National Sports Governance Bill becomes law in India

New Delhi, Aug 19 (PTI) - The National Sports Governance Bill has transformed into an Act following the approval from President Droupadi Murmu, marking a significant overhaul in India’s sports administration. This step is being applauded as a groundbreaking reform by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

The Presidential approval was received on Monday, as confirmed by a Gazette notification from the central government. "The following Act of Parliament received the President's assent on August 18, 2025, and is hereby published for general information -- The National Sports Governance Act, 2025," the notification stated.

As previously reported by PTI, the enacted legislation includes two substantial amendments compared to the original bill. The application of the Right to Information (RTI) has been narrowed down to encompass only those sports bodies dependent on government funding, thereby exempting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from its scope. The cricket board had been against being included under RTI clauses given their lack of reliance on government funds.

"A recognised sports organisation, receiving grants or any other financial assistance from the Central Government under sub-section (1) or from a State Government, shall be considered as a public authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005, regarding the utilisation of such grants or any other financial assistance," the Act specifies.

Furthermore, the eligibility criteria for aspirants aiming for top positions in national federations have been adjusted. Now, they need to serve just one term in the Executive Committee, as opposed to the previously required two terms, to promote the involvement of "younger administrators and athlete-leaders in governance."

The Act states, "...a person shall not be qualified to contest for election or seek nomination to the posts of President, Secretary General, or Treasurer unless such person is a sportsperson of outstanding merit or has previously served as a member for at least one full term in the Executive Committee of the National Sports Body or as the President, Secretary General, or Treasurer in its affiliate unit."

After extensive consultations spearheaded by Mandaviya with various stakeholders over the past year, the sports bill, which has been under consideration for over a decade, was finally passed. The draft was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 23 and was approved in the Lower House on August 11. The Rajya Sabha gave its nod to the document a day later following an extensive discussion lasting over two hours.

The newly enacted law will establish a National Sports Board, authorized to grant affiliation to National Sports Federations and de-recognize those involved in violations, ranging from financial misappropriations to electoral wrongdoing.

A National Sports Tribunal will also be instituted to address disputes promptly, with its decisions only challengeable in the Supreme Court to prevent lengthy legal proceedings obstructing sports issues.

Additionally, a National Sports Election Panel will be set up to supervise NSF elections, often entangled in controversies.

The Act further empowers the central government with discretionary authority to limit India's international participation in "extraordinary circumstances" where "national interest" is at stake.

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