Daily Current Affairs - 2nd January 2026
- TPP
- Jan 2
- 18 min read
Comprehensive UPSC Current Affairs Summary | India’s RCEP Strategy without China Risk, Bulgaria Joins Eurozone, Gig Workers’ Nationwide Strike, Duopoly Concerns, RBI FSR, Land Stack, SOAR, Dhruv-NG Helicopter, Pralay Missile, CBAM Rollout 2026, Secondary Pollutants, PMMVY @9 Years, Sports Governance Reforms and more.
If you missed Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) | Sept - Oct 2025, read it here.Table of Content
SECURITY / DEFENCE
India’s RCEP Advantage without the ‘China Risk’
To begin with, once the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with New Zealand comes into force, India will have trade agreements with all RCEP countries except China.
About Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
RCEP is a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which means it covers goods, services, investment, and trade rules.
RCEP includes 15 Asia-Pacific countries, making it the world’s largest trade bloc by population.
The members include 10 ASEAN countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Additionally, RCEP includes five ASEAN trade partners, which are Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.
However, India formally withdrew from RCEP negotiations in 2019, citing multiple economic and strategic concerns.
Reasons for India Opting Out of RCEP
First, India identified the “China Risk”, which refers to excessive dependence on Chinese imports.
RCEP would have given China near duty-free access to the Indian market, meaning very low or zero customs tariffs.
This raised concerns of a massive influx of Chinese manufactured goods, which are often cheaper and more competitive.
As a result, India feared a widening trade imbalance, which means imports exceeding exports.
Second, India aimed at the protection of domestic industry and agriculture, which are employment-intensive sectors.
Sensitive sectors like dairy and agriculture were particularly vulnerable to foreign competition.
Third, India’s technical and legal demands were not adequately addressed in RCEP negotiations.
These concerns included tariff base rates, which determine how tariff reductions are calculated.
India also raised issues regarding modification of MFN status, where Most Favoured Nation (MFN) ensures equal trade treatment.
Additionally, India sought recognition of its federal structure, meaning shared powers between the Centre and States, in investment decisions.
Finally, joining RCEP was seen as a threat to self-reliance, which focuses on strengthening domestic capacity.
Programs like Atmanirbhar Bharat, meaning self-reliant India, were feared to be undermined.
Initiatives such as Make in India, which promotes domestic manufacturing, faced potential dilution.
Similarly, Vocal for Local, encouraging consumption of local products, risked losing effectiveness.
How India Secured RCEP’s Advantages without Joining
Instead, India adopted the “RCEP minus China” strategy, which means engaging with RCEP members bilaterally while excluding China.
By late 2025, India had signed FTAs with all RCEP members except China, ensuring wide market access.
This approach allowed India to retain full tariff control over Chinese imports, preserving policy flexibility.
Moreover, India followed a policy of selective liberalization, meaning only chosen sectors were opened.
Bilateral FTAs enabled India to exclude sensitive sectors, including dairy and agriculture.
Safeguard clauses were included, which allow temporary protection against import surges.
Importantly, staying out of RCEP helped in preventing indirect entry of Chinese goods.
This avoided trade circumvention, where goods enter through third countries to bypass tariffs.
In conclusion, India’s decision to stay out of RCEP reflects a calibrated trade strategy, meaning a carefully balanced approach. This strategy balances openness with strategic autonomy, which refers to independent decision-making in national interest. Through the “RCEP minus China” approach, India secured access to major Asia-Pacific markets. At the same time, India protected sensitive sectors and preserved tariff sovereignty.
Bulgaria Adopted the Euro as its official Currency
Bulgaria is a European country whose capital city is Sofia.
With this step, Bulgaria became the 21st member of the Eurozone.
The Eurozone refers to countries of the European Union (EU) that use the euro as their legal tender.
Read in Detail | Why Bulgaria Joined the Eurozone
Political and Locational Features
Geographically, Bulgaria is located in Southeast Europe.
Specifically, it lies on the Balkan Peninsula, which is a peninsula in southeastern Europe surrounded by seas on three sides.
