Key Sports Related Bills Passed in Parliament

• 18 Aug 2025

Source: TH

Parliament has passed 2 key legislations, the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 aimed at reforming sports governance and strengthening anti-doping measures in India.

National Sports Governance Bill, 2025 

• Empowers the central government to establish the National Sports Board (NSB) and establishes National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, and Sports Federations for each designated sport. 
  • The NSB can recognise, suspend, or cancel sports bodies (incl. BCCI), conduct inquiries, frame Code of Ethics & Safe Sports Policy, regulate elections via National Sports Election Panel, and ensure international compliance. 
• Mandates national/regional sports federations (affiliated with international bodies) to have a General Body, 15-member Executive Committee (at least 2 outstanding sportspersons & 4 women), and Ethics, Dispute Resolution, Athletes Committees. 
• Creates National Sports Tribunal (3-member; chaired by sitting or former Judge of the SC or the Chief Justice of a HC) with civil court powers for speedy disputes; excludes doping, internal disputes, and international event matters, with appeals to the Supreme Court. 
• Recognised bodies are public authorities under RTI Act, 2005 only if they receive government grants or financial assistance. They must maintain CAG-audited accounts, and obtain approval to use “India”/national insignia. 
• The Centre can frame rules, relax eligibility, and restrict national teams’ participation abroad for reasons of security, public order, or safety.

Note: 

• Sports is a State subject under Entry 33, List II of the 7th Schedule of the Constitution. 

National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 

• Amends National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 to strengthen the anti-doping framework in India, prohibiting doping (use of performance-enhancing substances) and aligning with UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sports. 
• Empowers the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) to implement anti-doping rules, conduct testing, and enforce regulations. 
• Establishes the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports to oversee NADA, advise the central government, and access information from Disciplinary and Appeal Panels. 
• Specifies a clear list of anti-doping rule violations, ensuring robust enforcement, adjudication, and compliance. 

Read More:  National Sports Policy 2025, World Anti-Doping Report 2022.