Union Budget 2026: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Sees Funding Rise, Sports Goods Sector Receives ₹500 Crore

Increased Allocation for Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

In the Union Budget for the financial year 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has been allocated ₹4,479.88 crore, marking an increase of ₹1,133.34 crore over the revised outlay of ₹3,346.54 crore for 2025–26. The enhanced allocation reflects the government’s continued focus on strengthening youth development and sports infrastructure across the country.

The increased funding is intended to support various programmes under the ministry’s purview, including national-level athlete development, grassroots sports promotion, and youth engagement initiatives. With international competitions and national sporting events scheduled in the coming years, the financial support is expected to aid in the preparation and participation of Indian athletes at global platforms.

Sustained Support for Khelo India Programme

The Khelo India initiative, launched with the aim of promoting sports at the grassroots level and identifying sporting talent, continues to receive significant attention in the latest budget. While the precise allocation to the programme remains undisclosed in the budget document, it remains among the ministry’s largest components, in line with previous financial years.

This scheme has been instrumental in providing infrastructure support, scholarships, and coaching to young athletes across the country. Khelo India competitions and training centres have played a key role in increasing sports participation among students and aspiring athletes in urban and rural areas alike.

Sports Goods Industry Receives ₹500 Crore Push

A key development in this year’s budget is the allocation of ₹500 crore to the sports goods sector. This funding is aimed at supporting the manufacturing and export capacity of Indian sports goods, as well as boosting local enterprises in this domain.

The funds are expected to be directed towards modernising production techniques, enhancing research and development, and facilitating access to global markets through quality certifications and compliance. The allocation also aligns with the broader national objective of increasing the share of Indian-made sports goods in the international market and encouraging domestic manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Focus on Infrastructure and Training

A portion of the increased outlay for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is likely to be utilised for the development and upgrading of sports infrastructure across states, including stadiums, training academies, and community sports centres. Continued investment in coaching and education for sports professionals is also anticipated under the budget provisions.

Additionally, efforts to promote inclusive participation in sports—particularly for women, differently-abled athletes, and youth from underserved regions—remain a core focus of the ministry’s strategy.

Outlook for the Sports Ecosystem

The upward revision in the ministry’s allocation, coupled with targeted support for the sports goods sector and ongoing investment in talent development initiatives such as Khelo India, reflects a sustained policy direction towards fostering a robust sports ecosystem in the country. With this financial backing, authorities aim to strengthen India’s presence in international sports and encourage wider participation in physical activity at the grassroots level.

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