National Sports Governance Bill 2025

Nearly a decade ago, the Supreme Court of India was hearing recommendations made by a panel led by Justice R M Lodha. This panel had been set up specifically to suggest reforms for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). During the hearing, then Chief Justice T S Thakur posed a piercing rhetorical question to the powerful cricket board: “Are you refusing to be reformed?” That moment captured the crux of a long-standing issue — the resistance of the BCCI to embrace transparency and accountability.

Fast forward to July 23, 2025, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the National Sports Governance Bill in the Lok Sabha, an ambitious legislative effort aimed at cleaning up the messy sports governance structure in the country. The bill comes at a critical time, as India prepares to bid for hosting the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, making it even more urgent to bring the country’s sports administration in line with international governance standards.

One of the bill’s most significant objectives is to replace the National Sports Code of 2011 — which was non-binding and advisory in nature — with a legally enforceable, athlete-centric governance system. This would ensure uniformity, accountability, and transparency across all national sports bodies, while also prioritizing athlete welfare and fair administration. Crucially, it brings autonomous entities like the BCCI under its regulatory ambit, a move that previous codes and guidelines could not legally mandate.

If passed into law, this bill could force organizations like the BCCI, which have historically resisted government oversight, to comply with national governance practices. The BCCI has so far maintained that since it does not receive central government funding, it should not be subjected to the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005. However, the situation has shifted dramatically since cricket was officially added to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Now a part of the Olympic movement, the BCCI may have no choice but to align with international charters and follow standard accountability frameworks, just like any other national sports body in the country.

Difference Between National Sports Code 2011 and Sports Governance Bill 2025

Aspect	National Sports Code, 2011	National Sports Governance Bill, 2025
Legal Status	Executive guideline	Statutory legislation
Enforceability	Non-binding; advisory in nature	Legally enforceable via tribunals
Representation	No mandatory gender/athlete quota	Mandatory 4 women & 2 elite athletes in executive committee
BCCI Regulation	Operated outside its purview	Brought under NSF governance net
Dispute Resolution	No dedicated mechanism	National Sports Tribunal set up
Election Monitoring	Handled by Ministry	Independent National Sports Election Panel

Introducing a New Framework: The National Sports Governance Bill

The Bill proposes a complete restructuring of how sports are governed in India, with two major pillars:

1. The National Sports Board (NSB)

2. The National Sports Tribunal

1. National Sports Board (NSB)

The National Sports Board (NSB) is envisioned as a SEBI-like body — an autonomous regulator with wide-ranging authority over all National Sports Federations (NSFs). It will be tasked with recognizing these federations and overseeing their performance, governance practices, and ethical standards.

Key functions of the NSB include:

• Granting recognition to national sports bodies and registering their state and district-level affiliates.

• Suspending or cancelling recognition if a body violates rules or fails to hold fair elections.

• Issuing guidelines on ethics and compliance with international standards.

• Investigating complaints involving misuse of funds, poor welfare of athletes, or administrative failures.

• Forming ad-hoc bodies if a national federation loses recognition from an international sports organization.

This provision gives the NSB the power to de-recognize a national sports body that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee, commits gross irregularities during elections, or misuses public funds. However, before acting, the NSB must consult with the concerned international body to prevent conflict.

Composition of the NSB

The NSB will be composed of a Chairperson and several members with expertise in public administration, sports governance, sports law, and related fields. Their appointments will be made by the central government, based on the recommendations of a search-cum-selection committee.

This committee will include:

• The Cabinet Secretary or Secretary, Sports (Chairperson)

• The Director General of the Sports Authority of India (SAI)

• Two sports administrators who have served as President, Secretary General, or Treasurer of a national sports body

• One eminent sportsperson who is a recipient of Dronacharya, Khel Ratna, or Arjuna Award

This structure is designed to ensure that decisions are made by experienced professionals, and not merely political appointees.

