New Delhi: In one of the biggest reforms aimed at transforming India’s sporting landscape, the Union Cabinet has approved the revamped Khelo India Scheme along with an enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) for 2026–31. The new framework aims to create a seamless pathway from grassroots competitions to international podiums while strengthening coaching, infrastructure, technology and governance across the country’s sports ecosystem.
The revamped scheme carries a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore for 2026–27 to 2030–31—nearly eight times the allocation under the previous Khelo India Scheme. It will expand India’s sports development network, bringing thousands of additional young athletes under professional coaching, scientific training and long-term mentoring while supporting the country’s vision of becoming a global sporting powerhouse by Viksit Bharat@2047.
Stronger Talent Identification and Athlete Development
A key focus of the revamped Khelo India Scheme is to strengthen talent identification across the country through a structured nationwide mechanism.
The new framework will involve:
- Talent Identification Development Committees
- Zonal Committees
- Talent Scouts
- High-Performance Directors
- High-Performance Managers
Together, these stakeholders will identify, monitor and nurture promising athletes from different regions, ensuring systematic support at every stage of their sporting journey.
The scheme also establishes a clear progression pathway beginning with grassroots competitions, moving through the Khelo India programme and eventually leading to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). This will enable deserving athletes to access world-class coaching, sports science support, international exposure and advanced training to compete at the highest level.
Greater Competitive Exposure Across the Country
Recognising that consistent competition is essential for athlete development, the government has significantly expanded the domestic competition ecosystem under the revamped scheme.
Support will be extended to:
- School-level competitions
- University sports
- Regional and sport-specific leagues
- National championships
The initiative aims to provide regular competitive opportunities that will help athletes improve performance and gain experience before competing internationally.
Special emphasis has also been placed on increasing participation among women athletes, para-athletes, and athletes participating in indigenous sports. The scheme further recognises sports as a tool for peace-building, social inclusion and community development while supporting the organisation of the National Games and major international sporting events in India.
Fit India Movement to Reach More Citizens
The government has also proposed a major expansion of the Fit India Movement, transforming it into a broader nationwide fitness campaign.
The initiative will promote healthier lifestyles by encouraging:
- Greater youth participation in fitness activities
- Increased involvement of women in sports
- Sports outreach in border and remote regions
- Awareness campaigns using sports to combat substance abuse
Officials believe these initiatives will reinforce sports as an instrument of social transformation while promoting healthier communities across the country.
Focus on Coaches, Technology and Digital Governance
Recognising that athlete success depends on strong support systems, the government will establish a National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to standardise coaching qualifications, improve professional standards and enhance the capabilities of coaches and support personnel.
The revamped scheme also envisages the creation of a unified digital sports platform integrating:
- Athlete databases
- Competitions
- Sports infrastructure
- Coaching resources
- Funding
- Talent assessments
- Fit India participation
The digital platform is expected to improve transparency, enable data-driven planning and support personalised athlete development while strengthening governance across the sports sector.
Greater Public-Private Collaboration
To further strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem, the government plans to deepen partnerships with private sports academies, corporate organisations and other institutions.
The collaboration aims to attract greater investment, innovation and expertise in sports infrastructure, athlete development and high-performance training, creating a more robust ecosystem driven by both public and private participation.
Enhanced Support for National Sports Federations
Complementing the revamped Khelo India Scheme, the Cabinet has also approved a strengthened Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) for 2026–31.
The enhanced support will fund:
- High-quality coaching
- Sports science and sports medicine
- Modern training equipment
- International exposure
- Coaching camps
- Engagement of foreign experts
- Participation in international competitions
The scheme will also strengthen sports cooperation with countries of the Global South while promoting India’s indigenous sports internationally.
Towards Viksit Bharat Through Sports
The government described the revamped Khelo India Scheme as one of India’s most ambitious investments in sports development. Beyond producing medal-winning athletes, the initiative seeks to build a strong sporting culture by expanding access to quality coaching, competitions, technology and fitness programmes.
By creating a structured pathway from grassroots talent identification to Olympic-level preparation, the scheme aims to nurture future champions, strengthen India’s sports ecosystem and advance the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
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