny other tribunal or court; or (ii) any other tribunal or court; or (iii) any International Federation; or Switz( e( (ii irvi vli a) )) na t tdh hn ;e ey C CIn o ot u uer r rn t t a o ot f fi o A Ana r rb bl i iF t tr re a ad t te i io ora n nt i f fo o on r r; S So p pr o o r rt ts s e es st ta ab bl li is sh he ed d i in n L La au us sa an nn ne e, , 45 Switzerland; 45 (c) doping related disputes, where Disciplinary Panels constituted under the Na(cti)o dnoalp iAnngt ir-eDlaotepdin dgi sApcutt,e 2s,0 w22h ehraev De iesxcciplulisnivaery j uPraisndeilcst icoonn;s tituted under 15 of 2022. the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 have exclusive jurisdiction; 1 5 of 2022. (d) any matter in respect of which the International Charters and Statutes requir(ed t)h aen pya mrtiaettse tro i ns urbesmpietc tto o sfp wechiifcihc mtheec Ihnatenrinsmat ioorn afol rCuhma rftoerr sa adnjudd Sictaattuiotens. require the parties to submit to specific mechanism or forum for adjudication.13 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 13 21. The members and other officers and employees of the Board or the Members, etc., to be public Tribunal shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of servants. 45 of 2023. clause (28) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. 22. (1) All cases under civil jurisdiction falling within the scope of this Act, in Transfer of 5 which the National Sports Bodies are impleaded as parties and are pending before a pending cases. District Court or High Court immediately before the constitution of the Tribunal, shall be transferred to the Tribunal on and from such date as may be specified by the Central Government. (2) The cases transferred to the Tribunal under sub-section (1) may be heard 10 and adjudicated from the stage at which such dispute was pending in the concerned Court, or may be heard afresh if the Tribunal deems appropriate after recording the reasons therefor in writing. 23. No civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in Bar on respect of any matter on which the Tribunal is empowered under this Act to jurisdiction of a 15 determine and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in civil court. respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred on the Tribunal by or under this Act. 24. (1) The Tribunal shall have, for the purposes of discharging its functions Powers of under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil T ribunal. 5 of 1908. 20 Procedure, 1908 while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:— (a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath; (b) requiring the discovery and production of documents; (c) receiving evidence on affidavits; 25 (d) calling for any public record or document or a copy of such record or document, from any office, subject to the provisions of sections 129 and 130 47 of 2023. of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023; (e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents; (f) reviewing its decisions; 30 (g) dismissing an application for default or deciding it, ex parte; (h) setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or any order passed by it, ex parte; and (i) any other matter which may be prescribed. (2) Every proceeding before the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial 35 proceeding within the meaning of sections 228, 229, 233, 257 and 267 of the 45 of 2023. Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. (3) The Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purpose of 46 of 2023. section 215 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. 25. (1) Unless the International Charters and Statutes provide for appeal before Appeal to 40 the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an appeal shall lie against any order of the Supreme Court. Tribunal, not being an interlocutory order, to the Supreme Court. (2) No appeal shall lie against any decision made by the Tribunal with the consent of the parties. (3) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty 45 days from the date of the decision appealed against: Provided that the Supreme Court may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal in time.14 14 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— Orders passed by 26. (1) An order passed by the Tribunal under this Act shall be executable as Tribunal to be a decree of a civil court, and for this purpose, the Tribunal shall have all the powers executable as a decree. of a civil court. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Tribunal may transmit any order made by it to a civil court having local jurisdiction and such civil 5 court shall execute the order as if it were a decree made by that court. CHAPTER X USE OF NATIONAL NAMES AND INSIGNIA Use of national 27. (1) Any sports organisation desirous of using the word “India” or “Indian” names and or “National” or any national insignia or symbols in any language in its registered 10 insignia. name, operating name, logo or otherwise in its affairs, shall obtain a no-objection certificate from the Central Government for such use: Provided that a sports organisation other than a recognised sports organisation shall, in addition to the requirements under this sub-section, obtain written consent of the Board. 15 (2) No sports organisation shall use the name “India” or the name of any State or district in India, or conduct any sports trials, tournaments, or events upon the suspension or cancellation of its recognition by the Board under this Act. (3) No person or group of persons, either individually or collectively, shall represent or be allowed to represent India or any State or district in India, in any 20 sports trials, tournaments or events of designated sports without an authorisation by a National Sports Body or its affiliate unit. CHAPTER XI MISCELLANEOUS Fund. 28. (1) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the National Sports Board 25 Fund and there shall be credited thereto— (a) all grants, fees and charges received by the Board under this Act; and (b) all sums received by the Board from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government. (2) The Fund constituted under sub-section (1) shall be applied for meeting— 30 (a) the salaries and allowances payable to the Chairperson and Members of the Board and the administrative expenses including the salaries and allowances payable to or in respect of officers and other employees of the Board; and (b) all other expenses for meeting the objects and for the purposes 35 authorised by this Act. Accounts and 29. (1) The Board shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and audit. prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. (2) The accounts of the Board shall be audited by the Comptroller and 4 0 Auditor-General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Board to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India. (3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any other person appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Board shall 45 have the same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India generally has, in connection with the audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and 50 papers and to inspect any of the offices of the Board.15 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 15 (4) The accounts of the Board as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House 5 of Parliament. 30. (1) The Central Government in consonance with the International Charters Measures for promotion and and Statutes, may take such measures as may be prescribed, as it considers necessary development of for the promotion and development of sports, including in the public interest. sports. (2) The measures referred to in sub-section (1), may include,— 10 (a) the guiding principles for the conduct of elections by the National Sports Bodies, including model election rules; (b) the promotion of the welfare and interests of sportspersons; (c) the protection of the data and privacy of sportspersons; and (d) the appropriate use of technology and analytics in the context of sport. 15 31. (1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act: Power to make rules. Provided that the Central Government, while making rules under this section, shall take into consideration the International Charters and Statutes, with the objective of ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management 20 and administration of sports in India. (2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— (a) the relevant affiliations of Regional Sports Federation under sub-section (6) of section 3; 25 (b) the sportspersons of outstanding merit and other categories of persons under the proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 4; (c) the mode of elections to different bodies, committees and offices including their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members thereof, and other matters of governance under sub-section (4) of section 4; 30 (d) the composition and number of Members of the Board under sub-section (1) of section 5; (e) the composition of the search-cum-selection committee under sub-section (2) of section 5; (f) the salary and allowances, term of office of Chairperson and other 35 Members of the Board and other terms and conditions of their service including removal from service, under sub-section (3) of section 5; (g) other places in which the Board shall establish its branch offices under sub-section (5) of section 5; (h) the measures to be taken by the Board for ensuring protection of the 40 rights and welfare of athletes and support personnel under clause (i) of section 6; (i) other powers and functions of the Board under clause (j) of section 6; (j) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the employees and other officers of the Board under sub-section (3) of section 7; 45 (k) the conditions and the manner in which affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies shall ensure registration of their affiliate units with the Board under sub-section (6) of section 8; (l) other persons to be covered by the Safe Sports Policy under sub-section (2) of section 13;16 16 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— (m) manner of maintaining roster of the National Sports Election Panel by the Board under sub-section (3) of section 16; (n) the fees and other allowances to be paid to the empanelled persons under sub-section (4) of section 16; (o) the term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and 5 members of Tribunal under sub-section (8) of section 17; (p) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the employees and other officers of the Tribunal under sub-section (3) of section 19; (q) any other matter under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 24; 10 (r) the form in which the Board shall prepare annual statement of accounts under sub-section (1) of section 29; (s) the measures to be taken by the Central Government for the promotion and development of sports under sub-section (1) of section 30; and (t) any other matter which is to be, or may be prescribed. 15 Power to make 32. (1) The Board may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, regulations. by notification, make regulations consistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder, to carry out the provisions of this Act: Provided that the Board, while making regulations under this section, shall comply with the International Charter and Statutes, with the objective of ensuring 20 transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management and administration of sports in India. (2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may make provision for— (a) the manner of maintaining register of the National Sports Bodies and 25 their respective affiliate units by the Board under clause (b) of section 6; (b) the form, manner and particulars of application under sub-section (2) of section 8; (c) other criteria and conditions to be complied by the sports organisations under clause (d) of sub-section (3) of section 8; 30 (d) the intervals and procedure for renewal of Board recognition under sub-section (4) of section 8; (e) the eligibility criteria for Board recognition of the sports organisation as a National Sports Promotion Organisation, the manner of their governance and functioning and the intervals and procedure for renewal of such 35 recognition under sub-section (8) of section 8; and (f) any other matter which is to be, or may be, specified by regulations under this Act. Laying of rules, 33. Every rule, regulation and every notification made or issued under this Act regulations and shall be laid as soon as may be, after it is made or issued, before each House of 40 notifications. Parliament, while it is in session for a total period of thirty days, which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule, regulation or notification or both Houses agree that the rule, regulation or notification should not 45 be made or issued, the rule, regulation or notification shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule, regulation or notification.17 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 17 34. (1) If the Central Government considers it necessary and expedient so to Power to exempt in special cases. do in the public interest for the promotion of specific sport disciplines consistent with the spirit of good governance enshrined in the Olympic Charter, it may, in consultation with the Board and the concerned International Sports Body, by 5 notification, direct that subject to such conditions and restrictions, if any, and for such period as may be specified in the notification, all or any of the provisions of this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder shall not apply to a National Sports Body or its affiliate unit specified therein. (2) The Central Government may, by notification, and for reasons to be 10 recorded in writing, relax the eligibility criteria for the members of the Executive Committee, if such person is serving in the executive committee or a similar body of a corresponding International Sports Body or is in the General Body of the International Olympic Committee or International Paralympic Committee. 35. (1) The Central Government may, from time to time, give such directions Power to issue 15 as it may think fit, to the Board or any other person or entity for the efficient directions and impose administration of this Act. restrictions in national interest. (2) The Central Government may, by an order, impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport in international sports competitions or participation of any individual in the activities of the national sports, 20 under extraordinary circumstances and in the interest of national security, public order and safety. 36. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any member Protection of of the Board or a National Sports Body or the Tribunal or any employee of such action taken in good faith. authorities or any other person or authority for anything which has been done or is 25 intended to be done in good faith under this Act or the rules and regulations made thereunder. 37. (1) The National Sports Bodies shall primarily be guided by the Conflic ts with International Charters and Statutes in the governance of its affairs. International Charters and (2) In the event of any conflict between a provision of this Act and the Statutes. 30 International Charters and Statutes, the Central Government may, after consulting the Board and the concerned International Sports Body as may be deemed necessary, issue a clarificatory notification in this regard. 38. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this Act, the Power to remove Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such difficulties. 35 provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary, for removing the difficulty: Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a period of five years from the date of commencement of this Act. (2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after 40 it is made, before each House of Parliament.18 18 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS The development of sports and related activities is a matter of national priority. It not only promotes active lifestyle, fitness among the children and youth but also social inclusiveness and cohesiveness, employment opportunities, peace and overall development, besides inculcating a sense of identity and pride. 2. The National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 established good governance practices for sports bodies, essential for healthy development of sports in the country. It provided framework for recognition of sports organisations, including Indian Olympic Association, as sports bodies for the regulation of sports in India. However, there is a felt need for a comprehensive legislation to improve the governance of the sports bodies and achieve better results in sports and reduce the disputes and litigation, inter alia, involving sports federations. There is an imperative need to curb factionalism, and administrative interventions which adversely affects the organised development of sports and related activities in India and also for its better presentation before the international sports community. 3. It is the endeavour of India to host major international sports events in the country and preparation for the same are underway. Also, as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major international competitions. 4. In light of the above goals, the proposed legislation seeks 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. 5. The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, inter alia, seeks to provide for the following, namely:— (i) to provide for the establishment of the National Sports Governing Bodies such as the National Olympic Committee, the National Paralympic Committee, the National Sports Federation and the Regional Sports Federation, for the respective recognised sports organisations; (ii) to establish a National Sports Board which shall be responsible, inter alia, for granting Board recognition to the sports organisations as National Sports Governing Bodies and registration of their affiliates units; (iii) to provide for the National Sports Election Panel consisting of former members of the Election Commission of India or the State Election Commission or former Chief Electoral Officers of the States or Deputy Election Commissioners, who shall act as electoral officers to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies; (iv) to provide for constitution of a National Sports Tribunal consisting of a chairperson and two other members, to provide for the independent, speedy, effective and cost-efficient disposal of sports related disputes; (v) to make provision for appeal to Supreme Court against any order of the Tribunal, unless the International Charters and Statutes provide for appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport; 1819 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 19 (vi) to restrict the use of National name and insignia for any competition without obtaining necessary approval; (vii) to empower the Government of India to take necessary measures for the promotion and development of sports, in consonance with the International Charters and the Statutes, including in public interest; and to exempt any Sports body or their affiliate units from any of the provisions of the Bill or any rule or regulation made thereunder; (viii) to empower the Central Government to give such directions as it may think fit, to the Board or any other person or entity for the efficient administration of the legislation; (ix) to provide that the National Sports Bodies shall primarily be guided by the International Charters and Statutes in the governance of its affairs. 6. The notes on clauses explain in detail the various provisions contained in the Bill. 7. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives. NEW DELHI; DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA. The 14th July, 2025.20 20 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— Notes on clauses Clause 1.—This clause provides for the short title and commencement of the Bill. Clause 2.—This clause defines the various expressions used in the Bill, which, inter alia, includes, “ad hoc administrative body”, “affiliate unit”, “Athletes Committee”, “Board”, “Board recognition”, “designated sport”, “International Charters and Statutes”, “International Federation”, “International Olympic Committee”, “International Sports Body”, “National Sports Body”, etc. Clause 3.—This clause provides for establishment of national sports governing bodies, namely the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federation and Regional Sports Federation for their respective recognised sports organisations. The national sports governing bodies shall maintain international recognition and affiliation from concerned international sports governing bodies. Clause 4.—This clause provides for compliance requirement relating to the structure and other requirements for National Sports Bodies to ensure they function in a fair and transparent manner, in alignment with the international statutes. It inter alia provides that every National Sports Body shall have a General Body consisting of equal number of representatives from each of its affiliate units provided that it shall have representation of Sportspersons of Outstanding merit, and, an Executive Committee having not more than 15 members, including at least two sportspersons of outstanding merit, two members from the Athlete Committee, and ex officio and other members. Clause 5.—This clause provides for establishment of a National Sports Board. The Board shall consist of a Chairperson and such number of members as the Central Government may prescribe. The members of the Board shall be appointed by Central Government on recommendation of search-cum-selection committee composition of which shall be such, as the Central Government may prescribe. Clause 6.—This clause provides for the powers and functions of the National Sports Board, which, inter alia, include, to grant Board recognition to sports organisations and registration of affiliate units and to suspend or cancel such recognition or registration, maintain a register of the National Sports Bodies and each of their respective affiliate units, conduct inquiries, constitute an ad hoc administrative body or to direct the concerned National Sports Body or their affiliate units to constitute an ad hoc administrative body, issue guidelines for formulation of the Code of Ethics, frame Safe Sports Policy for the protection and safety of women, minor athletes and other classes of persons, maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel. Clause 7.—This clause provides that the Central Government shall in consultation with Board, appoint officers and employees of the Board for discharging functions of the Board, under the Bill. The qualification, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officer and employee of the Board shall be such as the Central Government may prescribe. Clause 8.—This clause provides for the power of the National Sports Board to grant Board recognition to any sports organisation as a National Sports Body and the board recognition granted under this clause shall be renewed periodically. Clause 9.—This clause empowers the Board to conduct an inquiry, either on its own or in response to complaint received on matters affecting the welfare of sportspersons or the development of sports in the country or misuse of public funds. Clause 10.—This clause provides for the grounds on which Board shall either on its own or in response to complaint received shall exercise its power to suspend or cancel Board recognition of a National Sports Body or registration of an affiliate unit of a National Sports Body. It also provides that all appeals against order of the board under this clause shall lie with the Tribunal. 2021 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 21 Clause 11.—This clause provides for the Board to constitute or direct to constitute ad hoc administrative body as part of normalization process in case of loss of international recognition or Board recognition of a National Sports Body or suspension or cancellation of registration of an affiliate unit of a National Sports Body. It also provides that the ad hoc administrative body shall consist of a maximum of five eminent sports administrators. Clause 12.—This clause provides for the Board to formulate guidelines for Code of Ethics establishing minimum standards for the ethical and appropriate conduct in National Sports Body. The guidelines for Code of Ethics shall be in alignment with Code of Ethics of international sports bodies. Clause 13.—This clause provides to frame a comprehensive Safe Sports Policy by the Board to ensure the protection and safety of women, minor athletes and other persons. Clause 14.—This clause provides that only a recognised sports organisation shall be eligible to receive grants or any other financial assistance from the Central Government. Clause 15.—This clause seeks to lay down the duties of recognised sports organisations and it also provides that a recognised sports organisation shall be considered as a Public Authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005 with respect to the exercise of its functions, duties and powers under the Bill. Clause 16.—This clause provides for National Sports Election Panel and appointment of electoral officer. The panel shall consist of such number of persons, as may be deemed necessary, with experience in conducting of elections. It also provides that the Board shall maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel. Further, the fees and other allowances of persons on National Sports Election Panel shall be as the Central Government may prescribe. Clause 17.—This clause provides for the Central Government to constitute, by notification, a National Sports Tribunal, which shall adjudicate upon sports related disputes. The Tribunal shall consist of a chairperson and two other members. The chairperson and the members of the Tribunal shall be appointed by the Central Government on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee. The Tribunal shall formulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business including the timelines to be followed for the disposal of matters and all expenses incurred in connection with the Tribunal shall be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund of India. Clause 18.—This clause lay down grounds for removal of chairperson or members of Tribunal. Clause 19.—This clause provides for appointment of officers and other employees for the Tribunal and provides to lay down qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions for appointment. Clause 20.—This clause provides those matters, where the Tribunal shall not have jurisdiction to adjudicate. Clause 21.—This clause provides that the members and other officers and employees of the Board or the Tribunal, shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of clause (28) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Clause 22.—This clause provides for immediate transfer of all cases to the Tribunal in which National Sports Bodies are impleaded and are pending before a District Court or High Court. Clause 23.—This clause provides that no civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter on which the Tribunal is empowered under the Bill.22 22 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— Clause 24.—This clause provides that for the purposes of discharging its functions under the Bill, the Tribunal shall have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Clause 25.—This clause provides that unless the International Charters and Statutes provide for appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an appeal against any order of the Tribunal shall lie with the Supreme Court. Clause 26.—This clause provides that an order passed by the Tribunal under this Bill shall be executable as a decree of a civil court, and for this purpose, the Tribunal shall have all the powers of a civil court. Clause 27.—This clause, inter alia, provides that any sports organisation, desirous of using the word “India” or “Indian” or “National” or any national insignia or symbols in any language in its registered name, operating name, logo or otherwise in its affairs, shall obtain a no-objection certificate from the Central Government for such use. Clause 28.—This clause seeks to constitute National Sports Board Fund and it shall be credited thereto with all grants, fees and charges and all sums received by the Board and the funds shall be applied for meeting salaries and allowances payable to Chairpersons, members and officers and other employees of the Board and meet all other expenses for the purposes authorised under the Bill. Clause 29.—This clause provides for maintenance of proper accounts and other relevant records by the Board which shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him. The accounts and audit report of the Board as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him, shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government and the Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament. Clause 30.—This clause provides for measures which may be taken by the Central Government in consonance with the International Charters for the promotion and development of sports, including in the public interest. Clause 31.—This clause seeks to empower the Central Government to make rules to carry out the purposes of the Bill. Clause 32.—This clause seeks to empower the National Sports Board to make regulations to carry out the purposes of the Bill. Clause 33.—This clause seeks to require that rules and regulations made under the Bill are to be laid before the Parliament. Clause 34.—This clause seeks to empower the Central Government to exempt, by notification, all or any of the provisions of this Bill or any rule or regulation made thereunder from applying upon a National Sports Body or its affiliate unit specified therein. It also empowers the Central Government to relax the eligibility criteria for the members of the Executive Committee, subject to conditions as specified under the Bill. Clause 35.—This clause seeks to empower the Central Government to give directions and impose reasonable restrictions in interest of national security, safety and public order. Clause 36.—This clause provides that no suit, prosecution or legal proceeding shall lie against any member of the Board or a National Sports Body or the Tribunal or any employee of such authorities or any other person or authority for anything which has been done or is intended to be done in good faith, under the provisions of the Bill.23 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 23 Clause 37.—This clause provides that the National Sports Bodies shall primarily be guided by the International Charters and Statutes in the governance of its affairs and in the event of conflict between a provision of the Bill and the International Charters and Statutes, the Central Government may, after consulting the Board and the concerned International Sports Body, if deemed necessary, issue a clarificatory notification in this regard. Clause 38.—This clause seeks to empower the Central Government to issue an order, for removal of any difficulty arises during implementation of the Bill, and such orders to be laid before House of Parliament. No orders under this clause shall be passed after expiry of a period of five years from the date of commencement of the Bill.24 24 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM Clause 5 (1) provides for establishment of National Sports Board and clause 17(1) provides for constitution of National Sports Tribunal. 2. Clause 17 (10) provides that all expenses incurred in connection with the Tribunal shall be defrayed out of the Consolidated Fund of India. 3. Clause 28 provides for constitution of the National Sports Board Fund in which all grants, fees and charges received by the Board and all sums received by the Board from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government will be credited. The Fund constituted shall be applied for meeting the salaries and allowances payable to the Chairperson and Members of the Board and the administrative expenses including the salaries and allowances payable to or in respect of officers and other employees of the Board; and all other expenses for meeting the objects and for the purposes authorised by the Bill. 4. Keeping in view the setting up of the National Sports Board and the National Sports Tribunal, initially rupees ten crores will be required for salaries of the members of the Board and Tribunal and other staff to be recruited during the first financial year. Expenditure on the National Sports Board and the National Sports Tribunal will be further revised as per their composition and other requirements. As the expenditure would depend upon the composition of the National Sports Board and National Sports Tribunal and the staff to be recruited for both the bodies, recurring or non-recurring expenditure cannot be anticipated at this stage. 5. The provisions of the Bill, if enacted, would involve recurring and non-recurring expenditure out of the Consolidated Fund of India. The aforesaid expenditure to be incurred, would be met from budgetary allocation after such allocation by the Department of Expenditure, as and when the Board and Tribunal will be established and constituted, respectively. This expenditure is not quantifiable at this stage as the structure, posts, number of officers and other aspects are not final. 2425 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 25 MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 31 of the Bill seeks to empower the Central Government to make rules to carry out the provisions of the Bill. Sub-clause (2) of the said clause specifies the matters in respect of which rules may be made. These matters include— (i) the relevant affiliations of Regional Sports Federation under sub-clause (6) of clause 3; (ii) the sportspersons of outstanding merit and other categories of persons under the proviso to sub-clause (1)(a) of clause 4; (iii) the mode of elections to different bodies, committees and offices including their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members thereof, and other matters of governance under sub-clause (4) of clause 4; (iv) the composition and number of Members of the Board under sub-clause (1) of clause 5; (v) the composition of the search-cum-selection committee under sub-clause (2) of clause 5; (vi) the salary and allowances, term of office of Chairperson and other Members of the Board and other terms and conditions of their service, including removal from service under sub-clause (3) of clause 5; (vii) other places in which the Board shall establish its branch offices under sub-clause (5) of clause 5; (viii) the measures to be taken by the Board for ensuring protection of the rights and welfare of athletes and support personnel under clause 6 (i); (ix) other powers and functions of the Board under clause 6 (j); (x) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the employees and other officers of the Board under sub-clause (3) of clause 7; (xi) the conditions and the manner in which affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies shall ensure registration with the Board under sub-clause (6) of clause 8; (xii) other persons to be covered by the Safe Sports Policy under sub-clause (2) of clause 13; (xiii) manner of maintaining roster of the National Sports Election Panel by the Board under sub-clause (3) of clause 16; (xiv) the fees and other allowances to be paid to the empanelled persons under sub-clause (4) of clause 16; (xv) the term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and members of Tribunal under sub-clause (8) of clause 17; (xvi) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the employees and other officers of the Tribunal under sub-clause (3) of clause 19; (xvii) any other matter in respect of which the Tribunal may exercise the powers of a civil court under sub-clause (1) (i) of clause 24; (xviii) the form in which the Board shall prepare annual statement of accounts under sub-clause (1) of clause 29; (xix) the measures to be taken by the Central Government for the promotion and development of sports under sub-clause (1) of clause 30; and (xx) any other matter which is to be, or may be prescribed under the Bill. 2. Clause 32 of the Bill empowers the National Sports Board, with the previous approval of the Central Government, to make regulations. Sub-clause (2) of the said clause specifies the matters in respect of which regulations may be made. These matters include— (i) the manner of maintaining register of the National Sports Bodies and their respective affiliate units by the Board under clause 6 (b); (ii) the form, manner and particulars, of application under sub-clause (2) of clause 8; (iii) other criteria and conditions to be complied by the sports organisations under sub-clause (3)(d) of clause 8; (iv) the intervals and procedure for renewal of Board recognition under sub-clause (4) of clause 8; (v) the eligibility criteria for Board recognition of a sports organisation as a National Sports Promotion Organisation, the manner of their governance and functioning and the intervals and procedure for renewal of such recognition under sub-clause (8) of clause 8; and (vi) any other matter which is to be, or may be, specified by regulations. 2526 26 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— 3. The matters in respect of which the aforementioned rules and regulations may be made are matters of procedure and administrative details, and as such, it is not practicable to provide for them in the Bill itself. The delegation of legislative powers is, therefore, of a normal character.Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 27 LOK SABHA ------ CORRIGENDA to The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 [To be/ As introduced in Lok Sabha] S. No. Page No. Line(s) No. For Read 1. Page (ii), Against “organisations” “organisation” in the Clause 15 Arrangement of Clauses 2. Page (ii), Against “officer” “officers” in the Clause 16 Arrangement of Clauses 3. 