The Union government on Tuesday notified the National Sports Governance (National Sports Board) Rules, 2026 and the National Sports Governance (National Sports Tribunal) Rules, 2026.
This includes setting up a formal regulatory and dispute-resolution framework for the country’s sports ecosystem, operationalising a key part of its sports reform agenda.
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The move lays down the structure, appointment process, powers and service conditions for the two new bodies that will oversee governance standards and adjudicate sports-related disputes.
Under the notified rules, the National Sports Board will consist of a Chairperson and two Members appointed by the Centre from a panel recommended by a Search-cum-Selection Committee constituted under separate rules.
“The National Sports Board will function as the central authority for granting recognition to National Sports Bodies and ensuring compliance with governance, financial and ethical standards,” the government said.
The rules also define the Board’s composition, tenure, salaries, allowances and powers.
The National Sports Tribunal, meanwhile, has been positioned as a specialised adjudicatory body aimed at resolving sports disputes outside conventional courts.
“The National Sports Tribunal will serve as a dedicated adjudicatory body for sports-related disputes in the country. It is aimed at reducing reliance on civil courts and ensuring independent, speedy, effective and cost-efficient disposal of disputes relating to sports governance and administration,” the notification said.
According to the rules, the Tribunal framework includes provisions for appointment and re-appointment of the Chairperson and Members, along with their salary structures, tenure and service conditions.
The government has also built in digital processes for dispute management. The rules provide for a dedicated online portal for “submission of disputes, notices, responses, documents and clarifications, as well as communication from the Tribunal, publication of orders, virtual hearings and maintenance of records related to proceedings and orders.”
Officials said the digital-first structure is aimed at speeding up resolution timelines and improving accessibility for athletes, federations and sports bodies across the country.
“The Tribunal is also expected to reduce multiplicity of litigation and provide a single-window mechanism for faster, simpler and more accessible resolution of sports disputes,” the government said.
The National Sports Governance Act, 2025, passed by Parliament last year, replaced the earlier Sports Code framework with a statutory system governing sports federations, athlete welfare and dispute resolution. The law introduced provisions related to transparency, tenure limits for administrators, athlete representation and ethical governance standards.
The legislation also created the framework for a National Sports Board, a Tribunal and an Election Panel as part of broader reforms linked to improving accountability and aligning Indian sports governance with international standards ahead of India’s push to host the 2036 Olympics.
