PIB Summary - 11th July 2025 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

Khelo Bharat Niti 2025

 Strategic Vision and Integration 

• The policy is aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047 and integrates various sectors such as sports, education, inclusion, economy, and diplomacy.
• It is anchored in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which promotes the integration of sports into the curriculum, lifelong fitness habits, and physical education training.
• The policy envisions India becoming a global sporting powerhouse by 2036 and a top-5 nation by 2047.

Budgetary Commitment

• The FY 2025–26 Sports Budget is ₹3,794 crore, reflecting a 130.9% increase since FY 2014–15.
• Allocations include ₹2,191 crore for Central Sector Schemes and ₹1,000 crore for the Khelo India Programme.

Grassroots to Elite: Institutional Mechanisms

Khelo India Programme – Flagship Engine

• Launched: 2016–17, Extended: 2021, Budget till now: ₹3,790.5 crore.
• Achievements: 326 sports infrastructure projects worth ₹3,124.12 crore, 1,045 Khelo India Centres (KICs), 34 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs), 306 accredited academies, and support for 2,845 Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) with comprehensive training and care.

KIRTI: Early Talent Identification

• Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) focuses on children aged 9–18.
• Utilizes 174 Talent Assessment Centres (TACs) to identify potential athletes.
• Creates a pipeline for global elite training with Olympic medal aspirations.

Annual Games Ecosystem

• Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG). aims to include 27 sports by 2025.
• University Games, Para Games, Winter Games. plans for 17 editions involving over 50,000 athletes.
• Khelo India School Games have evolved into KIYG, supported by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Policy Innovations and System Reforms

• Enhancing athlete support systems, including nutrition, sports science, psychology, technology, and injury care.
• Improving governance and accountability within National Sports Federations (NSFs).
• Encouraging private investment through public-private partnerships (PPP), corporate social responsibility (CSR), sports startups, and innovative financing.
• Promoting sports tourism and hosting international events as economic drivers.

Equity, Empowerment, and Inclusion

• Prioritizing support for women, tribal groups, and disabled athletes.
• Showcasing success stories like the Siddi community in athletics, boxing, and judo, aided by state support.
• Highlighting para-athlete Rohit Kumar to emphasize equal rewards and the integration of sports policy with education.

Sports-Education Nexus: A New Ecosystem

• Establishing the National Sports University in Imphal to offer education in sports sciences, coaching, technology, and management.
• Collaborating with international institutions like Canberra & Victoria Universities for research and training.
• Fostering a culture of sports excellence through education and research.

New Frontiers and Diaspora Engagement

• Launching the 1st Khelo India Water Sports Festival in August 2025 at Dal Lake, Srinagar, featuring over 5 water sports and 400+ athletes.
• Expanding into water sports excellence and regional talent development.
• Engaging the Indian diaspora through international talent recognition and collaboration in sports.

Policy Impact: Cultural Shift in Sports Perception

• Transitioning sports from an “extra-curricular” activity to a mainstream career pathway.
• Positioning sports as a crucial tool for nation-building, youth engagement, health and wellness, and social mobility.
• Enhancing fitness and wellness through institutional fitness indices and outreach to rural and marginalized communities.

Outlook: Toward Olympic Glory

• Shifting focus from medal-centric to ecosystem-centric approaches in sports.
• Promoting the “Sports for All, Excellence for Few. model through Khelo Bharat Niti 2025.
• Preparing to host the 2036 Olympics by emphasizing mass participation, elite excellence, and infrastructure development.
• Strengthening the synergy between human capital, institutional coherence, and societal mindset shifts towards sports.

Obesity in India and the Role of Sports Policy

Rising Obesity Trends: India is experiencing a dual burden of malnutrition and obesity, with the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) indicating an increase in overweight or obese individuals—24% of women and 22.9% of men aged 15-49 are now overweight or obese, up from approximately 20% in NFHS-4.

