The Union Government notified the National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026 on January 8, 2026 under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The rules empower the Central Government to constitute a Search-cum-Selection Committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, comprising the Secretary of Sports, one person with experience in sports administration, and two recipients of national sports awards.

This notification sets in motion the process of selecting the Chairperson and Members of the National Sports Board, which will act as the central authority responsible for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial, and ethical standards. The Committee is tasked to recommend a panel of names for positions from among persons of ability, integrity, and standing with knowledge or practical experience in public administration, sports governance, and sports law.

The rules represent a landmark reform in Indian sports governance, replacing the decades-old system where sports federations operated with minimal oversight. The National Sports Governance Act 2025 had partially come into force from January 1, 2026, establishing the legal framework for reforming sports bodies. Key provisions include term limits for federation presidents, mandatory elections, financial audits, and athlete representation in governing bodies.

The notification follows years of judicial intervention and reform recommendations. Multiple Supreme Court orders and the Justice Lodha Committee's recommendations had highlighted the need for transparent, merit-based governance in Indian sports bodies to replace patronage-driven systems that hindered athlete development and international competitiveness.