Context
India, a nation with huge talent and big and growing ambitions in the international sporting arena, is ready for a strategic transformation with the introduction of the National Sports Policy 2025.
About
The new policy replaces the existing National Sports Policy, 2001. It chalks out a visionary and strategic roadmap to make the country a global sporting powerhouse and a competitive contender for the 2036 Olympic Games.
Key Pillars of the policy
(i) Excellence on the Global Stage: Make sports programs robust from the ground level to the apex levels. Build world-class infrastructure and provide top-notch training, coaching, and a comprehensive athlete support system.
(ii) Sports for Economic Development: It seeks to promote sports tourism and attract major international events to India. Encourage private sector participation.
(iii) Sports for Social Development: Promoting participation among women, economically weaker sections, tribal communities, and persons with disabilities through focused programs.
(iv) Sports as a People’s Movement: The policy aims to drive mass participation and a culture of fitness through nationwide campaigns and community-based events.
(v) Integration with Education (NEP 2020): In alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, the NSP 2025 proposes to integrate sports into school curricula.
Strategic Framework:
(a) Governance: Establish a robust regulatory framework for sports governance, including a legal framework.
(b) Private Sector Funding & support: Develop innovative financing mechanisms and engage private sector participation through PPPs and CSR.
(c) Technology & Innovation: Utilize upcoming technologies, such as AI and data analytics, to track performance, carry out research, and implement programs..
(d) National Monitoring Framework: Develop a national framework with clearly established benchmarks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and time-bound targets.
(e) Model Policy for States: The NSP 2025 will serve as a model for States and Union Territories, encouraging them to revise or formulate their own policies in alignment with national objectives.
(f) Whole-of-Government Approach: The policy calls for integration of sports promotion into the activities, schemes, and programs of all Ministries and Departments to achieve a holistic impact.
Need for the Policy
(i) The Paris Olympics ended with India securing six medals — one silver and five bronze — to place 71st in the medals tally.
(ii) It was ranked below nations with much smaller populations, including Georgia, Kazakhstan, and North Korea. The United States, with less than a quarter of India’s population, topped the charts with 126 medals. It was followed by China with 91.
(iii) India has now won just 41 Olympic medals in total since its debut in 1900. They are all of the Summer Games.
(iv) The country’s performance led to many questions about the need for a sporting culture.
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Significance of the Policy
(i) Focuses on identifying and nurturing talent from a young age through structured pathways.
(ii) Advocates for Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in infrastructure development.
(iii) Recognizes the economic potential of sports—including job creation, tourism, and manufacturing.
(iv) Integrates sports science, medicine, psychology, as well as nutrition for athlete development.
(v) Aligns with Fit India Movement, Khelo India, as well as Viksit Bharat @2047 goals.
Conclusion
India’s evolution into a global sports power requires more than policies—implementation, accountability, and long-term vision. With NSP 2025 and the 2036 Olympic bid, India is at a milestone moment. And if supported by reforms, participation, and investment, sport can become a potent driver of national development.