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Lok Sabha has passed the long-awaited National Sports Governance Bill on August 11, 2025, and sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya called it the "single biggest reform in Indian sports since independence" despite protests by the opposition over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar.
Apart from this, Lok Sabha also passed the National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill following an early adjournment caused by opposition protests.
"It is the single biggest reform in sports since independence. This bill will ensure accountability, ensure justice, best governance in sports federations," Mandaviya said amid sloganeering by opposition members.
"It will have massive significance in India's sports ecosystem. It is unfortunate that such an important bill and reform does not have opposition's participation" he added.
Opposition Protests and Absence During Introduction
Opposition leaders were not present in the house when the bills were introduced for consideration because they were detained while protesting near the Election Commission headquarters against the special revision of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged voter data manipulation.
However, after opposition MPs spoke in support during the debate, other opposition members returned to the house and began raising slogans. Despite the noise, the bills were passed by voice vote, and the House was adjourned until 4 pm.
Parliamentary Committee Request for Further Review
Digvijaya Singh, chairman of the parliamentary committee on sports, requested Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to send the National Sports Governance Bill to the committee for further examination and discussion before it is passed by Parliament.
Key Reforms for a Transparent Sports Ecosystem
Mandaviya described both bills as key reforms aimed at creating a "transparent, accountable and world-class sports ecosystem" in India, especially as the country prepares to bid for the 2036 Olympics.
He explained the bill’s history:
"Efforts have been made since 1975 and in 1985, we had the first draft. But sports was also politicised for personal gains. Some ministers made efforts to bring this bill but could not move forward."
"In 2011, we had a National Sports Code. Another effort was made to turn it into a bill. It reached the cabinet, there was a discussion as well but the bill was deferred after that. It did not reach the Parliament," he added.
Mandaviya called the bill a "force of change" and said,
"Despite being such a large country, our performance at the Olympic Games and on the international stage has not been satisfactory and this Bill aims to build India's sports capacity."
Provisions of the Sports Governance Bill
The bill proposes creating a National Sports Board (NSB), which will enforce strict accountability. All National Sports Federations (NSFs) must get recognition from the NSB to receive central government funding.
The NSB can de-recognise any federation that fails to hold elections for its Executive Committee or commits "gross irregularities in the election procedures."
Other reasons for action include failure to publish annual audited accounts or "misuse, misapplication or misappropriated public funds." However, before acting, the NSB must consult the relevant international sports body.
Another important feature is the creation of a National Sports Tribunal. This tribunal will have civil court powers and resolve disputes related to selection or elections involving federations and athletes. Its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.
The bill also makes some exceptions regarding the age limit for administrators, allowing those aged 70 to 75 to contest elections if international bodies’ rules permit. This is a change from the previous age cap of 70.
"...as a part of the preparatory activities for the bidding of Summer Olympic Games 2036, it is imperative that the sports governance landscape undergo a positive transformation to bring better outcomes, sporting excellence and aids in improved performance in major international competitions" The bill’s objective states.
RTI Act and BCCI’s Position
All recognised national sports bodies will come under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) strongly opposed this because it does not depend on government funding.
However, the government amended the bill to apply RTI only to bodies that rely on government funding or support, giving some leeway to the cricket board.
National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill
The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 incorporates changes requested by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which had objected to government interference in India’s Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
The original act was passed in 2022 but was delayed because WADA opposed the creation of a National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports, which had the power to oversee NADA and advise the government.
WADA rejected this as government interference. In the amended bill, the Board remains but no longer oversees NADA or advises the government, affirming NADA’s "operational independence."
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