The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre Mumbai highlighted the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31) during a press interaction in Mumbai. With an unprecedented outlay of ₹36,441 crore, the revamped framework aims to expand athlete support tenfold and strengthen the grassroots-to-podium pathway. The scheme introduces nine key components, structural upgrades, and an integrated state-level action plan to build a robust high-performance sports ecosystem in India.
The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre Mumbai hosted a press interaction to unveil the operational vision of the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31). The event emphasized the government's comprehensive plan to multiply athlete support and structurally upgrade India's sporting framework. The announcement underscored a massive financial commitment of ₹36,441 crore to systematically integrate coaching, infrastructure, and technology.
The press interaction was held on August 18, 2026, at the Mumbai Press Club in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The regional setting was chosen to highlight Maharashtra's strong sporting culture and its potential to benefit from the national framework.
1. Infrastructure Mapping: Existing facilities for Olympic, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games disciplines will be assessed to identify gaps and upgrade needs.
2. Talent Identification Network: Creation of Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas, Feeder Schools, and Khelo India Centres to scout grassroots talent.
3. Targeted Support Tiers: Athletes are categorized into Khelo India Athletes (KIA) and Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA) to receive tailored funding and coaching.
4. State Action Plans: Decentralising sports development by granting state governments a structured role in building strategic sports assets.
While countries like China and the USA invest heavily in school-to-podium pathways, India has historically struggled with a fragmented transition system. The revamped Khelo India scheme aligns India with global best practices by integrating sports science, technology, and tiered athlete support (KIA and E-KIA).
Core Concept: Sports Governance in India and the Khelo India Initiative
Q1. What is the total financial outlay for the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31)? [Easy]
A) ₹15,500 crore
B) ₹24,000 crore
C) ₹36,441 crore
D) ₹45,000 crore
Answer: C
Explanation: The revamped scheme has an outlay of ₹36,441 crore, which is approximately eight times the previous allocation.
Q2. Which tier of athletes will receive support under the revamped Khelo India Scheme? [Easy]
A) Elite National Athletes (ENA) only
B) Khelo India Athletes (KIA) and Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA)
C) Prime Minister's Sports Scholars (PMSS)
D) Olympic Core Group (OCG) only
Answer: B
Explanation: The scheme provides targeted support to Khelo India Athletes (KIA) and Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA).
Q3. Under the Khelo India Revamped Scheme, which specific set of sporting disciplines will undergo infrastructure mapping? [Moderate]
A) Only indigenous sports and martial arts
B) Olympic, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games disciplines
C) Cricket, Football, and Hockey exclusively
D) Only winter and water sports
Answer: B
Explanation: Existing infrastructure across Olympic, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games disciplines will be mapped to identify upgrade requirements.
Q4. How does the scheme plan to integrate State Governments more deeply into sports development? [Moderate]
A) By shifting Sports to the Union List
B) Through the implementation of a State Action Plan for Sports Infrastructure Development
C) By making state governments fully fund the Khelo India Centres
D) By establishing a separate State Sports Ministry in every district
Answer: B
Explanation: The State Action Plan will provide States a greater role in developing and strengthening sports infrastructure.
Q5. Which of the following is NOT one of the explicit components mentioned under the Khelo India Revamped Scheme? [Moderate]
A) Fit India Movement
B) Khelo India Training Facilities
C) National Cricket Academy Expansion
D) Sports Technology
Answer: C
Explanation: The nine components include Fit India Movement, Sports Technology, and Training Facilities, but the National Cricket Academy is not part of this scheme.
Q6. Under the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution, 'Sports' primarily falls under which list, making the State Action Plan crucial for the scheme's success? [Tricky]
A) Union List
B) State List
C) Concurrent List
D) Residuary Powers
Answer: B
Explanation: Sports is listed under Entry 33 of the State List, requiring active state participation for grassroots infrastructure development.
Q7. Which new institutional structures are envisaged in the scheme to widen the talent identification network? [Tricky]
A) National Sports Universities and Regional Hubs
B) Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas and Khelo India Feeder Schools
C) Target Olympic Podium Centres
D) District Sports Authorities
Answer: B
Explanation: The framework envisages Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas, Feeder Schools, and Khelo India Centres for talent identification.
Q8. The budget allocation of ₹36,441 crore for 2026-31 is approximately how many times larger than the previous allocation? [Tricky]
A) Two times
B) Five times
C) Eight times
D) Ten times
Answer: C
Explanation: The outlay is approximately eight times the previous allocation, aiming to support nearly ten times the number of athletes.
PYQ 1:
With reference to the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31), what is the primary objective of the "Sports Infrastructure for Medal Strategy"?
A) To build local cricket stadiums in every district
B) To map and upgrade infrastructure specifically for Olympic, Asian, and Commonwealth Games disciplines
C) To privatise state-owned sports assets
D) To focus entirely on indigenous and traditional sports
Answer: B
Explanation: The infrastructure strategy focuses on mapping and upgrading facilities for Olympic, Asian, and Commonwealth Games to secure international medals.
PYQ 2:
Consider the following statements regarding the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31):
1. The scheme is entirely centrally sponsored with no role for State Governments in infrastructure planning.
2. It introduces Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas and Feeder Schools to widen talent identification.
3. The financial outlay for the 2026-31 period is ₹36,441 crore.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the scheme explicitly includes a State Action Plan to give states a greater role in infrastructure development. Statements 2 and 3 are correct.
PYQ 3:
Match the following athlete support tiers with their corresponding programs under the government's sports ecosystem:
1. Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) - A. Elite athletes with immediate Olympic medal potential
2. KIA and E-KIA - B. Grassroots and emerging athletes under Khelo India
3. KISCE - C. State-level centers of excellence
Select the correct code:
A) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
B) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
C) 1-C, 2-B, 3-A
D) 1-A, 2-C, 3-B
Answer: A
Explanation: TOPS targets elite Olympic prospects, KIA (Khelo India Athletes) and E-KIA cover grassroots/emerging talent, and KISCE operates as State Centres of Excellence.
Question 1 (150 words): The Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31) signifies a paradigm shift from mere sports promotion to a structured "Medal Strategy". Analyze.
The Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026–31) marks a definitive shift in India’s sports policy by replacing ad-hoc promotion with a data-driven high-performance ecosystem. With an unprecedented outlay of ₹36,441 crore, the focus has moved toward a targeted "Sports Infrastructure for Medal Strategy". Instead of generic facility building, the scheme mandates the mapping and upgrading of infrastructure strictly aligned with Olympic, Asian, and Commonwealth Games disciplines.
Furthermore, the introduction of a tiered talent pipeline—identifying youth through Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas and supporting them as Emerging Khelo India Athletes (E-KIA)—ensures a seamless transition from grassroots to elite levels. By integrating sports science, technology, and a State Action Plan, the scheme decentralizes execution while maintaining a focused national goal. Moving forward, the effective coordination between the Sports Authority of India and state governments will dictate the success of this podium-oriented approach.
Question 2 (250 words): Evaluate the role of the State Action Plan under the Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026-31) in democratizing sports infrastructure in India. How does it address the traditional challenges of sports governance?
Historically, sports administration in India has suffered from a top-down approach, disjointed state-center coordination, and urban-centric infrastructure. The Khelo India Revamped Scheme (2026-31), backed by a massive ₹36,441 crore outlay, seeks to resolve these structural bottlenecks primarily through its State Action Plan for Sports Infrastructure Development.
Constitutionally, 'Sports' is a State subject (Entry 33 of the State List). However, states have often lacked the financial muscle to build world-class facilities. The State Action Plan empowers states by giving them a structured, funded role in creating and maintaining "Strategic Sports Assets". This decentralization ensures that infrastructure is tailored to regional sporting strengths—such as wrestling in Haryana or archery in Jharkhand.
Moreover, the scheme democratizes access by establishing Khelo India Utkrishta Vidyalayas and Feeder Schools at the district level. This prevents the concentration of talent solely in metro cities. By mapping existing facilities for Olympic and Asian Games disciplines, the plan prevents duplication of efforts and ensures funds are used to plug specific gaps rather than building redundant stadiums.
The traditional challenge of talent attrition—where junior athletes fade away due to lack of support—is addressed through sustained backing of Khelo India Athletes (KIA) and Emerging Athletes (E-KIA). To succeed, states must ensure transparency in fund utilization and embrace the scheme's sports technology components. Ultimately, this cooperative federalism in sports is essential for India to transition into a global sporting powerhouse by the 2032 Olympics.