National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025

Why in the news?

Union Cabinet approves National Sports Policy 2025.

Key Highlights:

• On July 2025, under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Cabinet approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025.
• The policy carries an ambitious goal of making India one of the top five sporting nations by 2047.
• It will replace the National Sports Policy of 2001.
• It presents a strategic roadmap to establish India as a strong contender in international sports events, including the 2036 Olympics.
• Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the policy focuses on promoting rural and grassroots talent and turning sports into a mass movement.

A historic step to make sports a mass movement; linked with the National Education Policy:

• The Khelo Bharat Policy 2025 aims to integrate sports into school education by aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP).
• Teachers and physical education instructors will receive special training to promote sports culture in schools.
• Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called it a transformative step to reshape India's sports ecosystem.
• The policy also emphasizes developing a strong regulatory framework for sports administration, and encouraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for innovative financing mechanisms.

Strategy to boost economic and social development through sports and tourism:

• The policy aims to link sports with tourism and economic development.
• Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “Millions travel for events like the IPL and football tournaments—this boosts tourism and local economies.”
• The policy seeks to establish sports events as centers of economic activity.
• It also envisions using sports as a platform for social development, particularly by offering opportunities to talent from rural and underprivileged areas.

PM Modi calls it a historic day; policy based on five key pillars:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Khelo Bharat Policy 2025 a historic move, based on five major pillars:

1. Excellence on the global stage – Strengthening India’s position in international sporting events.
2. Sports for economic growth – Generating tourism and employment through sports events.
3. Sports for social development – Promoting inclusive growth and social unity.
4. Sports as a mass movement – Making sports an integral part of every citizen’s lifestyle.
5. Integration with education – Promoting sports education in schools under NEP.

PM Modi wrote on X, “This policy will inspire our talented athletes and make India a global hub for sports.”

Prepared after extensive consultations, aimed at grassroots transformation:

• NSP 2025 has been prepared after wide consultations with central ministries, NITI Aayog, state governments, National Sports Federations (NSFs), players, and experts.
• The policy focuses on boosting sports culture at the grassroots level, strengthening infrastructure, and supporting athlete development.