National Sports Governance Bill 2025, Objectives and Key Provisions

Context: The Government is preparing to introduce the National Sports Governance Bill during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

National Sports Governance Bill 2025

• The Union Government plans to introduce the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 in the Monsoon Session of Parliament.
• The Bill aims to reform the governance of sports bodies across India.

Objectives

• It focuses on:
  • Regulatory transparency
  • Athlete-centric policies
  • Fair and timely dispute resolution
  • Streamlining the functioning of National Sports Federations (NSFs), including the BCCI.
• Marks a shift in the Ministry’s role from a “controller” to a “facilitator” for improving global competitiveness in Indian sports.
• Intends to reduce legal disputes and bureaucratic hurdles in the sports ecosystem.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• A National Sports Board will be established to:
  • Recognise or suspend National Sports Federations (NSFs)
  • Ensure compliance with governance standards and athlete welfare norms
  • Oversee the elections of sports bodies
• The Board will include:
  • A Chairperson
  • Members appointed by the Central Government
• Functions as a watchdog for ethical governance and provides administrative oversight to NSFs.
• A National Sports Tribunal will be set up to address sports-related legal disputes.

Key Features

• Headed by a Supreme Court judge
• Handles disputes regarding:
  • Elections
  • Team selections
  • Internal administration of NSFs
• Appeals from the NST will be allowed only before the Supreme Court

The NST will not cover

• Disputes during the Olympic, Asian, or Commonwealth Games
• Cases under international sports federations
• Anti-doping cases (These remain under the National Anti-Doping Agency – NADA)

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