To the north, Bulgaria shares its border with Romania. To the south, Bulgaria is bordered by Turkey and Greece. To the west, Bulgaria shares borders with North Macedonia and Serbia. To the east, Bulgaria is bounded by the Black Sea, which is an inland sea connecting Europe and Asia.
Geographical and Physical Features
Climatically, Bulgaria experiences a continental climate, which involves cold winters and warm summers.
In some regions, Bulgaria also experiences a Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild winters and hot, dry summers.
Hydrologically, the Danube River is one of the major rivers flowing through Bulgaria.
Another important river is the Maritsa, which plays a key role in agriculture and drainage.
Additionally, the Struma River is a significant river system in the country.
Nationwide Strike by Gig Workers
On New Year’s Eve, gig workers across India organized nationwide strikes.
The strike was led by delivery workers associated with digital platforms such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, and Zepto.
The primary demand of the workers was a ban on 10-minute delivery timelines.
These timelines are associated with quick commerce, which emphasizes ultra-fast delivery of goods.
About the Gig Economy in India
The Code on Social Security, 2020 provides a formal definition of the gig economy.
According to the Code, a gig worker is a person who performs work outside a traditional employer–employee relationship.
This means gig workers are not covered under regular labor contracts.
Broadly, gig workers in India are classified into two categories.
First, platform-based gig workers perform tasks through digital platforms or mobile applications.
An example of platform-based gig workers includes food delivery partners of Zomato.
Second, non-platform-based gig workers work in conventional sectors without digital intermediation.
These workers may be engaged part-time or full-time.
An example of non-platform-based gig workers includes domestic workers.
In terms of scale, India has around 10 million gig and platform workers at present.
This number is projected to increase to 23.5 million by 2029–30.
Drivers of Growth of the Gig Economy
On the demand side, growth is driven by rising urban consumption patterns.
Another demand-side factor is the proliferation of quick commerce digital platforms.
On the supply side, the gig economy benefits from flexible work models.
Additionally, attractive remunerations act as an incentive for workers to join gig platforms.
Challenges Associated with the Gig Economy
One major challenge is income volatility, which refers to unpredictable earnings.
Declining per-order payouts contribute to reduced income stability.
Low base pay further aggravates financial insecurity among workers.
Another challenge is occupational hazards faced by gig workers.
Aggressive delivery timelines, such as 10-minute deliveries, increase accident risks.
These timelines also lead to heightened stress levels among workers.
Gig workers also face social vulnerability. This is due to the absence of assured health insurance.
There is also a lack of accident cover and pension benefits.
Coverage gaps exist within existing social security frameworks.
For example, proposals like the 90-day eligibility rule are criticized for being restrictive.
Algorithmic management poses an emerging challenge in the gig economy.
Algorithmic opacity refers to lack of transparency in order allocation systems.
De-platforming means the sudden removal of workers from digital platforms without due process.
These practices limit collective bargaining, which is the ability of workers to negotiate as a group.
Steps Taken for the Welfare of Gig Workers
The Code on Social Security, 2020, provides a formal safety net for gig workers.
Under the inclusion criteria, gig workers engaged for at least 90 days in a year become eligible for benefits.
Alternatively, workers engaged for 120 days across multiple platforms also qualify.
Eligible workers can access formal social security benefits such as health and accident insurance.
These benefits are facilitated through the e-Shram portal, which is a national database of unorganised workers.
Health coverage is provided through Ayushman Bharat, India’s flagship health insurance scheme.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), eligible registered unorganised workers are covered.
Gig workers registered under the scheme receive accidental insurance coverage.
The insurance cover amounts to ₹2.0 lakh for one year.
Several State Governments have also initiated legal interventions for gig worker welfare.
An example is the Rajasthan Platform-Based Gig Workers Act, 2023.
Duopolies Dominating the Indian Market
Recently, the IndiGo fiasco in the aviation sector highlighted the risks associated with duopolistic market structures.
The incident drew attention to systemic issues in the delivery of commodities and services dominated by very few firms.
Sectors such as telecom, food delivery, and aviation increasingly exhibit duopoly-like characteristics.
What is a Duopoly?
A duopoly is a market structure in which two suppliers dominate the market for a particular commodity or service.
In such markets, competitive pressure is limited because alternatives are minimal.
