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NEW DELHI: The sports goods manufacturing sector emerged as a key beneficiary as it received a first-time allocation of Rs 500 crore, following a hike of over Rs 1,000 crore in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ budget in the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday.

The ministry’s total allocation stood at Rs 4,479.88 crore, marking an increase of Rs 1,133.34 crore from the revised estimate of Rs 3,346.54 crore for 2025–26.

The allocation for the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the nodal agency responsible for conducting national camps and handling logistical support for athletes’ training, was increased from Rs 880 crore to Rs 917.38 crore.

SAI is also tasked with the upkeep and utilisation of stadia across the country.

However, allocations for the National Dope Testing Laboratory and the National Anti-Doping Agency were cut. The NDTL’s budget was reduced from Rs 28.55 crore in 2025–26 to Rs 23 crore, while NADA’s allocation dropped from Rs 24.30 crore to Rs 20.30 crore.

In her budget speech, Sitharaman underlined India’s potential to become a global hub for high-quality and affordable sports goods, echoing a stance consistently advocated by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

“I propose a dedicated initiative for sports goods that will promote manufacturing, research and innovation in equipment design as well as material sciences,” she said.

Previous budgets had no specific provision for the sports goods sector. The Sports Ministry welcomed the move and said a detailed roadmap would be drawn up to support the industry.

The initiative is expected to give a push to sports goods manufacturing start-ups under the ‘Make in India’ programme.

The government’s flagship Khelo India programme was allocated Rs 924.35 crore. While Rs 1,000 crore was earmarked last year, actual expenditure stood at Rs 700 crore.

Assistance for the Commonwealth Games was increased by 78 per cent, from Rs 28.05 crore to Rs 50 crore. The CWG is scheduled to be held in Glasgow in July–August this year.

Khelo India Mission

Sitharaman also proposed the launch of a Khelo India Mission aimed at strengthening the systematic development of training centres and coaches over the next decade. The mission is designed to enable an integrated talent development framework through interconnected pathways.

The Khelo India programme, launched in 2017, initially focused on organising national-level competitions across age groups to identify talent.

“The sports sector offers multiple avenues for employment, skilling and job creation. Building on the structured nurturing of talent initiated under Khelo India, I propose to launch a Khelo India Mission to transform the sports ecosystem over the next decade,” Sitharaman said in the Lok Sabha.

“The mission will facilitate: (a) an integrated talent development pathway supported by training centres at foundational, intermediate and elite levels; (b) systematic development of coaches and support staff; (c) integration of sports science and technology; (d) competitions and leagues to promote sporting culture and provide platforms; and (e) development of sports infrastructure for training and competition.”

Allocations in other sectors

The budget allocation for the National Sports University was reduced from Rs 78.64 crore to Rs 46.98 crore.

Meanwhile, the contribution to the National Sports Development Fund, set up in 1998, was increased from Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore. The government also decided to raise incentives for sportspersons from Rs 28 crore to Rs 40 crore this year.

Funding for National Sports Federations saw a marginal increase, rising from Rs 400 crore to Rs 425 crore.

Allocations for youth affairs

The allocation for the National Programme for Youth and Adolescent Development was enhanced to Rs 58.41 crore from Rs 57.68 crore, reversing last year’s cut under this head.

The sharpest rise was seen in funding for Youth Hostels, which received Rs 19.20 crore compared to just Rs 1.10 crore last year.

A substantial increase was also announced for the National Service Scheme, which will receive Rs 357.39 crore, up from Rs 275 crore in the previous year.

The NSS focuses on shaping young citizens through social work and community service.

(With PTI Inputs)