National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025 | 05 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

The Union Cabinet has approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, replacing the National Sports Policy of 2001. 

• The renewed vision anchored on five key pillars to transform India's sporting ecosystem.  

Key Points 

• Five Key Pillars of NSP 2025: 
  • Excellence on the Global Stage: 
    • Talent Development: Strengthens sports programs from the grassroots to elite levels through mechanisms for early talent identification and nurturing. 
    • Infrastructure & Competitions: Promotes competitive leagues and nationwide tournaments alongside the development of sports infrastructure in both rural and urban areas. 
    • Support Systems: Establishes world-class systems for training, coaching, and athlete support, while enhancing the capacity and governance of National Sports Federations (NSFs). 
    • Science & Technology: Promotes sports science, medicine, and advanced technologies, along with the development of skilled sports personnel, including coaches, technical officials, and support staff. 
  • Sports for Economic Development: 
    • Tourism & Events: Promotion of sports tourism and hosting international sporting events. 
    • Industry & Innovation: Strengthens the domestic sports goods manufacturing ecosystem while encouraging startups and entrepreneurship in the sports sector. 
    • Investment & Collaboration: Boosting private sector involvement via Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and innovative funding models. 
  • Sports for Social Development: 
    • Inclusive Participation: Targeted programs for women, tribal groups, underprivileged sections, and persons with disabilities. 
    • Cultural Promotion: Revitalization of indigenous and traditional Indian sports. 
    • Career Integration: Positioning sports as a viable career path through education integration, volunteering, and dual-career options. 
    • Global Engagement: Strengthening engagement with the Indian diaspora through sports initiatives. 
  • Sports as a People’s Movement: 
    • Mass Participation: Nationwide campaigns and community events to foster a fitness culture. 
    • Fitness Standards: Introduction of fitness indices for educational institutions and workplaces. 
    • Access to Facilities: Enhancing universal access to sports infrastructure and opportunities. 
  • Integration with Education: 
    • Curriculum Development (Aligned with NEP 2020): Inclusion of sports in formal school education. 
    • Educator Training: Specialized training programs for educators and physical education teachers. 
  • Strategic Framework: 
    • Governance: Robust legal and regulatory framework to ensure transparency and efficiency. 
    • Funding & Private Sector Support: Engagement of private entities through innovative financing and CSR models. 
    • Technology & Innovation:  Adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), data analytics, and emerging technologies for monitoring and performance enhancement. 
    • Monitoring & Evaluation: National Monitoring Framework with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), benchmarks, and time-bound goals. 
    • Model Policy for States: NSP 2025 to act as a blueprint for states and UTs to align their sports policies. 
    • Whole-of-Government Approach: Integration of sports objectives into all government departments and schemes.