In India, markets with only two major operational players are becoming more common.
An example of a duopoly in India is Ola and Uber in cab services.
Reasons for the Rise of Duopolies in India
One major reason is high capital requirements, which increase entry barriers for new firms.
This makes survival difficult for smaller players, particularly in capital-intensive sectors.
The aviation sector is a key example of this challenge.
Another factor is network effects, where the value of a service increases with more users.
Large firms invest heavily in early customer acquisition, which squeezes out competitors.
The telecom sector demonstrates strong network effects in India.
Regulatory gaps also contribute to the rise of duopolies.
Weak or delayed regulation allows market dominance to deepen over time.
Challenges Posed by Duopolies
One major challenge is inflated pricing, which results from weak competitive pressure.
Reduced affordability occurs when dominant firms raise prices with minimal resistance.
The food delivery sector is often cited as an example of this issue.
Another challenge is limited consumer choice, which restricts available alternatives.
The exit of smaller players further shrinks market options for consumers.
Duopolies can also lead to stagnation in innovation.
Firms innovate only to stay marginally ahead of the lone rival, rather than pursuing disruptive change.
The telecom sector illustrates this pattern of limited innovation.
Excessive lobbying power is another concern in duopolistic markets.
Dominant firms can influence regulations to protect their market position.
This influence can block new technologies or entrants, especially in the e-commerce sector.
Duopolies create systemic vulnerability within the economy.
The failure of one firm can cause supply disruptions and unsatisfied demand.
The recent IndiGo crisis exemplifies such capacity failures in the aviation sector.
Existing Regulatory Mechanisms in India
The Competition Act, 2002, provides the legal framework to prevent market distortion.
The Act prohibits anti-competitive agreements, which restrict fair competition.
It also prevents abuse of a dominant market position, ensuring market fairness.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) functions as the statutory competition watchdog.
CCI is responsible for enforcing competition laws across sectors.
Sectoral regulators also play a role in market oversight.
TRAI regulates the telecom sector, ensuring fair competition and consumer protection.
DGCA oversees the aviation sector, focusing on safety and operational standards.
Conclusion and Way Forward
Addressing India’s emerging duopolies requires moving beyond post-facto regulation.
Post-facto regulation refers to corrective action taken after market distortions occur.
A proactive market design approach focuses on preventing concentration before it becomes entrenched.
Strengthening CCI’s ex-ante powers is crucial for early intervention. Ex-ante regulation allows authorities to act before anti-competitive behavior materializes.
Improved coordination between CCI and sectoral regulators can enhance regulatory effectiveness.
Lowering entry barriers can be achieved through regulatory sandboxes, which allow controlled experimentation.
Shared infrastructure can reduce costs for new entrants. Transparent pricing mechanisms can protect consumer interests.
Data portability can empower consumers by enabling easy switching between service providers.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Releases the Financial Stability Report (FSR)
FSR is a biannual publication, meaning it is released twice a year in June and December.
The report assesses the resilience of India’s financial system against current and emerging risks.
FSR incorporates inputs from the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) Sub-Committee.
The Sub-Committee focuses on identifying systemic risks, which are risks that can destabilize the entire financial system.
Key Highlights of the Financial Stability Report
On fiscal health, the report states that India’s sovereign debt remains sustainable.
Sovereign debt refers to debt issued by the central government.
This sustainability is supported by an S&P credit rating upgrade to ‘BBB’.
The upgrade reflects improved creditworthiness, meaning a lower risk of default.
Another supporting factor is a favorable interest rate–growth differential, where economic growth exceeds borrowing costs.
Low levels of foreign currency liabilities further strengthen India’s fiscal position.
On market sentiment, the report highlights growing optimism around Artificial Intelligence (AI).
AI optimism has buoyed financial markets, meaning it has raised investor confidence.
However, the report cautions that this optimism may mask underlying vulnerabilities.
It also increases susceptibility to global spillovers, which are shocks transmitted from other economies.
Regarding fintech, the report notes that lending in the fintech sector grew by 36.1%.
Fintech lending refers to credit provided through digital financial platforms.
The RBI flagged concerns about elevated impairment levels among certain borrowers.
