Deferment of National Sports Federation Elections: Transitioning to the 2025 Governance Act
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Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports | Indian Olympic Association | Sports Authority of India
The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports has issued a circular regarding the deferment of upcoming elections for recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs) until 31 December 2026. This decision follows the presidential assent of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, on 18 August 2025. The Ministry is currently in the process of notifying the Act, which aims to establish an athlete-centric, transparent, and accountable governance framework.
Key administrative and structural directives include:
Preparation for Adoption: The new Act requires significant statutory and procedural changes, necessitating adequate time for NSFs to align their Constitutions and Bye-laws with the new legal framework.
Restructuring Mandate: Every NSF must restructure its General Body to ensure that all voting members and affiliate units fully comply with the provisions of the 2025 Act.
Tenure Extension: To maintain administrative continuity, the tenure of current office-bearers has been extended for the duration of the deferment period, subject to approval by the respective NSF’s General Body.
Exceptions: The deferment applies to all NSFs whose elections were scheduled for the coming months, except in cases where specific Court directions mandate otherwise.
Policy Relevance
This one-time extension is a strategic “transitory measure” to prevent the emergence of a governance vacuum during the transition from the old Sports Code to the new Act. By allowing NSFs more than a year to establish robust electoral structures, the Ministry aims to avoid legal disputes and ensure that future leadership is elected under a modern, athlete-centric framework. This move is essential for stabilizing India’s sports ecosystem as it prepares for large-scale institutional reform and potential bids for major international sporting events.
What is the National Sports Governance Act, 2025? The National Sports Governance Act (NSGA), 2025, is a landmark statutory framework enacted to professionalize sports administration in India, replacing a patchwork of executive directions and policy circulars. Introduced in July and receiving presidential assent in August 2025, the Act seeks to align Indian sports governance with international standards like the Olympic and Paralympic Charters.
Core Regulatory Bodies
The Act mandates the establishment of several new high-level institutions to provide oversight and specialized adjudication:
National Sports Board (NSB): A statutory regulatory authority empowered to grant, suspend, or cancel recognition for sports bodies. It monitors the use of public funds, sets performance standards, and formulates ethics and safety policies.
National Sports Tribunal (NST): A quasi-judicial entity with civil court powers dedicated to resolving sports-related disputes (e.g., selection issues, governance conflicts) within 90 days. Its verdicts are only appealable before the Supreme Court.
National Sports Election Panel: A central body responsible for supervising free and fair elections across all recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs).
Key Governance Mandates
To ensure transparency and democratic functioning, the Act imposes strict structural requirements on all recognized National Sports Bodies:
Executive Committee Structure: Committees are limited to 15 members and must include at least two athletes of outstanding merit and four women.
Age and Tenure Limits: Office-bearers (President, Secretary General, and Treasurer) are restricted to a maximum of three consecutive terms (12 years) and a general age limit of 70 years (extendable to 75 if international rules permit).
Public Accountability: Recognized sports organizations, including the BCCI, are now designated as “public authorities” under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005.
Audit and Oversight: All recognized bodies are liable to audits by the Comptroller and Auditor-General (CAG) of India to ensure fiscal discipline.
Athlete-Centric and Ethical Provisions
The Act places athlete welfare at the center of its mission through several mandatory policies:
Safe Sports Policy: Federations must adopt a policy aimed specifically at protecting women and minor athletes from harassment or abuse.
Code of Ethics: Every national sports body must formulate a code of ethics for its members, coaches, and staff that aligns with international guidelines.
Grievance Redressal: An internal mechanism must be established to provide fair and timely resolution for complaints from athletes and coaches.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will the Ministry monitor the progress of individual NSFs in aligning their bye-laws with the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, during this transition period to ensure a timely restart of elections in 2027?
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