National Sports Policy 2025

The new policy replaces the current National Sports Policy, 2001.

It outlines an ambitious and strategic plan to position India as a worldwide sports leader and a formidable candidate for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.

The policy is based on five essential pillars.

Outstanding Performance Worldwide: Enhance sports initiatives from community levels to top-tier competition.

Create top-tier systems for coaching, training, and comprehensive athlete assistance.

Sports for Economic Growth: It aims to boost sports tourism and draw major global events to India.

Promote involvement from the private sector.

Sports for Social Development: Encouraging involvement from women, economically disadvantaged groups, tribal populations, and individuals with disabilities through targeted initiatives.

Sports as a Community Movement: The initiative seeks to promote widespread involvement and a culture of fitness via national campaigns and local community events.

Integration with Education (NEP 2020): In accordance with the National Education Policy 2020, the NSP 2025 suggests incorporating sports into school programs.

Strategic Structure:

Governance: Develop a strong regulatory structure for sports governance, incorporating a legal foundation.

Private Sector Funding & Support: Create novel funding strategies and involve private sector engagement via PPPs and CSR initiatives.

Technology & Innovation: Utilize new technologies, such as AI and data analytics, for monitoring performance, conducting research, and executing programs.

National Monitoring Structure: Establish a national structure featuring clearly defined benchmarks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and specific time-related objectives.

Model Policy for States: The NSP 2025 will act as a template for States and Union Territories, prompting them to update or create their own policies in line with national goals.

Whole-of-Government Approach: The policy emphasizes the inclusion of sports promotion within the initiatives, plans, and programs of every Ministry and Department to ensure a comprehensive effect.

Requirement for the Policy

The Paris Olympics concluded with India obtaining six medals — one silver and five bronze — ranking 71st in the medal standings.

It was positioned lower than countries with significantly smaller populations such as Georgia, Kazakhstan, and North Korea.

The United States, having under a quarter of India's population, led the rankings with 126 medals, trailed by China with 91.

India has achieved a total of 41 Olympic medals since its first appearance in 1900, all coming from the Summer Games.

The nation's results raised numerous inquiries regarding the necessity of a sports culture.

Importance of the Policy

Concentrates on discovering and developing skills in youth via organized routes.

Proponents of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in the development of infrastructure.

Acknowledges the financial opportunities in sports—such as employment generation, tourism, and production.

Combines sports science, medicine, psychology, and nutrition for the advancement of athletes.

Coordinates with the Fit India Movement, Khelo India, and Viksit Bharat @2047 objectives.