The National Sports Governance Act, 2025
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports / Department of Sports
Section
Section 21 Members, etc., to be public servants.
The members and other officers and employees of the Board or the Tribunal shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of clause (28) of section 2 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023).
Section 22 Transfer of pending cases.
(1) All cases under civil jurisdiction falling within the scope of this Act, in which the National Sports Bodies are impleaded as parties and are pending before a District Court or High Court immediately before the constitution of the Tribunal, shall be transferred to the Tribunal on and from such date as may be specified by the Central Government.
(2) The cases transferred to the Tribunal under sub-section (1) may be heard and adjudicated from the stage at which such dispute was pending in the concerned Court, or may be heard afresh if the Tribunal deems appropriate after recording the reasons therefor in writing.
(2) The cases transferred to the Tribunal under sub-section (1) may be heard and adjudicated from the stage at which such dispute was pending in the concerned Court, or may be heard afresh if the Tribunal deems appropriate after recording the reasons therefor in writing.
Section 23 Bar on jurisdiction of a civil court.
No civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter on which the Tribunal is empowered under this Act to determine and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred on the Tribunal by or under this Act.
Section 24 Powers of Tribunal.
(1) The Tribunal shall have, for the purposes of discharging its functions under this Act, the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters, namely:---
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(d) calling for any public record or document or a copy of such record or document, from any office, subject to the provisions of sections 129 and 130 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023);
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;
(f) reviewing its decisions;
(g) dismissing an application for default or deciding it, ex parte;
(h) setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or any order passed by it, ex parte; and
(i) any other matter which may be prescribed.
(2) Every proceeding before the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 228, 229, 233, 257 and 267 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023).
(3) The Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purpose of section 215 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023).
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(d) calling for any public record or document or a copy of such record or document, from any office, subject to the provisions of sections 129 and 130 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 (47 of 2023);
(e) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or documents;
(f) reviewing its decisions;
(g) dismissing an application for default or deciding it, ex parte;
(h) setting aside any order of dismissal of any application for default or any order passed by it, ex parte; and
(i) any other matter which may be prescribed.
(2) Every proceeding before the Tribunal shall be deemed to be a judicial proceeding within the meaning of sections 228, 229, 233, 257 and 267 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (45 of 2023).
(3) The Tribunal shall be deemed to be a civil court for the purpose of section 215 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (46 of 2023).
Section 25 Appeal to Supreme Court.
(1) Unless the International Charters and Statutes provide for appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an appeal shall lie against any order of the Tribunal, not being an interlocutory order, to the Supreme Court.
(2) No appeal shall lie against any decision made by the Tribunal with the consent of the parties.
(3) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty days from the date of the decision appealed against:
Provided that the Supreme Court may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal in time.
(2) No appeal shall lie against any decision made by the Tribunal with the consent of the parties.
(3) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty days from the date of the decision appealed against:
Provided that the Supreme Court may entertain the appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal in time.
Section 26 Orders passed by Tribunal to be executable as a decree.
(1) An order passed by the Tribunal under this Act shall be executable as a decree of a civil court, and for this purpose, the Tribunal shall have all the powers of a civil court.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Tribunal may transmit any order made by it to a civil court having local jurisdiction and such civil court shall execute the order as if it were a decree made by that court.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the Tribunal may transmit any order made by it to a civil court having local jurisdiction and such civil court shall execute the order as if it were a decree made by that court.
Section 27 Use of national names and insignia.
(1) Any sports organisation desirous of using the word "India" or "Indian" or "National" or any national insignia or symbols in any language in its registered name, operating name, logo or otherwise in its affairs, shall obtain a no-objection certificate from the Central Government for such use:
Provided that a sports organisation other than a recognised sports organisation shall, in addition to the requirements under this sub-section, obtain written consent of the Board.
(2) No sports organisation shall use the name "India" or the name of any State or district in India, or conduct any sports trials, tournaments, or events upon the suspension or cancellation of its recognition by the Board under this Act.
(3) No person or group of persons, either individually or collectively, shall represent or be allowed to represent India or any State or district in India, in any sports trials, tournaments or events of designated sports without an authorisation by a National Sports Body or its affiliate unit.
Provided that a sports organisation other than a recognised sports organisation shall, in addition to the requirements under this sub-section, obtain written consent of the Board.
(2) No sports organisation shall use the name "India" or the name of any State or district in India, or conduct any sports trials, tournaments, or events upon the suspension or cancellation of its recognition by the Board under this Act.
(3) No person or group of persons, either individually or collectively, shall represent or be allowed to represent India or any State or district in India, in any sports trials, tournaments or events of designated sports without an authorisation by a National Sports Body or its affiliate unit.
Section 28 Fund.
(1) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the National Sports Board Fund and there shall be credited thereto---
(a) all grants, fees and charges received by the Board under this Act; and
(b) all sums received by the Board from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government.
(2) The Fund constituted under sub-section (1) shall be applied for meeting---
(a) the salaries and allowances payable to the Chairperson and Members of the Board and the administrative expenses including the salaries and allowances payable to or in respect of officers and other employees of the Board; and
(b) all other expenses for meeting the objects and for the purposes authorised by this Act.
(a) all grants, fees and charges received by the Board under this Act; and
(b) all sums received by the Board from such other sources as may be decided upon by the Central Government.
(2) The Fund constituted under sub-section (1) shall be applied for meeting---
(a) the salaries and allowances payable to the Chairperson and Members of the Board and the administrative expenses including the salaries and allowances payable to or in respect of officers and other employees of the Board; and
(b) all other expenses for meeting the objects and for the purposes authorised by this Act.
Section 29 Accounts and audit.
(1) The Board shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the Central Government in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
(2) The accounts of the Board shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Board to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any other person appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Board shall have the same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India generally has, in connection with the audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect any of the offices of the Board.
(4) The accounts of the Board as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.
(2) The accounts of the Board shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be payable by the Board to the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
(3) The Comptroller and Auditor-General of India and any other person appointed by him in connection with the audit of the accounts of the Board shall have the same rights and privileges and authority in connection with such audit as the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India generally has, in connection with the audit of the Government accounts and, in particular, shall have the right to demand the production of books, accounts, connected vouchers and other documents and papers and to inspect any of the offices of the Board.
(4) The accounts of the Board as certified by the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India or any other person appointed by him in this behalf together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually to the Central Government and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.
Section 30 Measures for promotion and development of sports.
(1) The Central Government in consonance with the International Charters and Statutes, may take such measures as may be prescribed, as it considers necessary for the promotion and development of sports, including in the public interest.
(2) The measures referred to in sub-section (1), may include,---
(a) the guiding principles for the conduct of elections by the National Sports Bodies, including model election rules;
(b) the promotion of the welfare and interests of sportspersons;
(c) the protection of the data and privacy of sportspersons; and
(d) the appropriate use of technology and analytics in the context of sport.
(2) The measures referred to in sub-section (1), may include,---
(a) the guiding principles for the conduct of elections by the National Sports Bodies, including model election rules;
(b) the promotion of the welfare and interests of sportspersons;
(c) the protection of the data and privacy of sportspersons; and
(d) the appropriate use of technology and analytics in the context of sport.
Section 31 Power to make rules.
(1) The Central Government may, by notification, make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act:
Provided that the Central Government, while making rules under this section, shall take into consideration the International Charters and Statutes, with the objective of ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management and administration of sports in India.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a) the relevant affiliations of Regional Sports Federation under sub-section (6) of section 3;
(b) the sportspersons of outstanding merit and other categories of persons under the proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 4;
(c) the mode of election to different bodies, committees and offices including their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members thereof, and other matters of governance under sub-section (4) of section 4;
(d) the composition and number of Members of the Board under sub-section (1) of section 5;
(e) the composition of the search-cum-selection committee under sub-section (2) of section 5;
(f) the salary and allowances, term of office of Chairperson and other Members of the Board and other terms and conditions of their service including removal from service, under sub-section (3) of section 5;
(g) other places in which the Board shall establish its branch offices under sub-section (5) of section 5;
(h) the measures to be taken by the Board for ensuring protection of the rights and welfare of athletes and support personnel under clause (i) of section 6;
(i) other powers and functions of the Board under clause (j) of section 6;
(j) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officers and the other employees of the Board under sub-section (3) of section 7;
(k) the conditions and the manner in which affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies shall ensure registration of their affiliate units with the Board under sub-section (6) of section 8;
(l) other persons to be covered by the Safe Sports Policy under sub-section (2) of section 13;
(m) manner of maintaining roster of the National Sports Election Panel by the Board under sub-section (3) of section 16;
(n) the fees and other allowances to be paid to the empanelled persons under sub-section (4) of section 16;
(o) the term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and members of Tribunal under sub-section (8) of section 17;
(p) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officers and the other employees of the Tribunal under sub-section (3) of section 19;
(q) any other matter under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 24;
(r) the form in which the Board shall prepare annual statement of accounts under sub-section (1) of section 29;
(s) the measures to be taken by the Central Government for the promotion and development of sports under sub-section (1) of section 30; and
(t) any other matter which is to be, or may be prescribed.
Provided that the Central Government, while making rules under this section, shall take into consideration the International Charters and Statutes, with the objective of ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management and administration of sports in India.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:---
(a) the relevant affiliations of Regional Sports Federation under sub-section (6) of section 3;
(b) the sportspersons of outstanding merit and other categories of persons under the proviso to clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 4;
(c) the mode of election to different bodies, committees and offices including their term, eligibility criteria and disqualification of members thereof, and other matters of governance under sub-section (4) of section 4;
(d) the composition and number of Members of the Board under sub-section (1) of section 5;
(e) the composition of the search-cum-selection committee under sub-section (2) of section 5;
(f) the salary and allowances, term of office of Chairperson and other Members of the Board and other terms and conditions of their service including removal from service, under sub-section (3) of section 5;
(g) other places in which the Board shall establish its branch offices under sub-section (5) of section 5;
(h) the measures to be taken by the Board for ensuring protection of the rights and welfare of athletes and support personnel under clause (i) of section 6;
(i) other powers and functions of the Board under clause (j) of section 6;
(j) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officers and the other employees of the Board under sub-section (3) of section 7;
(k) the conditions and the manner in which affiliate units of the National Sports Bodies shall ensure registration of their affiliate units with the Board under sub-section (6) of section 8;
(l) other persons to be covered by the Safe Sports Policy under sub-section (2) of section 13;
(m) manner of maintaining roster of the National Sports Election Panel by the Board under sub-section (3) of section 16;
(n) the fees and other allowances to be paid to the empanelled persons under sub-section (4) of section 16;
(o) the term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and members of Tribunal under sub-section (8) of section 17;
(p) the qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service of the officers and the other employees of the Tribunal under sub-section (3) of section 19;
(q) any other matter under clause (i) of sub-section (1) of section 24;
(r) the form in which the Board shall prepare annual statement of accounts under sub-section (1) of section 29;
(s) the measures to be taken by the Central Government for the promotion and development of sports under sub-section (1) of section 30; and
(t) any other matter which is to be, or may be prescribed.
Section 32 Power to make regulations.
(1) The Board may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, by notification, make regulations consistent with this Act and the rules made thereunder, to carry out the provisions of this Act:
Provided that the Board, while making regulations under this section, shall comply with the International Charters and Statutes, with the objective of ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management and administration of sports in India.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may make provision for---
(a) the manner of maintaining register of the National Sports Bodies and their respective affiliate units by the Board under clause (b) of section 6;
(b) the form, manner and particulars of application under sub-section (2) of section 8;
(c) other criteria and conditions to be complied by the sports organisations under clause (d) of sub-section (3) of section 8;
(d) the intervals and procedure for renewal of Board recognition under sub-section (4) of section 8;
(e) the eligibility criteria for Board recognition of the sports organisation as a National Sports Promotion Organisation, the manner of their governance and functioning and the intervals and procedure for renewal of such recognition under sub-section (8) of section 8; and
(f) any other matter which is to be, or may be, specified by regulations under this Act.
Provided that the Board, while making regulations under this section, shall comply with the International Charters and Statutes, with the objective of ensuring transparency, accountability, and integrity in the management and administration of sports in India.
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may make provision for---
(a) the manner of maintaining register of the National Sports Bodies and their respective affiliate units by the Board under clause (b) of section 6;
(b) the form, manner and particulars of application under sub-section (2) of section 8;
(c) other criteria and conditions to be complied by the sports organisations under clause (d) of sub-section (3) of section 8;
(d) the intervals and procedure for renewal of Board recognition under sub-section (4) of section 8;
(e) the eligibility criteria for Board recognition of the sports organisation as a National Sports Promotion Organisation, the manner of their governance and functioning and the intervals and procedure for renewal of such recognition under sub-section (8) of section 8; and
(f) any other matter which is to be, or may be, specified by regulations under this Act.
Section 33 Laying of rules, regulations and notifications.
Every rule, regulation and every notification made or issued under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be, after it is made or issued, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session for a total period of thirty days, which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule, regulation or notification or both Houses agree that the rule, regulation or notification should not be made or issued, the rule, regulation or notification shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule, regulation or notification.
Section 34 Power to exempt in special cases.
(1) If the Central Government considers it necessary and expedient so to do in the public interest for the promotion of specific sport disciplines consistent with the spirit of good governance enshrined in the Olympic Charter, it may, in consultation with the Board and the concerned International Sports Body, by notification, direct that subject to such conditions and restrictions, if any, and for such period as may be specified in the notification, all or any of the provisions of this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder shall not apply to a National Sports Body or its affiliate unit specified therein.
(2) The Central Government may, by notification, and for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax the eligibility criteria for the members of the Executive Committee, if such person is serving in the executive committee or a similar body of a corresponding International Sports Body or is in the General Body of the International Olympic Committee or International Paralympic Committee.
(2) The Central Government may, by notification, and for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax the eligibility criteria for the members of the Executive Committee, if such person is serving in the executive committee or a similar body of a corresponding International Sports Body or is in the General Body of the International Olympic Committee or International Paralympic Committee.
Section 35 Power to issue directions and impose restrictions in national interest.
(1) The Central Government may, from time to time, give such directions as it may think fit, to the Board or any other person or entity for the efficient administration of this Act.
(2) The Central Government may, by an order, impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport in international sports competitions or participation of any individual in the activities of the national sports, under extraordinary circumstances and in the interest of national security, public order and safety.
(2) The Central Government may, by an order, impose reasonable restrictions on the participation of any national team of a concerned sport in international sports competitions or participation of any individual in the activities of the national sports, under extraordinary circumstances and in the interest of national security, public order and safety.
Section 36 Protection of action taken in good faith.
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any Member of the Board or member of a National Sports Body or the Tribunal or any officer or other employee of such authorities or any other person or authority for anything which has been done or is intended to be done in good faith under this Act or the rules and regulations made thereunder.
Section 37 Conflicts with International Charters and Statutes.
(1) The National Sports Bodies shall primarily be guided by the International Charters and Statutes in the governance of its affairs.
(2) In the event of any conflict between a provision of this Act and the International Charters and Statutes, the Central Government may, after consulting the Board and the concerned International Sports Body as may be deemed necessary, issue a clarificatory notification in this regard.
(2) In the event of any conflict between a provision of this Act and the International Charters and Statutes, the Central Government may, after consulting the Board and the concerned International Sports Body as may be deemed necessary, issue a clarificatory notification in this regard.
Section 38 Power to remove difficulties.
(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any provision of this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary, for removing the difficulty:
Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a period of five years from the date of commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament.
Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a period of five years from the date of commencement of this Act.
(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament.