Cabinet approves revamped Khelo India Scheme and enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSFs)

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a revamped Khelo India Scheme and an enhanced Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) with a combined outlay of Rs 36,441 crore for 2026‑27 to 2030‑31, about eight times the previous allocation. The scheme creates an integrated sports ecosystem comprising National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, Khelo India Accredited Academies, Khelo India Centres and Youth Sports Companies of the Armed Forces. New school‑level initiatives – Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas – aim to embed sports in mainstream education. It expands athlete development pathways, adds the Emerging Khelo India Athletes category, and emphasizes women athletes, para‑athletes, indigenous sports, and sports‑based community development. The ANSF component will fund coaching, sports science, equipment, international exposure and cooperation with Global South countries.