National Sports Governance and Anti-Doping Bills - UPSC

The Lok Sabha has passed two major sports-related bills i.e., the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 and National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025. The main objective of these bills is to bring big changes in the way sports are run in India and to make sure athletes compete fairly without using banned substances. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya called these reforms the biggest sports reform since Independence. He said these laws will make sports administration more transparent, more accountable and better prepared for international challenges. This move is also an important step towards India’s dream of hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics.

This article provides an in-depth examination of National Sports Governance Bill 2025 and National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill 2025 connecting it to the UPSC IAS examinations Prelims and Mains syllabus. It will help aspiring individuals ascertain the reform of governance, ethical system and policy implications of sports administration in India.

Download UPSC Prelims Pointers on National Sports Governance and Anti-Doping Bills PDF

National Sports Governance Bill 2025

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 is designed to set up a strong legal system for managing sports in India. The purpose is to make sure that sports bodies work transparently, follow proper rules and focus on the interests of athletes.

What is the Purpose of the National Sports Governance Bill 2025?

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 has been introduced to create a clear and lawful system for running sports in India. It focuses on ensuring transparency, accountability and fairness in the functioning of sports bodies. The main aim of this bill is to -

• Create new sports organisations at national and regional levels
• Regulate their work so that they follow fair practices
• Improve decision-making and reduce political interference in sports governance

New Sports Bodies to be Established

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 proposes the formation of new organisations to manage different types of sports -

• National Olympic Committee – Governs Olympic sports in India and works with the International Olympic Committee.
• National Paralympic Committee – Manages sports for athletes with disabilities and is linked with the International Paralympic Committee.
• National and Regional Sports Federations – Separate bodies for each sport with state and regional branches to manage the sport locally.

National Sports Board (NSB)

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 establishes the National Sports Board which will be the main authority for regulating sports federations in India. The National Sports Board will -

• Grant official recognition to sports federations
• Register their affiliated state or regional units
• Monitor their activities and ensure they follow the rules
• Cancel recognition if a federation -
  • Holds unfair elections
  • Misuses funds
  • Commits serious mismanagement

What is the Role of National Sports Tribunal under National Sports Governance Bill 2025?

To solve disputes in sports quickly and fairly the National Sports Governance Bill 2025 sets up a National Sports Tribunal.

• It will have powers similar to a civil court.
• It will handle cases related to:
  • Player selection disputes
  • Federation elections
  • Governance issues in sports bodies
• Its decisions can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.

Governance and Transparency in National Sports Governance Bill 2025

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 makes it compulsory for sports bodies that receive government funding to follow the Right to Information (RTI) Act so that the public can get information about their activities.

• Exception: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will not be covered by RTI unless it gets significant government funding.

Leadership Rules

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 updates the rules on who can lead sports bodies giving more flexibility for experienced administrators to continue their roles under certain conditions.

• The earlier age limit for sports administrators was 70 years.
• Now, people aged 70 to 75 years can contest elections if their international sports federation allows it.

Gender Inclusion in National Sports Governance Bill 2025

The National Sports Governance Bill 2025 ensures that women and athletes are represented in sports governance.
Every executive committee of a national sports body must have:

• At least two outstanding sportspersons
• At least four women members

Download National Sports Governance Bill 2025 PDF

National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025

The National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025 changes the existing National Anti-Doping Act 2022 to meet the latest international rules from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The objective of the bill is to protect the fairness of sports by preventing athletes from using banned performance-enhancing substances.

Purpose of the National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025

The objective of the National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025 is to -

• Updates the laws of India to match WADA guidelines
• Makes the anti-doping agency independent from government control
• Strengthens commitment of the country to the UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sport

Download National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025 PDF

Operational Independence for NADA

The National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025 strengthens India’s compliance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules by making NADA fully independent. This change addresses international concerns about government control over anti-doping matters.

• The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) will now work without direct interference from the government.
• This will help ensure that doping cases are handled fairly and without bias.

Changes to the National Anti-Doping Board

The National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025 redefines the powers of the National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports to ensure NADA’s full operational independence.

• The National Board for Anti-Doping in Sports will still exist but cannot control NADA’s operations.
• It can only request information from the Disciplinary and Appeal Panels handling doping cases.
• Its role will be limited to advising the central government on anti-doping policies.

Alignment with International Standards

The National Anti Doping Amendment Bill 2025 brings India’s anti-doping laws in line with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines and the UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sport.

• The bill clearly lists substances and actions that count as doping violations.
• It ensures athletes have fair hearings and proper protection of their rights.
• It helps India remain compliant with global rules so that its athletes can compete internationally without facing restrictions.

Significance of the Reforms

These reforms mark one of the most important changes in India’s sports sector since independence. They aim to improve governance, protect athlete rights, and prepare the country for future global sporting events.

• Preparation for Olympics 2036: By adopting global standards in sports governance and anti-doping, India strengthens its bid to host the 2036 Summer Olympics.
• Filling a Long-standing Gap: India has been trying to bring a strong sports governance law since 1975, but political disagreements delayed it. This bill finally makes it happen after almost 50 years.
• Better Gender Representation: Women will now have more decision-making roles in sports federations, encouraging more female participation in sports.
• Improved Athlete Performance: With more transparency, fairer selection, and less political control, athletes are expected to perform better in global competitions.

Future Impact

If these reforms are implemented well they can -

• Stronger Governance – Make sports bodies more accountable and efficient.
• Better Anti-Doping Framework – Build stronger systems to prevent and address doping.
• Improved Global Performance – Increase India’s chances of winning medals in international events.

Olympic Readiness – Create the foundation for hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics.