Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Sports Ministry Issues New Guidelines for Federations
The Sports Ministry in India has announced new rules for sports organizations.
These rules are part of the National Sports Governance Act.
The rules say that sports organizations must have at least four Sportspersons of Merit (SOM) in their General Bodies, with two of them being women.
SOMs are athletes who have achieved certain levels of success in sports, like winning medals in the Olympics or other big competitions.
The rules also say that people who have been convicted of crimes cannot be part of the elections for sports organizations.
Additionally, the ministry has asked every national sports federation to form a 'Committee on International Relations' to improve cooperation with international sports bodies.
This committee will include senior members, former athletes, coaches, and experts.
They will be responsible for monitoring international developments, planning cooperation, and coordinating with international federations.
The ministry has given sports federations six months to change their rules to fit these new laws and 30 days to form the new committee.
The Sports Ministry has notified rules for the National Sports Governance Act, including criteria for Sportspersons of Merit (SOM).
At least four SOMs, including two women, must be in the General Bodies of national sports federations.
The rules bar convicted persons and insolvent individuals from contesting elections in national sports bodies.
SOMs must be at least 25 years old, retired from active sports, and not participated in competitive sports for at least a year before applying.
The National Sports Election Panel must have at least 20 members, with the electoral officer's fee capped at Rs. 5 lakh.
The ministry has advised national sports federations to form a 'Committee on International Relations' to enhance cooperation with international bodies.
The committee should include senior members, former athletes, coaches, and experts with global sports administration experience.
The committee will monitor international developments, formulate cooperation plans, and coordinate with international federations.
Sports federations have 30 days to communicate the details of the committee to the ministry.
- Who
- The Sports Ministry of India
- What
- Notified rules for the National Sports Governance Act and advised forming Committees on International Relations
- When
- January 12 (NSG Act rules), Monday (Committee advisory)
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- To improve governance in national sports federations and enhance international cooperation
- Sportspersons of Merit (SOM)
- Athletes with varying levels of achievement in sports
- Tier I
- Olympic medalists (gold, silver, bronze)
- Tier II
- Participants in two or more Olympics
- Tier III
- Participants in one Olympics
- Tier IV
- Winners of Khel Ratna or Arjuna Awards
- Tier V
- Medalists in World Championships or equivalent
- Disqualification Criteria
- Convicted persons, insolvent individuals
- SOM Age Requirement
- Minimum 25 years and retired from active sports
- National Sports Election Panel
- Minimum 20 members
- Electoral Officer Fee
- Up to Rs. 5 lakh, mutually agreed
- Committee on International Relations
- Senior members, former athletes, coaches, and subject experts
- Committee Formation Deadline
- Within 30 days of advisory issuance
- Committee Responsibilities
- Monitor international developments, formulate cooperation plans, coordinate with federations
Sources
Ministry notifies NSG Act rules, lays down criteria for SOM, maintains election ban on convicted people
National Sports Governance Act Rolled Out
In a first, Sports Ministry asks NSFs to form Committees to liaison with international bodies