These borrowers have taken unsecured loans, meaning loans without collateral.
The risk is higher for borrowers with loans from five or more lenders, indicating over-leverage.
On digital currencies, the report raises concerns about stablecoins.
Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to stable assets like fiat currencies.
The report warns against foreign-currency-denominated stablecoins.
Their widespread adoption could undermine India’s monetary sovereignty, which is the RBI’s control over money supply.
Such adoption may weaken monetary policy transmission, meaning RBI decisions may become less effective.
It may also facilitate money laundering, which involves disguising illegal funds as legitimate.
On currency performance, the report observes that the Indian rupee depreciated against the US dollar.
Depreciation means a fall in the value of the rupee relative to another currency.
One reason cited is falling terms of trade, which occurs when export prices fall relative to import prices.
Higher tariffs compared to trading partners also contributed to the depreciation.
A slowdown in capital flows, meaning reduced foreign investment, further pressured the rupee.
On banking sector health, the report notes that Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) maintain robust capital buffers.
Capital buffers refer to excess capital held to absorb potential losses.
The Gross Non-Performing Asset (GNPA) ratio declined to 2.2%.
This level represents a multi-decadal low as of September 2025.
GNPA ratio measures the proportion of bad loans in total advances.
About the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC)
The FSDC is an apex-level council. It is a non-statutory body, which means it is not created by an Act of Parliament.
The FSDC was established in 2010 under the Ministry of Finance.
Its primary objective is to strengthen financial stability mechanisms in India.
The Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
Its members include the RBI Governor, heads of SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, and IBBI. Several government secretaries and the Chief Economic Adviser are also members.
The FSDC coordinates macro-prudential supervision, which focuses on system-wide financial risks.
It promotes inter-regulatory coordination among financial sector regulators.
It also works towards financial sector development, inclusion, and literacy.
The FSDC Sub-Committee is chaired by the RBI Governor.
It deliberates specifically on systemic risks affecting the financial system.
The Sub-Committee provides critical inputs to the Financial Stability Report.
Land Stack under Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP)
Recently, Land Stack and the Glossary of Revenue Terms (GoRT) were launched.
Both initiatives were launched under the Digital India Land Record Modernisation Programme (DILRMP).
DILRMP is a flagship programme aimed at modernising land records through digitisation.
About Land Stack
Land Stack is an integrated digital platform for managing land and property records.
The platform is GIS-based, meaning it uses Geographic Information System technology to map land parcels spatially.
It draws inspiration from global best practices in land governance.
Countries such as Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Finland have influenced its design.
Key Features and Benefits of Land Stack
Land Stack provides single-window access to land-related data. This access spans multiple government departments, reducing duplication.
The platform enables informed decision-making for citizens.
Accurate and integrated land data improves planning and transactions.
Land Stack enhances transparency in land administration. Greater transparency increases convenience and public trust.
The system reduces risks associated with unauthorised properties.
It also helps identify non-compliant properties, meaning those violating land-use norms.
Land Stack improves inter-departmental coordination. This coordination leads to faster and more efficient service delivery.
Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR)
Recently, the President of India is set to grace the SOAR programme.
On this occasion, the President will confer Artificial Intelligence (AI) certificates to participants.
About Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR)
Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) is a national skilling initiative. The programme was launched in July 2025.
SOAR operates under the Skill India Mission, which aims to enhance employability through skill development.
The implementing ministry is the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
The core objective of SOAR is to integrate Artificial Intelligence competencies into India’s skilling framework.
Artificial Intelligence competencies refer to skills related to understanding, applying, and innovating with AI technologies.
The programme focuses on India’s education and skilling ecosystem, which includes schools and training institutions.
The primary target group includes school students from Classes 6 to 12 and educators.
These educators belong to both government and private schools.
Dhruv-NG (New Generation) Helicopter
Recently, the Dhruv-NG helicopter successfully completed its inaugural flight in Bengaluru.
This milestone marks an important step in India’s civil aviation manufacturing ecosystem.
About Dhruv-NG Helicopters
Dhruv-NG is developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
HAL is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence.
The platform is based on ALH Dhruv, which stands for Advanced Light Helicopter.
ALH Dhruv is an indigenously developed helicopter, meaning it is designed and manufactured in India.
