The Central Government has notified the commencement of select provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. The law is set to come into force from January 1, 2026, and will govern the functioning of national sports federations in the country.
The National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of 2025) was officially notified in the Gazette on August 18, 2025. Section 1(2) of the Act states that it will come into effect on a date appointed by the Central Government through a notification, with the possibility of different dates for various provisions of the Act.
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 1 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, the Central Government has announced January 1, 2026, as the date on which several provisions will be enacted. These include sections 1 to 3, sub-sections (1), (2), and (4) of section 4, sub-sections (1) and (2) of section 5, sub-section (5) of section 8, sub-section (1) of section 11, sections 14 and 15, sub-sections (1) to (7) and (10) of section 17, sections 30 and 31, and sections 33 to 38.
The provisions being brought into effect pertain to the establishment and governance framework of National Sports Bodies, including the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federations, and Regional Sports Federations. Additional provisions include the constitution of the National Sports Board, compliance requirements for recognised sports organisations, privileges and duties of these organisations, the constitution of the National Sports Tribunal, and the rule-making powers of the Central Government, all of which will also take effect from January 1, 2026.
This phased commencement of the Act aims to ensure a smooth transition to a statutory sports governance framework. The Act seeks to promote transparency, accountability, ethical practices, and good governance in sports administration, ensure the welfare of sportspersons, and provide for effective and timely resolution of sports-related disputes, aligning with the Olympic Charter, the Paralympic Charter, and international best practices.
From January 1, 2026, the institutional mechanisms outlined in the notified provisions of the Act will become operational.