2. National Sports Tribunal

The Bill also introduces a National Sports Tribunal — a specialized body designed to adjudicate sports-related disputes, relieving pressure on the regular judiciary. This tribunal will deal with a wide range of issues, such as team selections, election conflicts, and internal disputes between federations and athletes.

Composition of the Tribunal

• A Chairperson, who must be a sitting or former Judge of the Supreme Court or Chief Justice of a High Court

• Two members with deep experience in sports, public administration, or law

Appointments to the tribunal will be made by a search-cum-selection committee comprising:

• The Chief Justice of India (CJI) or a Supreme Court Judge nominated by the CJI

• The Law Secretary

• The Sports Secretary

The tribunal will have powers equivalent to a civil court, and its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court, unless international rules require the case to go before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.

However, the tribunal will not have jurisdiction over:

• Disputes relating to internationally organized games

• Internal disputes within international sports bodies

Structural Reforms in National Bodies

The Bill mandates sweeping administrative changes in how sports federations are structured and run.

Every national sports body must include:

• A General Body, made up of equal representatives from all affiliate members, along with ex-officio members

• An Executive Committee of up to 15 members, including at least two outstanding sportspersons and four women

Eligibility Conditions:

• Members must be aged between 25 and 70 years. In exceptional cases, persons between 70 and 75 years may be allowed if the respective international federations permit it.

• The President, Secretary General, and Treasurer must either be sportspersons of outstanding merit or individuals who have already served two full terms on the Executive Committee.

• No one can hold the same post (or rotate among them) for more than three consecutive terms.

This deviates from the existing National Sports Code, 2011 which had a strict age cap of 70 years — a notable concession to allow some flexibility if international rules allow it.

Ensuring Free and Fair Elections

To prevent political interference and manipulation in sports elections, the Bill provides for the formation of a National Sports Election Panel. This panel will consist of:

• Former members of the Election Commission of India

• Former State Election Commissioners

• Former Chief Electoral Officers or Deputy Election Commissioners

Their role will be to oversee elections for Executive Committees and Athletes’ Committees of all national sports bodies. Moreover, every federation must also establish its own electoral panel to conduct elections at the state and district level.

Extending Transparency: RTI and Central Oversight

Perhaps one of the most significant and controversial elements of the Bill is that all recognized national sports bodies will now fall under the RTI Act, 2005. This means that their internal workings, decisions, and use of public resources will become accessible to the public.

This is a significant shift — especially for the BCCI, which has long argued that it is not accountable under RTI because it doesn’t receive government funds. However, under the new legislation, access to central government funding will only be available to bodies recognized by the NSB, and RTI compliance will be a requirement.

The Bill also allows the central government to exempt any national body or its affiliates from certain provisions in public interest, particularly to promote specific sports. This gives the government some flexibility, but also introduces potential for selective application.

Parallel Legislation: National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025

On the same day, Mr. Mandaviya also introduced the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, following objections raised by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA had criticized provisions in the 2022 Act that allowed the government to interfere in the functioning of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) through a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports.

In the revised version, the Board has been retained, but stripped of its oversight and advisory powers over NADA. This change aligns India’s anti-doping framework with international best practices, preserving the autonomy of NADA and ensuring compliance with WADA regulations.

BCCI's Response and the Road Ahead

Reacting to the bill’s introduction, BCCI Vice-President and Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Shukla commented, “We have to study the bill and see if it needs to be placed before the Apex Council. Only then can we comment.” He also stated that discussions with the government would follow after careful scrutiny of the bill's provisions.

While the government asserts that compliance will be mandatory, the success of the National Sports Governance Bill will ultimately depend on its implementation, the quality of appointments to key institutions like the NSB and Tribunal, and whether it truly operates free from political interference and conflict of interest.

The bill’s statement of objectives underscores its ambition: “There is an imperative need to curb factionalism and administrative interventions which adversely affect the organised development of sports… and to improve India's presentation before the international sports community.”

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