The Union Budget 2026–27 has placed renewed emphasis on sports as a driver of youth engagement, employment and national development, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing the launch of a revamped Khelo India Mission. The initiative aims to transform India’s sporting ecosystem over the next decade through structured talent development, improved infrastructure and expanded economic opportunities.
Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said the sports sector holds vast potential for employment generation, skilling and job creation, extending beyond athletes to coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, managers and support staff. The new mission seeks to create a clear and integrated pathway for athletes, starting from grassroots identification to elite-level training and international competition.
Under the Khelo India Mission, the government plans to strengthen training centres at multiple levels, enhance the quality and availability of coaches, and integrate sports science and modern technology into athlete preparation. Greater focus will also be placed on organising leagues and competitions to build a strong sporting culture and ensure regular competitive exposure for emerging talent.
In a significant push to domestic industry, the Budget has earmarked ₹500 crore for sports goods manufacturing, with the objective of boosting indigenous production, encouraging innovation and positioning India as a competitive hub for affordable, high-quality sports equipment. The move is expected to support small and medium enterprises while generating employment in manufacturing clusters.
Reflecting the government’s long-term vision, the allocation for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been substantially increased. Officials said the enhanced funding will support infrastructure development, athlete welfare and institutional strengthening, aligning with the broader goal of making India a major sporting nation in the coming decades.
