Overview
The Union Cabinet approved an expanded Khelo India Scheme along with enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) with a combined outlay of Rs. 36,441 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31 — nearly eight times the previous Khelo India outlay. It creates a seamless athlete pathway from school playgrounds to the Olympic podium, adds the Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA) category expanding the structured athlete pool nearly ten-fold, introduces Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas, sets up a National Coach Accreditation Board and a unified digital sports platform, and strengthens funding to national federations for coaching, sports science, equipment and international exposure.
Key details
- Age
- School age upwards (Khelo India Feeder Schools / Utkrishta Vidyalayas at school level; Khelo India Athletes and Emerging Khelo India Athletes typically 10–25 years)
- Amount / benefit value
- Combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore for the revamped Khelo India Scheme and enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations for 2026–27 to 2030–31 — nearly eight times the previous Khelo India outlay.
- Official guidelines PDF
- 📄 Download PDF ↗
- Official website
- https://kheloindia.gov.in ↗
Note: Approved by the Union Cabinet on 31 July 2026. Detailed scheme guidelines are expected to be notified by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
Eligibility
- ▸ Talented young athletes identified through Khelo India Games, national championships, SAI talent scouting and Talent Identification Development Committees
- ▸ School students in Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS) and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas (KIUV)
- ▸ Athletes at NCOEs, KICoEs, SAI Training Centres, Khelo India Accredited Academies and Khelo India Centres
- ▸ Women athletes, para-athletes and athletes in indigenous sports (special emphasis)
- ▸ Recognised National Sports Federations, for the ANSF component
Benefits
- ✓ Combined outlay of Rs. 36,441 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31
- ✓ New Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA) category — structured athlete ecosystem expanded nearly ten-fold
- ✓ World-class coaching, sports science support and modern infrastructure across NCOEs, KICoEs, STCs, KIAAs, KICs and Armed Forces Youth Sports Companies
- ✓ Clear progression pathway from grassroots competitions to Khelo India and on to the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
- ✓ More competitions: school, university, regional and sport-specific leagues, national championships and National Games support
- ✓ Expanded Fit India Movement, plus support for hosting major international events in India
- ✓ National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to standardise coaching qualifications
- ✓ Unified digital sports platform integrating athlete databases, infrastructure, competitions and funding
- ✓ Enhanced ANSF funding for coaching camps, foreign experts, equipment and international exposure
Documents required
- ▪ Aadhaar card
- ▪ Date of birth / age proof (birth certificate or school certificate)
- ▪ Domicile / state residence certificate
- ▪ Performance certificates from recognised competitions
- ▪ School or college bonafide certificate (for school and university verticals)
- ▪ Bank account details for scholarship disbursal
- ▪ Recent passport-size photograph
- ▪ Medical fitness certificate
Application process
Through Khelo India Games / national championships, SAI talent scouting, state sports department (school verticals) or ACTC for federations
Apply via: Through Khelo India Games / national championships, SAI talent scouting, state sports department (school verticals) or ACTC for federations
Frequently asked questions
What is new in the revamped Khelo India Scheme?＋
A new Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA) category expanding the structured athlete pool nearly ten-fold, two new school verticals (Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas), a National Coach Accreditation Board, a unified digital sports platform, and a clear progression pathway from grassroots competition to Khelo India and then TOPS.
What period does the approval cover?＋
2026–27 to 2030–31, with a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore across the Khelo India Scheme and the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) scheme.
How do athletes get in?＋
Through performance at Khelo India Games and national championships, or via SAI talent scouting and Talent Identification Development Committees. School-level entry is through the state sports department and the new Khelo India school verticals. Federations receive ANSF support through the Ministry's Annual Calendar of Training and Competition.