New Khelo India Roadmap Aims to Take Indian Athletes from School Fields to Olympic Podium
New Delhi, July 31 – The central cabinet, presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared a sweeping overhaul of the Khelo India Programme, allocating ₹36,441 crore for the period 2026‑27 to 2030‑31. The revamped roadmap is tailored to create a seamless conduit for talented Indian youth, starting at school grounds or village fields and extending all the way to the Olympic podium.
By marrying the Khelo India Policy 2025 with the directives of the National Education Policy 2020, the scheme intertwines sport with education, fitness, technology and high‑performance training, laying the groundwork for India’s longer‑term sporting aspirations, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and future Olympic and Paralympic hosting ambitions.
A robust athlete‑development ladder has been introduced, encompassing talent spotting, scientific coaching, international exposure and preparation for the highest echelons of competition. The ecosystem will be supported by an array of institutions: National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), Khelo India Centres of Excellence (KICEOs), State Training Centres (STCs), Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAAs), Khelo India Centres (KICs) and the Youth Sports Companies of the Armed Forces (YSCs). These bodies will deliver world‑class coaching, sports‑science assistance and cutting‑edge infrastructure.
Two fresh school‑level programmes – Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Excellent Schools – will embed sport within regular curricula, fast‑track identification of gifted children and provide a structured nurturing pathway.
The scheme expands the existing Khelo India Athlete Programme and adds an Emerging Athlete tier, projecting a ten‑fold increase in the structured development network. A nationwide talent‑identification framework, comprising Talent Identification Committees, regional committees, talent scouts, high‑performance directors and managers, will perpetually discover and cultivate promising athletes.
A clear progression track from grassroots contests to the Khelo India scheme and subsequently to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) will grant elite athletes access to world‑class training facilities, international exposure and full support for medal‑winning goals.
Recognising that regular competition fuels excellence, the government will strengthen the domestic competition framework, linking school, university, regional leagues and sport‑specific tournaments with national championships to ensure athletes receive continuous competitive experience.
The plan emphasizes women athletes, para‑athletes, indigenous sports and using sport as a tool for community development, peace and social cohesion. It also backs national sporting events and bids for major international tournaments.
Fit India will receive a boost, encouraging active lifestyles, raising women’s participation, extending reach to remote areas and launching sport‑based anti‑addiction initiatives, thereby positioning sport as a driver of societal change.
A National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) will be set up to raise coaching standards and enhance the capabilities of coaches and support staff across the nation.
A unified digital sports platform will bring together athlete databases, infrastructure, competitions, coaching resources, talent scouting, funding and Fit India participation, enabling data‑driven planning, transparent governance and personalised athlete development.
The government will deepen collaborations with private academies, corporate partners and other stakeholders, forging a truly inclusive national sports ecosystem.
Alongside the Khelo India revamp, the cabinet approved a complementary scheme to strengthen the National Sports Federation for 2026‑31, allocating funds for coaching, sports science, modern equipment, international exposure, foreign expertise and participation in major global events, while also fostering sports cooperation with South‑Asian nations and promoting India’s indigenous games on the global stage.