The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has released revised operational guidelines for the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs). The government has approved continuation of the scheme for the five-year period from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total budget outlay of ₹7,386.74 crore. The scheme is the primary funding mechanism through which India supports its athletes preparing for major international competitions including the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Paralympic Games and World Championships.
Key facts
- Total budget: ₹7,386.74 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31
- Financial support for hosting international events: up to ₹50 crore per event
- Financial support for National Games: up to ₹50 crore
- Guidelines issued: 16 October 2026
- Applicable period: Five-year cycle aligned with 16th Finance Commission
What the scheme currently covers
The NSF scheme provides multiple forms of assistance to help Indian athletes compete at the highest levels. This includes funding for national coaching camps, training at sports academies, athlete support such as boarding, lodging, sports kits, insurance and sports science services. The scheme also covers engagement of foreign coaches, High Performance Directors and support staff including physiotherapists, sports scientists and doctors. International training and competition exposure, conduct of national championships at senior, junior and sub-junior levels, grassroots development and administrative support to federations are all included under the existing framework.
New strategic components in the revised scheme
The revised guidelines introduce several new elements aligned with India’s long-term sporting ambitions, including preparation for the 2036 Olympic bid and Commonwealth Games 2030.
Olympic Training Centres: The scheme now includes provision for setting up Olympic Training Centres (OTCs) equipped with the latest sports science technology. These centres will be dedicated to specific sports and will offer elite athletes access to world-class training facilities, expert coaches and technical staff, sports science services, and specialized equipment. This aims to reduce Indian athletes’ dependence on overseas training.
Enhanced support for hosting international events: The revised scheme significantly increases financial assistance for NSFs hosting international tournaments in India. Federations can now receive up to ₹50 crore for hosting an international event, with the amount determined by a committee headed by the Secretary (Sports) based on factors such as the event’s significance, number of participating countries and number of athletes involved.
Support for National Games: Recognizing the importance of the National Games, the scheme now provides assistance up to ₹50 crore to support their organization and conduct. This covers sports equipment, timing and scoring systems, remuneration for technical officials and technical management of the games.
Indigenous sports promotion: A new component supports NSFs of indigenous games in achieving global recognition. This includes assistance for inclusion as demonstration events in major competitions like the Olympics, Asian Games or Commonwealth Games, establishing national federations for these sports in other countries, and supporting international and continental federations of indigenous sports based in India.
International cooperation with Global South: The scheme now includes provision for India to leverage its High Performance Centres at Sports Authority of India (SAI) facilities and other centres to train athletes and coaches from Global South countries through scholarships and subsidized facility access. This positions India as a partner nation for sports development in the region.
Support for multilateral sports initiatives: The revised scheme provides financial assistance for sports competitions, conferences, meetings, research and workshops organized for multilateral bodies such as BRICS, BIMSTEC and similar organizations. Additionally, recognized international and continental sports bodies with offices in India can receive funding on a case-by-case basis as recommended by the designated Committee.
What this means for you
If you are an Indian athlete or sports enthusiast, the expanded scheme means more investment in elite training infrastructure and better access to world-class coaching and facilities without necessarily going abroad. The focus on indigenous sports creates opportunities for athletes in traditional Indian games to compete globally. Sports administrators and National Sports Federations now have clearer operational guidelines and potentially higher funding availability for hosting events and supporting athlete development. Students aspiring to pursue sports science, coaching or sports management may find increased opportunities through these enhanced programmes.
What happens next
The detailed operational guidelines are available on the Ministry’s official portal at sports.yas.gov.in. NSFs are expected to align their proposals and programmes with the revised norms and components. The designated Committee headed by the Secretary (Sports) will assess proposals for assistance under the new strategic components.