Khelo
India Scheme and Enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs)
Prelims:
Government Schemes,
Mains:
GS Paper II-Government Policies & Interventions, GS
Paper III- Human Resource Development
Current relevance:
The Union
Cabinet has approved the revamped Khelo
India Scheme and enhanced Assistance
to National Sports Federations (ANSFs) with a combined outlay of ₹36,441
crore for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31.
Highlights:
Pathway from Grassroots to Global Excellence:
1.
Aim: To
create a seamless pathway for
talented youth from school playgrounds and village
sports fields to the Olympic podium.
2.
It seeks to ensure that no sporting talent is left undiscovered
due to geography, economic background or lack of opportunity.
3.
It is aligned with the Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
New School-Level Programmes:
1.
Two new initiatives have been introduced Khelo India Feeder Schools (KIFS), Khelo
India Utkrishta Vidyalayas (KIUV).
2.
These programmes aim to integrate sports with mainstream education and
promote early identification and
systematic nurturing of young talent.
Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs):
1.
The introduction of the Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIAs)
category alongside the existing Khelo
India Athletes programme will expand the structured athlete development
ecosystem by nearly ten-fold.
2. A
strengthened talent identification framework involving Talent Identification Development Committees, Zonal Committees, Talent
Scouts, High Performance Directors and High-Performance Managers will
ensure continuous identification and development of athletes.
Inclusive Sports Development:
1.
Special emphasis has been placed on women athletes, para-athletes, indigenous
sports, sports for peace, inclusion and community development.
2. The
scheme also supports the National Games and the hosting of major
international sporting events in India.
Modern Support Systems:
1.
A National Coach Accreditation Board
(NCAB) will be established to standardise coaching qualifications and
strengthen coaching capacity.
2. A unified digital sports platform will integrate athlete
databases, infrastructure, competitions, coaching resources, talent assessments,
funding, fit India participation.
3. The
platform will enable data-driven planning, transparent governance and
personalised athlete development.
About Assistance to National Sports Federations
(ANSFs):
1.
The strengthened ANSF Scheme (2026–31)
will provide funding for coaching, sports science, modern equipment,
international exposure, coaching camps, foreign experts, participation in major
international competitions.
2. It
will also support sports cooperation with countries of the Global South
and promote India's indigenous sports internationally.
Source: PIB - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2292439®=48&lang=2