New Delhi: In a landmark move for Indian sports, the Parliament has passed the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The legislation, introduced by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, aims to bring about sweeping reforms to improve the administration, transparency, and accountability of sports bodies across the country.
The passing of the bill has been met with a positive reception from the sporting community. Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, the President of the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI), has extended his congratulations to Minister Shri Mandaviya, expressing confidence that this new legislation will be a “landmark reform” that will “supercharge India’s sports ecosystem like never before.”
The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 is designed to address long-standing issues within National Sports Federations (NSFs). Key provisions of the bill include:
- Establishment of a National Sports Board: This board will be responsible for granting recognition to NSFs, regulating their functioning, and ensuring compliance with the new legal framework.
- National Sports Tribunal: A dedicated tribunal will be created to resolve disputes related to athlete selection, federation elections, and other governance issues, offering a quicker and more focused alternative to traditional courts.
- Increased Athlete and Gender Representation: The bill mandates a greater voice for athletes in the governance of sports bodies and requires a minimum number of women in leadership roles.
- Accountability and Transparency: Recognized sports bodies will be brought under the ambit of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, promoting financial transparency and ethical conduct.
The new legislation is seen as a crucial step in India’s preparations for a potential bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games. Supporters of the bill, including Olympian and Indian Olympic Association President P.T. Usha, have hailed it as a measure that will ensure “justice and fair play” for a new generation of Indian athletes.
While the bill was passed with a voice vote in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, some opposition members expressed reservations. However, the government maintained that the reforms are essential to build a “robust, transparent, and accountable” sports ecosystem that can compete on the world stage. The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed alongside the governance bill, will further strengthen India’s anti-doping framework to align with global standards.