On 12-1-2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, introducing a framework to strengthen transparency, accountability, and athlete representation in the governance of sports bodies across India.
These Rules came into effect on 12-1-2026.
Key Highlights:
-
These Rules are formulated under the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
-
Rule 2 defines the essential terms for the implementation of the Rules such as:
-
Elected Post: All posts in the Executive Committee except:
○ Athlete Committee representatives.
○ Ex officio members.
-
Election Rules: Rules for elections to Executive Committees (Schedule II).
-
Electoral Officer: Person notified under Section 16 of the Act.
-
Executive Committee: Constituted under Section 4(1)(b) of the Act.
-
General Body: Constituted under Section 4(1)(a) of the Act.
-
National Sports Board: Established under Section 5 of the Act.
-
-
Chapter 2 deals with participation and representation of sportspersons of outstanding merit in governing bodies:
-
Representation in General Body
○ Each National Sports Body will include at least 4 sportspersons of outstanding merit as voting members.
○ Gender parity: 50% male, 50% female.
○ Election/nomination process defined in the body’s bye-laws.
-
Representation in Executive Committee: Sportspersons of outstanding merit included in the Executive Committee will be elected
-
-
Under Rules 3 and 4, every National Sports Body’s General Body will include at least four sportspersons of outstanding merit with equal gender representation, while those in the Executive Committee will be elected under Rule 9 to ensure athlete participation in governance.
-
National Sports Body will invite and accept applications from sportspersons of outstanding merit, if they satisfy both the General Eligibility Criteria and the applicable Tiered Eligibility Criteria as specified in Schedule of the Rules.
-
Under Rule 6, every National Sports Body will be required to prepare separate male and female rosters of sportspersons of outstanding merit at least 90 days before the expiry of its Executive Committee’s term.
-
Each roster will include ten times the number of athletes required in the General Body, populated through tiered eligibility criteria with age-based preference if numbers exceed limits.
-
The finalised rosters are published on the body’s website, submitted to the National Sports Board, and confer official recognition under the Act.
-
The General Body of every National Sports Body should include at least 4 sportspersons of outstanding merit, ex officio members, and representatives from either national federations or state-level affiliates depending on the type of body.
-
The election or nomination of athletes will be completed at least 75 days before the expiry of the Executive Committee’s term.
-
Executive Committee’s term of office cannot exceed four years, ensuring regular renewal of leadership. At least one woman must be included among the sportspersons of outstanding merit and Athletes Committee representatives.
-
National Sports Bodies can reserve specific posts for women in the Executive Committee through their bye-laws, to ensure compliance with gender representation requirements.
-
Under Rule 9, elections to all elected posts in the Executive Committee will be held once every 4 years in a fair and transparent manner, following Schedule II Election Rules.
-
Election timeline is summarised as under:
-
Under Rule 14, bye-laws of the National Olympic Committee can establish an Athletes Committee, Ethics Committee, and Dispute Resolution Committee. These will comply with International Charters and Statutes, and in the absence of such guidance, follow model regulations issued by the National Sports Board.
-
All National Sports Bodies, apart from the Olympic Committee, should also include Athletes, Ethics, and Dispute Resolution Committees in their bye-laws.
-
For National Sports Bodies other than the Olympic Committee, compliance follows a hierarchy:
-
International Charters and Statutes.
-
Guidelines specified by the National Olympic Committee.
-
In absence of both, model guidelines/regulations issued by the National Sports Board.
-
-
Regional Sports Federations will maintain international recognition and affiliation with the relevant International Sports Body, unless no such body exists for the sport. If multiple federations or international bodies compete for recognition, the National Sports Board will decide affiliation, with reasons recorded in writing.
-
Affiliate units of National Sports Bodies will have to register with the National Sports Board by submitting certificates of affiliation, legal registration, governing body details, and any other required information. Sub-affiliate units will also register, and any changes in submitted data will be reported to the Board within 30 days.
-
Affiliate units will ensure that their own sub-affiliate units register with the National Sports Board, with the same requirements applying mutatis mutandis.
|
Rule |
Event |
Deadline |
|
5(2) |
Application submission for sportspersons of merit |
Within 60 days of call |
|
6(1) |
Preparation of rosters |
90 days before expiry |
|
7(2) |
Election/nomination to General Body |
75 days before expiry |
|
9(2) |
Appointment of Electoral Officer |
60 days before expiry |
|
9(3) |
Notification of election date |
50 days before expiry |
|
10(5) |
Draft electoral roll |
45 days before expiry |
|
Schedule II (5(i)) |
Final electoral roll and nominations |
30 days before expiry |