Key Sports Governance Bodies in India

Sports governance in India rests on a mix of government ministries, autonomous bodies, and statutory institutions. Together, they frame policy, fund schemes, regulate federations, and manage athlete development and international representation.

For Prelims, the most important bodies are the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Indian Olympic Association, and the evolving statutory framework for national sports bodies.

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS)

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is the apex executive authority for sports administration and policy in India.

• Leadership: It is headed by the Cabinet Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, with Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse as Minister of State.
• Two departments: The ministry functions through the Department of Sports and the Department of Youth Affairs.
• Youth affairs role: The Department of Youth Affairs oversees the Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD), Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, an Institution of National Importance established by Act No. 35 of 2012.
• Administrative coordination: Hari Ranjan Rao, IAS, serves as the Sports Secretary of India and coordinates policy formulation, administration, and international liaison.
• Major schemes: The ministry administers schemes such as the Khelo India Programme and releases budgetary support to recognised National Sports Federations (NSFs).

National Sports Governance Act, 2025

The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 is the key statutory framework for sports governance, replacing the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.

• Presidential assent: The Act received presidential assent on 18 August 2025.
• National Sports Board: The Act enables the central government to set up a National Sports Board (NSB) for recognition of national sports bodies.
• National Sports Tribunal: It also provides for a National Sports Tribunal to resolve sports-related disputes.
• Committee size: Executive committees of National Sports Bodies are capped at 15 members.
• Age limits: Members of executive committees must be between 25 and 70 years of age.
• Representation norms: Committees must include at least two outstanding sportspersons and four women.
• General Body provisions: The National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, notified in January 2026, require General Bodies of NSBs to include at least four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs), with 50% reservation for women SOMs.

Sports Authority of India (SAI)

The Sports Authority of India is an autonomous body under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. It handles the operational side of sports administration, including training, infrastructure, and athlete support.

• Establishment: SAI was established in 1984 to carry forward the legacy of the IX Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1982.
• Leadership: Hari Ranjan Rao, IAS, holds the additional charge of Director General of SAI.
• Training institutions: It runs premier institutes such as the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala, and the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE), Thiruvananthapuram.
• Centres of excellence: SAI manages national centres of excellence and supports elite athlete preparation.
• Stadia and support schemes: It also manages major stadia in New Delhi and implements elite athlete support initiatives such as the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Indian Olympic Association (IOA)

The Indian Olympic Association is the body responsible for selecting and managing Indian teams for major multi-sport international events.

• Formation: It was formed in 1927.
• Founding president: Sir Dorabji Tata was its founding president.
• Legal status: The IOA is registered as a non-profit organisation under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Current leadership: PT Usha serves as President of the IOA.
• Historic election: She was elected in December 2022 as the first woman and first Olympian to hold the post.
• International recognition: The IOA is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF).

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)

The BCCI governs cricket in India and follows a governance structure distinct from other national sports bodies.

• Nature of body: It is an autonomous private body and does not receive government grants from MYAS.
• Funding model: The BCCI is self-funded.
• Leadership: Mithun Manhas was elected unopposed as the 37th President in September 2025, succeeding Roger Binny.
• Secretariat: Devajit Saikia serves as Secretary of the BCCI.
• Administrative note: Jay Shah moved on to become Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Key Prelims Takeaways

• Ministry role: MYAS is the apex executive ministry for sports policy, funding, and national sports administration.
• Two departments: The ministry has the Department of Sports and the Department of Youth Affairs.
• New statute: The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 replaces the National Sports Development Code of India, 2011.
• New institutions: The Act provides for a National Sports Board and a National Sports Tribunal.
• Committee norms: Executive committees of National Sports Bodies are limited to 15 members and ages 25 to 70.
• Representation: The rules require women’s representation and inclusion of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit.
• Separate cricket model: The BCCI is a self-funded private body and not dependent on ministry grants.