The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 was introduced to reform sports administration in India. It aims to improve transparency and accountability in national sports bodies, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The bill establishes a regulatory framework to govern sports federations and enhance athletes’ welfare.
Introduction and Context
The bill was tabled by the Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the Lok Sabha. It marks step towards structured governance in Indian sports. The legislation seeks to unify the management of sports bodies under one system. It also complements the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 to align with global anti-doping standards.
Key Institutional Changes
The bill proposes the creation of major bodies such as the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federations, and Regional Sports Federations. Each will govern specific recognised sports disciplines. These bodies will work together to promote sports development and ethical practices.
Governance and Accountability Measures
The bill introduces standardised election procedures for sports federations. It mandates increased athlete representation in decision-making roles. A National Sports Tribunal will be established to resolve disputes related to elections, selections, and other administrative matters. This tribunal will replace multiple court interventions, speeding up the resolution process.
Impact on BCCI and Other Federations
BCCI will come under the bill’s purview as a National Sports Federation. It will need to apply annually for recognition by the National Sports Board. The board’s disputes will be handled by the National Sports Tribunal, preventing direct court cases. Despite this, BCCI will remain autonomous and not reliant on government funding.
Addressing Long-Standing Issues
The bill targets ten major problems in Indian sports. These include frequent litigations, poor governance, lack of athlete voice, gender imbalance, and absence of uniform election rules. It also introduces safe sport mechanisms and grievance redressal systems. Financial transparency and accountability will be enforced across federations.
Age and Tenure Provisions
The bill relaxes age and tenure limits for office bearers. Officials can continue in their roles after turning 70 to complete their terms. A cooling-off period is required after three consecutive terms before re-election. Each term is limited to four years, capping service at 12 years in the same position.
National Anti-Doping Amendment
The accompanying National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 ensures compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. It guarantees the independence of disciplinary and appeals panels within the National Anti-Doping Agency. This strengthens India’s commitment to clean sports.
Ensuring Autonomy and Fair Play
The bill emphasises that government control over federations will not increase. It acts as a facilitator for good governance, not an enforcer. The legislation balances autonomy with the need for ethical management and fairness in sports administration.
Questions for UPSC:
- Discuss in the light of the National Sports Governance Bill 2025, the role of regulatory frameworks in improving transparency and accountability in Indian sports administration.
- Critically examine the impact of institutional reforms on athlete welfare and representation within national sports federations in India.
- Explain the significance of establishing specialised tribunals like the National Sports Tribunal in resolving sports disputes. How do such bodies contribute to reducing litigation?
- With suitable examples, discuss the challenges and solutions related to governance and autonomy in sports federations globally and in India.
