New Framework for Sports Governance
Sports Governance and Anti Doping Reform Laws: The National Sports Governance Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha on August 11, 2025 and the Rajya Sabha on August 12, 2025, creates a comprehensive legal framework to regulate sports bodies in India. It mandates the establishment of the National Olympic Committee, National Paralympic Committee, National Sports Federations, and Regional Sports Federations, each affiliated with corresponding global organisations.
Each national body must have equal representation for affiliates in its general body and an executive committee of up to 15 members, including at least two accomplished athletes and four women. Static GK fact: Earlier, the Sports Code 2011 guided governance without a dedicated law.
Structural Oversight and Dispute Resolution
The National Sports Board (NSB) will be the apex authority for granting recognition to national bodies, maintaining registers of affiliates, issuing ethical codes, and suspending bodies if required. Static GK fact: Disputes in federations like Kabaddi and Volleyball have historically stalled national-level events.
A National Sports Tribunal, chaired by a serving or former Supreme Court judge, will resolve sports-related disputes. Civil courts will have no jurisdiction over such matters, with appeals allowed only in the Supreme Court.
Election Oversight and Central Powers
A National Sports Election Panel will be created to maintain a pool of electoral officers to oversee transparent elections in sports bodies. The central government may exempt specific organisations from certain provisions if it serves the public interest or promotes a particular sport. Static GK fact: Similar exemptions were once used to keep the BCCI outside the ambit of the Right to Information Act.
Greater Autonomy for Anti-Doping Agency
The National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025, passed on the same dates, strengthens the independence of the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the National Anti-Doping Appeal Panel. The Appeal Panel will hear cases against decisions of the Disciplinary Panel, ensuring separation from sports federations, Olympic/Paralympic committees, ministries, and other bodies.
Aligning with International Anti-Doping Standards
The Bill aligns Indian law with the World Anti-Doping Code by incorporating its provisions into the schedule with the force of law. Appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will be limited to bodies such as WADA, IOC, IPC, and international federations. Direct CAS appeals are allowed for international-level cases by affected parties and WADA.
Static GK fact: The Court of Arbitration for Sport, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, is the highest authority for resolving international sports disputes.
Testing laboratories must have WADA accreditation, and NADA will verify any procedural lapses in test reports before action is taken.
Significance and Political Context
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya described the reforms as a crucial step towards transparency, ethics, and India’s Olympic ambitions. Veteran athlete P.T. Usha said the governance bill would end decades of stagnation in sports administration. Critics, however, warn of excessive centralisation and reduced transparency due to RTI exemptions.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Sports Governance and Anti Doping Reform Laws:
| Topic | Detail |
| Governance Bill Passage Dates | Introduced July 23, 2025; Passed Lok Sabha Aug 11, Rajya Sabha Aug 12 |
| Bodies Established | NOC, NPC, NSFs, RSFs |
| Oversight Mechanisms | National Sports Board; National Sports Tribunal; Election Panel |
| Anti-Doping Autonomy | NADA gain independence; Appeal Panel power to Centre |
| International Alignment (Anti-Doping) | WADA Code definitions, CAS appeals, WADA lab accreditation mandatory |
| Key Opposition Points | RTI exclusion for BCCI; centralisation concerns |
