In his 79th Independence Day address from the Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the Khelo Bharat Neeti 2025, a comprehensive policy framework aimed at transforming India’s sporting ecosystem from the grassroots to elite levels. PM showcased the government’s commitment to nurturing a dynamic and inclusive sporting culture, integrating infrastructure development, talent identification, training facilities, and athlete support into a unified national strategy. According to PM Modi, this initiative represents a significant leap forward, positioning sports as a central pillar of India’s developmental vision under the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
The Khelo Bharat Neeti was designed to ensure that every young Indian has the opportunity to engage in sports, access high-quality training, and develop into world-class athletes. It extends from school and college-level participation to international competitions, including the Olympics, creating a complete ecosystem that covers coaching, fitness, facilities, sports equipment, and support for the sports goods industry. PM stressed that the policy is not merely about producing elite athletes but about cultivating a sports culture across the nation, including remote and rural areas.
He stated, “To promote sports, we have brought forth the National Sports Policy, after several decades, we have introduced the ‘Khelo India policy’ in the country, so that there may be a comprehensive effort for the development of the sports sector. From school to the Olympics, we wish to develop an entire ecosystem—whether in coaching, in matters of fitness, in sports grounds, in facilities for sports, in providing the necessary equipment for games, or in assisting small industries to manufacture sports goods. In other words, we wish to take this entire ecosystem to children even in the remotest areas.”
खेल के सर्वांगीण विकास के लिए हम खेलो भारत नीति लेकर आए हैं… pic.twitter.com/Sl4QZ7N5wV
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) August 15, 2025
Vision of Khelo Bharat Neeti
The policy seeks to fundamentally transform India’s sports landscape by aligning the country’s sporting ambitions with global standards. Key goals include early identification of talent, holistic support for athletes, promotion of competitive leagues, and development of both urban and rural sports infrastructure. The framework emphasises integrating sports science, medicine, and technology to enhance international performance and competitiveness.
PM Modi highlighted that Khelo Bharat Neeti positions sports as a vehicle for nation-building, economic growth, and social inclusion. The initiative also aims to leverage sports as a driver for the economy by promoting sports tourism, attracting international events, supporting sports startups, and encouraging private sector participation through public-private partnerships (PPPs) and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Furthermore, the policy strongly advocates for inclusive participation, ensuring women, marginalised groups, tribal communities, and people with disabilities have access to opportunities in sports. By integrating sports into education through the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government envisions sports as a viable career pathway while simultaneously promoting lifelong fitness habits and volunteerism.
Funding and resource allocation
Recognising the importance of substantial financial backing, the government has allocated Rs 3,794 crore to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for FY 2025–26, marking a remarkable 130.9 percent increase from FY 2014–15. Of this, Rs 2,191 crore is designated for Central Sector Schemes, while Rs 1,000 crore is earmarked for the Khelo India Programme, reflecting the administration’s strong emphasis on creating a sustainable and competitive sports ecosystem.
These investments aim to build state-of-the-art infrastructure, support athlete development, and ensure comprehensive access to training facilities. With 65 percent of India’s population under the age of 35, the government is targeting mass participation alongside elite athlete nurturing, ensuring that India leverages its demographic dividend effectively.
Building the sports ecosystem
The Khelo Bharat Neeti 2025 seeks to institutionalise a sports ecosystem capable of delivering consistent international success. This includes mechanisms for talent scouting, structured training programs, and robust governance through National Sports Federations (NSFs). Key initiatives under this umbrella include Khelo India, the National Sports Development Fund, and targeted awards to recognise athletic achievements and provide financial assistance.
Launched initially in 2016-17 and extended in 2021 with a Rs 3,790.50 crore budget, the Khelo India programme has been instrumental in promoting mass participation and excellence. Notable accomplishments include the approval of 326 sports infrastructure projects worth Rs 3,124.12 crore, the establishment of 1,045 Khelo India Centres (KICs) and 34 State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), and support for 2,845 Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) with training, equipment, medical care, and allowances.
Annual sporting events such as the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), Khelo India University Games, Para Games, and Winter Games engage tens of thousands of athletes nationwide. By 2025, KIYG had expanded to cover 27 sports disciplines, reflecting the government’s commitment to holistic talent development.
Talent identification and development programs
A cornerstone of Khelo Bharat Neeti is early talent identification. The Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) programme targets children aged 9-18, using 174 Talent Assessment Centres (TACs) for merit-based scouting. This pipeline is aimed at placing India among the top-10 sporting nations by 2036 and the top-5 by 2047, ensuring a continuous stream of athletes capable of excelling at the highest level.
To promote specialised skills and competitive excellence, the government has also scheduled the Khelo India Water Sports Festival at Srinagar’s Dal Lake from August 21–23, 2025. The event will feature five water sports disciplines, involving over 400 athletes, with the goal of broadening participation, nurturing emerging talent, and preparing athletes for international competitions.
Sports education and professional training
The National Sports University in Imphal, Manipur, established in 2018, has become a hub for sports education, research, and training. It offers courses in sports sciences, management, and coaching, while also serving as a training centre for selected disciplines. MoUs with global institutions like Canberra and Victoria universities enable the adoption of international best practices.
The university’s mission, summarised by the motto “Sports Excellence through Education, Research and Training,” aims to cultivate world-class athletes and leaders in sports management. It integrates physical education, sports science, and elite coaching into a comprehensive framework, supporting India’s broader objective of becoming a global sporting powerhouse.
Transforming India into a Global sporting powerhouse
The Khelo Bharat Neeti 2025 is a paradigm shift in India’s approach to sports, emphasising systemic support, infrastructure development, talent nurturing, and inclusivity. By combining financial investments, educational integration, and grassroots outreach, the government aims to create a sustainable ecosystem where sports serve as a means for personal growth, social empowerment, and national pride.
As India looks toward the 2036 Olympics and beyond, Khelo Bharat Neeti is nothing but a roadmap for nurturing elite athletes, promoting competitive leagues, and integrating sports into the fabric of society. The initiative reinforces the government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, where sports are not just recreational but a key driver of national development, international recognition, and economic growth.
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