Sports Ministry Invites Applications from Yoga Bodies for NSF Recognition

On September 3, 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports invited applications from eligible bodies for recognition as the National Sports Federation (NSF) for Yogasana. The move follows the Delhi High Court’s decision in Yoga Federation of India v. Union of India & Ors., which quashed the recognition granted to Yogasana Bharat and directed the Ministry to undertake a fresh recognition exercise.

The Court had set aside the recognition granted to Yogasana Bharat because the federation did not satisfy the mandatory eligibility requirements prescribed under the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 (Sports Code).

Among other deficiencies, Yogasana Bharat had existed for only about three months against the prescribed three-year period, lacked the requisite State/UT affiliations, and had not conducted the stipulated national championships. It failed to meet those requirements when it sought recognition in 2020.

The Court also found that the Sports Ministry had relied on the Ministry of AYUSH’s recommendation without independently assessing compliance with the Sports Code. While inter-ministerial consultation was permissible, the authority responsible for recognition could not substitute another Ministry’s recommendation for its own independent assessment. Consequently, the Court set aside the original recognition, the subsequent speaking order and the annual renewals. 

However, to protect athletes and other stakeholders, certificates, medals, titles, rankings and selections earned during the period of recognition were left undisturbed. The Court also clarified that the petitioner, Yoga Federation of India, would not automatically acquire NSF status or any preferential right in the fresh process.

Acting on the Court’s direction, the Ministry has asked all eligible organisations to submit applications in the prescribed pro forma, together with supporting documents, by 17 September 2026.