Khelo India Scheme

Introduction

The Union Cabinet has approved an expanded Khelo India Scheme along with enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs), with a combined financial outlay of ₹36,441 crore for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31. The programme aims to use sports as an instrument of youth development and nation-building while strengthening India’s position as a global sporting power.

Policy Alignment

The programme is aligned with Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and the National Education Policy 2020, seeking to integrate sports with education, physical fitness, technology and high-performance training. This approach treats sports not merely as competitive activity but as an important component of holistic youth development.

Athlete Development Pathway

The expanded programme establishes a structured athlete development pathway beginning with talent identification at the grassroots level and progressing through scientific training, regular competition, international exposure and preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Athletes can progress from grassroots competitions to Khelo India programmes and eventually to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Sports Infrastructure and Institutional Ecosystem

The nationwide sports ecosystem will include National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, accredited academies, Khelo India Centres and Youth Sports Companies of the Armed Forces. This institutional network is intended to provide athletes with access to training facilities, coaching and structured competitive opportunities.

School-Level Sports and Talent Identification

The programme will establish Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas to integrate sports and education from an early stage. The Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs) category will substantially expand the pool of athletes receiving structured support, helping create a broader talent pipeline for elite sports.

Fit India and Inclusive Sports

The Fit India Movement will be expanded to promote active lifestyles and greater participation in sports, particularly among women and communities in border and remote areas. Sports-based interventions will also be used to address substance abuse, while the programme will support para-athletes, indigenous sports and community-level sports development.

Coaching, Technology and Partnerships

A National Coach Accreditation Board will help standardise coaching qualifications and professional standards. A unified digital sports platform is expected to strengthen data-based planning, governance and athlete management.

Greater collaboration with private academies and corporate institutions will also help mobilise additional expertise, infrastructure, technology and financial resources for athlete development.

Assistance to National Sports Federations

Enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) will support areas such as coaching, sports equipment, sports science, foreign experts and international exposure. This is intended to strengthen India’s high-performance sports ecosystem and improve the preparation of athletes for major international competitions.

Global Sporting Ambitions

The expanded programme is significant for India’s preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and its broader Olympic and Paralympic hosting ambitions. It also contributes to the larger vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 by using sports to promote youth development, employment, health, social inclusion and national excellence.

Significance for India

The expanded Khelo India ecosystem represents a shift from a limited focus on elite athletes towards a complete sports development pathway, connecting schools, grassroots participation, talent identification, scientific training and international competition. By combining infrastructure development, coaching, technology, sports science and institutional partnerships, the programme seeks to create a sustainable foundation for India’s emergence as a global sporting power.