The Union Budget 2026–27 announced the launch of a new Khelo India Mission aimed at transforming India’s sports sector over the next decade, with a strong focus on talent development, infrastructure creation and manufacturing-led employment generation. Presenting the Budget in Parliament on Sunday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman described the proposals as youth-driven and inspired by ideas emerging from the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026.
Highlighting the economic and social potential of sports, the Finance Minister said the sector offers multiple avenues for employment, skilling and job creation. Building on the foundation laid by the earlier Khelo India programme, she proposed a mission-mode approach to systematically nurture sporting talent and strengthen the overall sports ecosystem in the country.
As part of the Budget proposals, ₹500 crore has been allocated for the promotion of sports goods manufacturing. The government has also announced a dedicated initiative to boost domestic capability in sports equipment manufacturing, research and innovation. According to the Finance Minister, India has the potential to emerge as a global hub for high-quality and affordable sports goods, and the new initiative is expected to enhance domestic manufacturing while strengthening India’s position in global sports supply chains.
The Khelo India Mission will follow a holistic framework designed to improve performance outcomes at all levels. The mission will focus on creating integrated talent development pathways through foundational, intermediate and elite training centres, systematic development of coaches and support staff, integration of sports science and technology, promotion of competitions and leagues to strengthen sports culture, and development of sports infrastructure for training and competitions.
Emphasising the youth-centric nature of the Budget, FM Sitharaman noted that several innovative ideas shared during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026 have shaped the proposals, making the Budget a “Yuva Shakti-driven” one.
The Budget also provides enhanced financial support to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, with an increase of ₹1,133 crore in its overall allocation. The Ministry’s budget has risen from ₹3,346 crore (Revised Estimates) in 2025–26 to ₹4,479.88 crore (Budget Estimates) in 2026-27. The increased allocation is aimed at strengthening centrally sponsored sports and youth development schemes, including athlete development programmes, coaching and support systems, sports science integration and infrastructure development.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said the enhanced funding aligns with its long-term vision of positioning India among the top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and among the top five by 2047, reaffirming its commitment to empowering youth and building a robust, inclusive and globally competitive sports ecosystem.
