In a transformative step towards national development, the Government of India has launched its new National Sports Policy, named ‘Khelo Bharat Niti 2025’, aimed at deeply integrating sports with the education system, social progress, and economic growth. With the core vision of “Sports for Nation Building – Harness the Power of Sports for Nation’s Holistic Development,” this policy sets a strategic roadmap for the future of sports in India.
Key Pillars of the Policy
Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 is structured around five pivotal pillars:
- Achieving global sporting excellence
- Boosting economic growth through sports
- Promoting social inclusion and physical well-being
- Making sports a mass movement
- Seamlessly integrating sports with academic education
Sports and Education: A New Era
One of the central themes of the policy is the integration of sports into school and higher education curriculums. Physical literacy will be introduced from the grassroots level, with institutions encouraged to set up accessible sports infrastructure and implement physical activity as part of the daily routine. The University Grants Commission (UGC) will support schools and colleges in treating sports as a mainstream career path, promoting physical education, coaching, and sports sciences.
The policy also proposes the creation of a fitness ranking and indexing system for schools, colleges, and workplaces, encouraging healthy competition and nationwide fitness consciousness. Training and certification programmes will be launched to develop a skilled workforce of educators, coaches, and physical trainers.
Economic Development Through Sports
Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 also positions sports as a driver of economic growth. India aims to become a global hub for sports tourism, particularly during major events. In alignment with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, the policy promotes indigenous sports equipment manufacturing and sports entrepreneurship.
A dedicated Sports Business Advisory Group will be formed, bringing together representatives from the government, private sector, and allied stakeholders to invest in both hard (infrastructure) and soft (training, digital services) sports assets.
The policy has a strong social inclusion agenda. It seeks to uplift youth from underrepresented communities by creating opportunities to participate in mainstream sports. Indigenous Indian games will be revitalized to preserve cultural heritage and discover new talent. The policy also supports youth volunteer programmes, awarding participants with course credits, event passes, and interactions with national athletes.
Furthermore, sports will be leveraged as a tool for international cooperation and peacekeeping, fostering diplomatic ties through bilateral and multilateral sporting events.
Mass Participation and Grassroots Focus
To make sports a mass movement, the government plans to establish social sports hubs at block and district levels. These hubs will serve as accessible venues for community sports and talent identification, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
By aligning itself with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 promises a holistic transformation of the Indian sports ecosystem. With its comprehensive focus on education, economic development, social justice, and international relations, this policy is a bold step towards making India a sports-inclusive nation—not just for medals, but for nation-building through health, unity, and empowerment.
