Lok Sabha Passes Historic Sports Reforms Bill

By Abhishek Kumar

Big update for Indian sports

The Lok Sabha has passed the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 along with the National Anti-Doping Amendment Bill. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called it the “biggest reform since independence.”

Under this new law, a National Sports Board (NSB) will be formed. Only sports federations approved by NSB will get government funding. If any body is found in corruption, misusing funds, or not holding elections, its recognition can be cancelled.

Every sports body must now have at least 2 top athletes and 4 women members in their main committee. Leaders can work till the age of 70 (75 in some cases) and can only serve 3 terms in a row.

A National Sports Tribunal will be set up to solve disputes like team selection or election issues. Its decisions can be challenged in the Supreme Court or the international sports court.

There will also be a panel to monitor fair elections, and federations must follow Olympic rules and an ethics code. Most sports bodies will now come under RTI, but BCCI will only come under it if it gets big government funding.

This bill is expected to bring clean governance, gender balance, and better transparency in Indian sports — and help the country prepare for bigger dreams like hosting the Olympics.