Major Government Support Schemes for Indian Athletes

Overview

India’s sports support system is built around the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). It combines talent identification, elite training, financial assistance, welfare support and long-term incentives for sportspersons.

The aim is two-fold: widen mass participation at the grassroots and create podium-ready athletes for major international events such as the Olympic Games, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.

Khelo India Scheme

• Launch and structure: The revamped Khelo India Scheme was launched in October 2017 by merging the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme and National Sports Talent Search Scheme.
• Objective: It promotes mass participation and systematic talent identification at school, university, rural and regional levels.
• Support to athletes: Identified athletes receive financial assistance of ₹5 lakh per annum for up to 8 years for schooling, lodging, equipment and coaching.
• Competitive platforms: The scheme supports national multi-sport events such as the Khelo India Youth Games, Khelo India University Games, Khelo India Winter Games and Khelo India Para Games.
• Exam angle: The scheme is a key entry point for spotting young talent early and building a sporting pipeline.

Target Olympic Podium Scheme and Mission Olympic Cell

• Origin: The Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) was established in September 2014 to support athletes preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
• Operational mechanism: It is managed through the Mission Olympic Cell, formed in April 2016 to assess training needs and clear customized assistance proposals.
• Classification: Athletes are grouped into a Core Group of immediate medal prospects and a Development Group of future prospects.
• Monthly support: Core Group athletes receive an Out-of-Pocket Allowance of ₹50,000 per month, while Development Group athletes receive ₹25,000 per month.
• Additional benefits: The scheme also supports foreign exposure, international coaches, specialised gear and sports science support.
• Important point: The scheme was expanded in 2020 to include a dedicated Development Group for longer Olympic cycles.

Funding Support Through National Sports Bodies

• Scheme of Assistance to National Sports Federations (NSFs): This is the main funding route for National Sports Federations to organise national championships and international tournaments in India.
• Coverage: It provides support for national coaching camps, international exposure trips, elite equipment and salaries of foreign coaches, national coaches, physiotherapists and video analysts.
• National Sports Development Fund (NSDF): Created in November 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890, it mobilises non-government and private resources for sports.
• Funding model: Contributions can come from private corporations under CSR provisions, public sector undertakings, non-profits and individuals, with matching grants from the Central Government.
• Core use: The fund supports specialised training, foreign exposure under TOPS, infrastructure creation and sports science research.
• Governance: The NSDF is administered by a Council chaired by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Welfare and Long-Term Security for Sportspersons

• Scheme of Pension to Meritorious Sportspersons: This provides lifelong monthly pensions to retired athletes who won medals in the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, World Cups, World Championships, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Afro-Asian Games.
• Eligibility condition: Pension begins after the sportsperson attains 30 years of age and retires from active competitive sports.
• Special Awards to Winners in International Sports Events and Their Coaches: This scheme gives cash rewards for major international performances.
• Reward amounts: Olympic Games gold medallists receive ₹75 lakh, silver medallists ₹50 lakh and bronze medallists ₹30 lakh.
• Other medal events: Proportionate cash prizes are also available for Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championship medallists.
• PDUNWFS: The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons, formed in 1982, helps outstanding sportspersons living in indigent circumstances.
• Nature of help: It provides financial relief to current and retired athletes, coaches and their families during medical emergencies, severe injuries, disability or sudden economic hardship.

SAI Training Network and High-Performance Infrastructure

• National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs): These are specialised high-performance regional centres for residential training, sports science support and dietary management.
• Target group: NCoEs cater mainly to national core probables preparing for elite competition.
• SAI Training Centres (STCs): These function as grassroots and regional centres in collaboration with state governments.
• Age focus: STCs mainly groom talent in the 12 to 18 age bracket.
• System role: Together, these centres create the bridge between early talent spotting and high-performance international preparation.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• Khelo India: Launched in October 2017 after merging three older schemes.
• TOPS: Started in September 2014 for Olympic and Paralympic medal prospects.
• Mission Olympic Cell: Set up in April 2016 to process customized athlete support.
• NSDF: Created in November 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890.
• PDUNWFS: Formulated in 1982 for distress relief to sportspersons and families.
• SAI centres: NCoEs serve high-performance athletes, while STCs nurture younger talent.
• Cash incentives: Olympic gold medalists receive ₹75 lakh under the special awards scheme.