SYLLABUS

GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: Recently, the Union Government has notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026, under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, marking a significant step for sports administration in India.

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• The Act was partially implemented on January 1, and the National Sports Federations have been given six months to amend their bylaws to make them compliant with the new law. 

• The Rules provide the framework for the inclusion of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit, composition of the General Body and Executive Committee.

• The Rules also authorise the Central Government, on receipt of the application from a National Sports Body, to relax the provisions for a period of twelve months to ensure smooth transition.

Salient provisions of National Sports Governance Rules, 2026

• Sportspersons of outstanding merit (SOMs): The Rules provide for the inclusion of at least four sportspersons of outstanding merit (SOMs) in the General Bodies of National Sports Bodies.

• Representation of women SOMs in the General Body: The Rules specifically provide for fifty per cent of women SOMs in the General Body.

• Executive Committee of National Sports Bodies: To ensure the mandatory representation of at least four women in the Executive Committee under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the Rules provide for National Sports Bodies to reserve specific posts for women in the Executive Committee, through their bye-laws.

• Eligibility Criteria for SOMs: He/She should not be less than twenty-five years of age and must have retired from active sports.

o SOMs should not have participated in any competitive sport event which leads to selection to represent a district, State or India for at least one year prior to the date of application.

• 10 Tiered criteria: It is for categorising and selecting SOMs in various national bodies.

o Tier 1 is for those who won medals at the Olympics, while Tier 2 is for participation in at least two Olympics, and Tier 3 is for those who played in one Olympics.

o The Tiers 4 to 9 speak of representation in international competitions. 

o The last Tier 10 is for those “who have won at least one of any gold, silver or bronze medal or equivalent placing in the National Games or a National Championship or equivalent competition”.

• Election Procedures: 

o Election Timeline: The election must be conducted “at least 30 days prior to the expiry of such Executive Committee’s term” and within 21 days from the call for elections.

o Electoral body: All elections will be conducted by an electoral official provided by the National Sports Election Panel, which must comprise at least 20 members.

o Fee of the Electoral officer: It will be decided by the National Sports Body on the basis of mutual agreement with the Electoral Officer, subject to a maximum amount of Rs. 5 lakhs.

• Institutional Committees: All National Sports Federations (NSF) should include provisions to constitute an Athletes Committee, an Ethics Committee and a Dispute Resolution Committee.

• Disqualification conditions: A Person shall be disqualified from being a member of the General Body, or of any committee of a National Sports Body, and shall not be eligible for contesting for election to the Executive Committee or the Athletes Committee, if such person is-

o declared insolvent under applicable law

o subject to a conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction in India for an offence, followed by a sentence of imprisonment.

Significance of the Rules

• Enhanced Sports governance: These rules promote transparency, accountability, and uniformity in National Sports Federations through clear guidelines.

• Gender diversity: The mandatory fifty per cent representation of women SOMs in the General Body ensures a more inclusive sports framework.

• Ethical Oversight: Requirement of the Athletes Committee, Ethics Committee and a Dispute Resolution Committee strengthen integrity and fair play in National Sports Federations. 

• Athlete-Centric Governance: Inclusion of sportspersons of outstanding merit strengthens informed, athlete-driven, and credible sports governance.

Source :
PIB
Indian Express
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