The National Sports Governance Act, 2025
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports / Department of Sports
Act details
| Short title | The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the development and promotion of sports, welfare measures for sportspersons, ethical practices based on basic universal principles of good governance, ethics and fair play of the Olympic and sports movement, the Olympic Charter, the Paralympic Charter, international best practices and established legal standards and to provide for the resolution of sports grievances and sports disputes in a unified, equitable and effective manner and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. |
| Act number | 25 of 2025 |
| Act year | 2025 |
| Enactment date | 18 Aug 2025 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports / Department of Sports |
| Department | Department of Sports |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 38 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 28 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of National Sports Governance Act, 2025
The Act aims to promote transparency, accountability, ethical governance, athlete welfare, and effective dispute resolution by regulating the functioning of national sports bodies in accordance with international best practices and the Olympic and Paralympic Charters.
Key Provisions
1. Recognition and Governance of Sports Bodies
• National Sports Bodies: Provides for the recognition and regulation of National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federations, and Regional Sports Federations.
• Good Governance: Mandates transparency, accountability, democratic functioning, and ethical practices in sports administration.
2. National Sports Board
• Regulatory Authority: Establishes the National Sports Board to oversee the functioning and recognition of sports bodies.
• Compliance Monitoring: Ensures adherence to governance standards and statutory obligations by recognised sports organisations.
3. Sports Dispute Resolution
• National Sports Tribunal: Establishes a specialised tribunal for the speedy adjudication of sports-related disputes and grievances.
• Appeal Mechanism: Provides for appeals against decisions of the Tribunal in accordance with the Act and applicable international sports rules.
4. Athlete Welfare and Ethical Standards
• Sportsperson Welfare: Promotes the welfare, rights, and representation of sportspersons in sports governance.
• Code of Ethics: Requires recognised sports bodies to adopt codes of ethics, fair play, and conflict-of-interest policies.
5. Government Powers and Compliance
• Rule-Making Power: Empowers the Central Government to frame rules for implementing the provisions of the Act.
• Recognition and Exemptions: The Government may regulate recognition, compliance requirements, and grant exemptions where necessary in the public interest
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The National Sports Governance Act, 2025
Source: Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Act Title - The National Sports Governance Act, 2025
Act Number - Act No. 25 of 2025
Act ID (India Code) - 202525
Presidential Assent date - August 18, 2025
Enforcement Date - January 01, 2026
Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Statutory Codification & Replacement of Legacy Framework: Replaces the non-statutory National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 and the National Sports Policy, 2001 with a binding legal framework to govern national sports bodies, promote athlete welfare, and prevent administrative malpractices.
● Establishment of Regulatory Bodies & Dispute Resolution: Establishes the National Sports Board (NSB) to grant statutory recognition to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and creates a dedicated National Sports Tribunal (NST) to adjudicate sports disputes independently, barring civil court jurisdiction.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation: Introduced by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, as the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 (Bill No. 76 of 2025) to align Indian sports administration with international Olympic and Paralympic standards.
● Parliamentary Passage: Introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 23, 2025; passed by the Lok Sabha on August 11, 2025; and passed by the Rajya Sabha on August 12, 2025.
● Presidential Assent: Received the assent of the President of India on August 18, 2025.
● Enforcement: Enforced on January 01, 2026.