Union Cabinet Approves National Sports Policy 2025

  • 02 Jul 2025

On 1st July 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, replacing the 2001 policy and setting a visionary roadmap to establish India as a top sporting nation, with a focus on the 2036 Olympics.

Key Points

  • Strategic Vision: NSP 2025 was developed through wide consultations with ministries, states, sports bodies, athletes, and public stakeholders. It envisions sports as a tool for excellence, social development, economic growth, and mass engagement.
  • Grassroots to Elite Focus: The policy aims to strengthen the sports ecosystem through early talent identification, better training and coaching, rural and urban infrastructure development, and competitive league structures.
  • Modernized Governance: It proposes reforms in National Sports Federations and enhanced use of sports science, medicine, and technology to boost athletic performance.
  • Economic Potential: Emphasizes sports tourism, event hosting, and development of sports manufacturing and startups.
  • Social Inclusion: Targets increased participation among women, tribal and economically weaker communities, and persons with disabilities.
  • Mass Participation & Fitness: Plans national campaigns, fitness indices in schools/workplaces, and greater public access to sports facilities to make sports a mass movement.
  • Education Integration: Aligns with NEP 2020 to integrate sports into curricula and train educators in sports education.