Functions of Major Sports Governing Bodies in India

Sports governance in India is split between statutory oversight, autonomous sports bodies, and society-registered institutions. For Prelims, the key focus is on their legal status, functions, and the way they handle recognition, administration, disputes, and athlete development.

The National Sports Governance Act, 2025

The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, creates a statutory framework for regulating sports bodies in India. It replaces the earlier executive-led system with a uniform legal structure for recognition, governance, and compliance across disciplines.

• Statutory status: The Act received the assent of the President of India on August 18, 2025.
• Operational rules: In May 2026, the Union Government notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026, and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026.
• Governance framework: The Act brings recognized federations under a common legislative structure aligned with international Olympic principles.
• Executive committee composition: Every national sports body’s executive committee can have a maximum of 15 members.
• Representation norms: The committee must include at least two outstanding sportspersons and at least four women members.

The National Sports Board and National Sports Tribunal

The Act establishes two major institutions to supervise sports administration and settle disputes.

• National Sports Board (NSB): The NSB is the statutory central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies.
• NSB functions: It monitors governance, financial compliance, and ethical standards.
• NSB tenure: Members serve for three years, with an upper age limit of 65 years.
• Selection process: Members are chosen by a five-member Search-cum-Selection Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
• National Sports Tribunal (NST): The NST is an independent, digital-enabled adjudicatory body.
• NST jurisdiction: It handles sports-related disputes, anti-doping violations, and selection grievances.
• NST tenure: The Chairperson serves for five years or up to 70 years of age.
• Other Members: They serve for five years or up to 67 years of age.

Sports Authority of India (SAI)

The Sports Authority of India is the main national body for talent identification, infrastructure support, and training. It operates under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and works through national and regional sports facilities.

• Establishment: SAI was established in January 1984.
• Legal form: It is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Administrative control: It functions under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• Leadership: The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio President of SAI.
• Governing structure: The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports heads its Governing Body and General Body.
• Current administrative head: Hari Ranjan Rao, IAS, serves as Secretary (Sports) and Director General of SAI.
• Operational role: SAI administers National Centres of Excellence and regional centres.

Major Autonomous Sports Bodies in India

Along with government institutions, several autonomous bodies manage specific sports disciplines. Their powers, registration status, and funding patterns differ significantly.

• Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI): A private, autonomous body registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975.
• BCCI function: It manages cricket operations, including domestic trophies and the Indian Premier League.
• BCCI funding: It does not receive financial grants from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
• BCCI leadership: Mithun Manhas serves as the 37th President, and Devajit Saikia serves as Secretary.
• All India Football Federation (AIFF): The national governing body for football in India.
• AIFF leadership: Kalyan Chaubey is President and N. A. Haris is Vice President.
• Proposed name change: In June 2026, the Special General Body approved a proposal to rename the body as the “Football Federation of Bharat,” subject to ministry and FIFA approvals.
• Hockey India (HI): The sole recognized national organization for field hockey in India.
• Hockey India leadership: Dilip Tirkey is President, Nitin Kohli is Vice President, and Bhola Nath Singh is Secretary.

How to Differentiate the Bodies

Key Prelims Takeaways

• Act passed: The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, received presidential assent on August 18, 2025.
• Rule notification: Operational rules for the NSB and NST were notified in May 2026.
• Executive committee cap: National sports bodies can have a maximum of 15 executive committee members.
• Required representation: The committee must include at least two outstanding sportspersons and four women members.
• NSB role: It grants recognition and monitors governance, finances, and ethics.
• NST role: It handles sports disputes, anti-doping matters, and selection grievances.
• SAI identity: The Prime Minister is the ex-officio President of SAI, which is registered as a society under the 1860 Act.
• BCCI status: It is an autonomous society under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, and does not take government grants.