New Delhi, May 26: The Government of India has notified key rules under the National Sports Governance framework, marking an important step towards improving transparency, accountability and efficiency in the country’s sports administration system.
The newly issued National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026 and National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026 have been framed under the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
The reforms aim to build a more structured and professional governance ecosystem for sports bodies in India, while ensuring faster and more effective resolution of issues through dedicated institutional mechanisms.
Under the new framework, the National Sports Board will function as the central authority for recognition and regulation of national sports bodies. It will oversee compliance with governance standards, financial discipline and ethical practices, thereby strengthening accountability across sports federations.
The Board will comprise a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Central Government through a structured search and selection process.
In a parallel development, the National Sports Tribunal has been established as a specialised body to address sports-related matters and concerns in a time-bound and efficient manner. The objective is to reduce procedural delays and provide a more streamlined mechanism for resolution.
A key feature of the new system is its digital-first approach. The Tribunal will operate through a dedicated online portal enabling filing of cases, submission of documents, communication of notices, and conduct of virtual hearings, making the process more accessible, transparent and efficient.
Officials said the reforms will help modernise sports governance in India, improve institutional efficiency, and provide athletes, federations and stakeholders with a faster and more structured mechanism for resolving sports-related concerns.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to modernise sports administration and strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem through technology-driven and transparent governance systems.