With over 65% of India’s population under 35, the vibrant youth of the country are central to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aims to foster their growth through personality-building, skills, and national integration. The National Sports Day (NSD) 2025 celebrationwill be led by the Fit India Mission, a three-day nationwide fitness movement from August 29 to August 31 under the theme ‘EkGhanta, KhelkeMaidan Main’.
The movement promotes dedicating 60 minutes daily to physical activity to prevent lifestyle diseases. NSD 2025 also honors Olympic values – Excellence, Friendship, Respect – and Paralympic values – Courage, Determination, Inspiration, Equality.
Eminent athletes and public representatives will join celebrations nationwide, with renowned sportspersons participating in events across state capitals and districts on 29th August.
August 29 is celebrated as National Sports Day, the birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand. Known for his exceptional ball control and goal-scoring, he earned the titles “Hockey Wizard” and “Magician.” His focus, humility, and national pride continue to inspire generations of sportspersons in the country.
Key Sports Initiatives powered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports are considered a core pillar of youth empowerment and nation-building. To advance this vision, the central government has made a record allocation of Rs. 3,794 crores to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for FY 2025–26. A major portion, that is Rs. 2,191 crores, has been allocated to Central Sector Schemes, the budget allocations to the Ministry in the FY 2014-15 were Rs 1643 crore, marking a rise of 130.9% in 2025-26.
Sports Authority of India
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) is mandated to promote sports and achieve excellence at national and international levels. Its core functions include: talent scouting and nurturing, providing training and international exposure, offering scientific support and performance evaluation, preparing national teams, and developing sports infrastructure. SAI also maintains major stadium in Delhi, produces high-calibre coaches and physical educationists, and implements key schemes such as Khelo India, TOPS, FIT India, and Assistance to NSFs.
National Sports Governance Act, 2025
The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, enacted on August 18, establishes a unified framework for transparency, accountability, ethics, and athlete welfare. It mandates Safe Sports Policies, a global-standard Code of Ethics, and grievance redressal systems to protect athletes – especially women, minors, and other vulnerable groups.
Khelo Bharat Niti 2025
Launched in July 2025, Khelo Bharat Niti reimagines sports as both a mass movement and career path, aligning with Viksit Bharat and India’s 2036 Olympic dream. Building on Khelo India, it links sports with education, boosts infrastructure from grassroots to elite levels, and nurtures young talent through initiatives like KIRTI.
Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports
Launched in 2016-17, the Khelo India programme promotes mass participation and sporting excellence across rural and urban India. Extended in 2021 with Rs 3,790.50 crore, it advances PM Modi’s vision of a national sporting culture.
Key achievements include the approval of 328 new sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,151.02 crore, the establishment of 1,045 Khelo India Centres (KICs) for grassroots training and support, the notification of 34 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs) along with the accreditation of 306 academies, and support for 2,845 Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) through coaching, equipment, medical care, and a monthly out-of-pocket allowance of Rs 10,000.
KIRTI (Khelo India Rising Talent Identification)
KIRTI is a nationwide programme to scout and nurture talent among children aged 9–18 through 174 Talent Assessment Centres, standardized protocols, and AI-driven tools for transparent, merit-based selection—building a strong pipeline of future athletes for India. KIRTI aims to create a sustainable pipeline of athletes to help India become a top-10 sporting nation by 2036 and top-5 by 2047.
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
Under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), selected athletes are supported with funding from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for customized training and other assistance not available under regular schemes of the Ministry. Core group athletes receive an out-of-pocket allowance (OPA) of Rs 50,000 per month, while a Development Group was introduced to support junior athletes with a stipend of Rs 25,000 per month. The scheme has significantly contributed to India’s medal-winning performances in the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, reflecting the government’s commitment to making India a global sporting powerhouse.
FIT India Movement
Launched to make fitness a daily habit, the Fit India Movement promotes behavioural change and active lifestyles, echoing PM Modi’s call for a Jan Andolan. Key initiatives include the 2023 online series Fit India–Healthy Hindustan and family fitness sessions led by experts.
Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs)
This scheme supports National Sports Federations in strengthening India’s competitive sports ecosystem through national and international events, athlete participation abroad, coaching camps, foreign experts, and advanced equipment—ensuring professional, world-class training and exposure.
National Sports University
With a vision to make sports a professional career, the Government established the National Sports University in Imphal in 2018. Focused on sports sciences, technology, management, and coaching, it also serves as a national training hub, adopting global best practices through MoUs with universities like Canberra and Victoria to nurture world-class talent.
National Sports Awards
Conferred annually by the President of India on National Sports Day (August 29), these awards honour athletes, coaches, and institutions for outstanding contributions to Indian sports.
Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons
This scheme is financial security for retired athletes who have earned laurels at international events. Eligible sportspersons, on reaching the age of 30 and post-retirement, receive a lifelong monthly pension ranging between Rs 12,000 and Rs 20,000. This support sustains their well-being beyond their competitive years.
Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Programme for Sportspersons
This welfare programme provides financial assistance—up to Rs 10 lakh—to distinguish former athletes who face financial or medical hardship. The assistance covers costs such as medical treatment, purchase of sports equipment, and participation in sporting events. It ensures continued dignity and support for those who once brought honour to the nation.
National Sports Development Fund (NSDF)
The Fund mobilises financial contributions from the private sector, NRIs, and philanthropic organisations. These funds supplement public investment and are used to develop infrastructure, support high-potential athletes, and fund innovative programmes, creating a collaborative model for sports development.
National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR)
Launched in 2017, the National Centre of Sports Sciences and Research (NCSSR) is a specialised initiative to strengthen scientific support for Indian athletes. With a budget of Rs 260 crore until 2025–26, it includes the central NCSSR hub and supports six university-based Sports Science Departments and five Sports Medicine Departments in medical institutions. The scheme promotes advanced research, injury prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement through sports science and medicine.
India’s Ascent in The Global Sporting Arena
Olympics: India’s Olympic journey witnessed a remarkable transformation between 2016 and 2024, marking a new era of athletic excellence.
From a modest haul of 2 medals in Rio 2016 by a 117-member contingent, India surged ahead to claim 7 medals at Tokyo 2020 and maintained a strong showing with 6 medals at Paris 2024, both with contingents of 124-117 athletes.
| Year | Host City | Indian Athletes | Medals Won |
| 2016 | Rio de Janeiro | 117 | 2 |
| 2020 | Tokyo | 124 | 7 |
| 2024 | Paris | 117 | 6 |
Notable performers in this period include Neeraj Chopra, India’s first Olympic gold medalist (Tokyo 2020) in athletics (javelin), and Mirabai Chanu, a consistent medalist in weightlifting.
India’s sports journey has evolved from mass participation to global podium finishes. Government reforms like the National Sports Governance Act and Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 are shaping an athlete-centric, transparent ecosystem that nurtures talent for the 2036 Olympics and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
(Courtesy: PIB Srinagar)
