Cabinet Approves Expanded Khelo India Scheme with ₹36,441 Crore Budget
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Why in News
- The Union Cabinet has approved an expanded Khelo India Scheme along with increased financial support for Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs).
- This umbrella sports development programme has been allocated a total outlay of ₹36,441 crore for the five-year period from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Objectives and Policy Alignment
- The programme uses sports as a driver for youth empowerment and nation-building while helping India progress toward becoming a global sports power from grassroots to top levels.
- It aligns with the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and the National Education Policy 2020 by combining athletics with formal education, physical fitness, technology, and specialized training.
Athlete Development Pathway and Institutions
- The initiative sets up a clear talent development process from early talent identification and scientific training to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
- The national sporting network will integrate National Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, accredited private academies, Khelo India Centres, and Youth Sports Companies within the Armed Forces.
School Initiatives and Inclusivity
- New Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas will directly integrate competitive sports into academic school curricula.
- The newly created Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs) category will expand the structured pool of supported young athletes by nearly 10 times.
- The Fit India Movement will extend its focus to women, border regions, anti-substance abuse campaigns, para-athletes, and traditional indigenous games.
Coaching, Technology, and Global Ambitions
- A National Coach Accreditation Board will standardize training quality across India, while a unified digital sports platform will modernize sports administration.
- Higher assistance to National Sports Federations will fund top equipment and foreign expert support to prepare athletes for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and future Olympic hosting goals under Viksit Bharat@2047.