The central government has introduced a new funding model under the revamped Khelo India Scheme, setting aside ₹565 crore for states to jointly finance future sports infrastructure projects as part of the five-year programme.
The Union Cabinet recently approved a ₹29,054 crore outlay for the Khelo India Scheme, alongside ₹7,387 crore for the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) scheme.
New Funding Model Gives States Greater Responsibility
Of the total Khelo India allocation, the Centre will contribute ₹28,489 crore, while states will collectively provide ₹565 crore. The Sports Ministry, however, has not disclosed the individual allocation for each state.
Under the revised model, general category states will receive central assistance on a 60:40 funding basis for infrastructure projects.
For North-Eastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura—and Himalayan states Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the Centre will bear 90 per cent of project costs.
All sports infrastructure projects in Union Territories, including Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Chandigarh and Puducherry, will be fully funded by the central government.
According to a Sports Ministry source, the revised framework has been introduced to give states greater ownership and accountability in sports infrastructure development.
Major Push For Athlete Development
The new Khelo India allocation is eight times larger than the previous scheme, which relied entirely on central funding without a dedicated state contribution.
The ministry also aims to significantly expand the Khelo India athlete programme. At present, nearly 3,000 athletes across 22 sports are supported under the initiative, with plans to increase that number nearly ninefold to strengthen India’s talent pipeline.
ANSF To Back Global Sporting Ambitions
The ₹7,387 crore ANSF allocation will support India’s preparations for hosting major international competitions, including this month’s Badminton World Championships in Delhi, the Asian Athletics Relays in 2027, the World Athletics Indoor Championships in 2028 and the World Police and Fire Games in 2029.
The scheme will also fund preparations for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and strengthen India’s campaign to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Introduced in 2001, the ANSF continues to provide financial assistance to National Sports Federations to enhance athlete development and support India’s international sporting ambitions.
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