THE MINISTRY OF Youth Affairs and Sports has formally invited applications for the posts of Chairperson and two Members of the National Sports Board (NSB), marking a major step in implementing India’s new sports governance framework under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.
The recruitment process follows the Centre’s recent constitution of a Search-cum-Selection Committee tasked with identifying suitable candidates to lead the newly created body, which is expected to become the apex regulatory authority for sports governance in the country.
The National Sports Board is a statutory body established under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025. It has been created to strengthen transparency, accountability, and professional governance across India’s sports ecosystem. According to the notified rules, the Board will oversee:
- Recognition of National Sports Bodies and Federations.
- Compliance with governance and ethical standards.
- Financial oversight and accountability mechanisms.
- Enforcement of governance reforms mandated by the new law.
- Monitoring adherence to sports administration norms.
The Sports Ministry’s notification seeks applications for: Chairperson, National Sports Board; Member, National Sports Board; and Member, National Sports Board. The appointments will be made by the Central Government from a panel recommended by the Search-cum-Selection Committee.
Last week, the Centre constituted a high-powered Search-cum-Selection Committee headed by Cabinet Secretary T. V. Somanathan to recommend names for the Board.
Other members of the committee include: Hari Ranjan Rao, Sports Secretary; Gagan Narang, Olympic medalist and National Sports Awardee; N. Kunjurani Devi, National Sports Awardee; Harpal Singh, representing the Indian Olympic Association. The committee will evaluate candidates based on their experience, qualifications, and suitability for leading the country’s new sports governance institution.
