Gazette Tracker
Gazette Tracker

Core Purpose

The Central Government, in exercise of powers under sub-section (1) and clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 31 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of 2025), makes the National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026.

Detailed Summary

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (Department of Sports), through Notification G.S.R. 12(E) dated January 8, 2026, has published the National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026, in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 31 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of 2025). These rules define terms like 'Act' (National Sports Governance Act, 2025), 'Board' (National Sports Board established under sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Act), and 'committee' (the search-cum-selection committee under sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Act). Rule 3 mandates the Central Government to constitute a search-cum-selection committee, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, which includes the Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Sports, one person with sports administration experience, and two national sports award recipients. This committee is tasked with recommending a panel of names for the Chairperson and two Members of the National Sports Board, selecting individuals with ability, integrity, and experience in public administration, sports governance, or sports law. Importantly, the committee cannot recommend any person who has held office or been a member of any International Federation, National Sports Body, or its affiliate unit in the preceding one year. Rule 4 specifies that the recommended panel remains valid for one year, and the Central Government will fill vacancies from this panel. If no panel exists, a new committee must be constituted within one month from the date of occurrence of any vacancy or three months before the end of a tenure. Rule 5 allows for re-appointment applications, which the committee considers, granting additional weightage for prior experience and performance on the Board. The Chairperson and Members hold office for a period of three years or until they attain the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-08012026-269206 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 12] NEW DELHI, THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026/PAUSHA 18, 1947 MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS AND SPORTS (Department of Sports) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 8th January, 2026 G.S.R. 12(E). — In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clause (e) of sub-section (2) of section 31 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of 2025), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:- 1. Short title and commencement. (1) These rules may be called the National Sports Board (Search-cum-Selection Committee) Rules, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. 2. Definitions. (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) "Act" means the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 (25 of 2025); (b) "Board" means the National Sports Board established under sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Act; (c) "Central Government" shall mean the Department of the Central Government which has been allocated the subject matter of sports under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961; (d) "Chairperson" means the Chairperson appointed under section 5 of the Act; (e) "committee" means the search-cum-selection committee under sub-section (2) of section 5 of the Act; and (f) “Member” means a member appointed under section 5 of the Act, and includes the Chairperson. (2) Words and expressions used in these rules and not defined herein, but defined in the Act, shall have the meaning as assigned to them in the Act. 3. Constitution of the search-cum-selection committee and process of selection. - (1) The Central Government shall constitute a search-cum-selection committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, which consist of the following members, namely:- (a) Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Sports; and (b) one person possessing experience in sports administration, and two persons who are recipients of national sports awards, to be nominated by the Central Government. (2) The committee shall recommend a panel of names for the positions of Chairperson and two Members of the Board, from among persons of ability, integrity and standing, having knowledge or practical experience in the field of public administration, sports governance, sports law and other related fields. (3) The committee shall determine the procedure for selecting the persons as specified under sub-rule (2) for inclusion in the panel of names to be recommended to the Central Government. (4) The committee shall not recommend as the Chairperson or Member of the Board, any person who has held any office or has been a member, in the preceding one year, of any International Federation, National Sports Body or affiliate unit of such National Sports Body. (5) No act or proceeding of the search-cum-selection committee shall be called in question on the ground merely of the existence of any vacancy or absences in such committee or defect in its constitution. 4. Vacancy. — (1) The panel of names recommended by the search-cum-selection committee under sub-rule (2) of rule 3, shall remain valid for a period of one year, and the Central Government shall appoint a person from such panel in respect of any vacancy which may arise for any reason during this period. (2) Where there is no existing panel as provided under sub-rule (1), the Central Government shall, within one month from the date of occurrence of any vacancy, including by reason of death, or resignation, or removal of the Chairperson or a Member, or within three months before the end of tenure of the Chairperson or Member,- (a) constitute a search-cum-selection committee as provided under sub-rule (1) of rule 3; and (b) make a reference to such search-cum-selection committee for filling up of such vacancy, and provisions of this rule shall apply for filling of any such vacancy. 5. Selection for re-appointment. — (1) The Chairperson and Members may make an application for reappointment for one more term, and such application shall be considered by the search-cum-selection committee in the same manner as that for original appointment, along with all the persons shortlisted by it: Provided that the Chairperson and Members shall hold office for a period of three years or till he attain the age of sixty-five years, whichever is earlier. (2) While making its assessment for suitability to a post, the search-cum-selection committee shall give additional weightage to the persons seeking re-appointment for their experience in the Board and while doing so, shall take into account the performance of such person while working as a Member or a Chairperson in the Board. [F. No. 12-12/2025-Governance-1] KUNAL, Jt. Secy.

Never miss important gazettes

Create a free account to save gazettes, add notes, and get email alerts for keywords you care about.

Sign Up Free