Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Building Champions: On the field, Off the field Welfare and Support Schemes for Sportspersons in India 23 APR 2025 4:24PM by PIB Delhi Government schemes support athletes at every stage of their careers. The past decade has been a golden era for Indian sports, highlighted by historic achievements and global recognition. . ₹3,794 crore allocated to the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry for FY 2025-26 — a 17% rise from the revised FY 2024-25 allocation. Key allocations include ₹1,000 crore for Khelo India, ₹400 crore for NSFs, and ₹830 crore for SAI. Initiatives like Khelo India and Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) focus on mass participation from atheletes from rural areas, building infrastructure, and nurturing talent in rural and grassroots settings. Schemes like Sports And Games for the Disabled promotes inclusive and participative sports among persons with disabilities at the grassroots level. Schemes like the Pandit Deendayal Fund, Pension Scheme, and RESET Programme offer financial aid, medical support, and career transition help to current and retired athletes. National Sports Awards honor outstanding achievements and sportsmanship in various categories. Introduction It is rightly said that champions are not born overnight, but they are built with years of dedication, discipline, and, most importantly, support. Support from families, support from coaches and support from the government play a crucial role in bringing the talent from every corner of the country to the forefront. The Government of India is working tirelessly to bring the best of the world to Indian athletes through its schemes and initiatives. These schemes aim to identify and encourage talent at the grassroots, support sportspersons during and after their active careers, and create a sustainable ecosystem for sporting excellence. A Decade of Achievements The last decade has been a golden chapter in Indian sports history, marked by record-breaking achievements and rising global recognition. From historic Olympic and Paralympic medal hauls to standout performances in world championships across athletics, badminton, wrestling, and boxing, Indian athletes have consistently pushed boundaries. Government Spending on Sports In a bold move to fuel India’s sporting future, the government has made a record allocation of Rs. 3794 crores to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for FY 2025–26. This is a big jump from last year’s revised budget of ₹3,232.85 crore. A major portion, that is ₹2,191.01 crore, has been allocated to Central Sector Schemes, with the flagship Khelo India Programme receiving ₹1,000 crore (up from ₹800 crore allocated in FY 2024-25). Funding for National Sports Federations has also been raised to ₹400 crore, while the Sports Authority of India (SAI) gets ₹830 crore to enhance athlete training and facilities. Schemes and Programmes to Support Sports in India India’s support for its athletes is now more structured and focused than ever. The approach is holistic—covering every stage of an athlete’s journey. From spotting raw talent in villages to backing Olympic medallists, the government has stepped up in a big way. A wide range of schemes now exist to meet the real needs of sportspersons—training, funding, facilities, and life after sport. Each step is designed to help athletes rise and stay at the top. Khelo India ​The Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at revitalizing the sports culture at the grassroots level and transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse. Launched in 2016-17 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Khelo India programme aims to revive the sports culture in India at the grassroot level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country and establish India as a great sporting nation. Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme The Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme, launched in 2024, empowers retired athletes to reinvent themselves. This initiative provides tailor-made education, internships, and skill-building opportunities to retired sportspersons. Its goal is to address both the employment needs of retired athletes and the human resource gaps in India's sports sector—offering careers in coaching, administration, mentoring, and beyond. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS) The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons offers one-time ex-gratia aid of up to ₹5 lakh, a monthly pension of ₹5,000, medical assistance up to ₹10 lakh, and support up to ₹10 lakh for injuries sustained during training or competitions. Families of deceased sportspersons and support personnel like coaches, referees, and physiotherapists may also receive financial aid, with a maximum of ₹5 lakh and ₹2 lakh respectively. Scheme of Human Resources Development in Sports The Human Resources Development in Sports (HRDS) Scheme focuses on upgrading skills, encouraging research, and promoting knowledge in key areas like sports science, medicine, and coaching. The scheme offers financial aid for fellowships, training, and global exposure in sports, along with support for research, expert visits, and developing quality sports literature and e-resources. Sports And Games for the Disabled To ensure that no talent is left behind, the Government of India launched the Scheme of Sports & Games for the Disabled. This Central Sector Scheme aims to promote inclusive and participative sports among persons with disabilities at the grassroots level. While high-performing para-athletes receive separate support through the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations, this initiative focuses on broad-basing sports participation across schools, communities, and districts. Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), a flagship Indian government initiative designed to bolster grassroots sports. This programme provides financial assistance for developing sports infrastructure and procuring equipment at village and block levels. PYKKA also supports annual sports competitions across block, district, and state levels, alongside operational funding for activities and volunteer honorariums. Assistance To National Sports Federations Under the scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) financial assistance is given to National Sports Federations (NSFs) for the training of athletes, which includes all requisite support for training, participation in international events, conduct of National Championships, conduct of international tournaments in India, engagement of Foreign Coaches/support staff, scientific & medical support etc. National Sports Development Fund The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) is a key initiative by the Government of India to support excellence in sports. Created in response to India's sub-par performance in international events, NSDF aims to mobilize resources from both government and private sectors to bridge critical gaps in infrastructure, training, and athlete support. It offers financial assistance to outstanding athletes and institutions for training under expert coaches, access to international competitions, and development of sports infrastructure. Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons Athletes devote the prime years of their lives to the pursuit of excellence, often sacrificing education, career stability, and family life. The Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons offers a life-long safety net to those who brought glory to the nation. Pension Structure: ₹20,000/month for Olympic/Para-Olympic/Deaflympic medallists ₹16,000/month for Gold medallists in World Cup/Championships ₹14,000/month for Silver/Bronze in World events & Gold in Asian/Commonwealth ₹12,000/month for Silver/Bronze in Asian/Commonwealth Games Awards and Recognition The National Sports Awards stand as the highest sporting honours in India, celebrating the exceptional achievements of athletes who have put India on the global sporting map. Presented annually, these prestigious awards recognize extraordinary performances at national and international events, while also fostering a spirit of sportsmanship that transcends borders. There is total six categories of awards that are given to sportspersons in India. The Government of India has demonstrated a strong commitment to elevating sports across the nation by creating a comprehensive framework of support for athletes at every stage of their journey. The last decade has been a golden era for Indian sports, with record-breaking performances on international platforms like the Olympics, Paralympics, and Asian Games. Through initiatives like Khelo India, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund, and various welfare schemes, the government is not only identifying and nurturing talent from the grassroots but also ensuring that athletes are supported throughout their careers and beyond. With substantial investments in infrastructure, training, and athlete well-being, India is on a promising path to becoming a global sports leader, offering its athletes the resources and opportunities to excel on the world stage. References: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/ https://kheloindia.gov.in/about.html https://yas.nic.in/sports/pandit-deendayal-upadhyay-national-welfare-program-sportspersons https://megsports.gov.in/documents/PANCHAYAT_YUVA_KRIDA_AUR_KHEL_ABHIYAN.pdf https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/HRDS%20Scheme.pdf https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2078541#:~:text=Under%20the%20scheme%20of%20Assistance,National%20Championships%2C%20conduct%20of%20International https://yas.gov.in/sports/scheme-assistance-national-sports-federations https://yas.gov.in/sites/default/files/Scheme%20of%20Sports%20And%20Games%20For%20The%20Disabled%20.pdf https://yas.nic.in/sports/national-sports-development-fund https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/Scheme%20Meritorious%20Pension_2018.pdf https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2049867 https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=151772&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=1 Click here to see PDF. Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Priya Nagar (Release ID: 2123815) Visitor Counter : 109 Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Building Champions: On the field, Off the field Welfare and Support Schemes for Sportspersons in India 23 APR 2025 4:24PM by PIB Delhi Government schemes support athletes at every stage of their careers. The past decade has been a golden era for Indian sports, highlighted by historic achievements and global recognition. . ₹3,794 crore allocated to the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry for FY 2025-26 — a 17% rise from the revised FY 2024-25 allocation. Key allocations include ₹1,000 crore for Khelo India, ₹400 crore for NSFs, and ₹830 crore for SAI. Initiatives like Khelo India and Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) focus on mass participation from atheletes from rural areas, building infrastructure, and nurturing talent in rural and grassroots settings. Schemes like Sports And Games for the Disabled promotes inclusive and participative sports among persons with disabilities at the grassroots level. Schemes like the Pandit Deendayal Fund, Pension Scheme, and RESET Programme offer financial aid, medical support, and career transition help to current and retired athletes. National Sports Awards honor outstanding achievements and sportsmanship in various categories. Introduction It is rightly said that champions are not born overnight, but they are built with years of dedication, discipline, and, most importantly, support. Support from families, support from coaches and support from the government play a crucial role in bringing the talent from every corner of the country to the forefront. The Government of India is working tirelessly to bring the best of the world to Indian athletes through its schemes and initiatives. These schemes aim to identify and encourage talent at the grassroots, support sportspersons during and after their active careers, and create a sustainable ecosystem for sporting excellence. A Decade of Achievements The last decade has been a golden chapter in Indian sports history, marked by record-breaking achievements and rising global recognition. From historic Olympic and Paralympic medal hauls to standout performances in world championships across athletics, badminton, wrestling, and boxing, Indian athletes have consistently pushed boundaries. Government Spending on Sports In a bold move to fuel India’s sporting future, the government has made a record allocation of Rs. 3794 crores to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for FY 2025–26. This is a big jump from last year’s revised budget of ₹3,232.85 crore. A major portion, that is ₹2,191.01 crore, has been allocated to Central Sector Schemes, with the flagship Khelo India Programme receiving ₹1,000 crore (up from ₹800 crore allocated in FY 2024-25). Funding for National Sports Federations has also been raised to ₹400 crore, while the Sports Authority of India (SAI) gets ₹830 crore to enhance athlete training and facilities. Schemes and Programmes to Support Sports in India India’s support for its athletes is now more structured and focused than ever. The approach is holistic—covering every stage of an athlete’s journey. From spotting raw talent in villages to backing Olympic medallists, the government has stepped up in a big way. A wide range of schemes now exist to meet the real needs of sportspersons—training, funding, facilities, and life after sport. Each step is designed to help athletes rise and stay at the top. Khelo India ​The Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports is a flagship initiative by the Government of India aimed at revitalizing the sports culture at the grassroots level and transforming India into a global sporting powerhouse. Launched in 2016-17 by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Khelo India programme aims to revive the sports culture in India at the grassroot level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country and establish India as a great sporting nation. Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme The Retired Sportsperson Empowerment Training (RESET) Programme, launched in 2024, empowers retired athletes to reinvent themselves. This initiative provides tailor-made education, internships, and skill-building opportunities to retired sportspersons. Its goal is to address both the employment needs of retired athletes and the human resource gaps in India's sports sector—offering careers in coaching, administration, mentoring, and beyond. Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS) The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons offers one-time ex-gratia aid of up to ₹5 lakh, a monthly pension of ₹5,000, medical assistance up to ₹10 lakh, and support up to ₹10 lakh for injuries sustained during training or competitions. Families of deceased sportspersons and support personnel like coaches, referees, and physiotherapists may also receive financial aid, with a maximum of ₹5 lakh and ₹2 lakh respectively. Scheme of Human Resources Development in Sports The Human Resources Development in Sports (HRDS) Scheme focuses on upgrading skills, encouraging research, and promoting knowledge in key areas like sports science, medicine, and coaching. The scheme offers financial aid for fellowships, training, and global exposure in sports, along with support for research, expert visits, and developing quality sports literature and e-resources. Sports And Games for the Disabled To ensure that no talent is left behind, the Government of India launched the Scheme of Sports & Games for the Disabled. This Central Sector Scheme aims to promote inclusive and participative sports among persons with disabilities at the grassroots level. While high-performing para-athletes receive separate support through the Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations, this initiative focuses on broad-basing sports participation across schools, communities, and districts. Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), a flagship Indian government initiative designed to bolster grassroots sports. This programme provides financial assistance for developing sports infrastructure and procuring equipment at village and block levels. PYKKA also supports annual sports competitions across block, district, and state levels, alongside operational funding for activities and volunteer honorariums. Assistance To National Sports Federations Under the scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) financial assistance is given to National Sports Federations (NSFs) for the training of athletes, which includes all requisite support for training, participation in international events, conduct of National Championships, conduct of international tournaments in India, engagement of Foreign Coaches/support staff, scientific & medical support etc. National Sports Development Fund The National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) is a key initiative by the Government of India to support excellence in sports. Created in response to India's sub-par performance in international events, NSDF aims to mobilize resources from both government and private sectors to bridge critical gaps in infrastructure, training, and athlete support. It offers financial assistance to outstanding athletes and institutions for training under expert coaches, access to international competitions, and development of sports infrastructure. Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons Athletes devote the prime years of their lives to the pursuit of excellence, often sacrificing education, career stability, and family life. The Sports Fund for Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons offers a life-long safety net to those who brought glory to the nation. Pension Structure: ₹20,000/month for Olympic/Para-Olympic/Deaflympic medallists ₹16,000/month for Gold medallists in World Cup/Championships ₹14,000/month for Silver/Bronze in World events & Gold in Asian/Commonwealth ₹12,000/month for Silver/Bronze in Asian/Commonwealth Games Awards and Recognition The National Sports Awards stand as the highest sporting honours in India, celebrating the exceptional achievements of athletes who have put India on the global sporting map. Presented annually, these prestigious awards recognize extraordinary performances at national and international events, while also fostering a spirit of sportsmanship that transcends borders. There is total six categories of awards that are given to sportspersons in India. The Government of India has demonstrated a strong commitment to elevating sports across the nation by creating a comprehensive framework of support for athletes at every stage of their journey. The last decade has been a golden era for Indian sports, with record-breaking performances on international platforms like the Olympics, Paralympics, and Asian Games. Through initiatives like Khelo India, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund, and various welfare schemes, the government is not only identifying and nurturing talent from the grassroots but also ensuring that athletes are supported throughout their careers and beyond. With substantial investments in infrastructure, training, and athlete well-being, India is on a promising path to becoming a global sports leader, offering its athletes the resources and opportunities to excel on the world stage. References: https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/ https://kheloindia.gov.in/about.html https://yas.nic.in/sports/pandit-deendayal-upadhyay-national-welfare-program-sportspersons https://megsports.gov.in/documents/PANCHAYAT_YUVA_KRIDA_AUR_KHEL_ABHIYAN.pdf https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/HRDS%20Scheme.pdf https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2078541#:~:text=Under%20the%20scheme%20of%20Assistance,National%20Championships%2C%20conduct%20of%20International https://yas.gov.in/sports/scheme-assistance-national-sports-federations https://yas.gov.in/sites/default/files/Scheme%20of%20Sports%20And%20Games%20For%20The%20Disabled%20.pdf https://yas.nic.in/sports/national-sports-development-fund https://yas.nic.in/sites/default/files/Scheme%20Meritorious%20Pension_2018.pdf https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2049867 https://pib.gov.in/PressNoteDetails.aspx?NoteId=151772&ModuleId=3®=3&lang=1 Click here to see PDF. Santosh Kumar/ Ritu Kataria/ Priya Nagar (Release ID: 2123815)