Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme 2026 Punjab to Encourage Sportspersons

Punjab Sports department launched Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme to encourage sportspersons at the grassroot level. The scheme was announced by the then sports minister, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, in Chandigarh. Punjab players who win any medal at the national level in either the senior or junior category get a monthly stipend for one year. This article explains the complete details of the Senior Scholarship Scheme named after Olympian Balbir Singh.

Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme 2026 is still active in Punjab. The stipend amounts were doubled by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in April 2023. Senior national medal winners now get Rs. 16,000 per month, while junior national medal winners get Rs. 12,000 per month for one year.

Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme 2026

Under Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme, senior national medal winners get Rs. 16,000 per month as a stipend. This amount is paid per month for one year. Similarly, junior national medal winners get a stipend of Rs. 12,000 per month for one year. The player gets this amount per month for one year, regardless of the gold, silver or bronze medal won. An annual budget of Rs. 12.5 crore was reserved by the state sports department for this scheme when it was launched.

When the scheme was launched, sports minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer said Punjab is the first state in the country to start this unique scholarship scheme for eminent national players named after the legendary Balbir Singh Senior. The minister also said health insurance was being started for the players. Apart from providing sports equipment to the players, new coaches were to be recruited on a large scale. The diet of day scholar players was increased from Rs. 100 to Rs. 125 and the diet of hostel players was increased from Rs. 200 to Rs. 225.

In April 2023, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann doubled the stipend amounts. Senior national players now get Rs. 16,000 per month instead of the earlier Rs. 8,000, and junior national players get Rs. 12,000 per month instead of Rs. 6,000. This was done to give players more support while they prepare for national and international competitions.

Highlights of Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme

Eligibility for Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme

Players from Punjab who win any medal at the national level in either the senior or junior category are eligible for this scheme. The stipend is given for one year from the date the player wins the medal. The medal can be gold, silver or bronze, and the amount stays the same for all three.

Official Website and Application

The scheme is run by the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Punjab. The latest details, notifications and application information are available on the official department website at pbsports.punjab.gov.in. The department also uses the Punjab scholarship portal at scholarships.punjab.gov.in for online applications.

Sports Budget in Punjab 2026-27

Punjab has set a record sports budget of Rs. 1,763 crore for the financial year 2026-27. The state is also developing 3,148 rural sports grounds at a cost of Rs. 1,300 crore to find and nurture talent at the grassroot level. This shows the government focus on building a strong sports culture across Punjab.

FAQ's

Is Olympian Balbir Singh Senior Scholarship Scheme still running?

Yes, the scheme is still active in Punjab. The stipend amounts were doubled in April 2023 by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

How much stipend do senior national medal winners get?

Senior national medal winners get Rs. 16,000 per month for one year.

How much stipend do junior national medal winners get?

Junior national medal winners get Rs. 12,000 per month for one year.

Who is eligible for this scheme?

Punjab players who win any medal at the national level in either the senior or junior category are eligible for the stipend.