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Union Budget 2026-27: Sports Ministry Gets ₹4,479.88 crore — FM Announces Khelo India Mission for Next Decade
Finance Minister unveils a 10-year Khelo India Mission to transform Indian sports, alongside a new ₹500 crore push for sports goods manufacturing to make India a “global hub” for affordable, high-quality equipment.
Union Budget 2026-27 allocates ₹4,479.88 crore to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports — a 34% increase from FY25-26’s revised estimates of ₹3,346.54 crore. This funding, detailed in the official Demands for Grants (Demand No. 102), emphasizes youth engagement, grassroots sports, and manufacturing while sustaining elite infrastructure.
Source: – MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS
FM’s Big Announcements: Two Game-Changers
1. Khelo India Mission — A 10-Year Transformation Plan
Building on the success of the Khelo India programme, the Finance Minister announced a comprehensive Khelo India Mission to transform Indian sports over the next decade.
In her budget speech, the FM stated:
“The Sports Sector provides multiple means of employment, skilling and job opportunities. Taking forward the systematic nurturing of sports talent which is set in motion through the Khelo India programme, I propose to launch a Khelo India Mission to transform the Sports sector over the next decade.”
The Mission will focus on five pillars:
| Pillar | Focus Area |
|---|---|
| Integrated Talent Pathway | Training centres at foundational, intermediate, and elite levels |
| Coach Development | Systematic development of coaches and support staff |
| Sports Science | Integration of sports science and technology |
| Competitions & Leagues | Promoting sports culture and providing competitive platforms |
| Infrastructure | Development of training and competition facilities |
Khelo India allocation for FY26-27: ₹924.35 crore
2. Sports Goods Manufacturing — Making India a Global Hub
A brand new ₹500 crore scheme aims to position India as a global manufacturing hub for sports equipment.
The Finance Minister announced:
“India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for high quality, affordable sports goods. I propose a dedicated initiative for sports goods that will promote manufacturing, research and innovation in equipment design as well as material sciences.”
This is a significant boost for traditional manufacturing clusters in Meerut (cricket bats, balls, protective gear) and Jalandhar (footballs, hockey sticks), which already supply equipment domestically and internationally. The focus on R&D and material sciences signals ambitions beyond assembly to innovation-led growth.
Year-on-Year Budget Growth
| Year | Allocation (₹ crore) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| FY24-25 (Actual) | 2,710.73 | — |
| FY25-26 (Budget Estimate) | 3,794.30 | +40% |
| FY25-26 (Revised Estimate) | 3,346.54 | -12% (underspend) |
| FY26-27 (Budget Estimate) | 4,479.88 | +34% from RE |
Major Allocations at a Glance
| Scheme/Programme | FY26-27 BE (₹ Cr) | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Khelo India | 924.35 | Now part of 10-year Mission; talent ID, grassroots infrastructure |
| Sports Authority of India | 917.38 | +4% from RE; elite training centres nationwide |
| Mera Yuva Bharat | 655.22 | 10x jump (from RE ₹66.78 Cr); tech-driven youth platform |
| Sports Goods Manufacturing | 500.00 | NEW scheme; R&D, “Make in India” for sports equipment |
| National Sports Federations | 425.00 | +6%; international events, coaching camps |
| National Service Scheme | 357.39 | +30%; student social work and community service |
Note: Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan’s allocation drops from ₹423 crore to ₹1.02 crore, with its functions likely absorbed into Mera Yuva Bharat — explaining the latter’s massive increase.
Youth Development Push
Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakaram receives ₹292.61 crore across multiple sub-schemes:
| Programme | Allocation (₹ Cr) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| YUVA Portal | 90.00 | Youth leadership and social engagement platform |
| National Youth Corps | 77.00 | Volunteer-based nation-building activities |
| National Programme for Youth & Adolescent Development | 58.41 | Training, national integration, adventure programmes |
| International Cooperation | 35.00 | Youth exchange delegations, multilateral contributions |
| Youth Hostels | 19.20 | Construction, repairs, and operations |
| National Young Leaders Programme | 10.00 | Excellence and leadership development |
| Scouting and Guiding | 3.00 | Training camps, skills development |
Athlete Support and Welfare
| Scheme | Allocation (₹ Cr) | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Incentives to Sportspersons | 40.00 | Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna, Arjuna, Dronacharya awards; pensions |
| National Sports Development Fund | 15.00 | 25% matching grant for private/corporate sports funding |
| Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Welfare Fund | 2.00 | Assistance for sportspersons in indigent circumstances |
Clean Sports: Anti-Doping Budget
India continues its commitment to clean sport with ₹48.30 crore for anti-doping infrastructure:
| Body | Allocation (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|
| National Dope Testing Laboratory | 23.00 |
| National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) | 20.30 |
| Contribution to World Anti-Doping Agency | 5.00 |
| Total | 48.30 |
Sports Education and Research
| Institution | Allocation (₹ Cr) | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education, Gwalior | 87.50 | Deemed university for physical education |
| National Sports University, Manipur | 46.98 | India’s first dedicated sports university |
| National Centre of Sports Science & Research | 15.00 | Hub-and-spoke model for sports science development |
| Human Resource Development in Sports | 5.00 | Fellowships, seminars, research projects |
Regional Focus
| Region/Initiative | Allocation (₹ Cr) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| North Eastern Areas | 337.23 | Dedicated sports development in Northeast states |
| Commonwealth Games Preparation | 50.00 | Up from RE ₹28.05 Cr |
| J&K Sports Facilities | 5.00 | Peace-through-sports infrastructure upgrade |
Sports Budget: Year-on-Year Growth Analysis
Highest Increase in 5 Years — 18.07% Jump in 2026-27
India’s sports budget has witnessed a remarkable journey over the past five years, nearly doubling from ₹2,596 crore to ₹4,480 crore. The 2026-27 allocation marks the highest percentage increase since 2021-22, signalling renewed government commitment to sports development.
