National Sports Governance Act 2025

Why in news ?

• President Draupadi Murmu has given assent to the National Sports Governance Act 2025. With this, the bill has become an Act and will officially come into force as an important step towards reforming sports Governance in India.

Bill in Parliament

• The bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 23 July 2025.
• The Lok Sabha passed it on 11 August 2025.
• The next day, it was passed in the Rajya Sabha after a discussion that lasted for more than two hours.
• In the process, the bill was finalised after review and suggestions from representatives of all political parties and sports fraternity.

Key features of the new law

• Formation of National Sports Board (NSB)
  • The Act provides for the formation of National Sports Board (NSB).
  • The NSB will oversee and monitor all sports federations, including India's richest sports body, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
• Transparency of sports associations under the purview of RTI
  • The Act clarifies that:
    • Any recognised sports organisation, which receives grants or other financial assistance from the central or state government, shall be deemed to be a public authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
  • It aims to ensure financial transparency in sports associations.
  • The BCCI had earlier opposed coming under the RTI (Right to Information) Act, as it does not depend on government funding.
• Elections and tenure in national federations
  • Candidates for top positions (president, general secretary, treasurer) must serve only one full term.
  • The earlier rule of two terms eligibility was considered too restrictive.
  • The new provision was introduced to encourage young administrators and athlete-leaders.
• Eligibility of candidate
  • As per the Act, a person shall not be eligible for the post of president, general secretary or treasurer unless:
    1. He is a sportsperson of outstanding merit, or
    2. He has previously served at least one full term as a member of the executive committee of a national sports body or as president, general secretary or treasurer in an affiliated unit.
  • This provision is to ensure efficient and experienced administrators.
• Monitoring and reform of sports federations
  • The Act lays down the operational and administrative standards of sports federations.
  • It will ensure that the associations work in accordance with international standards and the interests of the players are protected.