New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme and an enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) scheme with a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet said the expanded programme aims to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem from the grassroots to elite competition while supporting the country’s long-term international sporting ambitions.
According to an official statement, the approved allocation is nearly eight times larger than the previous Khelo India Scheme and is intended to provide a structured pathway for athletes from school-level competition to the Olympic stage.
The revamped scheme establishes an integrated sports ecosystem comprising National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), Khelo India Centres of Excellence (KICoEs), Sports Authority of India (SAI) Training Centres, Khelo India Accredited Academies, Khelo India Centres and Youth Sports Companies of the Armed Forces.
Two new initiatives—Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS) and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas (KIUV)—have also been introduced to integrate sports with mainstream education and facilitate early identification and development of talented children.
The government said the scheme introduces a new category of Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs) alongside the existing Khelo India Athletes programme, significantly expanding the number of athletes receiving structured coaching, sports science support and long-term mentoring.
It also proposes a strengthened talent identification framework involving dedicated committees, talent scouts and high-performance managers, along with a defined progression pathway from grassroots competitions to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
To increase competitive opportunities, the scheme will support school, university, regional and sport-specific leagues as well as national championships. It also places emphasis on promoting women’s sports, para-sports, indigenous games and community-based sporting initiatives.
The Cabinet also approved expansion of the Fit India Movement, with campaigns promoting physical fitness, women’s participation, sports in border and remote areas and awareness against substance abuse.
To strengthen coaching standards, the government will establish a National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to standardise coaching qualifications and improve professional capacity.
The scheme also envisages a unified digital sports platform integrating athlete databases, competitions, infrastructure, coaching resources, funding and talent assessments to enable data-driven planning and athlete development.
The Cabinet further approved a strengthened Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) scheme for 2026-31 to support coaching, sports science, modern equipment, international exposure, training camps, engagement of foreign experts and participation in international competitions. The scheme will also support sports cooperation with countries of the Global South and promote indigenous Indian sports internationally.
According to the government, the revamped Khelo India programme is intended to strengthen India’s sports ecosystem and support its long-term goal of becoming a leading global sporting nation.
