New Delhi: In a historic stride toward transforming India’s sports landscape, the Parliament has greenlit the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Passed by both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session, these landmark legislations promise to revolutionize sports administration, boost transparency, and align India with global anti-doping standards. Moved by Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on August 11, 2025, the bills were approved despite limited debate due to Opposition protests over unrelated issues like the SIR exercise in Bihar and alleged vote fraud.
National Sports Governance Bill, 2025: Reshaping Sports Administration
The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, introduces a robust framework to regulate sports administrators across India, including the powerhouse Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Aimed at fostering accountability and inclusivity, the bill establishes clear structures for national sports bodies, ensuring they meet international standards.
Key Features of the Governance Bill
- Creation of National Sports Bodies:
- National Olympic Committee (NOC): The sole authority for Olympic sports in India, ensuring unified representation on the global stage.
- National Paralympic Committee (NPC): The apex body for Paralympic sports, promoting opportunities for athletes with disabilities.
- National Sports Federations (NSFs) and Regional Sports Federations (RSFs): Designated for each sport, these bodies must affiliate with their international counterparts for global compliance.
- National Sports Board (NSB):
- A central body with a chairperson and members appointed by the Central Government.
- Empowered to recognize sports organizations as National Sports Bodies and register their affiliate units, bringing uniformity to governance, including oversight of the BCCI.
- National Sports Tribunal:
- A specialized body to resolve sports disputes quickly, bypassing civil courts, which are barred from jurisdiction over matters under the tribunal’s scope.
- Tackles over 350 pending court cases related to federation elections, as noted by Minister Mandaviya.
- Transparent Elections:
- A national panel of electoral officers, set up by the Central Government, will oversee elections of national sports bodies to ensure fairness and curb malpractices.
- Inclusivity in Governance:
- National sports bodies will have a general body with equal representation from affiliate members and ex-officio members.
- Executive committees, limited to 15 members, must include at least two outstanding sportspersons and four women, ensuring gender parity and athlete involvement.
- Government Flexibility:
- The Central Government can exempt national bodies or affiliates from certain provisions in the public interest to promote specific sports.
Global Standards and Increased Funding
Crafted with inputs from international bodies, the bill aligns India with the 20 countries that have dedicated sports laws. Mandaviya highlighted its role in taking India “from ground to glory,” supported by initiatives like Khelo India and Fit India. Sports funding has surged to ₹4,000 crore under the current government, up from ₹1,200 crore during the UPA era, reflecting a strong commitment to youth and sports development.
National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025: Bolstering Anti-Doping Efforts
The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, amends the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, which enforces the UNESCO convention against doping in sports. The amendment strengthens the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) by enhancing its operational independence, as mandated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Core Provisions of the Amendment Bill
- Operational Autonomy:
- Grants NADA and the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel greater independence in operations, investigations, and enforcement, ensuring unbiased decision-making.
- Appeal Panel:
- The Central Government will constitute an Appeal Panel to review decisions of the Disciplinary Panel, ensuring a fair appeals process.
- World Anti-Doping Code Compliance:
- Provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, as listed in the bill’s schedule, will have legal force in India, aligning the country with global standards.
- National Board for Anti-Doping:
- Oversees NADA’s activities and advises the Central Government on anti-doping policies.
- Can access information from the Disciplinary and Appeal Panels to monitor operations.
- Clear Violation Guidelines:
- Specifies conduct and circumstances constituting anti-doping violations, aiding enforcement and prevention efforts.
Tackling Doping Challenges
Doping, the use of prohibited substances to enhance performance, is a global issue. The 2022 Act established NADA to implement anti-doping rules, conduct testing, and adjudicate violations. The amendment reinforces these efforts, ensuring India’s compliance with international standards and safeguarding its reputation in global sports.
Voices from Parliament
Despite protests, the bills garnered strong support. Ayodhya Rami Reddy (YSRCP) praised them as vital reforms for athletes, predicting greater transparency. Praful Patel (NCP) called for comprehensive sports laws, noting the bills’ role in ensuring athlete representation and global alignment. MP PT Usha, a legendary athlete, hailed the governance bill for promoting accountability, transparency, and gender parity, emphasizing its athlete-centric focus. Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development, described the bill as a “revolution in sports,” empowering players and former players to lead federations, with Khelo India providing opportunities for young talent.
Impact on Indian Sports
These bills address critical gaps in India’s sports ecosystem. The National Sports Tribunal will streamline dispute resolution, while athlete representation in governance ensures practical decision-making. The anti-doping amendments enhance India’s global credibility, reducing sanction risks and prioritizing athlete welfare. Though some federations raised concerns about sports autonomy, the reforms are widely seen as a step toward professionalization, complementing India’s post-independence sports policy journey.
Looking Ahead
The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, position India for a brighter sporting future. By regulating administrators, ensuring fair elections, and strengthening anti-doping measures, these laws pave the way for global success. With increased funding and grassroots initiatives like Khelo India, India is building a foundation for athletic excellence, empowering the next generation to shine on the world stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the purpose of the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025?
The National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, aims to regulate sports administrators in India, including the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), by establishing a structured framework for national sports bodies. It creates entities like the National Olympic Committee (NOC), National Paralympic Committee (NPC), and National Sports Federations (NSFs), ensuring transparency, inclusivity, and alignment with international standards. The bill also introduces a National Sports Tribunal to resolve disputes and a national panel to oversee fair elections in sports bodies.
2. How does the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, strengthen anti-doping measures?
The amendment enhances the operational independence of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel, aligning with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standards. It empowers the Central Government to form an Appeal Panel for reviewing decisions, incorporates provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code into Indian law, and specifies anti-doping violations to improve enforcement and prevention.
3. How will the National Sports Tribunal impact sports disputes in India?
The National Sports Tribunal, established under the National Sports Governance Bill, 2025, will provide speedy resolution of sports-related disputes, reducing the burden on civil courts, which are barred from handling such matters. With over 350 court cases related to federation elections currently pending, the tribunal aims to streamline conflict resolution and free up resources for sports development.
4. What measures ensure inclusivity in the governance of national sports bodies?
The National Sports Governance Bill mandates that national sports bodies have a general body with equal representation from affiliate members and ex-officio members. Their executive committees, capped at 15 members, must include at least two outstanding sportspersons and four women, promoting gender parity and athlete-centric decision-making.
5. How do these bills align India with global sports standards?
The governance bill was drafted with inputs from international bodies, ensuring alignment with global best practices, as seen in 20 other countries with dedicated sports laws. The anti-doping amendment aligns the National Anti-Doping Act, 2022, with the World Anti-Doping Code, enhancing NADA’s autonomy and India’s credibility in international sports, reducing risks of sanctions.
