Sports Budget Raised By Over Rs 350 Crore, Khelo India Gets Biggest Share

The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday has seen a substantial increase in the allocation for youth affairs and sports, with the Ministry being granted over Rs 351 crore more than its previous grant.

In a significant boost to grassroots development, the government's flagship programme Khelo India has been allocated an increased grant of Rs 1,000 crore for the financial year 2025-26, exceeding the previously sanctioned amount of Rs 800 crore.

The budget allocation marks a substantial jump in the Ministry for Youth Affairs and Sports' total assigned amount, bringing it to Rs 3,794.30 crore.

This significant increase is notable, given that there are no major international sporting events such as the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, or Asian Games scheduled for the next year.

Apart from bolstering Khelo India's allocation, the budget has also seen a marginal hike in the assistance granted to National Sports Federations, now amounting to Rs 400 crore, up from the previous grant of Rs 340 crore.

India is also gearing up for an ambitious bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games, having submitted a letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee.