What's Brewing

Sports and athletics have always been an inseparable part of Indians of all ages, as participants or as spectators. Though individual governing bodies do exist to conduct various sports both at national and international levels, the much-needed clarity and accountability in the affairs of these bodies have been lacking and of late become a subject of controversy and national debate. 

The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 [Bill] was introduced in Lok Sabha on 23rd July 2025 precisely for this purpose – to infuse clarity and accountability in the administration of these bodies in conducting sporting and athletic events in India and abroad.

The Bill has been passed by Lok Sabha on 11th August 2025 and by Rajya Sabha on 12th August 2025. After getting the President’s assent on 18th August 2025, this Bill has now become the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 [Act].

Salient Features of the Act

1)The following organisations shall be recognised as the apex bodies for governance of all sports:

• National Olympic Committee
• National Paralympic Committee

The above two Committees shall oversee all sports at the national and international levels.

• National Sports Federation
• Regional Sports Federation

The above federations shall function specifically for each designated sport, at national and regional levels.

2) While the above two Committees shall have international recognition and affiliation with the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee respectively, the National Federation shall have international recognition and affiliation with the International Federation for the concerned sport. The above Regional Federation shall have relevant affiliations as prescribed by the Committees.   

3) The organisational structure of every National Sports Body [Body] shall necessarily comprise:

• General Body having equal representation of all individual bodies affiliated to the Body, including ex-officio members as per international agreements and as per the Body’s own by-laws.
• Executive Committee of maximum 15 members, of which minimum 4 shall be women, consisting of:
  i) Minimum 2 sportspersons of outstanding merit 
  ii) 2 athletes chosen from members of the sub-committee to be formed for athletes
  iii) Ex-officio members and members nominated as per by-laws and international agreements 

4) Every National Sports Body shall necessarily have (i) a President (ii) Secretary General (ii) Treasurer. All members and office bearers shall be Indian citizens of minimum 25 years age and of sound mind.

5) Central government shall establish a board called National Sports Board [NSB] comprising a Chairperson and members, in New Delhi with branches all over India. NSB shall be deemed to be a corporate body under Companies Act, 2013.

6) The main functions of  NSB shall include but not limited to: (i) granting recognition to and registration of all Bodies (ii) issuing guidelines for Code of Ethics (iii) collaborating with world sports organisations for development of sports and welfare of athletes in India (v) inquiring into complaints of sportsmen/athletes (vi) appointing ad hoc committees, in event of de-recognition of any Body by world sports bodies, etc.   

7) Every Body shall necessarily have a Code of Ethics that ensure highest standards of ethical conduct of all stakeholders that shall be in consonance with ethical standards stipulated by world sports bodies.

8) NSB shall formulate a ‘Safe Sports Policy’ for all activities, events and proceedings of any sports Body.

9) Central government shall establish a National Sports Election Panel comprising retired members of the central and state Election Commissions of India. This Panel shall conduct elections of members to the Executive Committees and Athletes Committees of all sports Bodies.

10) Central government shall also establish a National Sports Tribunal [NST] for an independent, speedy, efficient and cost effective disposal of sports related disputes between the stakeholders. This NST shall have the following structure and features:

• Chairperson and 2 members, to be appointed by central government based on the recommendations of a Search-cum-Selection Panel comprising (i) the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme court judge             (ii)  Secretary to Union Law ministry and (iii) Secretary to Union Sports ministry.  
• Chairperson shall be a sitting or retired Supreme Court judge or Chief Justice of any High Court.
• The 2 members shall be persons of eminence in public life with knowledge and experience in sports, public administration and law.
• NST shall formulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business.
• NST jurisdiction shall not extend to disputes relating to: events done by international Committees or Federations; disputes in the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS); disputes under other tribunals or courts and disputes under the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022.
• Unless international agreements specify the CAS, decisions of NST can be appealed only in Supreme Court of India.

11) Central government shall constitute a Fund called National Sports Board Fund [NSBF] into which all remittances from any source including central government shall be accrued and through which any and all administrative and operational expenses of NSB shall be met. The accounts of NSBF shall be periodically audited by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.NSB shall be empowered to make regulations pertaining to all aspects and provisions under this Bill/Act, in consonance with those of international sports bodies and after prior approval of central government.   

12) NSB shall be empowered to make regulations pertaining to all aspects and provisions under this Bill/Act, in consonance with those of international sports bodies and after prior approval of central government.   

13) Central government is empowered to issue directions to NSB or sports Body or person from time to time, in order to ensure efficient implementation of this Bill/Act.

14) Central government is empowered to impose reasonable restrictions on participation of an Indian team in any international event, in the interest of national security, public order and safety.

15) Central government is also empowered to grant exemption to any sports Body from any or all provisions of this Bill/Act for any specified period, if it considers such exemption necessary in public interest for the promotion of any specific sport discipline consistent with the spirit of good governance enshrined in the Olympic Charter.  

For full text of the Act:
https://yas.gov.in/sites/default/files/National%20Sports%20Governance%20Act%2C%202025.pdf