On 18-08-2025, the President assented the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, replacing the decade-old Sports Code with a legally binding framework that mandates compliance from all recognized sports bodies. The Act will come into force upon official notification by the Central Government.
This Act promotes and regulates sports governance in India by:
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Ensuring ethical practices and fair play.
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Aligning with the Olympic and Paralympic Charters.
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Providing welfare measures for sportspersons.
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Establishing mechanisms for grievance redressal and dispute resolution.
Key takeaways:
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The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 was introduced in Lok Sabha by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on 23-7-2025,
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This Act establishes the National Sports Board (‘NSB’) to regulate and recognize sports federations and introduces the National Sports Tribunal (‘NST’) with powers equivalent to a civil court to resolve disputes related to selection, elections, and governance.
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The Act enforces term limits, age caps, and mandates athlete and gender representation in governing bodies.
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It introduces a Safe Sports Policy to protect athletes, especially women and minors, from abuse and requires all recognized bodies to set up internal grievance redressal mechanisms.
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Recognized sports organizations receiving government grants will now be deemed public authorities under the RTI Act, ensuring transparency.
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Additionally, the use of national names or insignia like “India” or “National” requires prior government approval, and unauthorized representation of India in sports events is prohibited.