It is a twin-engine helicopter, which improves safety and performance.
The helicopter is multi-role in nature, allowing deployment across varied missions.
Dhruv-NG is the new-generation civilian variant of the ALH Dhruv platform.
It is equipped with modern avionics, which are advanced electronic systems used for navigation and flight control.
The helicopter also features upgraded onboard systems to meet contemporary civil aviation standards.
Roles and Applications of Dhruv-NG
Dhruv-NG is designed for transport missions, including passenger movement.
It can be deployed as an air ambulance, enabling rapid medical evacuation.
The helicopter is suitable for disaster relief operations, especially in difficult terrain.
It supports tourism activities, particularly in remote and hilly regions.
Pralay Missiles
Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted the launch of two Pralay missiles from the Odisha coast.
The launch demonstrates India’s capability in developing advanced indigenous missile systems.
About Pralay Missile
Pralay is an indigenous missile, meaning it is designed and manufactured in India.
It is a short-range missile, capable of striking targets between 150 and 500 km away.
The missile is surface-to-surface, meaning it is launched from the ground and strikes ground targets.
It is classified as a quasi-ballistic missile, which means it follows a trajectory partly like a ballistic missile but with maneuvering capabilities.
Pralay is designed to carry various types of warheads, which can include conventional explosive payloads.
It can engage multiple target profiles, making it versatile against different tactical scenarios.
The missile is developed by DRDO specifically for the Indian Armed Forces.
Secondary Pollutants in Delhi
A recent analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that at least one-third of Delhi’s annual PM2.5 pollution is due to secondary pollutants.
Most of these secondary pollutants are Ammonium Sulphate, a fine particulate matter contributing to air pollution.
About Secondary Pollutants
Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly from a source, unlike emissions from vehicles or power plants.
Instead, they form when primary pollutants react with molecules in the atmosphere to create new pollutants.
Examples of secondary pollutants include Ammonium Sulphate, Ozone, and Nitrogen Oxides (NOX).
Pollutants that are emitted directly from a source are called primary pollutants.
Formation of Ammonium Sulphate
Ammonium Sulphate forms in the atmosphere through chemical reactions.
Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) gas is oxidized in the atmosphere to form sulfate.
The sulfate then reacts with ammonia (NH₃) gas to produce ammonium sulphate ((NH₄)₂SO₄).
Ammonium sulphate contributes significantly to PM2.5, which are fine particulate matters harmful to human health.
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
The European Union (EU) implemented the world’s first carbon tax under the CBAM starting January 1, 2026.
This policy imposes a carbon-related levy on imports of carbon-intensive goods, aiming to align trade with climate goals.
About CBAM
CBAM is the EU’s policy to levy a carbon tax on imports from countries with less stringent climate policies.
Carbon-intensive goods, such as steel, are primarily targeted.
The mechanism was implemented in 2023 in a transitional phase.
It moves to full enforcement by 2026, making compliance mandatory.
The primary objective of CBAM is to prevent carbon leakage.
Carbon leakage occurs when firms shift production to countries with weaker climate rules, undermining emission reduction efforts.
CBAM currently covers multiple sectors, including cement, aluminium, fertilisers, iron and steel, hydrogen, and electricity.
The trade impact of CBAM on India may include higher costs for exports of steel, aluminium, and cement.
Indian exporters may need to adjust production practices to comply with carbon accounting requirements.
Stingless Bees (Meliponini) Granted Legal Rights
Recently, Amazon’s stingless bees became the first insects to be granted legal rights.
This recognition highlights the ecological and cultural importance of these pollinators.
About Stingless Bees (Meliponini)
Stingless bees belong to the tribe Meliponini. They have an ancient origin, representing the world's oldest bee lineage, existing for nearly 80 million years.
Their anatomy includes stingers, but these are highly reduced and functionally useless for defense.
Stingless bees exhibit remarkable diversity, with nearly 500 species globally. Of these, over 170 species are found specifically in Peru.
These bees produce honey known as "liquid gold", prized for its potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Antibacterial properties help kill harmful microbes, while anti-inflammatory properties reduce tissue inflammation.
