New Delhi, Feb 1: India's sports ecosystem received a significant boost in the Union Budget 2026-27, with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports recording a notable increase in its overall allocation.
The rise in allocation reflects the government's long-term strategy of linking sport with employment generation, infrastructure creation and India's global sporting ambitions, particularly with major international hosting plans on the horizon.
Sports Budget Registers Clear Year-on-Year Growth
A close reading of the budget documents shows that the net allocation for Youth Affairs and Sports in 2026-27 stands at approximately ₹45,482 crore, up from around ₹42,692 crore in 2025-26, indicating a growth of nearly ₹2,800 crore year-on-year. This increase factors in both voted and charged expenditures,
after accounting for recoveries and adjustments.
The steady upward trajectory signals continuity in policy, with sports no longer treated as a standalone activity but as a structured sector aligned with education, skilling and economic output.
Infrastructure, Khelo India and High-Performance Drive
The expanded allocation is expected to directly support flagship programmes such as Khelo India, the newly announced Khelo India Mission, and large-scale infrastructure upgrades across states. With India preparing to host the 100th Commonwealth Games in 2030 in Ahmedabad and pursuing its 2036 Olympic Games bid, sustained investment in stadiums, training centres and athlete housing is becoming central to the sports budget narrative.
The documents also indicate continued emphasis on capital expenditure, suggesting that a significant portion of the increase is being channelled into long-term asset creation rather than short-term operational spending.
Youth Development and Employment Linkages
Beyond elite sport, the Ministry's allocation also covers youth affairs, skilling initiatives and programmes aimed at harnessing India's demographic dividend. The increased outlay aligns with the government's broader Budget 2026 focus on employment, where sport is increasingly viewed as a multi-sector employer spanning coaching, sports science, event management, manufacturing and digital content.
This integrated approach mirrors the Narendra Modi Government's stated vision of sport as an economic activity with multiplier effects rather than only a medal-driven pursuit.
A Decade-Long Vision Taking Shape
The rise in the sports budget comes alongside the announcement of a 10-year roadmap for transforming India's sports sector, anchored by the Khelo India Mission. Together, these moves suggest that Budget 2026-27 is less about one-off announcements and more about building continuity toward a long-term national sporting framework.
With consistent funding growth, stronger institutional backing and clearer alignment with global ambitions, Indian sport appears to be entering a phase of structural consolidation-one where funding stability could finally translate into sustained international success.
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