Urban Youth at Risk: Sedentary lifestyles, increased screen time, and junk food consumption are contributing to rising obesity rates among school and college students, particularly in metropolitan areas.

Non-Communicable Disease Burden: Obesity is a significant risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of a potential 10% increase in NCDs in India if youth inactivity continues.

Fitness & Khelo India’s Role: The Khelo India initiative promotes the Fitness Assessment Index in schools to encourage active lifestyles and early health monitoring of children, aiming to prevent obesity from an early age.

Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 – Health Integration: The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 explicitly aims to embed fitness as a national movement, encouraging daily physical activity and structured sports participation from the grassroots level to combat obesity and promote health.

NEP 2020 Alignment: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aligns with the sports and physical education curriculum in schools, promoting lifelong fitness habits and reducing the risk of childhood obesity through regular physical activity.

Infrastructure & Accessibility: The establishment of over 1,045 Khelo India Centres and grassroots competitions enhances local access to physical activity spaces, particularly in underserved regions, facilitating regular exercise and sports participation.

Behavioral Change through Sports: National campaigns under Khelo Bharat aim to reshape youth attitudes towards fitness, making sports and physical activity aspirational and habitual, thereby addressing the sedentary culture.

Community-Level Solutions: Initiatives such as the Khelo India Fitness App, local tournaments, and school-level sports activities are designed to reverse the prevailing sedentary culture and promote active lifestyles among youth and children.

Long-Term Vision: Tackling obesity aligns with India’s broader public health goals under initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Policy, with sports and physical activity serving as preventive tools for improving health outcomes and reducing obesity rates.

Facts & Figures Supporting Khelo Bharat Niti 2025

• India’s Youth Demographic: As of April 2025, India’s population is approximately 1.46 billion, with 68% in the working-age group (15–64 years) and 26% aged 10–24, indicating a large and youthful demographic.
• Fertility Rate and Demographic Transition: India’s Total Fertility Rate has declined to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1, reflecting a demographic transition and potential for economic growth.
• Union Sports Budget FY 2025–26: The allocation of ₹3,794.30 crore to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports represents a significant increase and commitment to sports development.
• Khelo India Programme Allocation: The unprecedented allocation of ₹1,000 crore to Khelo India demonstrates the government’s prioritization of grassroots sports and athlete development.
• NSFs and SAI Funding: Funding of ₹400 crore to National Sports Federations and ₹830 crore to the Sports Authority of India underscores the focus on enhancing sports governance and infrastructure.
• Sports Economy Projections: The projected growth of India’s sports industry from $52 billion in 2024 to $130 billion by 2030 at a 14% CAGR reflects the sector's expanding economic significance.
• Sports Equipment Sector Growth: The expected growth of the Indian sports equipment market to $100 billion by 2027 from $27 billion in 2020 highlights the increasing consumer demand and industry potential.
• SAI Talent Development Model: The Sports Authority of India’s support for athletes aged 8–25 under various schemes facilitates grassroots-to-elite progression and talent nurturing.
• 38th National Games – 2025: The upcoming National Games in Uttarakhand with over 10,000 athletes participating in 35 disciplines showcases the scale and organization of sports events in India.
• India’s Olympic and Commonwealth Aspirations: India’s formal interest in hosting the 2036 Olympics and Ahmedabad’s bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games reflect the country’s growing stature in global sports.

Conclusion:

• Strategic Shift: The Khelo Bharat Niti 2025 represents a significant transformation in India’s approach to sports, transitioning from a recreational activity to a structured, career-oriented, and nation-building tool. This shift aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.
• Inclusive & Aspirational: The policy emphasizes inclusivity by focusing on grassroots talent development, infrastructure enhancement, and equity in sports access. It empowers youth, women, and marginalized groups, making sports a viable and aspirational pathway for all. 
• Global Ambition, Local Action: With robust funding and systemic reforms, India is positioning itself as a global sporting power by 2036. The policy promotes health, fitness, and social cohesion at the community level, ensuring that the benefits of sports reach every corner of the country.