NEW DELHI: The National Sports Governance Bill has officially become law after President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent, marking a significant reform in India’s sports administration, hailed as “path-breaking” by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The Gazette notification issued by the Central Government confirmed the President’s approval on August 18, 2025.
“The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 18th August, 2025 and is hereby published for general information — The National Sports Governance Act, 2025,” the notification stated.
The Act, which incorporates two key amendments from the original bill, narrows the scope of the Right to Information (RTI) to only those sports bodies that receive government funding, effectively exempting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which does not depend on government support.
“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, with respect to utilisation of such grants or any other financial assistance,” the Act specifies.
Additionally, eligibility rules for leadership positions in national federations have been relaxed. Aspirants now need to serve only one term in the Executive Committee, instead of the earlier requirement of two terms, encouraging participation from younger administrators and athlete-leaders.
“…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, Secretary General, or Treasurer in its affiliate unit,” the Act states.
After more than a decade of waiting, the bill was passed following extensive consultations by Mandaviya with stakeholders over the past year. It was introduced in the Lok Sabha on July 23, approved on August 11, and subsequently cleared by the Rajya Sabha after a two-hour discussion.
The new law will establish a National Sports Board, empowered to grant affiliation to National Sports Federations (NSFs) and de-recognise bodies for violations ranging from financial misappropriation to electoral misconduct. A National Sports Tribunal will ensure swift dispute resolution, with its decisions challengeable only in the Supreme Court.
Furthermore, a National Sports Election Panel will oversee NSF elections, often plagued by controversies. The Act also grants the central government discretionary powers to limit India’s international participation under “extraordinary circumstances” when the “national interest” is at stake.
