Source: Republic World

By Sneha Chakraborty

Executive Summary

The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 is a historic bill in the sports landscape of the country, which legitimizes and provides recognition to the sports bodies of the country. Introduced in the Parliament on 23rd July of the Monsoon Session of the Budget and passed on the 12th of August, this Bill has had a longer history as conversations about its implementation had been active since 2011. The Bill allows for accountability in the form of three national sports bodies being formed, namely a National Sports Body, a National Sports Tribunal and the National Sports Election Panel. With the institution of this Bill into an Act, the government and sporting bodies shall have the right to look into the administrative and financial matters of the various Sports Federations, which have also been mandated to be created by this Bill. This landmark Bill is set to replace the National Sports Code.

Background

Even as India is a vast country with a plethora of people, who have the potential to be exceptional sportspersons, the regulations and administration regarding the sporting authorities in the country have not been very robust. The country has the world’s largest youth demographic, around 65% of whom are below the age of thirty-five years and are at an age, where they can take active participation in sports.  It was in 2011 when Sports Minister Ajay Maken wanted to introduce a Bill that would create a set of rules and conducts for the ill-functioning sports administration in the country. Even though the law could not be passed then, it was in the Monsoon Session of 2025 that the National Sports Governance Bill came to life. This Bill is also set to replace the National Sports Code, 2011. According to the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, this Bill was drafted only after recommendations received from the concerned stakeholders. The Bill comes at a time when India is preparing to be bidding for the Olympics. Another significant change can be seen in the Budgetary allocation for the Sports Department this year. The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which has been joined with the National Education Policy aims to promote women empowerment as well as increase the Budgetary Allocation. For the Financial Year 2025-2026, the Union Government has put aside INR 3,794 Crores to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which showcases a 130.9% increase from the Financial Year 2014-15. Hence, the provisions outlined in the Act along with the budgetary allocations is an example of the government showing commitment towards the promotion of sports and transparency in the system.

Key Features of the Bill

The National Sports Governance Bill is set to replace the National Sports Policy of 2001. This Bill shall provide a comprehensive and detailed structure of how there shall be a centralization of the sporting bodies in the countries. This will give transparency with regards to how the various sporting bodies in the country operate, in relation to their election procedure, administrative structure, etc.

• Centralization of Structure: The Bill calls for the establishment of three National Sports Governing Bodies, namely the National Olympic Committee, the National Paralympic Committee, and the National and Regional Sports Federations for each designated sport. One of the most distinguishing features of this Bill is the creation of a code of ethics, which was never mentioned in the previous National Sports Policy. These bodies will have affiliate units at the state and district level, while also having corresponding bodies at the international level. Every national body will have a President, Secretary General and Treasurer. 
•  Replacement of Existing Policies :The Bill supplants the National Sports Policy of 2001 and the National Sports Code of 2011 with an integrated legal framework that reigns in ad hoc administrative practices across the nation.
• Introduction of Code of Ethics: The Bill mandates a code of ethics for the functioning of all sporting bodies—a first in Indian sports legislation—which seeks to standardize fairness, non-discrimination, and integrity in sports governance.
• Transparency and Accountability Mechanisms: Sporting bodies are now subject to administrative, electoral, and financial scrutiny by government entities and tribunals, with mandatory reporting for budgetary allocation and operational outputs. Interestingly, even the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI), which has been far away from scrutiny all these years, also has to provide a detailed explanation of its financial turnover.
• The Budgetary Expansion and Women Empowerment: The Union Government’s allocation for youth and sports for FY 2025-26 has increased to INR 3,794 Crores, signalling renewed investment aligned with the objectives of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025—fostering gender empowerment, inclusive participation, and infrastructural growth.
• About the Age Limits: The National Sports Governance Bill sets an age cap of 25-70 for its members if they want to be a part of the executive body. But for certain “extraordinary” circumstances, an individual can also continue till 75 years.

Key Issues

1. Implementation and Bureaucratic Challenges

While the Bill provides a framework for centralized governance, effective roll-out across diverse regional, local, and sport-specific contexts may face friction due to entrenched interests and complex stakeholder dynamics. The Bill does have some ideal standards, which if realized shall prove to be revolutionary in the sports landscape of the country but considering the vastness of the nation, there could be certain initiatives mentioned in the Bill, which would help to promote sporting facilities in the far reaching parts of the nation.

2. Resource Distribution and Equity

Ensuring equitable resource allocation—especially for rural districts and non-mainstream sports—remains a concern, as federations may prioritize established sports with greater visibility and funding. As has already been noticed, cricket receives way more viewership and sponsorship amongst the other sports in the country. Hence, more funding could have been allocated for the promotion of other sports.

3. Electoral Integrity and Autonomy

The establishment of the National Sports Election Panel is a positive step, but its independence and ability to regulate transparent elections for state and central bodies will require vigilant monitoring. The age cap being kept at 70, but also allowing for certain individuals to keep their position till 75 brings a dichotomy.

4. Code of Ethics Enforcement

The new code of ethics stands as a progressive measure, yet legal enforcement mechanisms and periodic audits will be necessary to avoid tokenistic compliance. With the National Anti-Doping Bill also being formed, the code could have become a supplement to it.

Key Recommendations

1. Phased Implementation and Stakeholder Engagement
   Launch a phased, regionally-sensitive roll-out of the Bill’s provisions, involving athletes, federation officials, NGOs, and local government units to foster ownership and adaptation.
2. Inclusive Allocation Strategy
   The government should develop clear guidelines for budgetary allocation to marginalized regions, grassroots initiatives, and women’s sports, monitored by certain centralized bodies. There has to be an equitable division of resources in certain areas of the country and promote sports, which do not receive equal amounts of funding from the private corporations.
3. Strengthening Oversight Bodies
   The Bill must empower the National Sports Tribunal and Election Panel with functional autonomy, judicial powers, and access to independent audit mechanisms to reinforce their regulatory roles.
4. Continuous Policy Review
   Institute a biennial policy review committee composed of representatives from sports federations, athletes, civil society, and legal experts, ensuring adaptive updates to the Act in response to evolving needs.

Reference List

• National Sports Governance Bill, 2025. Executive Summary and Details: https://prsindia.org/billtrack/prs-products/issues-for-consideration-1754401975#:~:text=It%20also%20specifies%20that%20a,recognition%20of%20a%20national%20body.

• https://yas.gov.in/national-sports-governance-act-2025
• Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 Overview and Integration with National Education Policy: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/more-sports/others/explainer-how-the-national-sports-governance-bill-will-impact-indian-sports/articleshow/122860242.cms
• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/national-sports-governance-bill-gets-president-droupadi-murmus-assent/article69950568.ece

Bio:

Sneha Chakraborty is a student, who is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Her research interests lie in gender, climate change and livelihood.