RAS question
The National Sports Governance Rules, 2026 classify Sportspersons of Merit (SOMs) into how many tiers based on achievement level?
Correct answer: (C) 10.
The National Sports Governance (National Sports Bodies) Rules, 2026 classify Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit into 10 tiers based on achievement level.
Explanation
The Rules create a tiered achievement framework for representation of Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit in the General Body and Executive Committee of National Sports Bodies. PIB states that the criteria consider the nature of sports and the level of sporting achievement attained by Indian sportspersons across disciplines. Within that framework, 10 tiers are prescribed. The scale begins with sportspersons who have won gold, silver or bronze medals at the Summer Olympic Games, Paralympic Games or Winter Olympic Games, and extends to sportspersons who have won gold, silver or bronze medals in the National Games or a National Championship. That is why the answer is 10, not a smaller or larger count.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Five is too few because the notified tiered criteria expressly prescribe 10 tiers for Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit.
- (B) Eight is not supported by the PIB release, which says the achievement framework contains 10 tiers.
- (D) Twelve overstates the notified structure; the source fixes the number at 10 tiers, not 12.
Concept
This tests statutory sports governance and representation rules under the National Sports Governance framework. Such questions recur in RAS because governance MCQs often ask how a new rule converts broad policy aims into concrete eligibility or representation criteria.