1. Overview
The Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, also known as the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025. This policy supersedes the 2001 National Sports Policy and aims to transform India into a top-five sporting nation by 2047, with a strategic focus on the 2036 Olympic Games.
2. The Five Foundational Pillars
The policy is built on five strategic pillars to create a holistic sporting ecosystem:
| Pillar | Focus Area |
| Excellence on the Global Stage | Talent identification (grassroots to elite), sports science, and world-class coaching. |
| Sports for Economic Development | Promoting sports tourism, manufacturing, startups, and private investment. |
| Sports for Social Development | Inclusivity for women, Divyangjans (PWD), and tribal communities; reviving indigenous games. |
| Sports as a People’s Movement | Mass participation and fitness culture (aligned with Fit India and Khelo India). |
| Integration with Education | Alignment with NEP 2020 to make sports a core academic subject in schools. |
3. Key Strategic Initiatives
- Integration with NEP 2020: Elevates Physical Education (PE) from a “co-curricular” activity to a mainstream subject with formal credit systems and specialised teacher training.
- National Sports Governance: Introduction of a legal framework (National Sports Governance Act/Bill) to bring sports bodies under the RTI Act and establish a National Sports Tribunal for dispute resolution.
- Technology & Science: Extensive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics for performance tracking and talent scouting.
- Funding Models: Encouragement of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) via initiatives like “Adopt an Athlete.”
- Economic Hubs: Developing sports manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
4. Implementation & Governance
- National Monitoring Framework: Uses a dashboard with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and time-bound targets to track progress.
- Model for States: Since “Sports” is a State subject, NSP 2025 serves as a template for States and UTs to align their policies with national goals.
- Whole-of-Government Approach: Calls for all ministries to integrate sports promotion into their specific programs (e.g., Tourism Ministry focusing on sports events).