The National Sports Governance Act, 2025

(ACT NO. 25 OF 2025)

[As on the 14th May, 2026]

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED

G.S.R. . . . . . for General Statutory Rules.

S.O . . . . . ,, Statutory Order.

Notifn. . . . . . ,, Notification.

THE NATIONAL SPORTS GOVERNANCE ACT, 2025

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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

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CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

SECTIONS

1. Short title and commencement.

2. Definitions.

CHAPTER II

NATIONAL SPORTS BODIES

3. Establishment of national sports governing bodies.

4. Compliance with certain requirements by National Sports Bodies.

CHAPTER III

THE NATIONAL SPORTS BOARD

5. Establishment of National Sports Board.

6. Powers and functions of Board.

7. Staff of Board.

CHAPTER IV

THE GOVERNANCE OF RECOGNISED SPORTS ORGANISATIONS

8. Board recognition and registration.

9. Power of Board to conduct inquiry.

10. Power of Board to suspend or cancel Board recognition or registration.

11. Ad hoc administrative body.

CHAPTER V

CODE OF ETHICS

12. Code of Ethics.

CHAPTER VI

SAFE SPORTS POLICY AND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL

13. Safe Sports Policy.

CHAPTER VII

PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF RECOGNISED SPORTS ORGANISATION

14. Privileges of recognised sports organisation.

15. Duties of recognised sports organisation.

CHAPTER VIII

NATIONAL SPORTS ELECTION PANEL

16. National Sports Election Panel and appointment of electoral officers.

CHAPTER IX

NATIONAL SPORTS TRIBUNAL

SECTIONS

17. Constitution of National Sports Tribunal.

18. Removal of chairperson or members of Tribunal.

19. Staff of Tribunal.

20. Exclusion of jurisdiction of Tribunal.

21. Members, etc., to be public servants.

22. Transfer of pending cases.

23. Bar on jurisdiction of a civil court.

24. Powers of Tribunal.

25. Appeal to Supreme Court.

26. Orders passed by Tribunal to be executable as a decree.

CHAPTER X

USE OF NATIONAL NAMES AND INSIGNIA

27. Use of national names and insignia.

CHAPTER XI

MISCELLANEOUS

28. Fund.

29. Accounts and audit.

30. Measures for promotion and development of sports.

31. Power to make rules.

32. Power to make regulations.

33. Laying of rules, regulations and notifications.

34. Power to exempt in special cases.

35. Power to issue directions and impose restrictions in national interest.

36. Protection of action taken in good faith.

37. Conflicts with International Charters and Statutes.

38. Power to remove difficulties.

THE NATIONAL SPORTS GOVERNANCE ACT, 2025

ACT NO. 25 OF 2025

[18th August, 2025.]

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.

WHEREAS the Olympic Charter and the Paralympic Charter emphasise impeccable ethical behaviour in

sports governance, necessitating the national sports governing bodies to align with such global

governance standards;

AND WHEREAS the national sports governing bodies discharge important public functions in the

country and it is pertinent for these bodies to manage their internal and external affairs in an open, fair

and transparent manner in the public interest;

AND WHEREAS the Government of India respects the principle of autonomy of the sports governing

bodies in the country in line with the fundamental principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter and the

Paralympic Charter;

AND WHEREAS the Government of India recognises the importance of providing accessible, fair and

effective measures for the resolution of grievances and disputes relating to sports;

AND WHEREAS it is considered necessary to give effect to the aforesaid objectives.

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—

CHAPTER I

PRELIMINARY

1. Short title and commencement.—(1) This Act may be called the National Sports Governance

Act, 2025.

(2) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the

Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act, and

any reference in any such provision to the commencement of this Act shall be construed as a reference to

the coming into force of that provision.

2. Definitions.—(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “ad hoc administrative body” means a body constituted for ad hoc administration under

section 11;

(b) “affiliate unit” means the State, district or other units of,—

(i) the National Olympic Committee;

(ii) the National Paralympic Committee;

(iii) the National Sports Federation; and

1. 1st January, 2026—Ss.1 to 3, sub-sections (1), (2) and (4) of section 4, sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 5, sub-section (5)

of section 8, sub-section (1) of section 11, section 14, section 15, sub-sections (1) to (7) and (10) of section 17, section 30,

section 31, section 33 to 38, vide notification no. S.O. 6152 (E), dated 31st December, 2025, see Gazette of India,

Extraordinary, Part II, s. 3(ii).

12th May, 2026—Sub-sections (3), (4) and (5) of section 5, section 7, sub-sections (8) and (9) of section 17 and sections 18, 19,

21, 28 and 29, vide notification no. S.O. 2406 (E), dated 12th May, 2026, see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, s. 3(ii).

(iv) the Regional Sports Federation;

Committee”, by whatever name called, means the “Athletes Committee”, “Disputes Resolution

Committee”, “Ethics Committee” and “Executive Committee”, respectively, of a National Sports

Body;

(d) “Board” means the National Sports Board established under sub-section (1) of section 5;

(e) “Board recognition” means recognition of a sports organisation by the Board under this Act;

(f) “bye-laws” means the memorandum of association or articles of association, by whatever name

called, of a sports organisation;

(g) “designated sport” means any sport discipline as may be specified by the Central Government,

by notification, to be a designated sport for a specific region or State or for the whole of India;

(h) “International Charters and Statutes” means the Olympic Charter and other Charters and

Statutes of the international sports governing bodies and include any bye-laws, rules, regulations or

constitution, by whatever name called, as may be adopted, amended or issued by such bodies from

time to time;

(i) “International Federation” means—

(A) a federation recognised as such by the International Olympic Committee in respect of an

Olympic sport; or

(B) a federation recognised as such by the International Paralympic Committee in respect of a

Paralympic sport; or

non-Paralympic sports;

(j) “International Olympic Committee” means the governing body for the Olympic Games;

(k) “International Paralympic Committee” means the governing body for the Paralympic Games;

(l) “international recognition” means the recognition of a national sports governing body by the

concerned international sports governing body;

(m) “International Sports Body” means an international sports governing body such as the

International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee or International

Federation or a continental governing body for sports;

(n) “National Olympic Committee” means the National Olympic Committee established under

section 3 as a national sports governing body and recognised as the National Olympic Committee of

India by the International Olympic Committee;

(o) “National Paralympic Committee” means the National Paralympic Committee established under

section 3 as a national sports governing body and recognised as the National Paralympic Committee of

India by the International Paralympic Committee;

(p) “National Sports Body” means a national sports governing body such as the National Olympic

Committee or the National Paralympic Committee or the National Sports Federation or the Regional

Sports Federation, established under section 3;

(q) “National Sports Election Panel” means the National Sports Election Panel notified under

section 16 to oversee the conduct of free and fair elections to the Executive Committee and the

Athletes Committee of the National Sports Bodies;

(r) “National Sports Federation” means a National Sports Federation established under section 3 as

a national sports governing body for a designated sport;

(s) “National Sports Promotion Organisation” means a sports organisation or body contributing

towards the development of sports, such as talent identification and their nurturing, policy advocacy

relating to sports administration or welfare and recognised by the Board under sub-section (7) of

section 8;

(t) “notification” means a notification published in the Official Gazette and the expression “notify”

or “notified”, shall be construed accordingly;

(u) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under this Act;

(v) “recognised sports organisation” means a sports organisation recognised by the Board as a

National Sports Body under sub-section (1) of section 8;

(w) “Regional Sports Federation” means a Regional Sports Federation established under section 3

as national sports governing body for a designated sport;

(x) “regulations” means regulations made by the Board under this Act;

(y) “Secretary General” means the Secretary General or the Secretary of a National Sports Body;

(z) “sportsperson of outstanding merit” means a sportsperson referred to in the proviso to clause (a)

of sub-section (1) of section 4;

(za) “State” means a State specified in the First Schedule to the Constitution and includes a Union

territory;

(zb) “Tribunal” means the National Sports Tribunal constituted under sub-section (1) of section 17.

CHAPTER II

NATIONAL SPORTS BODIES

3. Establishment of national sports governing bodies.—(1) The following bodies shall be

established as the national sports governing bodies for their respective recognised sports organisations,

namely:—

(a) the National Olympic Committee;

(b) the National Paralympic Committee;

(d) a Regional Sports Federation for each designated sport.

(2) There shall be only one National Olympic Committee and one National Paralympic Committee,

each governing multi-sport disciplines.

(3) The National Olympic Committee shall have an international recognition and affiliation of the

International Olympic Committee.

(4) The National Paralympic Committee shall have an international recognition and affiliation of the

International Paralympic Committee.

(5) Every National Sports Federation shall have an international recognition and affiliation of the

concerned international sports governing body:

Provided that this sub-section shall not apply to a designated sport which does not have an

international sports governing body.

(6) Every Regional Sports Federation shall have the relevant affiliations as may be prescribed.

4. Compliance with certain requirements by National Sports Bodies.—(1) Every National Sports

Body shall have,—

(a) a General Body, consisting of equal number of representatives from each of its affiliate units

and such other ex officio members as per its bye-laws and the International Charters and Statutes, as

applicable:

Provided that it shall have representation of such sportspersons of outstanding merit and such other

categories of persons, as may be prescribed;

(b) an Executive Committee which shall consist of not more than fifteen members, of whom—

(i) at least two shall be sportspersons of outstanding merit;

(ii) two shall be from the Athletes Committee to be elected from amongst themselves; and

(iii) such number of ex officio and other members shall be nominated or elected, as the case may

be, as per the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws:

Provided that at least four members shall be women:

Provided further that the voting rights of elected representatives of the Athletes Committee in the

Executive Committee shall be as determined by the bye-laws;

Statutes, as applicable:

Provided that the Ethics Committee of the National Olympic Committee shall function as the

Ethics Committee of any National Sports Body which does not have such Committee;

(d) a Dispute Resolution Committee to be constituted as per its bye-laws and the International

Charters and Statutes, as applicable:

Provided that the Dispute Resolution Committee of the National Olympic Committee shall function

as the Dispute Resolution Committee of any National Sports Body which does not have such

Committee;

(e) an Athletes Committee consisting of elected members as determined by the bye-laws;

(f) a President who shall be the head of the concerned National Sports Body and shall preside over

the meetings of its Executive Committee and the General Body;

(g) a Secretary General who shall be the head of administration responsible for carrying out all

decisions of the Executive Committee and the General Body:

Provided that where the International Charters and Statutes provide for a full-time head of

administration, by whatever name called, there shall not be an elected post of the head of

administration;

(h) a Treasurer who shall be the custodian of funds or the accounts of the concerned National

Sports Body.

(2) A person shall not be qualified to contest for election or seek nomination to, the Executive

Committee, unless—

(a) such person is a citizen of India who has attained at least twenty-five years of age;

(b) the nomination of such person is duly proposed and seconded by a voting member of the

General Body;

(d) such person complies with the International Charters and Statutes and bye-laws relating to age

and term of the Executive Committee:

Provided that such person shall not be more than seventy years of age on the last date of

nomination for election:

Provided further that any person, aged between seventy and seventy-five years, may contest

elections or seek nominations, if permitted by the International Charters and Statutes and the bye-laws

and in case such person is elected, he shall serve for a full term;

(e) such person, if he is a government servant, has necessary approvals from the Government, as

applicable:

Provided that a person shall not be qualified to contest for election or seek nomination to, the posts

of the President or the Secretary General or the Treasurer, unless such person is a sportsperson of

outstanding merit or, has previously served as a member for at least one full term in the Executive

Committee of the National Sports Body or as the President, or the Secretary General or the Treasurer

in its affiliate unit:

Provided further that a person may continuously hold the position of either the President or the

Secretary General or the Treasurer, as the case may be, for up to three consecutive terms separately, or in

combination thereof and shall be eligible for election to such posts or to the Executive Committee after a

mandatory cooling off period of one term.

(3) The term of the Executive Committee shall be as provided in the bye-laws subject to a maximum

period of four years.

(4) 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 shall be such as may be

prescribed.

CHAPTER III

THE NATIONAL SPORTS BOARD

5. Establishment of National Sports Board.—(1) The Central Government may, by notification,

establish a Board to be known as the National Sports Board, consisting of a Chairperson and such number

of other Members as may be prescribed.

(2) The Chairperson and the Members referred to in sub-section (1) shall be appointed by the Central

Government from amongst persons of ability, integrity and standing who possesses special knowledge or

practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related

fields, on the recommendation of a search-cum-selection committee comprising of such number of

persons, having wide experience in public administration, sports administration and recipients of national

sports awards, as may be prescribed.

(3) The salary and allowances and the term of office of the Chairperson and other Members of the

Board and other terms and conditions of their service, including removal from service, shall be such as

may be prescribed.

(4) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid, having perpetual succession and a

common seal, with power subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, hold and dispose of property,

both movable and immovable, and to contract, and shall, by the said name, sue or be sued.

(5) The head office of the Board shall be at Delhi and the Board shall establish its branch offices at

such other places as may be prescribed.

6. Powers and functions of Board.—The Board shall exercise and perform the following powers and

functions to carry out the provisions of this Act, namely:—

(a) the grant of Board recognition to sports organisations and registration of affiliate units and to

suspend or cancel such recognition or registration;

(b) to maintain a register of the National Sports Bodies and each of their respective affiliate units in

such manner as may be specified by regulations;

(d) to constitute an ad hoc administrative body or to direct the concerned National Sports Body or

their affiliate units, as the case may be, to so constitute, as per section 11;

(e) to issue guidelines for formulation of the Code of Ethics by the National Sports Bodies;

(f) to frame Safe Sports Policy for the protection and safety of women, minor athletes and other

classes of persons;

(g) maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel as per section 16;

(h) collaborate with the International Sports Bodies and National Sports Bodies for the

development of sports and welfare of athletes in India and to issue guidelines to the National Sports

Bodies for ensuring compliance with the international standards and best practices of the Olympic and

sports movement;

(i) take such measures as may be prescribed, to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of

athletes and support personnel; and

(j) such other powers and functions as may be prescribed.

7. Staff of Board.—(1) The Central Government shall, in consultation with the Board, appoint such

officers and other employees as may be necessary for discharging the functions of the Board.

(2) The officers and other employees of the Board shall discharge their functions under the general

superintendence and control of the Chairperson or any other member of the Board to whom powers for

exercising such superintendence and control are delegated by the Chairperson.

(3) The qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of service

of the officers and other employees of the Board shall be such as may be prescribed.

CHAPTER IV

THE GOVERNANCE OF RECOGNISED SPORTS ORGANISATIONS

8. Board recognition and registration.—(1) The Board shall have the power to grant Board

recognition to any sports organisation as a National Sports Body.

(2) Any sports organisation desirous of obtaining Board recognition as a National Sports Body under

this section shall apply to the Board in such form and manner and containing such particulars, as may be

specified by regulations.

(3) No sports organisation shall be recognised under sub-section (1) unless such organisation,—

(a) is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (21 of 1860) or under the

Societies Registration Act of a State; or

(b) is a not-for-profit company incorporated under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013

(18 of 2013); or

State; and

(d) complies with such other criteria and conditions as may be specified by regulations and having

the sole object of the development of sports.

(4) The Board recognition granted under this section shall be renewed periodically at such intervals

and in accordance with such procedure as may be specified by regulations.

(5) All sports organisations recognised as National Sports Bodies by the Central Government before

the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have Board recognition under this Act and the

provisions of this Act shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to such organisation.

(6) All affiliate units of National Sports Bodies shall ensure that they are registered with the Board,

subject to such conditions and in such manner, as may be prescribed.

(7) The Board, subject to the prior approval of the Central Government, shall also have the power to

recognise sports organisations participating in sports governance, athlete support and welfare, as National

Sports Promotion Organisation.

(8) The eligibility criteria for Board recognition and the manner of governance and functioning of the

National Sports Promotion Organisations shall be such as may be specified by regulations:

Provided that a National Sports Promotion Organisation recognised by the Central Government before

the commencement of this Act, shall be deemed to have been recognised as such under this Act and the

provisions of this Act shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to such organisation:

Provided further that the Board recognition granted under this sub-section shall be renewed

periodically at such intervals and in accordance with such procedure as may be specified by regulations.

9. Power of Board to conduct inquiry.—The Board may, either on its own motion, or in response to

complaint received from any person or body on matters affecting the welfare of sportspersons or the

development of sports in the country or misuse of public funds, conduct an inquiry where it is satisfied

that there is a reasonable cause so to do:

Provided that no such complaint shall be entertained unless the complainant has exhausted all

available remedies with the National Sports Body or its affiliate units:

Provided further that the Board may entertain such complaint if it is satisfied that accessing those

remedies would result in unnecessary delay or unreasonable prejudice.

10. Power of Board to suspend or cancel Board recognition or registration.—(1) The Board may,

either on its own motion, or on the receipt of a complaint by an aggrieved party, by order, suspend or

cancel the Board recognition of a sports organisation as a National Sports Body or registration of an

affiliate unit of a National Sports Body, in any of the following circumstances, namely:—

(a) the international recognition of the concerned National Sports Body has been suspended or

cancelled by the concerned International Sports Body;

(b) the concerned affiliate unit has been suspended or disaffiliated by the concerned National

Sports Body;

regulations made thereunder, including eligibility criteria or terms and conditions of the Board

recognition;

(d) the Registrar of Companies or the Registrar of Societies of the concerned sports organisation

has reported gross irregularities in the internal functioning or removed the name of the National Sports

Body or its affiliate units;

(e) the National Sports Body or the affiliate unit has—

(i) failed to hold elections for its Executive Committee or has committed gross irregularities in

the election procedures thereof; or

(ii) failed to publish its annual audited accounts; or

(iii) has misused, misapplied or misappropriated any public funds:

Provided that the suspension or disaffiliation referred to in clause (a) and clause (b) shall be

co-terminus with the suspension or disaffiliation by the concerned International Sports Body or the

National Sports Body, as the case may be, which may be extended by the Board, for reasons to be

recorded in writing, for such further period as the Board may consider necessary.

(2) Before issuing an order of suspension or cancellation of Board recognition or registration under

sub-section (1), the Board shall consult the concerned—

(a) International Sports Body, where such suspension or cancellation of Board recognition concerns

the National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation;

(b) National Sports Federation or the Regional Sports Federation, where such suspension or

cancellation of registration concerns any affiliate unit,

and upon such consultation, take any of the following measures, namely:—

(i) issue an order, directing the National Sports Body or its affiliate unit, to take such action as is

appropriate to correct the deficiency and upon compliance, the Board may make a finding of

compliance; or

(ii) conduct a hearing by giving reasonable opportunity to the parties to present their case before

pronouncing its decision.

(3) An appeal against any order of the Board for suspension or cancellation of Board recognition or

registration under this section shall lie with the Tribunal.

11. Ad hoc administrative body.—(1) In the event of loss of the international recognition of a

National Sports Body, the normalisation process shall be implemented as per the International Charters

and Statutes and the Board shall not interfere in such process.

(2) In the absence of the normalisation process referred to in sub-section (1) on the loss of

international recognition of a National Sports Body, or in the event of cancellation or suspension of Board

recognition of a National Sports Body under section 10, where the loss of recognition concern—

(a) a National Olympic Committee or a National Paralympic Committee, the Board may constitute

an ad hoc administrative body in consultation with the International Olympic Committee or the

International Paralympic Committee, as the case may be;

(b) a National Sports Federation, the Board may, in consultation with the concerned International

Federation, wherever applicable, direct the National Olympic Committee to constitute an ad hoc

administrative body;

Federation, if any, constitute an ad hoc administrative body.

(3) In the event of cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or registration of an affiliate unit of

a National Sports Body under section 10,—

(a) where the cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or registration, concerns a State

sports federation, the Board may direct the concerned National Sports Federation or the Regional

Sports Federation; and

(b) where the cancellation or suspension of Board recognition or registration, concerns a district

sports federation, the Board may direct the concerned State sports federation,

to constitute an ad hoc administrative body consisting of such members as may be determined by the

Board in consultation with the National Sports Body or the concerned affiliate State unit, as the case may

be.

(4) The ad hoc administrative body shall be responsible for administering the concerned sports body or

its affiliate units to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act.

(5) The ad hoc administrative body referred to in sub-section (2) shall consist of a maximum of five

eminent sports administrators, who have previously held the office of a President or a Secretary General

or a Treasurer of a National Sports Body or who is or has served as a member of the Executive

Committee of the National Olympic Committee, having no past association with the sports discipline or

any conflict of interest:

Provided that no person shall be part of more than one ad hoc administrative body at the same time.

CHAPTER V

CODE OF ETHICS

12. Code of Ethics.—(1) Every National Sports Body shall formulate a Code of Ethics for the

members of its Executive Committee and other committees, employees, staff, sponsors, coaches, athletes,

officials, members, affiliates and such other relevant persons, in accordance with the guidelines specified

by the Board.

(2) The Code of Ethics shall establish minimum standards for the ethical and appropriate conduct of

the persons specified in sub-section (1).

(3) The Code of Ethics shall be framed in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the International

Sports Bodies and in consonance with the applicable laws in India.

(4) The Code of Ethics shall provide measures for protection of vulnerable persons against abuse by

person in a position of trust, responsibility or authority.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, “person in a position of trust” means any person

who exercises authority, control or influence over another person, or a person on whom another person is

dependent and who is connected or associated with the affairs of the National Sports Body.

CHAPTER VI

SAFE SPORTS POLICY AND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL

13. Safe Sports Policy.—(1) The Board shall frame a comprehensive Safe Sports Policy applicable to

all activities, events, operations and proceedings conducted by the National Sports Bodies.

(2) The Safe Sports Policy shall include provisions to ensure the protection and safety of women and

minor athletes and such other persons as may be prescribed.

(3) Every National Sports Body shall establish an internal grievance redressal mechanism to address

the grievances raised by athletes, coaches and other individuals associated with such body, in a fair,

timely and transparent manner.

CHAPTER VII

PRIVILEGES AND DUTIES OF RECOGNISED SPORTS ORGANISATION

14. Privileges of recognised sports organisation.—(1) Only a recognised sports organisation shall be

eligible to receive grants or any other financial assistance from the Central Government.

(2) A recognised sports organisation, receiving grants or any other financial assistance from the

Central Government under sub-section (1) or from a State Government, shall be considered as a public

authority under the Right to Information Act, 2005 (22 of 2005), with respect to utilisation of such grants

or any other financial assistance.

15. Duties of recognised sports organisation.—A recognised sports organisation shall ensure that all

its voting members and affiliate units, as applicable, complies with—

(a) the International Charters and Statutes, as applicable, and shall exercise the rights, perform the

duties and discharge the functions as specified therein; and

(b) the provisions of this Act and the rules and regulations made thereunder.

CHAPTER VIII

NATIONAL SPORTS ELECTION PANEL

16. National Sports Election Panel and appointment of electoral officers.—(1) The Central

Government shall, on the recommendations of the Board, notify a National Sports Election Panel

consisting of such number of persons as it may deem necessary, who are retired Chief Election

Commissioner or Election Commissioner or Deputy Election Commissioner or retired State Election

Commissioner or Chief Electoral Officers of the States, with adequate experience of conduct of elections

under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951).

(2) The persons notified under sub-section (1) shall act as electoral officers to oversee the conduct

of free and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National

Sports Bodies.

(3) The Board shall maintain a roster of the National Sports Election Panel in such manner as may

be prescribed.

(4) The fees and other allowances to be paid to the persons notified under sub-section (1) shall be

such as may be prescribed.

(5) The National Sports Bodies may appoint an electoral officer from the National Sports Election

Panel to oversee its election process and ensure free and fair elections:

Provided that where the Charters or Statutes of the International Sports Body require appointment

of any other person as an electoral officer, the concerned National Sports Body may appoint such other

person after furnishing the details, including qualifications and experience, of the person, to the Board.

(6) Every National Sports Body, having affiliate units, shall prepare an Election Panel for the

conduct of free and fair elections of the Executive Committees of their affiliate units, consisting of

such number of retired persons as it may deem necessary, having adequate experience of conduct of

elections under the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951).

(7) Every affiliate unit shall appoint an electoral officer from the roster to be maintained by the

National Sports Body, to oversee its election process and ensure free and fair elections.

CHAPTER IX

NATIONAL SPORTS TRIBUNAL

17. Constitution of National Sports Tribunal.—(1) The Central Government shall, by notification,

constitute a National Sports Tribunal consisting of a chairperson and two other members, to provide for

the independent, speedy, effective and cost-efficient disposal of sports related disputes.

(2) The chairperson shall be a person who is or has been, a Judge of the Supreme Court or the Chief

Justice of a High Court.

(3) The members shall be persons of eminence in public life with wide knowledge and experience

in sports, public administration and law.

(4) The chairperson and the other members of the Tribunal shall be appointed by the Central

Government on the recommendations of a Search-cum-Selection Committee consisting of the

following members, namely:—

(a) the Chief Justice of India or a Supreme Court Judge recommended by the Chief Justice of

India—chairperson;

(b) the Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Law and Justice—member;

(5) The Search-cum-Selection Committee shall determine the procedure for making its

recommendations.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in any judgment, order or decree of any court, or in any

law for the time being in force, the Search-cum-Selection Committee shall recommend a panel of two

names for appointment to the post of chairperson or member, as the case may be, and the Central

Government shall take a decision on the recommendations made by that Committee, preferably within

three months from the date of such recommendation.

(7) No appointment shall be invalid merely by reason of any vacancy or absence of a member in

the Search-cum-Selection Committee.

(8) The term of office and other conditions of service of chairperson and members of the Tribunal

shall be such as may be prescribed.

(9) The Tribunal shall formulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business including the

timelines to be followed for the disposal of matters.

(10) All expenses incurred in connection with the Tribunal shall be defrayed out of the

Consolidated Fund of India.

18. Removal of chairperson or members of Tribunal.—(1) The Central Government shall remove

from office a chairperson or member of the Tribunal who—

(a) has been adjudged an insolvent;

(b) has been convicted of an offence which, in the opinion of the Central Government, involves

moral turpitude;

(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely to affect prejudicially his functions as a

member; or

(e) has so abused his position as to render his continuation in office prejudicial to public interest:

Provided that where the chairperson or member is proposed to be removed on any ground specified

in clauses (c) to (e), he shall be informed of the charges against him and given an opportunity of being

heard in respect of those charges.

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), a member of the Tribunal shall not be

removed from his office on the grounds specified therein unless the Chief Justice of India or his nominee

judge, on a reference being made to him in this behalf by the Central Government, has on inquiry held in

accordance with such procedure as he may specify in this behalf, recommended the removal.

19. Staff of Tribunal.—(1) The Central Government shall, in consultation with the Tribunal, appoint

such officers and other employees as may be necessary for discharging the functions of the Tribunal.

(2) The officers and other employees of the Tribunal shall discharge their functions under the

general superintendence and control of the chairperson or any other member of the Tribunal to whom

powers for exercising such superintendence and control are delegated by the chairperson.

(3) The qualifications, appointment, salary and allowances and other terms and conditions of

service of officers and other employees of the Tribunal shall be such as may be prescribed.

20. Exclusion of jurisdiction of Tribunal.—The Tribunal shall not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the

following matters, namely:—

(a) any dispute, or conflict arising during the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Commonwealth

Games, Asian Games, or any other similar events organised by any International Federations;

(b) any dispute falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of—

(i) the internal disputes resolution committee of a National Sports Body; or

(ii) any other tribunal or court; or

(iii) any International Federation; or

(iv) the Court of Arbitration for Sports established in Lausanne, Switzerland;

Act, 2022 (15 of 2022) have exclusive jurisdiction;

(d) any matter in respect of which the International Charters and Statutes require the parties to

submit to specific mechanism or forum for adjudication.

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).

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.

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.

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;

(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).

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.

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.

CHAPTER X

USE OF NATIONAL NAMES AND INSIGNIA

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.

CHAPTER XI

MISCELLANEOUS

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.

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.

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;

(d) the appropriate use of technology and analytics in the context of sport.

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;

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.

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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

The development of sports and related activities is a matter of national priority. It not only promotes

active lifestyle, fitness among the children and youth but also social inclusiveness and cohesiveness,

employment opportunities, peace and overall development, besides inculcating a sense of identity and

pride.

2. The National Sports Development Code of India, 2011 established good governance practices for

sports bodies, essential for healthy development of sports in the country. It provided framework for

recognition of sports organisations, including Indian Olympic Association, as sports bodies for the

regulation of sports in India. However, there is a felt need for a comprehensive legislation to improve the

governance of the sports bodies and achieve better results in sports and reduce the disputes and litigation,

inter alia, involving sports federations. There is an imperative need to curb factionalism, and

administrative interventions which adversely affects the organised development of sports and related

activities in India and also for its better presentation before the international sports community.

3. It is the endeavour of India to host major international sports events in the country and preparation

for the same are underway. Also, as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer

Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergoes a positive

transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major

international competitions.

4. In light of the above goals, the proposed legislation seeks 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.

5. The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, inter alia, seeks to provide for the following,

namely:—

(i) to provide for the establishment of the National Sports Governing Bodies such as the National

Olympic Committee, the National Paralympic Committee, the National Sports Federation and the

Regional Sports Federation, for the respective recognised sports organisations;

(ii) to establish a National Sports Board which shall be responsible, inter alia, for granting Board

recognition to the sports organisations as National Sports Governing Bodies and registration of their

affiliates units;

(iii) to provide for the National Sports Election Panel consisting of former members of the Election

Commission of India or the State Election Commission or former Chief Electoral Officers of the States

or Deputy Election Commissioners, who shall act as electoral officers to oversee the conduct of free

and fair elections to the Executive Committees and the Athletes Committee of the National Sports

Bodies;

(iv) to provide for constitution of a National Sports Tribunal consisting of a chairperson and two

other members, to provide for the independent, speedy, effective and cost-efficient disposal of sports

related disputes;

(v) to make provision for appeal to Supreme Court against any order of the Tribunal, unless the

International Charters and Statutes provide for appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport;

(vi) to restrict the use of National name and insignia for any competition without obtaining

necessary approval;

(vii) to empower the Government of India to take necessary measures for the promotion and

development of sports, in consonance with the International Charters and the Statutes, including in

public interest; and to exempt any Sports body or their affiliate units from any of the provisions of the

Bill or any rule or regulation made thereunder;

(viii) to empower the Central Government to give such directions as it may think fit, to the Board or

any other person or entity for the efficient administration of the legislation;

(ix) to provide that the National Sports Bodies shall primarily be guided by the International

Charters and Statutes in the governance of its affairs.

6. The notes on clauses explain in detail the various provisions contained in the Bill.

7. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.

NEW DELHI; DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA.

The 14th July, 2025.