2 37 “(i)” “(A)” 4. 2 39 “(ii)” “(B)” 5. 3 1 “(iii)” “(C)” 6. 5 16 “of the concerned “who” National Sports Body” 7. 5 17 “who shall be “responsible” responsible” 8. 7 47 “Organisations” “Organisation” 9. 8 16 “their affiliate” “its affiliate” 10. 8 In the “Power of Board to “Power of Board marginal suspend or cancel to suspend or heading Board recognition.” cancel Board against clause recognition or no.10 registration.” 11. 8 47 “registration of the “registration” sports organisation” 12. 10 12 “by persons in “by person in a positions of trust,” position of trust,” 13. 10 In the “Duties of recognised “Duties of marginal sports organisations” recognised sports heading organisation” against clause no.15 14. 10 In the “National Sports “National Sports marginal Election Panel and Election Panel and heading appointment of appointment of against clause electoral officer” electoral officers” no.16 P.T.O.28 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EX-T2R- AORDINARY [Part II— S. No. Page No. Line(s) No. For Read 15. 11 11 “Charter” “Charters” 16. 11 38 “Justice” “Justice – member” 17. 11 39 “Sports” “Sports – member” 18. 12 12 “his or her functions” “his functions” 19. 12 22 “has on enquiry” “has on inquiry” 20. 15 27 “elections” “election” 21. 15 43 “service of the “service of the employees and other officers and the officers” other employees” 22. 16 8 “service of the “service of the employees and other officers and the officers” other employees” 23. 16 20 “Charter” “Charters” 24. 17 22 “any member” “any Member” 25. 17 23 “Board or” “Board or member of” 26. 17 23 “any employee” “any officer or other employee” 27. 18 39 “Election Commission “Election of India” Commission of India or Deputy Election Commissioners” 28. 18 40 “the States or Deputy” “the States,” 29. 18 41 “Election “who shall act” Commssioners, who shall act” 30. 18 45 “to provide for the “for the independent,” independent,” NEW DELHI; July 21, 2025_________ Ashadha 30, 1947 (Saka)-2- Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 29 S. No. Page No. Line(s) No. For Read 15. 11 11 “Charter” “Charters” 16. 11 38 “Justice” “Justice – member” 17. 11 39 “Sports” “Sports – member” 18. 12 12 “his or her functions” “his functions” 19. 12 22 “has on enquiry” “has on inquiry” 20. 15 27 “elections” “election” 21. 15 43 “service of the “service of the employees and other officers and the officers” other employees” 22. 16 8 “service of the “service of the employees and other officers and the officers” other employees” 23. 16 20 “Charter” “Charters” 24. 17 22 “any member” “any Member” 25. 17 23 “Board or” “Board or member of” 26. 17 23 “any employee” “any officer or other employee” 27. 18 39 “Election Commission “Election of India” Commission of India or Deputy Election Commissioners” 28. 18 40 “the States or Deputy” “the States,” BBILilLl NNoo.. 7777 OofF 22002255 29. 18 41 “Election “who shall act” Commssioners, who A Billto amend theNational Anti-Doping Act,2022. shall act” 30. 18 45 “to provide for the “for the BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— independent,” independent,” 1.(1) This Act may be called the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Act, 2025. Short title and commencement. (2) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by 5 notificationin the Official Gazette, appoint. NEW DELHI; 15 of 2022. 2.Section 2 of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 (hereinafter referred to as Amendment of the principal Act) shall be numbered as sub-section (1) thereof and in section 2. July 21, 2025_________ sub-section (1) as so numbered,— Ashadha 30, 1947 (Saka)2 30 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— (i)after clause (a), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:— ‘(aa) “Anti-Doping Organisation” means the World Anti-Doping Agency or a signatory to the Code which is responsible for adopting rules for initiating, implementing or enforcing any part of the doping control process and includes the International Olympic Committee, the 5 International Paralympic Committee, other major event organisations that conduct testing at their events, International Federations, and the National Anti-Doping Organisations;’; (ii)in clause (b), after the word and figure “section 4”, the words “or as detailed under the Code as set out in the Schedule” shall be inserted; 10 (iii) in clause (e), for the words “or such other person”, the words “,parent or any other person” shall be substituted; (iv)in clause (n),–– (a) for the words “up to the disposal”, the words “till the final disposal” shall be substituted; 15 (b) after the words “Anti-Doping Rule Violation”, the words “or violation of the prohibition of participation during ineligibility or provisional suspension” shall be inserted; (v)for clause (q), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:— ‘(q) “in-competition” means the period commencing at 20 11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition in which the athlete is scheduled to participate till the end of such competition and the sample collection process related to such competition;’; (vi)after clause (s), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:— ‘(sa) “marker” means a compound, group of compounds or 25 biological variable that indicates the use of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method;’; (vii)after clause (t), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:— ‘(ta) “metabolite” means any substance produced by a biotransformation process;’; 30 (viii)clause (w) shall be omitted; (ix)for clause (x), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:— ‘(x) “out-of-competition” means any period which is not in-competition;’; (x) in clause (zc), after the words “any substance”, the words “or class 35 of substances” shall be inserted; (xi)in clause (zg), the words “and testing of samples” shall be omitted; (xii) after sub-section (1) as so numbered, the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:— “(2) The words and expressions used in this Act and not defined 40 but defined in the Code shall have the same meanings respectively assignedto them in that Code.”. Insertion of new 3.After section 2 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, section 2A. namely:— Application of “2A. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any 45 World other law, such of the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code as are set Anti-Doping out in the Schedule shall have the force of law in India. Code.3 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 31 (2) The Central Government may, from time to time, by notification in the Official Gazette, amend the Schedule in conformity with any amendments, duly made and adopted, of the provisions of the said Code set out therein. 5 (3)Every notification issued under sub-section (2) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is issued, before each House of Parliament.”. 4. For section 4 of the principal Act, the following section shall be Substitution of substituted, namely:— new section for section 4. “4. Any one or more of the following circumstances or acts or Anti-Doping Rule 10 conducts shall constitute Anti-Doping Rule Violation for the purposes of this Violation. Act, namely:— (a) the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete’s sample, unless such presence is exempted under section 5; 15 (b)use or attempted use by an athlete of any prohibited substance or any prohibited method, unless such use is exempted under section 5; (c) evading sample collection; or refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorised person; 20 (d)whereabouts failuresby an athlete as specified in the Code; (e) tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control by an athlete or other person; (f) possession of any prohibited substance or any prohibited method by an athlete or athlete support personnel, unless such 25 possession is exempted under section 5; (g) trafficking or attempted trafficking in any prohibited substance or prohibited method by an athlete or other person; (h) administration or attempted administration by an athlete or other person to any athlete in-competition of any prohibited substance or prohibited method, or administration or attempted administration to 30 any athlete out-of-competition of any prohibited substance or any prohibited method that is prohibited out-of-competition; (i) assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up or any other type of intentional complicity or attempted complicity 35 involving an Anti-Doping Rule Violation, attempted Anti-Doping Rule Violation or violation of the prohibition against participation during ineligibility or provisional suspension by any other person; (j) prohibited association by an athlete or other person as the Agency may specify by regulations; (k) acts by an athlete or other person to discourage or retaliate 40 against reporting to authorities.”. 5. In section 6 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), for the words Amendment of section 6. “individual athlete or athlete support personnel”, the words “athlete or other person” shall be substituted. 45 6. In section 7 of the principal Act, in sub-section (7), after the words Amendment of “International Federation”, the words “, National Olympic Committee, National section 7. Paralympic Committee” shall be inserted. 7.In section 10 of the principal Act, sub-section (5) shall be omitted. Amendment of section 10.4 32 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— Amendment of 8.In section 11 of the principal Act, in sub-section (2), in clause (d), after the section 11. words “who are”, the words “or have been” shall be inserted. Amendment of 9.In section 12 of the principal Act,— section 12. (a) for the word “Board”, wherever it occurs, the words “Central Government” shall be substituted; 5 (b) for the words “specified by regulations”, wherever they occur, the word “prescribed” shall be substituted. Amendment of 10. In section 14 of the principal Act, after sub-section (6), the following section 14. sub-section shall be inserted, namely:–– “(7) The Director General or any other staff member of the Agency 10 shall have operational independence from any National Sports Federation, International Federation, National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee or any Government department or agency with responsibility for sport or anti-doping.”. Amendment of 11.In section 16 of the principal Act, in sub-section (3),–– 15 section 16. (a)for clause (i), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:––– “(i) coordinating and cooperating with the Anti-Doping Organisations and National Sports Federations;”; (b)in clause (k), the word “Other” shall be omitted. Amendment of 12. In section 17 of the principal Act, for the words “Therapeutic 20 section 17. Exemption”, the words “Therapeutic Use Exemption” shall be substituted. Amendment of 13.In section 19 of the principal Act, for the words and figures “the Code of section 19. Criminal Procedure, 1973”, the words and figures “the Bharatiya Nagarik 2 of 1974. Suraksha Sanhita, 2023” shall be substituted. 46 of 2023. Substitution of 14. For section 20 of the principal Act, the following section shall be 25 new section for substituted, namely:–– section 20. Power of “20. Notwithstanding the power of the Agency to direct the collection collecting of samples of an athlete at any time and at any place, if the Agency has samples and reasons to believe that an athlete has committed an Anti-Doping Rule testing. Violation, it shall require such athlete to submit samples for testing, in 30 accordance with such procedure and in such manner, as may be specified by regulations.”. Substitution of 15. For section 21 of the principal Act, the following section shall be new section for substituted, namely:–– section 21. Result “21. (1) After receiving an adverse report from a dope testing laboratory 35 Management indicating presence of any prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in the process. sample of an athlete or evidence of the use of a prohibited method, the Agency shall carry out initial examination of the report in such manner as may be specified by regulations and verify, if Therapeutic Use Exemption has been granted to such athlete in respect of such substance or if there has been any departure from the 40 International Standard for Laboratories or International Standard for Testing and Investigations that may have caused the adverse analytical finding or if it is apparent that the adverse analytical finding was caused by an ingestion of the relevant prohibited substance through a permitted route. (2)Where, after examination and verification under sub-section (1), the 45 Agency is satisfied that no Therapeutic Use Exemption has been granted to the athlete and that there has been no departure from the International Standard for Laboratories or International Standard for Testing and Investigationsthat may have caused the adverse analytical finding or that the adverse analytical finding was not caused by an ingestion of the relevant 50 prohibited substance through a permitted route, it shall take such actions in such manner,as may be specified by regulations.”.5 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 33 16.In section 23 of the principal Act,— Amendment of section 23. (a) for the words “specified by regulations”, wherever they occur, the word “prescribed” shall be substituted; (b)in sub-section (2), for the words “regulations as may be made by the 5 Board”, the words “rules as may be made by the Central Government” shall be substituted; (c) for sub-section (9) and the Explanation, the following sub-sections andExplanationshall be substituted, namely:— ‘(9) The World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic 10 Committee, the International Paralympic Committee and the concerned International Federation may prefer an appeal against the decision of the Appeal Panel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in accordance with the rules of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the Code. (10) Where the case involves international level athlete or 15 international events,— (a) such athlete or other person who is subject to the decision being appealed; (b)the National Anti-Doping Agency; (c)the International Federation; 20 (d)the World Anti-Doping Agency; and (e) the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee, as the case may be, where the decision may have an effect in relation to the Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games including decisions affecting eligibility 25 for the Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games, may appeal against the decision of the Disciplinary Panel to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (11) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) to (10), in cases where the World Anti-Doping Agency has a right to 30 appeal under Article 13 of the Code and no appeal has been filed by any party against the final decision of the Agency, the World Anti-Doping Agency may appeal against such decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport without exhausting other remedies provided under thisAct and the rules made thereunder. 35 Explanation.—For the purposes of sub-sections (9) to (11), “Court of Arbitration for Sport” means an international body established in 1984 to settle disputes related to sport through arbitration whose headquarter is in Lausanne, Switzerland.’. 17. In section 24 of the principal Act, after the word “Board,”, the words Amendment of section 24. 40 “ Appeal Panel,” shall be inserted. Amendment of 18.In section 26 of the principal Act,–– section 26. (a) in sub-section (2), in the proviso, for the words “may, if required,”, the word “shall” shall be substituted; (b)in sub-section (4), in clause (d), after the words “standard operative 45 procedures”, the words “, subject to the International Standard for Laboratories” shall be inserted. 19.In section 29 of the principal Act,–– Amendment of section 29. (i)after clause (c), the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:—6 34 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— “(ca) the manner of constituting the Appeal Panel under sub-section (1) of section 12; (cb) the manner of appointment of the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and other members of the Appeal Panel and the conditions subject to which such appointments shall be made under 5 sub-section (3) of section 12; (cc) the grounds on which a member of the Appeal Panel may be removed under sub-section (4) of section 12;”; (ii)after clause (f), the following clauses shallbe inserted, namely:— “(fa) the other decisions against which an appeal may be filed, 10 and the form and manner in which and the time within which such appeal may be filed under sub-section (1) of section 23; (fb) the procedure to be followed by the Appeal Panel under sub-section (2) of section 23; (fc) the manner of communicating the decision of the Appeal 15 Panel under sub-section (8) of section 23;”; (iii) in clause (m), after the word and figures “section 26”, the words “,subject to the International Standard for Laboratories” shall be inserted. Amendment of 20.In section 30 of the principal Act,–– section 30. 20 (i)clauses (e), (f) and (g) shall be omitted; (ii)clauses (l), (m) and (n) shall be omitted. Amendment of 21.In section 31 of the principal Act,— section 31. (a)in sub-section (1),–– (i) in the opening portion, for the words “for complying with the requirements of international obligations and commitments including the 25 Code”, the words “in compliance with the international obligations and the Code, including its International Standards,” shall be substituted; (ii) in clause (j), for the words “anti-doping control”, the words “doping control” shall be substituted; (iii)in clause (m), the word “other” shall be omitted; 30 (b)in sub-section (2),––– (i)clause (b) shall be omitted; (ii) for clause (c), the following clause shall be substituted, namely:— “(c) the prohibited association by an athlete or other person 35 under clause (j) of section 4;”; (iii)clause (d) shall be omitted. 22. After section 34 of the principal Act, the following Schedule shall be Insertion of Schedule. inserted, namely:–– “THE SCHEDULE 40 (Seesection2A) PROVISIONSOF THEWORLDANTI-DOPINGCODE,WHICHSHALL HAVE FORCE OF LAW ARTICLE 2 ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATIONS The purpose of Article 2 is to specify the circumstances and conduct which 45 constitute anti-doping rule violations. Hearings in doping cases will proceed based on the assertion that one or more of these specific rules have been violated.7 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 35 Athletes or other Persons shall be responsible for knowing what constitutes an anti-doping rule violation and the substances and methods which have been included on the Prohibited List. The following constitute anti-doping rule violations: 5 2.1 Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in anAthlete’s Sample 2.1.1 It is the Athletes’ personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited Substance enters their bodies. Athletes are responsible for any Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers found to be 10 present in their Samples. Accordingly, it is not necessary that intent, Fault, Negligence or knowing Use on the Athlete’s part be demonstrated in order to establish an anti-doping rule violation under Article 2.1. 