Sports Ministry Notifies Sports Board and Tribunal Rules

The Union Government notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026, and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026, on 26 May 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The rules provide the framework for the National Sports Board and the National Sports Tribunal, which are two statutory bodies under the sports governance law.

National Sports Board

The National Sports Board (NSB) is the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies. It also monitors compliance with governance, financial, and ethical standards by recognised sports bodies. The NSB will have a Chairperson and two members. The Central Government will appoint them from a panel recommended by a Search-cum-Selection Committee. The tenure of NSB members will be three years. The upper age limit for members is 65 years, and they cannot hold positions in international or national sports bodies during their tenure.

National Sports Tribunal

The National Sports Tribunal (NST) is a dedicated adjudicatory body for sports-related disputes. It is designed to handle disputes outside civil courts under the sports governance framework. The NST rules provide for digital filing through a dedicated online portal for disputes, notices, and documents. They also allow virtual hearings as part of techno-legal implementation. The Chairperson of the NST will serve for four years or until the age of 70 years, whichever is earlier. Members will serve for four years or until the age of 67 years.

Service Conditions and Institutional Features

The rules cover appointment, reappointment, tenure, salaries, allowances, and other service conditions for the Chairperson and Members of both bodies. They also bar Tribunal office-holders from practising before the Tribunal after retirement and from undertaking arbitration while in office.

Important Facts for Exams

• The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, provides the statutory basis for the National Sports Board and the National Sports Tribunal.
• The National Sports Board has regulatory functions related to recognition and compliance of National Sports Bodies.
• The National Sports Tribunal is linked to dispute resolution in sports administration and governance.
• Virtual hearings and online filing are part of the Tribunal’s procedural framework.