Why in News :
India unveiled the National Sports Policy 2025 titled “Khelo Bharat Niti – 2025”, reaffirming its intention to bid for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Comes alongside pending sports reforms like the National Sports Governance Bill and the Draft Code for Good Governance in Sports (2017).
Historical Evolution of India’s Sports Policy
Post-Independence Phase (1947–1982):
- Focus on poverty, education, health; sports not a priority.
- 1951: Hosted first Asian Games – soft power assertion.
- 1954: Set up All India Council of Sports (AICS).
- Result: Despite low funding, men’s hockey dominated and athletes like Milkha Singh emerged.
Shift with 1982 Asian Games:
- Department of Sports created under Ministry of HRD.
- National Sports Policy 1984 introduced.
- Aimed at infrastructure, mass participation, elite performance.
- Sports Authority of India (SAI) established in 1986.
- But: Limited Union budget, sports a State subject, and minimal private/market involvement.
Liberalisation and 1990s Era:
- 1991 economic reforms increased media exposure, aspirations.
- 1997: Draft NSP proposed a dual model — Centre for elite, States for mass base (not implemented).
Key Reforms & Institutional Measures Post-2000
| Year | Reform/Policy | Purpose |
| 2000 | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) | Dedicated Ministry for policy & administration |
| 2001 | Revised NSP | Sharper focus on participation + elite performance |
| 2011 | National Sports Development Code (NSDC) | Governance, anti-doping, betting, gender, age fraud regulation for NSFs |
| 2014 | TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) | Elite athlete training & nutrition |
| 2017 | Khelo India Programme | Mass participation + school/university-level talent search |
| 2019 | Fit India | MovementPublic awareness on physical fitness |
Challenges Identified
- Governance Deficit: National Sports Federations (NSFs) lack accountability; politics-dominated.
- Doping Issues: India topped WADA’s global doping list.
- Underwhelming Infrastructure: Patchy and uneven across States.
- Minimal Market Engagement: Private sector support still low.
- Implementation Gap: Many policies/drafts not legislated (e.g., 1997 Draft NSP, 2017 Code).
Opportunities and Outlook
- Olympic Bid 2036: India seeks global recognition through hosting — requires systemic reforms.
- New NSP 2025 (Khelo Bharat Niti): May unify fragmented efforts and align stakeholders.
- Sport as Soft Power Tool: Expands India’s global cultural influence and strategic partnerships.
- Leveraging Demographic Dividend: 65% population under 35 — untapped sports potential.
| National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 : Approved by: Union Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi Supersedes: National Sports Policy 2001 Aim: Transform India into a global sporting powerhouse and a healthy, active nation; aligned with India’s 2036 Olympic aspirations. Five Key Pillars of NSP 2025 Excellence on the Global Stage – Talent identification and nurturing from grassroots to elite levels. – World-class training, coaching, sports science & medicine. – Strengthen National Sports Federations’ (NSFs) governance. – Develop rural & urban sports infrastructure. – Promote competitive leagues and events. Sports for Economic Development – Boost sports tourism and attract global sporting events. – Strengthen sports goods manufacturing; promote startups. –Leverage PPP, CSR, and innovative financing. Sports for Social Development –Focused inclusion of women, tribals, EWS, and PwDs. – Revive indigenous games and promote them. –Career support: Integrate sports with education, volunteering, and dual-career models. – Engage the Indian diaspora through sports. Sports as a People’s Movement –Drive mass participation and a fitness culture. – Launch fitness indices for institutions (schools, colleges, workplaces). – Ensure universal access to sports facilities. Integration with Education (as per NEP 2020) –Embed sports into school curricula. –Train teachers and physical educators in sports literacy. Strategic Framework Governance Reforms: Legal framework for sports regulation. Private Sector Role: PPPs, CSR, and innovative financing models. Technology & Innovation: Use AI, data analytics for athlete tracking and program monitoring. Monitoring: National framework with KPIs and time-bound goals. Model for States: Acts as a guiding template for State-level policies. Whole-of-Government Approach: Involve all Ministries in sports promotion. VisionMake India Olympics-ready by 2036.Promote a sporting culture, improve public health, social equity, and economic growth. |
| UPSC Relevance GS Paper 2 : Government Policies and Interventions; Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sectors/Services relating to Health, Education, and Human Resources GS Paper 3 : Issues relating to Development and Employment; Infrastructure – Sports and Health Essay & Ethics : Themes like “Soft Power through Sports”, “Public Policy Reform”, “Integrity in Sports Governance” Possible Essay:“Building a sporting nation is not about medals alone—it is about national health, pride, and character.” |