INDIA’S SPORTS GOODS manufacturing sector has received a significant lift in the Union Budget 2026–27, with Rs 500 crore allocated for the first time specifically to promote the industry under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Acknowledging India’s growing potential in the global sports manufacturing landscape, the Budget proposes a dedicated initiative aimed at boosting domestic production, fostering innovation and strengthening the country’s integration into international sports supply chains.
Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced the launch of the Khelo India Mission. The mission will focus on building structured talent development pathways, developing coaches and support staff, integrating sports science and technology, promoting a strong sporting culture, and creating platforms and infrastructure to support athlete development.
Overall, the Budget seeks to reinforce India’s sports ecosystem, with an increase of Rs 1,133 crore in the allocation for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The enhanced funding is expected to support targeted interventions across talent identification, infrastructure development, manufacturing growth and employment generation.
Under the Union Budget 2026–27, the Ministry’s total allocation has risen from Rs 3,346 crore (RE) in 2025–26 to Rs 4,479.88 crore (BE) in 2026–27. The government stated that this increase aligns with its long-term “vision of positioning India among the Top 10 sporting nations by 2036 and among the Top 5 by 2047”.
Funding for National Sports Federations has been raised to Rs 425 crore for 2026–27, up from Rs 400 crore in the previous financial year. The allocation for the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has also increased, from Rs 880 crore to Rs 917.38 crore. However, allocations for the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) and the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) have been reduced, from Rs 24.30 crore to Rs 20.30 crore and from Rs 28.55 crore to Rs 23 crore respectively.
