About Us

Message from Secretary

Active lifestyle, fitness and sports are vital to nurture healthy, confident, and dynamic youth. Rooted in the Olympic values of Excellence, Friendship, and Respect, they foster teamwork, fair play, and a spirit of healthy competition, shaping well-rounded personalities and driving holistic human development.

I am honoured to lead the Department at a time when India’s athletes are consistently delivering inspiring performances on the global stage, be it Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games or World Championships. These achievements reflect India’s steady progression towards becoming a top sporting nation. We have recently launched the Khelo Bharat Niti-2025, which seeks to reshape the country’s sporting landscape and empower citizens through sports. We are actively pursuing its objectives through coordinated efforts at grassroots as well as elite levels in collaboration with States, the Indian Olympic Association, and National Sports Federations. Equally, the Department is committed to ensure good governance in sports. In this direction, the proposed legislation seeks to bring greater transparency, accountability, and professionalism in the functioning of sports bodies. Our flagship initiative, the Khelo India Scheme, continues to drive the promotion and development of sports across the country. Further, digital integration is being pursued through initiatives such as the National Sports Repository System (NSRS). These initiatives reflect our commitment to build a robust sports ecosystem and further the nation’s aspiration to emerge as a leading sporting power globally.

Looking ahead, the aspiration to host the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games marks a pivotal goal that will inspire young talent and set new benchmarks for sporting excellence. In alignment with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, we are committed to strengthen the existing ecosystem, improve the capacity of Coaches and focus on early talent identification and development.

Hari Ranjan Rao, IAS (MP:94)

Secretary (Sports)

About Us

The Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India is the apex body responsible for the promotion, development, and regulation of sports across the nation. Guided by the vision of fostering excellence and inclusivity, the Department works to create a vibrant sporting culture that empowers athletes, inspires youth, and unites communities.

Brief History of the Department of Sports, India

1982 – Establishment: The Department of Sports was created in 1982 to oversee the organization and promotion of sports in India, coinciding with the IX Asian Games held in New Delhi. This marked the beginning of a dedicated government body for sports administration.

1985 – Expansion of Scope: During the International Youth Year in 1985, the Department was renamed the Department of Youth Affairs & Sports, reflecting its expanded mandate to include youth development alongside sports.

2000 – Formation of Ministry: On 27 May 2000, the Department was upgraded to a full-fledged Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, signifying the growing importance of sports and youth engagement in national policy.

2008 – Bifurcation : On 30 April 2008, the Ministry was bifurcated into two independent departments:

• Department of Youth Affairs
• Department of Sports Each department was placed under separate Secretaries to streamline governance and focus on their respective mandates.

Present Role: Today, the Department of Sports is responsible for policy formulation, infrastructure development, and support to National Sports Federations. While federations remain autonomous in managing their disciplines, the Department plays a crucial role in capacity building, funding, and international representation.