Khelo India Sports Scholarship Scheme
Independent guide — not a government website
Content updated: 2026-09-01 · Facts checked against official sources: 2026-10-17
Official link type: Information portal
| Scheme Name | Khelo India Sports Scholarship Scheme |
|---|---|
| Category / Sector | Youth |
| Financial Benefit | ₹6.28 Lakh annual sports scholarship (₹1.20 Lakh cash allowance + ₹5.08 Lakh for coaching, diet, equipment, and schooling) for 8 consecutive years. |
| Who Can Apply | Age: 10 to 21 yrs | Occupation: Student, All | Category: All |
| Application Mode | No direct individual application — see process below |
| Official Website | https://kheloindia.gov.in/ ↗ Information portal |
- ✔₹6.28 Lakh Annual Comprehensive Package per athlete, sustained over an 8-year long-term training cycle.
- ✔Monthly Out-of-Pocket Allowance (OPA) of ₹10,000 (₹1.20 Lakh/year) paid directly via DBT.
- ✔Residential Training at SAI Centres of Excellence: Free lodging, customized nutritional meals, and state-of-the-art sports science recovery.
- ✔Covers 20+ Olympic and National Sports: Athletics, Archery, Badminton, Boxing, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Shooting, Swimming, Hockey, Football, Table Tennis, Gymnastics, Judo, etc.
- ✔KIRTI Grassroots Scouting: Nationwide talent assessment drives identifying hidden champions from rural villages and tribal belts.
The Khelo India Sports Scholarship Scheme is a premier talent development program led by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS) and the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Designed to transform grassroots athletic potential into Olympic medal podium finishes, the scheme identifies 1,000 promising young sports talents each year across 20+ disciplines and awards them a comprehensive annual financial support package of ₹6,28,000 for up to 8 continuous years.
Selected Khelo India Athletes (KIAs) are admitted to world-class SAI National Centres of Excellence (NCOE) and Khelo India Accredited Academies. Under the scheme, athletes receive ₹10,000 per month (₹1.20 Lakh annually) in direct Out-of-Pocket Allowance (OPA) credited straight to their Aadhaar-linked bank account, while ₹5.08 Lakh per annum is invested in elite foreign/national coaching, specialized sports nutrition, international-grade equipment, boarding, school/college education, and comprehensive sports injury medical insurance.
Detailed support and resources provided to Khelo India Athletes include: 1. Cash Stipend for Personal Gear & Supplements: ₹10,000/month DBT cash allowance ensures athletes from underprivileged backgrounds never compromise on specialized footwear, compression gear, or dietary supplements. 2. Elite Coaching & Sports Science: Training under certified national and foreign coaches with access to high-performance physiotherapists, biomechanists, nutritionists, and sports psychologists. 3. Educational & Boarding Security: Full sponsorship of school and college tuition fees, residential hostel accommodation, and balanced scientific athletic diets. 4. Competition Exposure & Kit Allowances: 100% funding for travel, entry fees, and kits for participating in national ranking tournaments and international junior championships. 5. Sports Injury Medical Insurance: Comprehensive ₹5,00,000 medical and accident insurance covering arthroscopic surgeries, rehabilitation, and accidental risks.
To be selected as a Khelo India Athlete: • Age Limit: Must be between 10 and 21 years of age. • Nationality: Must be a resident citizen of India. • Sporting Talent & Performance Benchmark: - Podium medalists and standout performers in Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG), Khelo India University Games (KIUG), or Khelo India Winter Games. - Top performers in National School Games (SGFI) or National Junior/Sub-Junior Championships conducted by recognized National Sports Federations (NSFs). - Talents scouted through the Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) physical battery tests. • No Income Bar: Open to athletes from all economic backgrounds without any parental income ceiling.
Keep copies of these documents ready for NSRS registration: 1. Athlete's Aadhaar Card. 2. Official Birth Certificate (issued by Municipal Corporation / Registrar of Births). 3. Sports Merit Certificates (District / State / National level tournament certificates). 4. Aadhaar-linked Bank Account Passbook. 5. Passport-sized Photographs. 6. Medical Fitness Certificate.
- Aadhaar Card of the athlete
- Date of Birth Certificate (Birth Certificate / Class 10th marksheet / Passport)
- Sports Performance Certificates (Medals / Participation certificates in District, State, or National championships)
- Active Savings Bank Account Passbook (Aadhaar-seeded for DBT allowance)
- Passport-size Photographs in sports uniform
- Medical Fitness Certificate & Bone Age Verification (where mandated by SAI)
Talent identification and enrollment follows a structured 4-step path: Step 1 — Register on National Sports Repository System (NSRS): Visit kheloindia.gov.in or nsrs.kheloindia.gov.in, create your Athlete Profile, and enter your sports discipline and past tournament achievements. Step 2 — Participate in Official Competitions / KIRTI Trials: Compete in recognized state championships, School Games, or attend local KIRTI scouting physical battery trials. Step 3 — Talent Identification Committee (TIC) Evaluation: Independent Talent Committees composed of Olympians and national coaches evaluate performance, biomechanics, and medal potential. Step 4 — Induction & Monthly Allowance: Selected athletes are issued Khelo India Athlete ID Cards, assigned to accredited SAI academies, and start receiving their ₹10,000 monthly OPA allowance via DBT.
KIRTI talent assessment drives and Khelo India Games trials are conducted throughout the year across different zones. Keep your NSRS profile updated annually.
• Submitting forged or delayed birth certificates (SAI uses strict TW3 bone age verification; age fraud leads to immediate lifetime disqualification). • Participating in unapproved private tournaments not recognized by SAI or recognized National Sports Federations. • Inactive bank accounts leading to delays in monthly OPA stipend credits. • Missing annual performance appraisals required to renew the scholarship.
Register your profile early on nsrs.kheloindia.gov.in and upload verified tournament participation certificates from authorized state sports associations. Prepare diligently for KIRTI physical fitness trials.
The Khelo India Sports Scholarship Scheme is the bedrock of India's sporting resurgence. By providing ₹6.28 Lakh per year in elite training, lodging, and monthly pocket stipends, Khelo India removes financial barriers for young athletes and empowers them to bring Olympic glory to India.
Facts on this page are based on the official documents and portals below. Rules can change, so confirm the latest position on the official source before applying.
- Khelo India Talent Development Guidelines — Sports Authority of India (SAI) (2024-03-01)
LaabhKhoj is an independent information website, not a government website. We summarise official sources; final eligibility and benefits are decided by the implementing department. Apply only through official channels and do not pay intermediaries.