1. Home
  2. Current Affairs
  3. Current News
  4. National Sports Governance Rules, 2026 Notified

National Sports Governance Rules, 2026 Notified

  • 13 Jan 2026

On 12th January 2026, the Government of India notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, establishing a statutory framework for governance, representation, and elections in national sports administration.

Key Points:

  • Statutory Framework: The Rules lay down norms for governance of National Sports Bodies (NSBs) and Regional Sports Federations, including composition, elections, eligibility, and disqualifications.
  • Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs): Mandatory inclusion of at least four SOMs in the General Body of every NSB; 50% of these must be women.
  • Women’s Representation: To ensure at least four women in the Executive Committee, NSBs may reserve specific posts for women through their bye-laws.
  • Eligibility for SOMs: Applicants must be at least 25 years old, retired from active sport, and must not have participated in competitive events leading to district/state/national selection for at least one year prior to application.
  • Tiered Criteria: Ten-tier classification for SOMs, ranging from Olympic and Paralympic medallists to National Games or National Championship medallists, designed to cover diverse sports disciplines.
  • Disqualifications: Individuals convicted by a court and sentenced to imprisonment are barred from membership of the General Body, committees, and from contesting elections to the Executive or Athletes Committees.
  • National Sports Election Panel: Panel to have at least 20 qualified members at all times; electoral officer fees capped at ₹5 lakh, with additional mutually agreed fees for assistants.
  • Amendment of Bye-laws: All NSBs must align their bye-laws with the Act within six months of notification.
  • Power to Relax Rules: The Central Government may relax provisions for up to 12 months, upon application and with recorded reasons.
  • Significance: The notification marks a major milestone in transitioning India’s sports administration to a transparent, accountable, and statutory governance framework.