Union Cabinet Approves Revamped Khelo India Scheme with ₹36,441 Crore Outlay

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on September 4 approved an expanded Khelo India Scheme alongside enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs), allocating a massive combined financial outlay of ₹36,441 crore for the period covering 2026–27 to 2030–31. This financial approval represents nearly an eight-fold increase compared to previous allocations for the scheme, marking it as India's most ambitious national sports development programme since Independence. The policy framework is tailored to construct a seamless pathway for young athletic talent, spanning grassroots identification in school playgrounds and rural facilities to high-performance training hubs and Olympic podiums. Aligned with the vision of Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and the National Education Policy 2020, the revamped scheme integrates sports education, advanced sports science, and technological upgrades. It establishes an interconnected national sporting ecosystem featuring National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs), Khelo India Centres of Excellence (KICoEs), and Sports Authority of India (SAI) training infrastructure. Government officials highlighted that this investment will directly support long-term objectives, including preparation for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and India's formal bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.