7 7 [Comment to Article 2.1.1: An anti-doping rule violation is 15 committed under this Article without regard to an Athlete’s Fault. This rule has been referred to in various CAS decisions as “Strict Liability”. An Athlete’s Fault is taken into consideration in determining the Consequences of thisanti-doping rule violation under Article 10. This principle has consistently been upheld by CAS.] 20 2.1.2 Sufficient proof of an anti-doping rule violation under Article 2.1 is established by any of the following: presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in the Athlete’s A Sample where the Athlete waives analysis of the B Sample and the B Sample is not analyzed; or, where the Athlete’s B Sample is 25 analyzed and the analysis of the Athlete’s B Sample confirms the presence of the Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers found in the Athlete’s A Sample; or where the Athlete’s A or B Sample is split into two parts and the analysis of the confirmation part of the split Sample confirms the presence of the 30 Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers found in the first part of the split Sample or the Athlete waives analysis of the confirmation part of the split Sample. 8 8 [Comment to Article 2.1.2: The Anti-Doping Organization with Results Management responsibility may, at its discretion, choose 35 to have the B Sample analyzed even if the Athlete does not request the analysis of the B Sample.] 2.1.3 Excepting those substances for which a Decision Limit is specifically identified in the Prohibited List or a Technical Document, the presence of any reported quantity of a Prohibited 40 Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample shall constitute an anti-doping rule violation. 2.1.4 As an exception to the general rule of Article 2.1, the Prohibited List, International Standards, or Technical Documents may establish special criteria for reporting or the evaluation of certain 45 Prohibited Substances. 2.2 Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method 9 9 [Comment to Article 2.2: It has always been the case that Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method may be established by any reliable means. As noted in the Comment to 50 Article 3.2, unlike the proof required to establish an anti-doping rule violation under Article 2.1, Use or Attempted Use may also be established by other reliable means such as admissions by the Athlete,8 36 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— witness statements, documentary evidence, conclusions drawn from longitudinal profiling, including data collected as part of the Athlete Biological Passport, or other analytical information which does not otherwise satisfy all the requirements to establish “Presence” of a Prohibited Substance under Article 2.1. For example, Use may be 5 established based upon reliable analytical data from the analysis of an A Sample (without confirmation from an analysis of a B Sample) or from the analysis of a B Sample alone where the Anti-Doping Organization provides a satisfactory explanation for the lack of confirmation in the other Sample.] 10 2.2.1 It is the Athletes’ personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited Substance enters their bodies and that no Prohibited Method is Used. Accordingly, it is not necessary that intent, Fault, Negligence or knowing Use on the Athlete’s part be demonstrated in order to establish an anti-doping rule violation for Use of a 15 Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method. 2.2.2 The success or failure of the Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method is not material. It is sufficient that the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method was Used or Attempted to be Used for an anti-doping rule violation to 20 be committed.10 10 [Comment to Article 2.2.2: Demonstrating the “Attempted Use” of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method requires proof of intent on the Athlete’s part. The fact that intent may be required to prove this particular anti-doping rule violation does not undermine 25 the Strict Liability principle established for violations of Article 2.1 and violations of Article 2.2 in respect of Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method. An Athlete’s Use of a Prohibited Substance constitutes an anti-doping rule violation unless such Substance is not prohibited Out-of-Competition and the Athlete’s 30 Use takes place Out-of-Competition. (However, the presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in a Sample collected In-Competition is a violation of Article 2.1 regardless of when that Substance might have been administered.)] 2.3 Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection by an 35 Athlete Evading Sample collection; or refusing or failing to submit to Sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorized Person. 11 11 [Comment to Article 2.3: For example, it would be an anti-doping 40 rule violation of “evading Sample collection” if it were established that an Athlete was deliberately avoiding a Doping Control official to evade notification or Testing. A violation of “failing to submit to Sample collection” may be based on either intentional or negligent conduct of the Athlete, while “evading” or “refusing” Sample collection 45 contemplates intentional conduct by the Athlete.] 2.4 Whereabouts Failures by an Athlete Any combination of three missed tests and/or filing failures, as defined in the International Standard for Results Management, within a twelve-month period by an Athlete in a Registered Testing Pool. 50 2.5 Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any Part of Doping Control by an Athlete or Other Person 2.6 Possession of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method by an Athlete or Athlete Support Person9 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 37 2.6.1Possession by an Athlete In-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method, or Possession by an Athlete Out-of-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method which is prohibited Out-of-Competition unless the Athlete 5 establishes that the Possession is consistent with a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”) granted in accordance with Article 4.4 or other acceptable justification.12 12 [Comment to Articles 2.6.1 and 2.6.2: Acceptable justification would not include, for example, buying or Possessing a 10 Prohibited Substance for purposes of giving it to a friend or relative, except under justifiable medical circumstances where that Person had a physician’s prescription, e.g., buying Insulin for a diabetic child.] 2.6.2 Possession by an Athlete Support Person In-Competition of any 15 Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method, or Possession by an Athlete Support Person Out-of-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method which is prohibited Out-of-Competition in connection with an Athlete, Competition or training, unless the Athlete Support Person establishes that the 20 Possession is consistent with a TUE granted to an Athlete in accordance with Article 4.4 or other acceptable justification.13 13[Comment to Articles 2.6.1 and 2.6.2: Acceptable justification may include, for example, (a) an Athlete or a team doctor carrying Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods for 25 dealing with acute and emergency situations (e.g., an epinephrine auto-injector), or (b) an Athlete Possessing a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method for therapeutic reasons shortly prior to applying for and receiving a determination on a TUE.] 2.7 Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking in any Prohibited Substance 30 or Prohibited Method by an Athlete or Other Person 2.8 Administration or Attempted Administration by an Athlete or Other Person to any Athlete In-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method, or Administration or Attempted Administration to any Athlete Out-of-Competition of any 35 Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method that is Prohibited Out-of-Competition 2.9Complicity or Attempted Complicity by an Athlete or Other Person Assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up or any other type of intentional complicity or Attempted complicity involving 40 an anti-doping rule violation, Attempted anti-doping rule violation or violation of Article10.14.1 by another Person.14 14 [Comment to Article 2.9: Complicity or Attempted Complicity may include either physical or psychological assistance.] 