AI SummaryKhelo India scheme helps sports talent across India by building infrastructure, providing coaching and supporting sports academies. The scheme has entered a bigger phase for 2026-27 to 2030-31, with the Union Cabinet approving a combined outlay of ₹36,441 crore that includes enhanced support to National Sports Federations.
For the year 2026-27 alone, the scheme has been allocated ₹924.35 crore. As of July 2026, the scheme has set up 1,067 Khelo India Centres, supported 267 academies and backed 2,745 Khelo India Athletes with coaching, equipment, medical care and a monthly allowance.
Khelo India Scheme: Khelo India Centres and Sports Academies
The Khelo India Centres and Sports Academies component runs under the broader Khelo India Scheme managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It focuses on building a strong sports ecosystem by supporting training centres and academies across the country.
The revamped scheme brings together National Centres of Excellence, Khelo India Centres of Excellence, SAI Training Centres, Khelo India Accredited Academies, Khelo India Centres and Youth Sports Companies of the Armed Forces. Together these institutions provide modern infrastructure, professional coaching and sports science support.
Two new additions, Khelo India Feeder Schools and Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas, link sports with mainstream education. These help spot talented children early and develop them in a structured way. A new Emerging Khelo India Athletes category also widens the athlete pool, supported by a stronger talent identification system.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Khelo India Scheme: Khelo India Centres and Sports Academies |
|---|---|
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infrastructure |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Sports and Culture |
| Target Beneficiaries | Government Organisations and eligible sports entities |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports |
| Nodal Department | Department of Sports |
| Outlay 2026-27 to 2030-31 | ₹36,441 crore |
| Allocation 2026-27 | ₹924.35 crore |
Benefits
The scheme provides need-based financial support for training equipment, staffing and athlete development across its different centres and academies. The main benefits are given below.
- Khelo India State and UT Centres of Excellence get financial support for regular and one-time costs, with help for up to three disciplines under the One State One Game model, covering coaches, support staff, scientific services and equipment.
- Khelo India Centres receive an annual grant of up to ₹5,00,000 per discipline, of which ₹3,00,000 is set aside to pay Past Champion Athletes at ₹25,000 per month, along with support for competition exposure, physiotherapists, kits and venue upkeep.
- Sports academies get complete support to set up and run high-performance training units, including the hiring of High-Performance Directors, foreign coaches and sports scientists.
Other residential centres receive grants for boarding, education, competition exposure and consumable sports gear, capped at ₹1,50,000 per trainee every year. One-time assistance of up to ₹5,00,000 per discipline is also available for setting up or upgrading sports fields and buying initial equipment.
Eligibility
Different centres and academies have their own eligibility conditions. Khelo India State Centres of Excellence are open to existing training facilities run by State or Union Territory governments that have adequate infrastructure, staff and a record of national or international performance.
Khelo India Centres are open to sports facilities run by State governments, Public Sector Undertakings, autonomous bodies, schools or universities that are shortlisted by the State or UT government. Other residential centres must be existing centres with a record of academic and sporting excellence, proper lodging and a focus on Olympic disciplines.
Sports academies can be run by the Sports Authority of India, state governments, national sports federations, private bodies or organisations set up by eminent sportspersons, provided they meet the evaluation criteria of the project committee.
Application Process
The application follows a structured approval cycle through government channels. The steps are given below.
STEP 1 - The State or Union Territory government invites applications or identifies prospective sports facilities for the scheme.
STEP 2 - Applicants submit a formal proposal to the designated state authority.
STEP 3 - State authorities review and shortlist the most eligible proposals.
STEP 4 - Shortlisted projects are forwarded to the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
STEP 5 - The Project Appraisal Committee evaluates the proposals, and may carry out site inspections.
STEP 6 - Approved projects receive a formal sanction order, and funds are released to the department running the scheme.
Documents
- Detailed Project Report.
- Official application form.
- Documentation of existing sports infrastructure and training equipment.
- CVs and credentials of coaching and support staff.
- Records of athlete performance at the regional or national level.
- Recommendations from District Sports Officers or administrative heads.
- Viability Gap Assessment report if applicable.
- Detailed operational and management plan for the centre.
- Budget estimates and financial documentation.
References
- Khelo India Scheme Operational Guidelines
- Official Khelo India Website
- Revised Khelo India Scheme on Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
FAQ's
What is the primary goal of the Khelo India Centres?
The program aims to create a grassroots sports culture by providing training, coaching and financial support for infrastructure, and to build a clear pathway from grassroots participation to international competition.
Who is responsible for the implementation of this scheme?
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports implements the scheme with State and Union Territory governments, the Sports Authority of India and other eligible partners.
What is new in the revamped Khelo India Scheme for 2026-27?
The revamped scheme, approved for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of ₹36,441 crore, adds Khelo India Feeder Schools, Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas and a new Emerging Khelo India Athletes category to widen the athlete pool.
Are private entities eligible to run sports academies?
Yes, private entities and organisations set up by eminent sportspersons may be supported if they meet the evaluation and performance criteria set by the project committee.
What happens if a centre fails to meet performance requirements?
Continued funding depends on maintaining the required number of trainees and following the national guidelines and infrastructure performance standards.