The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has formally adopted a new Constitution, declaring that it is now fully compliant with the provisions of the National Sports Governance (NSG) Act. The move marks a significant milestone in the governance overhaul of Indian tennis following months of court-monitored reforms and is expected to pave the way for long-awaited elections to the national federation.
The revised Constitution was approved after an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) convened under the supervision of court-appointed administrator Justice Gita Mittal, who has been overseeing the federation’s affairs following directions from the Delhi High Court. The adoption of the new governing document brings AITA’s rules in line with the NSG Act’s requirements on governance, transparency, athlete representation and electoral reforms.
In a statement, the AITA said the new Constitution ensures the federation is fully compliant with the NSG Act and establishes a governance framework that promotes accountability, democratic functioning and greater athlete participation in the administration of Indian tennis.
As part of the reform process, AITA has directed all its affiliated state associations and union territory tennis bodies to amend their own constitutions by **December 31, 2026**. The federation has made it clear that continued affiliation with AITA will be contingent upon compliance with the revised constitutional framework and the provisions of the NSG Act.
The directive is expected to trigger governance reforms across state tennis associations, many of which will need to revise their constitutions to align with the national body’s new standards. These amendments are likely to include provisions relating to tenure limits, age restrictions, transparent election procedures, conflict-of-interest rules and athlete representation.
The adoption of the Constitution follows a series of sweeping governance recommendations proposed by Justice Gita Mittal. Among the key reforms were the induction of **five Sportspersons of Outstanding Merit (SOMs)** into the AITA Executive Committee and the inclusion of **eight SOMs, including four women**, as voting members of the Central Council. The restructuring also reduced state association representation in the Central Council from two members to one, giving athletes a greater voice in the federation’s decision-making process.
The Delhi High Court had earlier directed AITA to complete the constitutional amendments before proceeding with fresh elections, with the objective of bringing the federation into compliance with the new legal framework governing National Sports Federations in India. The court’s intervention followed concerns over governance practices and the need to align AITA with the standards prescribed under the NSG Act.
The new Constitution is also expected to provide greater clarity on membership, voting rights, electoral eligibility and dispute resolution mechanisms, creating a more transparent administrative structure for Indian tennis. The reforms are intended to strengthen institutional governance while ensuring greater accountability within the federation.
