Union cabinet gives nod to National Sports Policy 2025 as India eyes 2036 Olympics

Aiming to propel India into a major sporting nation – among the Top 5 by 2047 - the Union cabinet has approved the new National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025.

The policy is built around five goals: achieving sporting excellence globally, boosting the sports economy, advancing social development through sports, turning sports into a grassroots people’s movement, and embedding sports into the education system. Among its most transformative measures is a plan to create a pipeline for sporting talent that stretches from the village block level to international arenas.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “The new policy replaces the two-decade-old national sports policy of 2001 and outlines a vision to make India a strong contender on the global sports stage, including at the 2036 Olympic Games. The policy is aligned with the new education policy and makes a pitch for using the economic potential of the sports.”

The policy promises major investments in athlete support through sports science, nutrition, psychology, and modern coaching, an athlete-first approach that signals India’s seriousness in producing champions.

Titled Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, it also seeks to unlock the economic potential of sports by developing India into a global hub for sports tourism and manufacturing. Coastal and Himalayan regions will be promoted for beach and adventure sports, and new sports leagues will be encouraged across disciplines to create professional opportunities.

Apart from sports tourism, the policy supports the growth of the sports manufacturing sector, and promotes startups and entrepreneurship in the field. Private sector involvement will be boosted through public-private partnerships, corporate social responsibility, and new funding models.

On the education front, the policy aligns with the National Education Policy 2020 to make sports a formal part of school curricula.

Vaishnaw said, “Fitness will be promoted as a lifestyle through ranking systems for schools and workplaces, while community fitness programmes like family sports weekends and yoga challenges will be launched to drive wider public participation.”

The government will also invest in training for physical education teachers and build legal and regulatory frameworks to ensure better governance of the sports sector.

The rollout of the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 will follow a whole-of-government approach. All central ministries will align their schemes with the policy, and states will be requested to update or formulate new sports policies in line with its vision. Private sector participation through CSR, PPP, and innovative funding will be encouraged, and technology will play a key role in monitoring progress.

Vaishnaw said keeping in line with the government’s policies on social inclusion, the new policy aims to increase participation among women, tribal communities, economically weaker sections, and persons with disabilities. It also promotes traditional Indian games, supports dual careers for athletes, and encourages the Indian diaspora to connect through sports.

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