Lok Sabha Question No. 4091 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-18
Subject: Objectives and Components of Khelo India Policy
Ministry: YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
Asked by: Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal

## MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS)

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4091 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.08.2025

Objectives and Components of Khelo India Policy

†4091. Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  officially  notified  the  Khelo  India Policy;
- (b) if so, the main objectives and components of this policy;
- (c) the timeline for its nationwide implementation;
- (d)  whether there is any provision for financial assistance to State and Union Territories under this scheme;
- (e) whether any special provisions are included in Khelo India Policy for  strengthening  sports  infrastructure  at  the  grassroots  level  and identifying talent; and
- (f) whether any special provisions are there in Khelo India Policy to promote  participation  of  women,  persons  with  disabilities  and marginalized communities in sports?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) & (b):   Yes, Sir. The Government has launched recently the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 on 01.07.2025. It is built upon five key pillars that aim  to  transform  India's  sports landscape.  First,  it  focuses  on achieving  Nation's  Excellence  on  the  Global  Stage  by  enhancing

infrastructure, talent identification and international competitiveness. Second, Sports for Economic Development emphasizes leveraging sports to boost industries such as tourism, manufacturing  and  sports  technology. Third, Sports for Social Development  promotes  inclusivity,  health  and  education  through sports,  fostering  societal  cohesion.  Fourth,  Sports  -  A  People's Movement  seeks  to  engage  communities  in  physical  activities, making sports a cultural cornerstone. Finally, the Khelo Bharat Niti2025 aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, integrating sports with education to nurture holistic development and life skills in students, youths, promoting both academic and athletic excellence. To realize this feature/vision, the Niti focuses on several key objectives, which are given below:

- (i) Establish comprehensive sports programs for all participation groups, from grassroots to elite  levels.
- (ii) Organize  sports competitions and leagues at various levels, creating  a robust competitive structure.
- (iii) Implement physical literacy initiatives to promote a culture of sports and physical activity.
- (iv) Develop  a  robust talent identification  and  development system to nurture future champions.
- (v) Ensure equitable access to sports infrastructure across the country.
- (vi) Provide  athlete-centric support  systems  for  the  holistic development of sportspersons.
- (vii) Promote sports science, medicine and innovation to enhance performance and well-being.
- (viii) Strengthen  governance  and  institutional  frameworks  in  the sports sector.
- (ix) Revamp funding mechanisms to ensure sustainable development of sports.
- (x) Foster  economic  growth  through  sports-related  industries and activities.
- (xi) Promote social development and inclusion through sports.
- (xii)
- Establish sports as a viable career option for youth.
- (xiii) Encourage mass participation in sports and fitness activities
- for a healthier nation.
- (xiv) Develop  a robust  mechanism  to  reward  and  recognize champion athletes as well as retired athletes.
- (xv) Develop a framework and guidelines for educational institutions  to  act  as  feeder  institutes  to  impart  sporting culture.

For detailed objectives and features, Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 may be referred, copy of which is readily available in the public domain on the website of this Ministry at https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/Khelo-Bharat-Niti-2025\_0.pdf

- (c) Implementation  of  any  policy  is  a  continuous  process.  Khelo Bharat  Niti-2025  has  a  strategic  framework  for  achieving  the objectives, which includes a robust regulatory framework for sports governance; active engagement of private sector; leverage technology  including  artificial  intelligence  and  data  analytics;  a national framework with well-defined benchmarks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and time-bound targets for overall development of sports. The Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 envisages a whole-of-Government and  multi-stakeholders  approach  for  its  effective  implementation. Besides,  the  Khelo  Bharat  Niti-2025  has  been  disseminated  to  all Ministries/Departments of Central Government and State/UT Governments requesting them to give wide publicity to the Niti-2025 amongst  all  stakeholders  and  take  appropriate  measures  for  its implementation in true letter and spirit. A conclave with Stakeholders viz. National Sports Federations (NSFs), Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Sports Control Boards (SCBs), Corporates and eminent sportspersons/coaches, has recently been organized by the Department of Sports to foster collaboration and discuss key sports governance and promotion topics.
- (d) There  is  no  provisions  of  financial  assistance  to  State/Union Territory (UT) under the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 as it does not seek to propose any specific programme/scheme, having financial implications.
- (e) With  the  objective  to  ensure  equitable  access  to  sports infrastructure across the country, the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 emphasizes  equitable  access  to  sports  facilities,  with  a  focus  on infrastructure development from block to state levels irrespective of economic, social and geographic disparities.

Under  the  'Creation and  upgradation  of sports infrastructure' component of the Khelo India Scheme, this Ministry renders financial support  for  creation  of  basic  sports  infrastructure  such  as  sports complex, synthetic athletic tracks, synthetic hockey fields, synthetic turf football grounds, multipurpose halls, swimming pools, etc. along with  sports  equipment.  And,  under  National  Sports  Development Funds (NSDF), Government supports various institutions and individuals  for  creation  and  upgradation  of  sports  facilities.  The details  of  the  sports  infrastructure  sanctioned  under  Khelo  India Scheme and NSDF, across the country are available in public domain on the dashboard of the Ministry at https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in and http://www.nsdf.yas.gov.in/nsdf-glance.html .

Further, with the objective to develop a robust talent identification and  development  system  to  nurture  future  champions,  the  Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 aims to expand sports talent search and development activities involving important stakeholders like National  Sports  Federation  (NSFs),  States,  educational  institutes, private  organizations.  It  has  also  provisions  to  develop  a  National platform that facilitates talent identification,  development  and monitoring to act as a single window  and  to  integrate  with educational  institutions  and  a  smooth  transition  mechanism  for athletes as key components.

- (f) With the objective to establish comprehensive sports programs for all participation groups, including women, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities in sports, from grassroots to elite  levels, the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 has provisions to establish dedicated  sports  facilities  with  services  tailored  to  their  specific needs to foster inclusivity and increase participation in sports among women, persons with disabilities and marginalized communities in sports.  These  inclusive  infrastructures  help  reduce  barriers  and encourage  active  participation.  It  also  has  provisions  to  organize regular sporting leagues, designed specifically for these groups, to

enhance engagement and provide sustained opportunities for involvement.

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