India’s New National Sports Policy After 24 Years: Can It Build on Olympic Momentum and Deliver Long-Term Gains?

The sports scene of India has grown utterly in the last 20 years. Being the country of recognition world-wide, there are now iconic Olympic medals, enhanced performances, the country starts to settle on the global sports map at the Commonwealth and Asian Games.

Yet this development has not always been very systemic but more of individual genius. The problems that have been facing Indian sports which keeps it not performing to the best of its capabilities include inappropriate grassroots systems, obsolete infrastructure and poor consistency of governance.

The Indian government made a groundbreaking step and launched a new National Sports Policy 2025, the first overall policy change in 24 years. This policy is aimed not only at reorganizing development of talents helping to become a global sporting power but also improving infrastructure, professional folks strength, and motivating masses into sporting. However, as usual every policy implemented will only be as effective as its effectiveness in implementation at the ground level.

India’s Global Sporting Performance in Recent Years

India’s performance at the Olympic Games has been a turning point. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics marked the country’s best-ever showing, with seven medals, including a historic gold in javelin throw by Neeraj Chopra. India also made strides in wrestling, boxing, badminton, and hockey, signaling a broader base of athletic excellence. Prior to Tokyo, the London 2012 Olympics had been the high point, with six medals, but consistency remained a challenge. Source: Olympics.com

At the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, India finished fourth with 61 medals. This was a commendable performance, especially since shooting—one of India’s strongest events—was excluded. Indian athletes excelled in wrestling, badminton, athletics, and weightlifting, highlighting the depth of talent across multiple disciplines. Source

India also delivered a record-breaking performance at the Asian Games 2022 in Hangzhou. For the first time in history, the nation crossed the 100-medal mark, finishing with 107 medals, including strong performances in athletics, shooting, and team events like cricket and hockey. This achievement not only underscored India’s progress on the field but also raised expectations for long-term sporting development. Source: ESPN

Main Takeaways from the National Sports Policy 2025

The National Sports Policy 2025 introduces a structured, pyramid-based model for sports development in the country. At the base, the focus is on mass participation, particularly through schools, colleges, and grassroots initiatives. The middle tier emphasizes state and national competitions, while the top tier is designed to support elite athletes preparing for global events like the Olympics. This approach ensures a clear and measurable talent pipeline, offering Indian athletes the chance to grow through a well-defined system.

Another significant reform is the integration of sports into the formal education system. The policy mandates the inclusion of sports as a core subject in schools, along with academic credit for athletic participation. By rewarding schools that promote sports, the policy aims to shift societal attitudes and encourage parents to treat sports as a legitimate career path. This change could be revolutionary for early talent identification and sustained participation.

The policy also lays strong emphasis on modern infrastructure and opens the door for public-private partnerships (PPPs). Private academies, clubs, and corporate sponsors are now invited to co-develop sports facilities, talent programs, and events in partnership with the government. This model, if executed effectively, could resolve many of the longstanding issues related to facility access and quality training centers across India.

One of the most promising changes is the empowerment of coaches and support staff. For years, Indian coaches have been underpaid, undertrained, and under-recognized. The new policy introduces a licensing and certification system, along with career progression and incentive structures. This will not only improve the quality of coaching but also attract more professionals to the field.

In a progressive move, the policy emphasizes gender equality and inclusion. It calls for equal opportunities for women—not just in sports, but in coaching, management, and leadership. Furthermore, it promotes support for para-athletes and athletes from underrepresented communities. By doing so, the policy supports a more inclusive and diverse sporting culture, one that reflects the country’s social fabric.

Finally, governance reforms form a key pillar of the new policy. National Sports Federations (NSFs) will be held accountable through performance-based funding and regular audits. Transparency, professionalism, and good governance are now official requirements. This is a welcome step toward reducing corruption and bringing more trust and efficiency into India’s sports administration. Source

Who Will Benefit from the New Policy?

Athletes stand to gain the most. With improved coaching, access to world-class facilities, better nutrition, and clearer pathways, both young and elite-level athletes will receive the support they need to perform on the global stage. This also includes mental health support and financial aid for high-performance athletes, especially those preparing for international competitions.

Coaches and trainers will benefit from increased recognition and professional development. Licensing and certification will create a respected ecosystem where coaching becomes a viable and well-compensated career, not just a side pursuit.

National and state-level federations, if they follow the new guidelines, could receive enhanced funding and operational autonomy. This will allow them to plan more tournaments, scouting programs, and development projects while being held accountable for results.

Parents, too, will begin to see sports as a serious career option for their children, especially as schools start incorporating physical education into academic frameworks. For fans, this means better access to live events, athlete stories, merchandise, and a more vibrant sports culture overall.

Finally, the sports industry, including media, brands, and technology platforms, will find new opportunities in athlete management, analytics, broadcasting, merchandise, and fan engagement. The policy opens the door for innovation and investment, creating jobs and business potential across the sports economy.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its promise, the policy’s success will depend on effective implementation. India has a history of great policies that struggled due to bureaucratic delays, poor coordination between central and state agencies, funding inefficiencies, and political interference in sports federations. Clear timelines, transparent execution, and third-party monitoring will be critical to ensure that this policy doesn’t just remain on paper.

A Turning Point or Another Missed Shot?

The National Sports Policy 2025 comes at a time when India is dreaming bigger than ever in sports. With improved performances on global stages and a growing interest in non-cricket disciplines, the timing of this policy is crucial. It promises a structured ecosystem, grassroots-to-elite pathways, professional recognition, and inclusive practices. If implemented with intent and urgency, it could finally place India among the world’s top sporting nations.

But for that to happen, execution must be prioritized. Intent alone isn’t enough—it needs to translate into impact.

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