National Sports Policy 2025 Approved: Integrates Sports into NEP Framework, Eyes 2036 Olympics

National Sports Policy 2025 Approved: Integrates Sports into NEP Framework, Eyes 2036 Olympics

The NSP 2025 has been formulated after extensive consultations with Central Ministries, NITI Aayog, State Governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs), athletes, experts, and the general public.

In a significant policy shift aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025. The policy replaces the outdated 2001 framework and aims to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse, with a special focus on integrating sports into education and building momentum toward participation in the 2036 Olympic Games.

The NSP 2025 has been formulated after extensive consultations with Central Ministries, NITI Aayog, State Governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs), athletes, experts, and the general public. It is anchored on six key pillars: Excellence on the Global Stage, Sports for Economic Development, Sports for Social Development, Sports as a People’s Movement, Integration with Education (NEP 2020), and a Strategic Implementation Framework.

To strengthen India’s performance on the global stage, the policy proposes measures for early talent identification and development from grassroots to elite levels. It advocates for the establishment of competitive leagues, enhancement of rural and urban sports infrastructure, and the creation of world-class training and coaching systems. Emphasis is also laid on improving governance in National Sports Federations, and leveraging sports science, medicine, and technology to boost athletic performance. Additionally, a major thrust will be on developing coaches, referees, and support personnel to meet global standards.

Recognising the economic potential of the sports sector, the policy aims to promote sports tourism, attract major international events to India, and support the sports manufacturing ecosystem. It encourages innovation and entrepreneurship by facilitating sports-based startups, while also calling for enhanced private sector participation through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and alternative funding mechanisms.

NSP 2025 positions sports as a tool for social transformation. It promotes inclusive participation by focusing on women, economically weaker sections, tribal populations, and persons with disabilities. Indigenous and traditional games will be revitalized, and sports will be presented as a viable career pathway, integrated within the education system. Volunteering and dual-career pathways will be promoted, along with initiatives to connect with the Indian diaspora through sports engagement.

In order to turn sports into a nationwide movement, the policy encourages mass participation through community-driven events and national campaigns. Fitness indices will be launched to assess performance and physical activity levels across schools, colleges, and workplaces. It also seeks to ensure universal access to sports facilities to build a culture of fitness and active living.

Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, NSP 2025 proposes integrating sports into school curricula and equipping educators and physical education instructors with specialized training. This approach is expected to foster early sports engagement among students and encourage schools to nurture sporting talent from a young age.

To achieve its ambitious goals, the policy outlines a robust strategic framework that includes regulatory reforms for sports governance, innovative financing models, and use of emerging technologies such as AI and data analytics for performance tracking and program management. A national monitoring framework with clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and time-bound targets will be put in place. NSP 2025 will also act as a model policy for States and Union Territories, urging them to align their respective policies with national objectives.

The National Sports Policy 2025 calls for a “whole-of-government” approach, ensuring that all ministries and departments integrate sports promotion into their respective schemes and initiatives. With this comprehensive and forward-looking strategy, India aims not only to excel in global sporting arenas but also to build a healthier, more inclusive, and economically vibrant society through sports.

Read More: