India’s Draft Sports Governance Rules: Key Highlights

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released three sets of draft rules formulated to facilitate the implementation of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, which was enacted in August this year.

These include: the draft National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2025, the draft National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2025, and the draft National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2025.

The draft rules set out the composition of the general body and executive committee, election procedures, and disqualification criteria for members of National Sports Bodies; prescribe the structure, functions, and composition of the National Sports Board; and define the institutional framework of the National Sports Tribunal, governing the appointment, tenure, and service conditions of the chairperson, members, and staff.

The provisions of the Act have not yet come into force. Stakeholder feedback on the new draft rules has been sought by November 14, after which the framework is expected to be finalised and notified.

Key provisions of the draft rules include:

• Sports Governance – Board Can Issue Model Regulations: The draft rules define the powers and functions of the Board, which comprises a chairperson and two other members. These include the authority to issue model guidelines or regulations on matters of sports governance. In addition to this, the Board, under the Act, is responsible for granting recognition and registration, suspension or cancellation of recognition, maintaining a register of national bodies, and conducting inquiries, among other functions.

• Inclusion of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit: The new framework envisages the compilation of rosters of sportspersons of outstanding merit and their minimum representation in the general body (at least four) and the executive committee (at least two) of the national bodies.

The draft rules also specify the conditions for being designated as a sportsperson of outstanding merit: the individual must be an Indian citizen, of sound mind, at least 25 years of age, and retired from active sports. In addition, they must not have participated in any competitive sporting event that leads to selection to represent a district, state, or the country for at least one year prior to the date of application. The rules further outline a tiered eligibility criterion for such sportspersons.

• Election Rules: Another notable feature is the election rules, which apply to all elections in the national sports body. Elections must generally take place at the annual general meeting, and where required, may also be held at a specially convened general meeting. 

• Disqualifications: A person will be disqualified from being a member of the general body or any committee of a national body, and shall not be eligible to contest elections to the executive committee or athletes committee if such person:

• • is declared insolvent under applicable law; or
  • is subject to a conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction in India for an offence, followed by a sentence of imprisonment; or
  • is subject to a ban from holding any such position by an order of the ethics committee of such body.

• Committees to Comply with Guidelines: The bye-laws of national bodies must include provisions concerning the constitution, operation, and procedures of athletes’ committees, ethics committees, and dispute resolution committees, which must comply with the specified guidelines.

• Regional Federations to Have International Recognition: Although not expressly defined, regional sports federations are understood to relate to indigenous sports disciplines with regional spread. Each such federation is required to have international recognition and affiliation with the relevant international sports body.

• Affiliate Units’ Registration with the Board: Each national sports body must facilitate the registration of each of its affiliate units with the National Sports Board, subject to the submission of the requisite information and documents.

• Tribunal Can Grant Injunctions: The Tribunal has the authority to issue interim orders, including granting injunctions or stays, after providing the parties involved a chance to be heard, in relation to any proceedings under the Act.