Stingless bees play a critical ecological role, sustaining 80% of Amazonian flora.
This includes important crops such as cacao and coffee, which rely on pollination for production.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana completes nine year.
About Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
Launched in 2017, it is a conditional cash transfer scheme for Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW&LM).
In 2022, incorporated in Mission Shakti (an umbrella scheme for safety, security and empowerment of women).
Ministry: Union Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Type: Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Beneficiaries: PW&LM of at least 19 years of age in informal and unorganized sectors.
Benefits:
Conditional Maternity benefit of ₹ 5,000 for first living child of family.
Institutional delivery and incentive available Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is also provided. Therefore, on an average, a woman gets ₹ 6000.
Support to girl child: Under PMMVY 2.0 incentive of ₹6,000 in a single installment is provided following birth of the second girl child.
Task Force Report on Capacity Building of Sports Administrators
Recently, the Task Force on Capacity Building of Sports Administrators submitted its report to the government.
The Task Force was chaired by Olympic medalist Abhinav Bindra, lending athlete-centric credibility to the exercise.
The report provides a roadmap to transform India’s sports governance into a professional, accountable, and athlete-centric ecosystem.
Sports governance refers to the systems and processes through which sports bodies are managed and regulated.
Systemic Gaps in Sports Administration Highlighted by the Report
First, the report identifies a lack of professionalism in sports administration.
Many administrative roles are filled by generalist civil servants, who may lack sector-specific sports expertise.
In some cases, positions are held by contractual staff without long-term accountability.
This results in ad-hoc decision-making, meaning decisions are taken without consistent planning or institutional memory.
Second, the report highlights fragmented training systems for sports administrators.
Existing training programmes are sporadic, meaning they occur irregularly.
The training content is often outdated, failing to reflect modern governance practices.
There is also a lack of continuous professional development, which refers to ongoing skill enhancement throughout a career.
Third, the report points to athlete transition barriers in sports governance.
There is no structured “Dual Career Pathway”, which would allow athletes to combine sports careers with administrative training.
As a result, athletes struggle to transition from competition into effective governance roles.
Fourth, the report highlights governance deficits within National Sports Federations (NSFs).
NSFs often lack separation between the governing Board and executive operations, which is a core principle of good governance.
This leads to over-centralized authority, where decision-making is concentrated in few hands.
Consequently, transparency and accountability remain low.
Proposed Multi-Level Framework for Capacity Building
To address these gaps, the report proposes a multi-level institutional framework.
At the civil service level, it recommends integrating sports governance modules into the training of IAS officers.
This training will be conducted at LBSNAA, which is the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration.
The objective is to sensitize future bureaucrats to the role of sports in nation-building.
At the performance level, the report proposes a National Performance Management and Monitoring System.
This system will link administrators’ Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to promotions and postings.
KPIs are measurable targets used to evaluate performance objectively.
At the institutional apex, the report recommends establishing the National Council for Sports Education and Capacity Building (NCSECB).
NCSECB will function as the apex authority, meaning the highest regulatory body in this domain.
Its mandate will include regulating, accrediting, and certifying sports administration training programmes.
For implementation, the report proposes creating a National Training and Development Cell.
This Cell will act as the operational arm of NCSECB, meaning it will execute policies on the ground.
Its responsibilities include curriculum delivery, ensuring standardized training.
It will also coordinate institutions and monitor outcomes, ensuring effectiveness.
Additionally, the report recommends India-specific curriculum development to train future sports leaders.
Steps Already Taken to Reform Sports Governance in India
Parallelly, the government has initiated several reforms in sports governance.
The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, has been introduced to improve institutional accountability.
The Act proposes an independent National Sports Board, which will oversee governance standards.
It also provides for a National Sports Tribunal, which will adjudicate sports-related disputes.
Additionally, a national sports election panel is proposed to ensure transparent federation elections.
Khelo Bharat Niti-2025 has been launched as a comprehensive sports policy framework.
The policy focuses on talent identification in rural and tribal areas, expanding the athlete base.
It also aims to upgrade district- and block-level sports infrastructure.
The Khelo India Programme continues as India’s flagship sports development initiative.
Its objective is to revive sports culture at the grassroots level, particularly among youth.
Comments