2.10 Prohibited Association by an Athlete or Other Person 45 2.10.1 Association by an Athlete or other Person subject to the authority of an Anti-Doping Organization in a professional or sport-related capacity with any Athlete Support Person who: 2.10.1.1 If subject to the authority of an Anti-Doping Organization, is serving a period of Ineligibility; or 50 2.10.1.2 If not subject to the authority of an Anti-Doping Organization, and where Ineligibility has not been addressed in a Results Management process pursuant to the Code, has10 38 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— been convicted or found in a criminal, disciplinary or professional proceeding to have engaged in conduct which would have constituted a violation of anti-doping rules if Code-compliant rules had been applicable to such Person. The disqualifying status of such Person shall be in 5 force for the longer of six (6) years from the criminal, professional or disciplinary decision or the duration of the criminal, disciplinary or professional sanction imposed; or 2.10.1.3 Is serving as a front or intermediary for an individual described in Article 2.10.1.1 or 2.10.1.2. 10 2.10.2 To establish a violation of Article 2.10, an Anti-Doping Organization must establish that the Athlete or other Person knew of the Athlete Support Person’s disqualifying status. The burden shall be on the Athlete or other Person to establish that any association with an Athlete Support Person described 15 in Article 2.10.1.1 or 2.10.1.2 is not in a professional or sport-related capacity and/or that such association could not have been reasonably avoided. Anti-Doping Organizations that are aware of Athlete Support Personnel who meet the criteria described in Article 2.10.1.1, 20 2.10.1.2, or 2.10.1.3 shall submit that information to WADA. 15 15 [Comment to Article 2.10: Athletes and other Persons must not work with coaches, trainers, physicians or other Athlete Support Personnel who are Ineligible on account of an anti-doping rule violation or who have been criminally convicted 25 or professionally disciplined in relation to doping. This also prohibits association with any other Athlete who is acting as a coach or Athlete Support Person while serving a period of Ineligibility. Some examples of the types of association which are prohibited include: obtaining training, strategy, technique, 30 nutrition or medical advice; obtaining therapy, treatment or prescriptions; providing any bodily products for analysis; or allowing the Athlete Support Person to serve as an agent or representative. Prohibited association need not involve any form 35 of compensation. While Article 2.10 does not require the Anti-Doping Organization to notify the Athlete or other Person about the Athlete Support Person’s disqualifying status, such notice, if provided, would be important evidence to establish that the Athlete or other Person knew about the disqualifying status of 40 the Athlete Support Person.]. 2.11 Acts by an Athlete or Other Person to Discourage or Retaliate Against Reporting to Authorities Where such conduct does not otherwise constitute a violation of Article 2.5: 2.11.1 Any act which threatens or seeks to intimidate another Person 45 with the intent of discouraging the Person from the good-faith reporting of information that relates to an alleged anti-doping rule violation or alleged non-compliance with the Code to WADA, an Anti-Doping Organization, law enforcement, regulatory or professional disciplinary body, hearing body or Person conducting 50 an investigation for WADA or an Anti-Doping Organization. 2.11.2 Retaliation against a Person who, in good faith, has provided evidence or information that relates to an alleged anti-doping rule violation or alleged non-compliance with the Code to WADA, an11 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 39 Anti-Doping Organization, law enforcement, regulatory or professional disciplinary body, hearing body or Person conducting an investigation for WADA or an Anti-Doping Organization. 16 16 [Comment to Article 2.11.2: This Article is intended to protect 5 Persons who make good faith reports, and does not protect Persons who knowingly make false reports.] For purposes of Article 2.11, retaliation, threatening and intimidation include an act taken against such Person either because the act lacks a good faith basis or is a disproportionate 10 response.17 17 [Comment to Article 2.11.2: Retaliation would include, for example, actions that threaten the physical or mental well-being or economic interests of the reporting Persons, their families or associates. Retaliation would not include an Anti-Doping 15 Organization asserting in good faith an anti-doping rule violation against the reporting Person. For purposes of Article 2.11, a report is not made in good faith where the Person making the report knows the report to be false.]”.12 40 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [Part II— STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS The National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 was enacted to promote and strengthen the anti-doping measures in sports and to provide a statutory framework for the operation of the National Anti-Doping Agency, the National Dope Test Laboratory, and for creation of the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports. 2. The said Act seeks to fulfil India’s obligations under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization International Convention against Doping in Sport and commits to the principles of the World Anti-Doping Code. 3. It has been the constant endeavour of the Government of India to strengthen the Anti-Doping framework and the amendments to the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 are proposed in keeping with the need to align the said Act with the international best practices and the World Anti-Doping Code. The amendments in the said Act are in furtherance of ensuring a robust anti-doping ecosystem in India. 4. The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, inter alia, seeks to— (i) enhance institutional and operational independence of the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel and the National Anti-Doping Agency to ensure autonomy in their decisions pertaining to operations, investigations and enforcement activities; (ii) further align the provisions of the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 with international best practices and the World Anti-Doping Code; (iii) provide that such of the provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code as are set out in the Schedule shall have the force of law in India; and (iv) place Article 2 of the World Anti-Doping Code relating to Anti-Doping Rule Violations in the Schedule to the Act. 5. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives. NEW DELHI; DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA. The 14th July, 2025. 1213 Sec. 2] THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY 41 FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM The provisions of the Bill do not involve any additional expenditure of recurring or non-recurring nature from the Consolidated Fund of India except what has already been envisaged under the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022. 1314 4422 TTHHEE GGAAZZEETTTTEE OOFF IINNDDIIAA EEXXTTRRAAOORRDDIINNAARRYY [Part II—[P aSret cII. —2] MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION Clause 3 of the Bill seeks to insert section 2A in the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act) to provide for application of the World Anti-Doping Code, which mandates that such of the provisions of the said Code as are set out in the Schedule shall have the force of law in India. Sub-section (2) thereof empowers the Central Government to amend the Schedule from time to time in conformity with any amendments made in the provisions of the said Code set out therein. 2. Clause 18 of the Bill seeks to amend clause (d) of sub-section (4) of section 26 of the principal Act to empower the Central Government to make rules regarding the functions of the dope testing laboratory, the procedure for submission to the said laboratory of samples for analysis or tests and other standard operative procedures, subject to the international standard for laboratories. 3. Clause 19 of the Bill seeks to amend section 29 of the principal Act to empower the Central Government to make rules, inter alia, in respect of matters relating to— (i)the manner of constituting an Appeal Panel under sub-section (1) of section 12; (ii) the manner of appointment of the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson and other members of the Appeal Panel and the conditions subject to which such appointment shall be made under sub-section (3) of section 12; (iii) the grounds on which a member of Appeal Panel may be removed under sub-section (4) of section 12; (iv) the other decisions against which an appeal may be filed, and the form and manner in which and the time within which such appeal may be filed under sub-section (1) of section 23; (v) the procedure to be followed by the Appeal Panel under sub-section (2)of section 23; (vi) the manner of communicating the decision of the Appeal Panel under sub-section (8) of section 23. 4. Clause 21 of the Bill seeks to amend section 31 of the principal Act to empower the National Anti-Doping Agency to make regulations in compliance with international obligations and the Code including its International Standards. 5. The matters in respect of which the aforementioned rules or regulations may be made are matters of procedure and administrative details and as such, it is not practicable to provide for them in the Bill itself. The delegation of legislative power is, therefore, of a normal character. ———— UUTTPPAALL KKUUMMAARR SSIINNGGHH SecretarSye cGreetnaerrya lGeneral. UPLOADED BY THE MANAGER, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA PRESS, MINTO ROAD, NEW DELHI–110002 AND PUBLISHED BY THE CONTROLL1E4R OF PUBLICATIONS, DELHI–110054. MGIPMRND—141GI(S4)—24-7-2025.