Cabinet Approves Revamped Khelo India Scheme and Enhanced ANSF Support with ₹36,441 Crore Outlay

The Union Cabinet, which chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the restructured Khelo India Scheme along with greater assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs) for the period from 2026-27 until 2030-31. The restructured scheme, with a total financial outlay of ₹36,441 crore, has the distinction of being the biggest investment in sports development since independence. The revamped scheme seeks to create a seamless path for athletes from the grassroots level to Olympic Games while promoting fitness, modern infrastructure, technology-based governance, and inclusive sports.

What Is the Revamped Khelo India Plan?

The revamped Khelo India Plan is the flagship sports development programme of the Government of India, which has been introduced for the detection, training and support of the sport talent of all levels.

The focus of the scheme is to make sure that no aspiring sportsperson gets deprived of opportunities due to limited access to appropriate facilities and financial constraints.

In compliance with Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and the National Education Policy 2020, the plan merges sports with education, technology, fitness and high-performance training.

With this the Government of India intends to implement plans for the future, including preparation for the Commonwealth Games 2030 and its intention to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Key Highlights of Khelo India scheme

Here are the key features of the Khelo India scheme:

Budget: ₹ 36,441 crores (Khelo India+ANSF) planned for the years 2026-27 to 2030-31.

• This is the biggest investment in sports ever made after freedom.
• The investment is about 8 times more than Khelo India investment previously made.
• The plan introduces various ways to develop and train athletes.
• Establishment of the Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA).
• Introduction of Khelo India Feeder School (KIFS).
• Establishment of Khelo India Utkrisht Vidyalayas (KIUV).
• Creation of the National Coach Accreditation Board.
• Start of the Fit India movement.
• Development of the one-stop digital sports platform.
• Support provided to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) has been strengthened.

Strengthening Sports Facility in India

This project will widen and connect a national channel of sport centres.

The facilities includes,

• National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs)
• Khelo India Centres of Excellence (KICoEs)
• Sports Authority of India Training Centres (STCs)
• Khelo India Accredited Academies (KIAAs)
• Khelo India Centres (KICs)
• Youth Sports Companies (YSCs) of the Armed Forces

All of these will give

• Professional coaching
• Modern infrastructure
• Sports science services
• Performance evaluation
• Nutrition and recovery support

National Coach Accreditation Authority (NCAA)

Acknowledging the importance of coaches, the Government plans to set up a National Coach Accreditation Authority (NCAA).

The aims are,

• To mainstream the quality of coaching certifications,
• To upgrade the standard of coaching,
• To improve the methods of training coaches, and
• To increase the capacity of support staff.

Thereby, it is expected that the Board will make coaching more effective and professional throughout India.