Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the general budget for 2025-26 today. During this, the sports budget was also announced. Compared to the previous year, the sports budget has increased by about Rs 392 crore. At the same time, the government’s flagship project, Khelo India, has once again received a boost, with the highest amount allocated in the Union Budget for this program, which promotes sports at the grassroots level.

Increase of About Rs 352 Crore in Sports Budget

The budget for the Sports Ministry has been increased by about Rs 352 crore compared to last year, in preparation for the upcoming Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. This year’s sports budget is Rs 3,794.30 crore, up from Rs 3,442.32 crore in the previous year. The previous year’s budget was Rs 3,396.96 crore.

Khelo India Receives the Most Benefit

Out of this budget, Rs 1,000 crore has been allocated for Khelo India, a significant increase from the Rs 900 crore allocated in 2024-25. This is Rs 100 crore more than the previous year’s allocation of Rs 880 crore. Khelo India has seen substantial investments in recent years, aiming to uncover talent from all parts of India. The original allocation in 2022-23 was Rs 596.39 crore, which was later increased to Rs 1,000 crore in 2023-24, although revised to Rs 880 crore.

Since the launch of the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) in 2018, the government has added more events, including the Khelo India University Games in 2020, the Khelo India Winter Games the same year, and the Khelo India Para Games in 2023. Hundreds of Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE) have been set up across the country to provide facilities to budding athletes. Many Khelo India athletes, like Dhinidhi Deshinghu, have gone on to represent India at the Olympic level.

Major Boost for Sports Facilities in J&K

A Rs 20 crore fund has been approved to enhance sports facilities in Jammu and Kashmir, marking a Rs 14 crore increase from the previous year. A large portion of the increase will be allocated to the National Service Scheme (NSS), which will receive Rs 450 crore, a Rs 200 crore rise from the previous year.

The NSS aims to develop the character and personality of youth through social work and community service in schools and colleges.

Preparation for Hosting the Olympics

The allocation for assistance to national sports federations has also been increased from Rs 340 crore to Rs 400 crore. India is preparing a bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games and has already submitted a letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee.