Government Approves Revamped Khelo India Scheme For 2026-27 To 2030-31

The Government of India has approved the Khelo India Scheme for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of ₹29,054 crore. The revamped Scheme replaces the earlier Khelo India Scheme’s five-component structure for 2021-22 to 2025-26 with nine components.

The Scheme aims to strengthen India’s sporting performance and global competitiveness by improving infrastructure, talent identification, and athlete development. It also aims to promote sports as a means of social development, health, education and community participation. Aligned with the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and NEP 2020, the Scheme integrates sports with education and uses modern coaching, sports science, technology and data-driven governance to support athletes from the grassroots to the elite level.

Nine-Component Framework Replaces Earlier Five-Component Structure

The earlier Scheme focused on creating and upgrading sports infrastructure, sports competitions and talent development, Khelo India Centres and Sports Academies, the Fit India Movement, and promoting inclusiveness through sports. The revamped Scheme comprises Sports Infrastructure for Medal Strategy, Strengthening Strategic Sports Assets, State Action Plan for Sports Infrastructure Development, Sports Competitions and Leagues, Talent Identification and Development, Coach and Support Staff Development, Khelo India Training Facilities, Fit India Movement and Sports Technology.

Khelo India Outlay Increased to ₹29,054 Crore

The earlier Scheme had an approved outlay of ₹3,165.50 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26. The revamped Scheme has an outlay of ₹29,054 crore, comprising ₹28,489 crore as the Central share and ₹565 crore as the State share for the State Action Plan for Sports Infrastructure Development.

Infrastructure Strategy Shifted Towards Medal-Focused Sports

Under the earlier Scheme, the Creation and Upgradation of Sports Infrastructure component provided grants to States/UTs and other eligible entities for modern sports infrastructure and to address critical infrastructure gaps. The revamped Scheme separates infrastructure support into Sports Infrastructure for Medal Strategy and Strengthening Strategic Sports Assets. The former will focus on infrastructure required for the Olympics, Asian Games, and other major international disciplines, based on medal potential, regional strengths, and gap analysis. The government has earmarked ₹ 4,866 crore for this component.

New Four-Tier Pathway for Identifying and Developing Talent

The earlier Scheme envisaged a pyramidal structure for talent identification, beginning at the grassroots and progressing towards elite athletes. The revamped Scheme introduces Khelo India Athletes (KIA) and Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA) and a four-level pathway covering the Foundation, Grassroots, Intermediate and Elite stages. The framework provides for testing, assessment camps, performance monitoring and athlete management systems. ₹2,407 crore has been allocated.

Coach Development Gets Dedicated Component

Under the earlier Scheme, Community Coaching Development formed part of the Sports Competitions and Talent Development component. The revamped Scheme creates a separate Coach and Support Staff Development component, providing for a four-level coaching structure through the National Coach Accreditation Board, along with certification, digital learning and a national digital registry. ₹748 crore has been earmarked.

Training Facilities and Sports Technology Expanded

The earlier Khelo India Centres and Sports Academies component supported State-level Khelo India Centres and National/Regional/State Sports Academies. The revamped Scheme introduces Khelo India Training Facilities, integrating government, State and private facilities from grassroots to elite levels, with sports science, nutrition, mental health, sports medicine, athlete welfare and life skills. ₹10,586 crore has been earmarked.

The revamped Scheme also introduces Sports Technology as a standalone component, with a Khelo India Digital Ecosystem comprising the National Sports Repository System, Athlete Management System, Games Management System and Federation Management System. ₹302 crore has been allocated.

Inclusion Mainstreamed and State Action Plans Introduced

The earlier scheme included Promotion of Inclusiveness through Sports as a separate component, covering sports for peace and development, rural and indigenous/tribal games, persons with disabilities, and women. The revamped Scheme incorporates interventions for women, para-athletes, indigenous sports and underserved regions across its components.

The new State Action Plan for Sports Infrastructure Development will address infrastructure requirements of States/UTs, with ₹1,965 crore earmarked over five years, comprising ₹1,400 crore as the Central share and ₹565 crore as the State/UT share.

The revamped Khelo India Scheme has been notified for implementation with immediate effect and will remain in force for 2026-27 to 2030-31.