Year-on-Year Budget Progression
| Financial Year | Allocation (₹ Crore) | YoY Increase | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | 2,596.14 | +17.96% | Post-Tokyo Olympics push |
| 2022-2023 | 3,062.60 | +9.85% | Steady growth |
| 2023-2024 | 3,397.32 | +1.32% | Slowest growth in 5 years |
| 2024-2025 | 3,442.32 | +10.22% | Recovery after flat year |
| 2025-2026 | 3,794.30 | +10.22% | Continued momentum |
| 2026-2027 | 4,479.88 | +18.07% | Highest jump in 5 years |
Key Takeaways
Total Growth (2021-2027): The sports budget has grown by ₹1,883.74 crore — a 72.6% increase in five years.
Average Annual Growth: ~11.3% per year over the five-year period.
The 2023-24 Dip: The mere 1.32% increase in 2023-24 was the lowest in this period, but the government has course-corrected with back-to-back double-digit growth.
2026-27 Surge: The 18.07% jump — adding ₹685.58 crore in a single year — is the largest absolute and percentage increase since the post-Olympics budget of 2021-22.
What’s Driving the 2026-27 Jump?
The ₹685 crore increase is powered by:
| New/Expanded Scheme | Additional Allocation |
|---|---|
| Sports Goods Manufacturing | ₹500 Cr (NEW) |
| Mera Yuva Bharat | +₹588 Cr (10x jump) |
| Khelo India Mission | ₹924 Cr (steady, with 10-year vision) |
| Commonwealth Games Prep | +₹22 Cr |
2021-22 ████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░ ₹2,596 Cr
2022-23 ██████████████░░░░░░░░░░ ₹3,063 Cr (+18%)
2023-24 ███████████████░░░░░░░░░ ₹3,397 Cr (+1%)
2024-25 ███████████████░░░░░░░░░ ₹3,442 Cr (+10%)
2025-26 █████████████████░░░░░░░ ₹3,794 Cr (+10%)
2026-27 ████████████████████░░░░ ₹4,480 Cr (+18%) ⬅️ HIGHEST IN 5 YEARS
The Union Budget 2026-27 delivers the highest sports budget increase in five years — an 18.07% jump that takes the allocation from ₹3,794.30 crore to ₹4,479.88 crore. This marks a significant acceleration after years of modest growth: 2022-23 saw 9.85%, 2023-24 slowed to just 1.32%, and 2024-25 recovered to 10.22%. The 2026-27 surge adds ₹685.58 crore in a single year — the largest absolute increase in this five-year period.
Over five years, India’s sports budget has grown 72.6% — from ₹2,596.14 crore in 2021-22 to ₹4,479.88 crore today. This sustained investment reflects the government’s long-term vision: the new Khelo India Mission provides a 10-year roadmap, the ₹500 crore sports goods manufacturing scheme targets economic opportunities, and increased funding for SAI and federations aims to convert grassroots talent into Olympic medals. With India eyeing the 2036 Olympics bid, this budgetary momentum couldn’t come at a better time.
What This Budget Signals
For Athletes
The Khelo India Mission’s integrated talent pathway — from foundational to elite levels — promises a structured journey for young sportspersons. Combined with ₹917 crore for SAI and ₹425 crore for federations, elite athletes will have continued access to training, competitions, and international exposure.
For Coaches
For the first time, coach development gets explicit mention as a Mission pillar. This could address India’s long-standing shortage of qualified coaches at grassroots and intermediate levels.
For Industry
The ₹500 crore manufacturing scheme opens doors for sports goods manufacturers to move up the value chain — from producing for domestic markets to competing globally with innovation in design and materials.
For Youth
Mera Yuva Bharat’s 10x funding jump (₹655 crore) and the YUVA Portal (₹90 crore) signal a technology-first approach to engaging India’s 350+ million young people in nation-building, aligned with the Amrit Bharat 2047 vision.
The Bottom Line
This ₹4,479.88 crore budget is not just about money — it’s about mission. The Khelo India Mission provides a 10-year roadmap that goes beyond annual allocations, while the sports goods manufacturing push creates economic opportunities beyond the playing field.
With India eyeing the 2036 Olympics bid and a growing medal haul at international events, this budget positions the country for sustained sports development. The five pillars of the Khelo India Mission — talent, coaches, science, competitions, and infrastructure — address the ecosystem holistically.
The real test? Execution on the ground.
All figures in Indian Rupees (₹) crore unless otherwise specified.
