The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports formally notified the National Sports Governance Rules 2026 on January 12, 2026, operationalizing the National Sports Governance Act 2025. These rules represent a landmark reform in Indian sports administration, aiming to bring transparency, accountability, and athlete voice into the governance of national sports federations (NSFs).
Under the new rules, every NSF General Body must include a minimum of four Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs). Additionally, at least 50% of these SOM representatives must be women, ensuring meaningful gender inclusion at the highest decision-making level. The Executive Committee of each federation must have at least four women members, breaking historical male dominance in sports administration.
The rules introduce a 10-tier classification system for SOMs, recognizing athletes from grassroots level to Olympic medallists, providing a structured pathway for athlete participation in governance. This classification determines eligibility and voting rights within federation bodies.
Key compliance requirements include mandatory term limits for federation officials, independent audit mechanisms, and grievance redressal cells. NSFs failing to comply risk losing government recognition and associated funding. The rules also establish a National Sports Governance Oversight Board to monitor compliance.
This reform is significant in the context of India's broader push for clean sports governance ahead of the 2036 Olympics bid and addresses longstanding concerns raised by athletes about exclusion from federation decision-making. The 10-tier SOM system ensures that representation is merit-based and spans the entire athlete development spectrum, from district-level champions to Arjuna and Khel Ratna awardees.