Cabinet Approves Expanded Khelo India Scheme and Enhanced Support for National Sports Federations
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Polity
Why in news
The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, has approved the expanded Khelo India Scheme and enhanced assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) with a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31. This is nearly eight times the previous Khelo India outlay, marking the most ambitious sports development program since independence. The decision aims to leverage sports for youth development and nation-building, with a focus on creating a seamless pathway from school playgrounds to Olympic podiums.
Background
The Khelo India Scheme was launched in 2018 to revive the sports culture in India and promote grassroots sports. The revised scheme aligns with the Khelo Bharat Policy 2025 and National Education Policy 2020, integrating sports with education, fitness, technology, and high-performance training. It also supports India's bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and Olympic/Paralympic Games.
Key facts
The Union Cabinet approved the expanded Khelo India Scheme and enhanced assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore.
The outlay is nearly eight times the previous Khelo India Scheme, reflecting the government's commitment to making sports a cornerstone of youth development and India's emergence as a global sports powerhouse.
The revised scheme creates a comprehensive athlete development pathway from talent identification and scientific training to international competition and Olympic preparation.
It establishes an integrated nationwide sports ecosystem including National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), Khelo India Centres of Excellence (KICOEs), Sports Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAA), Khelo India Centres (KIC), and Armed Forces Youth Sports Companies (YSCs).
Two new initiatives - Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS) and Khelo India Utkrisht Vidyalayas (KIUV) - will integrate sports with mainstream education and enable early identification and systematic nurturing of talented children.
The scheme introduces the Emerging Khelo India Athlete (E-KIA) category, expanding the structured athlete development ecosystem by about ten times, bringing thousands more young athletes under professional coaching and scientific support.
A robust nationwide talent identification framework includes Talent Identification Development Committees, regional committees, talent scouts, High-Performance Directors, and High-Performance Managers.
The scheme establishes a clear progression pathway from grassroots competitions to Khelo India and then to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), enabling athletes to receive world-class training and support.
The revised scheme strengthens the domestic competition ecosystem by supporting national championships, school, university, regional, and sport-specific leagues to provide continuous competitive exposure.
The scheme emphasizes peace, inclusion, and community development through sports.
Prelims pointers
- Khelo India Scheme: Launched in 2018, now expanded for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with outlay of ₹36,441 crore.
- Khelo Bharat Policy 2025: Aligned with the revised scheme.
- National Education Policy 2020: Integration with sports.
- Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS): Progression pathway for athletes.
- National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), Khelo India Centres of Excellence (KICOEs), Sports Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAA), Khelo India Centres (KIC), Armed Forces Youth Sports Companies (YSCs).
- New initiatives: Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS) and Khelo India Utkrisht Vidyalayas (KIUV).
- Emerging Khelo India Athlete (E-KIA) category.
- 2030 Commonwealth Games and Olympic/Paralympic Games hosting bid.
- Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (implied).
Mains angles
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for development of sports as a tool for youth development and nation-building.
- GS3: Role of sports in economic development and soft power; infrastructure development.
- GS2: Issues related to federalism - centre-state cooperation in sports development.
- GS3: Inclusive growth - ensuring no talent is left behind due to geography or economic background.
- GS2: Education - integration of sports with NEP 2020.