Revamped Khelo India Scheme Set to Transform Sports in India with ₹29,054 Crore Investment
Introduction to the Khelo India Scheme
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has announced a revised version of the Khelo India Scheme, which will span from 2026 to 2031, featuring a substantial financial commitment of ₹29,054 crore.
Financial Contributions
As per a Gazette notification released on Monday, the central government will contribute ₹28,489 crore, while states and Union Territories will provide ₹565 crore.
Vision and Objectives
The updated scheme is designed to establish a clear pathway from grassroots involvement and talent scouting to elite training and international competition. Its vision is to 'transform India’s Sports Landscape,' aligning with the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Key Components of the Scheme
The initiative comprises nine components, with the most significant allocation of ₹10,586 crore dedicated to Khelo India Training Facilities. This component will incorporate Olympic Training Centres, State Training Centres, Khelo India Centres of Excellence, and grassroots facilities, ensuring athletes have access to sports science, nutrition, mental health support, sports medicine, and technology-driven monitoring.
Investment in Sports Infrastructure
An allocation of ₹4,866 crore is designated for the Sports Infrastructure for Medal Strategy, while ₹4,963 crore will enhance strategic sports assets, including modernizing existing facilities and establishing high-performance centres.
Competitions and Leagues
The Sports Competitions and Leagues component has been allocated ₹2,358 crore to broaden structured competitions across various age groups and disciplines, including Youth and University Games, Beach Games, Water Sports Festival, Martial Arts Games, and various leagues at school, university, regional, and sport-specific levels.
Promoting Inclusivity
The scheme also introduces ASMITA Leagues to encourage women's participation, alongside initiatives for para-athletes, indigenous and tribal games, and sports aimed at peace and development.
Talent Development Initiatives
An additional ₹2,407 crore is allocated for Talent Identification and Development, aiming to establish a standardized, science-based, and technology-enabled system to identify and nurture promising athletes through a four-tier pathway: Foundation, Grassroots, Intermediate, and Elite levels.
Support for Coaches and Technology
The Coach and Support Staff Development component has received ₹748 crore, while ₹300 crore is earmarked for the Fit India Movement and ₹302 crore for Sports Technology.
Digital Ecosystem for Sports
The Sports Technology initiative will develop a Khelo India Digital Ecosystem, which includes the National Sports Repository System, Athlete Management System, Game Management System, and Federation Management System, utilizing AI-based analytics for talent identification and performance tracking.
State Action Plan and Funding Model
The State Action Plan for Sports Infrastructure Development has a central allocation of ₹1,400 crore, in addition to the ₹565 crore from states/UTs. Funding will follow a 60:40 model for general-category states, 90:10 for northeastern and Himalayan states, and 100% central funding for Union Territories.
Implementation and Oversight
The scheme will be guided by a National Executive Council led by the Youth Affairs and Sports Minister. Project proposals will be evaluated by the Project Appraisal Committee and approved by the Departmental Project Approval Committee. An additional ₹559 crore is allocated for administration, monitoring, and evaluation.
Immediate Implementation
The notification indicates that the revamped scheme will be put into action immediately, with provisions for regular monitoring and independent third-party evaluations of its execution.