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Khelo India Programme — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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Khelo India Programme

Ministry of Youth Affairs and SportsactiveSportsLaunched: 2017-01-31

About the Scheme

Khelo India revitalizes sports culture in India through grassroots infrastructure, talent identification, and annual multi-discipline sports competitions. Budget FY2025-26: ₹998 crore. Khelo India games: University Games, Youth Games, Winter Games, Para Games. 4,400+ Khelo India athletes identified with ₹6.4 lakh annual scholarship each.

Target Beneficiaries: Youth athletes in schools/colleges; 4,400+ Khelo India athletes with scholarships

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • 4,400+ Khelo India athletes identified; ₹6.4 lakh annual scholarship each
  • Khelo India Games: University Games (2020+), Youth Games (U18, annual since 2018), Winter Games (2020), Para Games
  • 3,600+ Khelo India Sports Infrastructure created/upgraded across India
  • Khelo India Centres (KIC): 1,089 centres in schools/colleges for sports coaching
  • Budget FY2025-26: ₹998 crore; Target Olympic medals at Paris 2024, LA 2028
  • Sports sciences support: National Sports Science & Research Board
  • Integration with SAI (Sports Authority of India) centres

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • Talented players identified in priority sports disciplines by the High-Powered Committee.
  • School and college students within the age group of 8 to 18 years.
  • Athletes must be Indian citizens and demonstrate exceptional performance at national or state levels.
  • Participation is open to athletes from all socio-economic backgrounds across India.

★Benefits

  • Annual financial assistance of INR 5 lakhs per annum for a period of 8 years for identified talents.
  • Access to specialized coaching at accredited academies and high-performance centers.
  • Comprehensive medical insurance coverage and regular health assessments.
  • Support for participation in international competitions and advanced sports science training.

▶Application Process

  • Create a profile on the official Khelo India National Talent Search Portal.
  • Fill out the comprehensive application form including sports achievements and personal details.
  • Upload digital copies of required certificates and performance proofs for verification.
  • Participate in regional or national level talent identification trials conducted by the Ministry.

₹ Budget Allocation

998

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central Sector Scheme.

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS2

Prelims Relevance7%
Mains Relevance7%

Syllabus Tags

SportsYouthSoft PowerOlympicsGS2

Historical Context

Introduced in 2018 by merging 'Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan', 'Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme', and 'National Sports Talent Search System'.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Athletes exceeding the age limits for specific game categories (U-17, U-21).
  • Athletes who do not qualify through the specified state/national level competitions.

Sub-Schemes

Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)

Financial support and training for elite athletes.

Fit India Movement

Initiative to encourage daily physical activity.

Challenges

  • Inadequate maintenance of physical infrastructure in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
  • Cultural bias prioritising academics over sports in many households.
  • Insufficient number of high-performance coaches at the grassroots level.
  • Lack of private sector investment in non-cricket sports.

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Mandatory sports credit points in the National Education Policy (NEP).
  • Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models for stadium maintenance.
  • Introduction of 'Sports Science' labs at the district level.

Performance Statistics

Metric

1,000 +

Source: Ministry of Sports

Metric

3,000 +

Source: PIB

Critical Analysis

Khelo India is the cornerstone of India's aspiration to become a global sporting powerhouse. It addresses the systemic issue of 'talent drain' where promising athletes drop out due to lack of financial support or infrastructure. The 'vertical integration' of school games to university games creates a clear career path. However, the program remains heavily tilted towards certain states (like Haryana and Manipur), highlighting a need for more equitable distribution of infrastructure. The focus on 'Fit India' as a subset also addresses the public health crisis of non-communicable diseases.

SDG Linkages

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingSDG 5: Gender EqualitySDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Constitutional Backing

Entry 33 of the State List (Sports) - though usually managed through executive action and Central Sector spending.

Technology Used

NSRS (National Sports Repository System)E-Khel Pathshala (Online coaching)

Success Stories

Inaugural Khelo India Para Games 2023

Key Takeaways

  • Identification of 1,000 talented athletes annually.
  • Scholarship of ₹5 lakh per annum for 8 consecutive years.
  • Creation of Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCE).
  • Promotion of 'Indigenous Games' like Mallakhamb and Gatka.

Probable Questions

How has the Khelo India Programme transformed the sports culture at the grassroots level in India?

MediumHigh

Mains Answer Fodder

Use Khelo India to answer questions on: 1. Sports as a tool for 'Soft Power' and diplomacy. 2. Grassroots development vs. elite training (Target Olympic Podium Scheme). 3. Economic potential of the sports industry in India. 4. Promoting inclusivity through 'Khelo India Para Games'.

Convergence Schemes

  • Fit India Movement
  • Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS)
  • National Sports Development Fund (NSDF)

Sector Tags

SportsYouth AffairsHuman Resource Development