National Sports Policy 2025

Core Objectives

• Replace National Sports Policy 2001; aim for 2036 Olympics host & global sporting powerhouse.
• 5-Pillar Framework:
  1. Excellence: Talent ID, leagues, infrastructure, sports science.
  2. Economic Development: Sports tourism, startups, private investment.
  3. Social Development: Inclusion, indigenous games, diaspora engagement.
  4. People’s Movement: Mass participation, fitness indices.
  5. Education: Integration with NEP 2020 (sports in curriculum).

Strategic Framework

• Governance: Legal reforms for transparency in sports bodies (e.g., NSFs).
• Funding: PPPs, CSR, private investment.
• Technology: AI, data analytics for performance tracking.
• Monitoring: KPIs, time-bound targets.

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Evolution of Sports Policy in India

Period	Key Milestones
1950s-1980s	1951: First Asian Games; 1954: All-India Council of Sports; 1984: First NSP.
Post-1991	TV boom diversified sports interest; 1997 Draft Policy (unimplemented).
2000s	NSP 2001; Sports Code 2011 (governance reforms).
2014-Present	TOPS (elite athletes), Khelo India (grassroots), Fit India.

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Challenges in Indian Sports

1. Governance:
   • Politicization (e.g., IOA suspension 2022, WFI scandal 2023).
2. Market Imbalance:
   • Cricket dominates 87% of sports market (2023).
3. Grassroots Issues:
   • Weak talent scouting (rural/tribal areas overlooked).
4. Gender Gap:
   • 49% girls drop out of sports (UNESCO 2024); safety concerns.
5. Low Representation:
   • Only 117 athletes at Paris 2024 vs. 594 (USA).

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Solutions Proposed

• Talent Scouting: Expand Khelo India to rural/tribal areas; adopt Australia’s physiological testing model.
• Infrastructure: District-level facilities; link with PM-USPY.
• Gender Equality: Safe spaces, gender audits, adopt UNESCO’s 2024 Game Plan.
• Tech Integration: AI, wearables for training; national sports science centers.