National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025: “Khelo Bharat Niti 2025”

GS2 – Polity

Context

The Union Cabinet has approved the National Sports Policy 2025, officially named Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, which revamps India’s sports governance and development framework.

Highlights of NSP 2025
  1. Global Sporting Excellence:
  • Structured talent pathways
  • Enhanced sports infrastructure
  • Training driven by sports science
  • Strengthening of National Sports Federations (NSFs) and leagues
  1. Economic Development through Sports:
  • Boosting sports tourism
  • Promoting indigenous manufacturing and startups
  • Encouraging CSR and PPP investments in sports
  1. Sports for Social Transformation:
  • Inclusive participation
  • Revival of traditional Indian sports
  • Linking sports to community development and employment
  1. Sports as a Mass Movement:
  • Nationwide fitness campaigns
  • Creation of fitness indices
  • Public access to sports facilities
  1. Alignment with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020:
  • Sports integrated into academic curricula
  • Training of physical educators
  • School-based talent identification systems
Strategic Implementation Framework
  • Governance:
    Legal and regulatory framework to ensure transparency and accountability.
  • Private Sector Engagement:
    Corporate participation through CSR and PPP frameworks.
  • Technology Integration:
    Use of AI, data analytics, and emerging tech for athlete monitoring and program delivery.
  • Monitoring Mechanism:
    Establishment of a National Monitoring Framework with KPIs and time-bound targets.
  • State-Level Policy Alignment:
    NSP 2025 serves as a model policy for States and Union Territories to draft their own sports policies.
  • Whole-of-Government Approach:
    Integration of sports goals into the broader objectives of multiple ministries and departments.
Evolution of India’s Sports Policy
  1. Post-Independence Era (1947–1980s):
  • Primary national focus was on health, education, and poverty alleviation.
  • Notable milestones:
    • 1951 Asian Games
    • 1954 establishment of the All-India Council of Sports (AICS)
  • Budget constraints limited global competitiveness, although success in hockey and legends like Milkha Singh emerged.
  1. 1982 Asian Games:
  • Highlighted the need for structured governance.
  • Led to the creation of the Department of Sports under the HRD Ministry.
  • Resulted in India’s first National Sports Policy in 1984.
  1. Post-1991 Liberalisation:
  • Economic reforms and media exposure boosted public interest in sports.
  • 1997 Draft National Sports Policy was proposed but not implemented, creating a policy vacuum.
  1. Post-2000 Reforms and Initiatives:
  • 2000: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports established.
  • 2001: National Sports Policy aimed at mass participation and elite performance.
  • NSDC 2011: For reforming NSFs—ensuring governance, anti-doping compliance, gender equity.
  • TOPS 2014: Target Olympic Podium Scheme for elite athletes.
  • Khelo India 2017: Youth talent identification and development.
  • Fit India 2019: Emphasised physical fitness as a national agenda.
Recent Developments:
  • 2024: Drafts of National Sports Policy and National Sports Governance Bill released.
  • India’s Olympic bid for 2036 reignited policy reforms and strategic sports planning.

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