1. Khelo India Programme
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Allocation FY 2025-26 |
~₹1,000 crore |
| Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) |
Nearly 3,000 receiving long-term support |
| Annual scholarship per athlete |
₹6.28 lakh |
| Monthly out-of-pocket allowance |
₹10,000 |
| Khelo India Centres (KICs) |
Over 1,045 established |
| State Centres of Excellence |
34 |
| Function |
Bridges rural talent with professional training infrastructure |
2. Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Launch year |
2014 |
| Funding source |
National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) |
| Support |
International training, specialised equipment, elite coaching |
| Core Group |
₹50,000/month out-of-pocket allowance |
| Development Group (juniors) |
₹25,000/month |
| Athletes supported annually |
250–350 |
3. National Sports Development Fund (NSDF)
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Established |
1998 (under Charitable Endowments Act, 1890) |
| Funding sources |
Government, PSUs, private companies, individual donations |
| Government role |
Provides matching grants to donations |
| Model |
Public-Private Partnership approach |
| Utilisation |
Customised elite athlete training, specialised infrastructure |
4. Fit India Movement
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Launch |
August 2019 |
| Objective |
Promote fitness lifestyle, address NCDs and obesity |
| Data point |
NFHS-5: 24% of Indian adults are overweight |
| Initiatives |
Mass campaigns, Fit India Mobile App, “Sundays on Cycle” |
| School participation |
23 lakh children assessed in school fitness assessments |
5. KIRTI — Khelo India Rising Talent Identification
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Target age group |
9–18 years |
| Technology |
AI and data analytics for talent identification |
| Platform |
MyBharat portal |
| Sports disciplines |
11 |
| FY 2024-25 target |
20 lakh physical assessments |
| National goal |
Top-10 sporting nation by 2036 |
6. National Sports Awards
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Conferred by |
President of India |
| Date |
National Sports Day — 29 August (birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand) |
| Categories |
Sportspersons, coaches, institutions |
| Key awards |
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award, Dhyan Chand Award |
7. Pension for Meritorious Sportspersons
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Eligibility |
Retired international medal-winning athletes, 30+ years old |
| Monthly pension |
₹12,000–₹20,000 (lifelong) |
| Basis |
Achievement level |
| Purpose |
Post-retirement security and dignity |
8. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Programme for Sportspersons
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Financial assistance |
Up to ₹10 lakh |
| Coverage |
Financial hardship, medical emergencies |
| Uses |
Medical treatment, event participation, equipment purchase |
9. National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR)
| Parameter |
Detail |
| Launch |
2017 |
| Budget allocation |
~₹260 crore (through 2025-26) |
| Structure |
Central hub + 6 university-based Sports Science Departments + 5 Sports Medicine Departments |
| Focus |
Injury prevention, rehabilitation, performance enhancement, advanced research |
UPSC Angle
- GS2: Government schemes for sports development, welfare of athletes
- GS3: Employment generation through sports, economic growth via sports ecosystem
- Interview: “India spent ~₹1,000 crore on Khelo India but won only 6 medals at Paris 2024. Is the spend justified?”
Key Terms for Quick Revision
| Term |
Full Form / Meaning |
| Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 |
National Sports Policy (5 pillars, replaces 2011 policy) |
| NSG Act 2025 |
National Sports Governance Act (first statutory framework) |
| TOPS |
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (est. 2014, NSDF-funded) |
| KIRTI |
Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (AI-powered, ages 9–18) |
| NSDF |
National Sports Development Fund (est. 1998) |
| NCSSR |
National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (est. 2017) |
| SAI |
Sports Authority of India (est. 1984) |
| IOA |
Indian Olympic Association (est. 1927) |
| NSFs |
National Sports Federations (50+ in India) |
| SOMs |
Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (10-tier system under NSG Act) |
| KICs |
Khelo India Centres (1,045+ established) |
| MYAS |
Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports |
UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- GS2 (250 words): “The National Sports Governance Act 2025 brings statutory accountability to India’s sports bodies for the first time. Evaluate its key provisions and potential impact on sports governance.”
- GS2 (250 words): “Examine the role of Khelo India, TOPS, NSDF, and NCSSR in creating a comprehensive sports ecosystem — addressing grassroots participation, elite performance, and financial sustainability.”
- GS1 (250 words): “Gender disparity remains a critical challenge in Indian sports — 49% of girls drop out of sports (6x higher than boys). Analyse the structural reasons and suggest policy interventions.”
- Essay (1000-1200 words): “From village playgrounds to Olympic podiums — can India’s sports policy bridge the gap between demographic potential and athletic achievement?”
Source: NextIAS Kurukshetra February 2026 Summary
