The Union Government has introduced the National Sports Governance Rules under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. These rules aim to incorporate at least four former sportspersons in sports bodies’ administration, ensure gender equality in executive bodies, and establish guidelines for the National Sports Election Panel. The Rules outline the inclusion of sportspersons of exceptional merit, the structure of the General Body and Executive Committee, election procedures, and criteria for disqualification of members from National Sports Bodies and Regional Sports Federations.
The regulations also detail the formation of the National Sports Election Panel and specify procedures for registering and updating affiliate units with the National Sports Board. Notably, the Rules mandate the inclusion of a minimum of four sportspersons of exceptional merit in the General Bodies of National Sports Bodies, with fifty percent representation of women sportspersons. To guarantee the presence of at least four women in the Executive Committee, the Rules allow National Sports Bodies to reserve specific positions for women through their bye-laws.
Moreover, the Rules set forth general eligibility criteria and tiered criteria for the representation of sportspersons of exceptional merit in the General Body and Executive Committee of National Sports Bodies. Applicants for designation as sportspersons of exceptional merit must be at least twenty-five years old, have retired from active sports, and not have participated in competitive events leading to district, state, or national representation for a year before applying.
In addition, the Rules establish a tiered criterion based on the nature of sports and the level of achievements in different sports disciplines by Indian athletes. The tiered criteria, consisting of 10 tiers, range from medalists in Olympic and Paralympic Games to winners in National Games or Championships. These criteria are designed to accommodate the diverse requirements of various sports disciplines and outline the election process to the Executive Committee, including disqualification criteria for membership in National Sports Bodies.
