New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of ₹1,856.67 crore for the period up to 2033-34, aiming to strengthen domestic manufacturing, promote innovation and make India more competitive in the global sports goods market.
The scheme, approved at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27. It envisages support for investment, technology adoption, research and development, skill development, quality certification and market expansion.
A major component of the scheme is the development of dedicated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs), which will bring manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities, design and prototyping centres, and ancillary enterprises together. The zones will be developed by leveraging existing industrial infrastructure under the BHAVYA Scheme and National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) industrial parks.
The scheme allocates ₹1,130 crore for anchor investment support and turnover-linked incentives to attract domestic and international manufacturers, brands and retail chains, while encouraging production expansion and the development of local supplier networks.
The government expects these measures to increase domestic production, reduce dependence on imports, raise domestic value addition, attract private investment and generate employment across the manufacturing value chain.
The scheme also provides ₹105 crore to help manufacturers obtain and renew certifications from international sports federations. The support is intended to improve product quality and facilitate access to overseas markets.
To strengthen existing manufacturing clusters, assistance will be provided to upgrade common facilities and shared infrastructure, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The initiative also includes support for Centres of Excellence at leading educational and research institutions to advance research in sports equipment, material sciences, protective gear and advanced manufacturing technologies. Research activities will be linked with the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, while start-ups will receive support for developing, testing and commercialising new products and technologies.
Skill development programmes will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and industry stakeholders to meet the sector’s workforce requirements.
The scheme also envisages branding, outreach and market-development initiatives, leveraging the Export Promotion Mission to expand the international presence of Indian sports goods.
Aligned with Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, the scheme is intended to strengthen India’s manufacturing capabilities and support the requirements of domestic sports and athlete development programmes, including those under Khelo India and Fit India.
